Scotland or Wales?

[Steve Smith]

I would go to Scotland... but I certainly wouldn't drive from London.

Fly up there and rent a car.


Steve.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I would go to Scotland... but I certainly wouldn't drive from London.

Fly up there and rent a car.


Steve.

Take the train. You can take photographs through the window. Besides if you go by rail you will not waste time getting to the airport, screening and waiting for the airplane. A train will probably get you there faster.

 

[Steve Smith]

Perhaps... but believe it or not, flying is probably cheaper than the train.


Steve.

 

[cliveh]

Perhaps... but believe it or not, flying is probably cheaper than the train.


Steve.

Are you sure about that?

 

[Sirius Glass]

Perhaps... but believe it or not, flying is probably cheaper than the train.


Steve.

He may well be. We are not talking about Eurail Passes there.

 

[skysh4rk]

A train will probably get you there faster.

When travelling between London and Glasgow or London and Edinburgh, the train is usually both slower—even taking into account airport security—and more expensive.

I would go to Scotland... but I certainly wouldn't drive from London.

Fly up there and rent a car.

I would just drive from London personally. The convenience of having your own car and being able to pack anything you want trumps the couple hours you might save by flying.

 

[frank]

I like driving.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I agree that driving is better, even for a North American . I was thinking about an express train, not one that makes lots of local stops.

 

[mgb74]

To see Nessie the Loch Ness Monster, go out to a hillside along the Loch and bring couple of bottles of Scotch. By the time you are well into the second bottle you will be able to Nessie.

That was my problem! I didn't bring the scotch. Of course there it's not scotch, it's whiskey.

Consider the overnight train or bus between London and Glasgow or Edinburgh. (I assume it still operates, it's been a long while since I took it.)

 

[MattKing]

My understanding is that since privatization, the UK rail system has become fragmented and expensive and, for long distances, that flying is much more reasonable.

 

[ronnies]

That was my problem! I didn't bring the scotch. Of course there it's not scotch, it's whiskey.

No it isn't! It's whisky !!!

Oh, and I would agree with any derogatory comments about Irn Bru !

Ronnie

 

[skysh4rk]

I agree that driving is better, even for a North American .

North Americans might reconsider, however, upon hearing that you'd be paying the equivalent of US $6.25 per gallon right now for fuel.

I was thinking about an express train, not one that makes lots of local stops.

Unfortunately, I wouldn't consider any of the trains running between London and Scotland to be 'express' trains. I think the fastest trip you can get between London and Edinburgh is about 4.5 hours. Any time that I'm on them they also tend to be quite cramped.

Consider the overnight train or bus between London and Glasgow or Edinburgh. (I assume it still operates, it's been a long while since I took it.)

The only mode of transport I haven't taken between Scotland and London is the overnight train, mostly because it's £100 each way at its cheapest and it's usually far cheaper to just fly.

I have taken the overnight bus, however, a number of times and there are a couple of options in this regard. You can get just a normal bus for about £9, but that route can often feature some unusual or even unsavoury characters (well, you are travelling between London and Scotland for just £9, which will attract a certain type of customer) or you can get the sleeper bus with beds for about £27.

Although the £27 helps you to avoid the motley crews that inhabit the £9 bus, which is almost worth the upgrade alone, you'd be paying more than you would to fly in some cases.

 

[RobC]

If we make enough suggestions we can cover the whole of the UK just to give frank plenty to choose from and confuse the hell out of him.

 

[Alex Muir]

Frank, you should log on to VisitScotland.com. There is a lot of information there, together with some good pictures to give you an idea of what's on offer. There is also some useful travel information.
I am sure there will be an equivalent site for Wales, and perhaps someone here can give you details.
Good luck with your trip, wherever you decide to go.
Alex

 

[Ian Grant]

If time's a premium fly it's very much cheaper, otherwuse drive as there's a lot to stop off at on the way and it'll be still be cheaper than the train particulaly if there's 2 or more of you.

Ian

 

[Ashfaque]

Don't forget to stop by at the Peak District, Derbyshire. The moment you see those hills whilst on the driveway (A57) you'll know exactly what I mean. The Snake pass during the sunset is truly beautiful.

 

[mgb74]

North Americans might reconsider, however, upon hearing that you'd be paying the equivalent of US $6.25 per gallon right now for fuel.



Unfortunately, I wouldn't consider any of the trains running between London and Scotland to be 'express' trains. I think the fastest trip you can get between London and Edinburgh is about 4.5 hours. Any time that I'm on them they also tend to be quite cramped.



The only mode of transport I haven't taken between Scotland and London is the overnight train, mostly because it's £100 each way at its cheapest and it's usually far cheaper to just fly.

I have taken the overnight bus, however, a number of times and there are a couple of options in this regard. You can get just a normal bus for about £9, but that route can often feature some unusual or even unsavoury characters (well, you are travelling between London and Scotland for just £9, which will attract a certain type of customer) or you can get the sleeper bus with beds for about £27.

Although the £27 helps you to avoid the motley crews that inhabit the £9 bus, which is almost worth the upgrade alone, you'd be paying more than you would to fly in some cases.

I'm pretty sure we did the sleeper bus. Though this was quite some time ago. Because it was overnight, it was faster than flying. I.E. we would have been in a hotel somewhere sleeping if we weren't on the bus.

 

[Ashfaque]

Unless you buy your train tickets 3-4 weeks ahead, you'll end up paying 4-5 times more. If you're a full time student, or over 60 or planning on travelling in group, then getting one of those discount cards might save you some money and the shock. Check http://www.railcard.co.uk

If you really want to enjoy your stay and you aren't in a hurry, then you really need a car. Isn't there a short- stay forum (, can't remember exactly what it is called,) where you can find some places for short-stays up to 1-2 weeks (or even more) for very little. The money saved from hotel expense can then be used for car rental and fuel and other useful things.

Bests,
Ashfaque

PS: Visiting a local bicycle rental might also help.

 

[BrianShaw]

If we make enough suggestions we can cover the whole of the UK just to give frank plenty to choose from and confuse the hell out of him.

Just wait until Frank posts the inevitable "which cameras should I take to Scotland or Wales?" thread. Then he will get really, really confused!

 

[frank]

I promise I won't do that!

Wait, maybe I will, just for fun. At least on this forum there won't be the film/digital debate. It's film, baby!

 

[blockend]

My itinerary going clockwise north from London would be: Peak District, Yorkshire Dales, Lake District, Western Scotland, Northumberland, Yorkshire Moors, Norfolk, London. Assuming at least one night stopover between each, two or three nights to explore even better. If you have the time add, Dorset/Devon, Brecon Beacons, Welsh Borders, Snowdonia, Peak District.

 

[Steve Smith]

Even better - miss out London completely!

EDIT: And if you're coming down south, come over to the Isle of Wight!


Steve.

 

[frank]

Now that I'm retired, I'm hoping for another trip to UK sometime. My wife's sister lives in Hastings. That would be our base/starting point.

 

[RobC]

Now that I'm retired, I'm hoping for another trip to UK sometime. My wife's sister lives in Hastings. That would be our base/starting point.

That's handy for http://www.lucy-bell.com/ Robin Bells other half. You can maybe get some prints done while you're there.

 

[Mustafa Umut Sarac]

I will go to Fiji , after drinking from mountain stream everyday for next 8 months , it would cover the expenses. Hey would I select left route to fly to fiji with viewing arizona desert or might I select right with the view of MtFuji May be bathing in Fijian Mountain Stream would change the international taste but Hey We are capitalists who look for profit