Hi all. I'm hoping someone here might be able to clear up some confusion I have. We're getting ready to purchase tickets for a train ride from Edinburgh to London Victoria station. According to National Rail, there is one change which appears to take us from the Train to the Tube. That part is easy enough. What confuses me is that the Train arrives at London King Cross at 16:04 and the Tube leaves King Cross at 16:04. Am I correct in thinking this is very definition of "calling it too close"? Are we going to have to book once to London, then another to London Victoria (which is practically next door to our B&B)? These are Anytime tickets so does that mean if we miss the 16:04 connection, we can hop on the next one?
Posted by
Napa, CA
3580 posts
The train will take you to the Kings Cross station from Edinburgh. From there you take the Tube to Victoria. These are two different systems, so you will need a ticket for the Tube (Underground) which is London's subway system. Every few minutes there is another Tube train to Victoria; booking is not required or even possible. I think National Rail was just indicating your itinerary from Edinburgh to Victoria and your hotel area. You might want to check out info on the Underground (Tube) system under Transport for London.
Posted by
Troy, Oh, USA
2799 posts
Just purchase your tickets for Edinburgh to London Kings Cross, do not put London Victoria that's what is confusing you, just enter London Kings Cross. When you get to Kings Cross you will see signs for Kings Cross tube (underground) station. Like Swan mentioned, you can not make reservations for the tube. There is a train that leaves Kings Cross every 3 or 4 minutes to Victoria tube station. You won't have any problems.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33533 posts
If you're buying "Anytime" tickets you're paying top dollar. You can walk up and buy Anytime tickets for the same money minutes before you leave. How far in advance can you plan? When are you going? There should be some sort of discount ticket available if you have a few weeks notice and can commit to a particular train. As said above, London Underground, to give the Tube its real name, has nothing to do with East Coast Trains or any other part of the National Rail network. Putting in Victoria only makes the quote go up. As said, enter your destination as Kings Cross. If you are travelling at rush hour during the week there will be a Victoria Line train (light blue on underground maps) coming into the station almost as soon as the previous one left. And it will be crowded at 1604. A bit better on the weekend. If the weekend, check for weekend engineering diversions and closures, although the Victoria Line has pretty well stayed out of those recently.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
Adding to what Nigel wrote. Advance purchase discount fare tickets can be very cheap. They are for a specific departure date and time and are non-refundable and non-exchangeable. Those tickets are posted about 60 days in advance. Book at www.eastcoast.co.uk.
Posted by
Fort Wayne, IN, USA
2349 posts
Whoa, wait just a minute. Tim of Minneapolis, MN? What What??!!
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
He was tarred and feathered and run out of Minot.
Posted by
Fort Wayne, IN, USA
2349 posts
...and run out on a rail.
Posted by
Tempe, AZ, USA
1266 posts
Stephanie - To expand on what Nigel & Tim have said. Say you are planning on leaving Edinburgh on March 30, 2011. There is a train that departs at 10:30 and arrives London King Cross station at 15:03 for £12.90. Go to www.eastcoast.co.uk and play around.