Traveling from London to Edinburgh

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We just did this in April. We flew from Gatwick to Edinborough on EasyJet. Very inexpensive and fast. We kept our bags minimal since we were only there for a few days. The hike in Gatwick to EasyJet's terminal was long, but other than that it was fairly smooth.

I think for most people this wouldn't be worth it, assuming your departure point is central London, here's why:

1. Cost- Was curious so I priced out an Easyjet flight LGW-EDI on November 30- pretty far in advance, nothing too crazy. Price plus a carry-on roller was 49 GBP/person. Tube plus Southern line to LGW is 11.50 GBP/person off-peak, so it's say 60 GBP/person total. Same day, the 11 AM train is 37.40 GBP/person, plus 2.50 Tube to get there, so 40 GBP total. So for two people you are saving about $50.

2. Time- Easyjet flight is at 1 PM, so say it's an hour total to get to Gatwick, including Tube time to whichever rail station you take. Leave at 10:30 AM to get to LGW at 11:30. Flight arrives at 2:30 PM, tram into Edinburgh (unless you want to add cost for a taxi) is I think around 35 minutes plus a potential wait, let's say you exit the airport at 2:45 (no checked bag), you will arrive into Edinburgh at about 3:20-3:30.

Whereas if you take the 11 AM train, and are within a 25 minute walk/Tube ride to Kings Cross (pretty reasonable for a lot of central London), you could leave your place at 10:15 and get there 20 minutes before the train, which arrives at 3:22 PM at Edinburgh Waverly.

3. General hassle/faffing about as the Brits say. Tube ride plus a long smooth train ride seems much nicer than: tube ride, 35 minute train ride to LGW, potential shuttle train to LGW other terminal, airport security, airport waiting area, plane ride, getting out of EDI terminal to tram, tram ride. Also in general trains are less prone to delay than flights (not always!).

I think if you were staying closer to the departure airport it might be a better option.

[Anonymous]

OP, we rented car out of London and dropped it in Edinburgh. Took the overnight train back to London. I would do this again. I would do this in whatever direction gives you the best rate. In our case, for the overnight train we had our own sleeping compartment. Having a bed is the only way I'd do the train. It tosses back and forth though, not a smooth ride.

[Anonymous]

We took the LNER train from London. Ridiculously easy and not too expensive for business class. Very nice experience.

[Anonymous]

def train

buen viaje

[Anonymous]

The view from the train is nice, if you like countryside (green hills, sheep…), nothing earth shattering

[Anonymous]

Train is easy and comfortable. No one wears masks, if that matters to you (we did anyway)

[Anonymous]

+1 for the train. Easy, pretty, and relaxing

[Anonymous]

I’ve done the train and it’s so easy. I’d go that route.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We just did this in April. We flew from Gatwick to Edinborough on EasyJet. Very inexpensive and fast. We kept our bags minimal since we were only there for a few days. The hike in Gatwick to EasyJet's terminal was long, but other than that it was fairly smooth.

You mean Edinburgh. The word has three syllables, not four.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We took the train with an overnight stop in York, which I highly recommend.

+1

[Anonymous]

Thanks everyone. Great recommendations!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We just did this in April. We flew from Gatwick to Edinborough on EasyJet. Very inexpensive and fast. We kept our bags minimal since we were only there for a few days. The hike in Gatwick to EasyJet's terminal was long, but other than that it was fairly smooth.

You mean Edinburgh. The word has three syllables, not four.

PP - you are insufferable. Please keep your corrections to yourself.
-Your friends and family

[Anonymous]

It depends on your comfort on the other side of the road. My husband spends a lot of time in England for work and has to travel to some more remote locations so he's very familiar with driving on the other side. We like driving around Ireland/Scotland/New Zealand. But if you're less comfortable you won't enjoy it.