Hi. I will be in Great Britain from August 8-16. We want to see both England and Scotland. We will be arriving in London late on the evening of August 7. We will be departing for Ireland on August 16. My question: should we take trains everywhere in England and Scotland, or should I rent a car and try to plan my own itinerary? It looks like I can get a weekly rental for about $500 (one way from Birmingham to Edinburgh) Is there are better place to begin the rental. I am concerned about DRIVING ON THE LEFT. Is it pretty easy and safe? I will have an automatic. Are there convenient trains to everywhere? In London, we would like to see Big Ben, Kensington Gardens and The Tower of London. We definitely want to see Alnwick Castle, where Harry Potter was filmed, because my daughter is a huge fan!! In Scotland, we would like to see Edinburgh, Rosslyn Chapel, the Isle of Skye and Inverness (maybe Culloden). So we probably need more time in Scotland than in England.
I don't mind taking trains if all of these places are easily accessible. But if a car is as easy, and not that much more expensive...
Posted by
Paradise
6664 posts
I have also been very concerned - maybe terrified - of driving on the left in another country. I just don't trust myself. I think we each have different skills in this area and different ideas about our own potential to change habits 180 degrees. I am bold in most ways including driving, but I will not try this out on public streets where I, my passengers, and others might suffer if I'm not successful. People will tell you it's no big deal but perhaps that's because they have a different skill set than others or because for them it's been no big deal YET. I have used National Express coaches around Britain and saved a lot of $ doing so. You can find tickets for London to Birmingham at 5 pounds sterling. Or pay 18 to Edinburgh. Not the fastest way to go but it's worked for me. See the
National Express website: https://help.nationalexpress.com/help/fares-discounts/funfares/
Posted by
Seattle, WA
16401 posts
Eight days is not much time to see all that. but with the train, you could take the overnight train (New Caledonian Sleeper) from London up to Inverness, then work your way back down to Edinburgh. Read what the Man in Seat 61 says about this train: http://www.seat61.com/CaledonianSleepers.htm (someone voted it the best railway journey in th eworld). If there are 3 of you, you would need a double and a single compartment, which would come to around 300 GBP if you get the advance purchase rate. But you wouldn't be paying for a hotel that night.
Posted by
Ann Arbor, Mi
3696 posts
I have driven there and while it is definitely different, for me, it became second nature pretty quickly. If I had been on this website before I did it, I probably would have talked myself out of it, but because I just did it, all went well. I however have talked myself out of being able to use a manual shift, so I always rent an automatic while I am there, even though I drive a stick at home, as well as all over Europe. When I arrive I always try to take an easy route out of town so I have some time to get used to it. I got caught by surprise when I rented a car in the Cayman Islands and it was the same way, so I just had to do it.
I love the freedom of the car as I can go where I want, when I want and do not have to live by the train schedule. On occasion I will take the train when it makes sense for me, but I am a fairly spontaneous traveler and do not want to be stuck somewhere I don't want to be. Have a great time.
Posted by
Texas
518 posts
Hi Tena, I believe I just answered your question about Scotland. Driving in England, particularly closer to London is a bit more interesting due to the increased amount of traffic. The suggestion about the Caledonian Sleeper to Inverness is great. I want to do that on our next trip.
Whatever you do , DO NOT drive in London. Leave or pick up your car at Heathrow, Gatwick, or a small town like Windsor. There is good transportation into or out of London.