Best ways of getting to london from edinburgh?

Question

me and my family (2 adults, one child and a infant) need to get to london next friday, we don't have relatives there so we will either have to stay at a hotel or set off back home again on the same day at the end of the night (this all depends on how we travel, for eg, by air or train). Somebody please advice me on any good value package deals you maybe aware of or any advice on a car hire including a driver for the day?

Answer 1

Trains http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/ run from Edinburgh Waverley to London Kings Cross and take about 4.5 to 5 hours. Coaches http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/ and http://www.megabus.com/uk/ will take at least 9 to 10 hours minimum. Edinburgh Airport http://www.edinburghairport.com/ will have a list of all commercial airlines; a number of which must fly to Heathrow or Gatwick taking about an hour to do so. Car hire companies in Edinburgh will be listed on Yell http://www.yell.com/ or the directory and will be able to give quotes for car hire.

You will be better of staying in London for the night. Smooth Hound Systems http://www.smoothhound.co.uk/ is an internet directory of guesthouses which you might find useful.

Also get an Oyster card http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/ when in London from the tube station. You load the card up with money for travel around London (essentially pay as you go travel). Adults are required to pay for travel; children are not but check age requirement. You have to pay a £3 deposit for the card which is returnable when you return the card.

Answer 2

I recommend you take the train as flying is a hassle with children. I live in London and travel to my family in Glasgow with my kids every few months so have tried all modes of transport. Here are my tips:

get a Family Railcard for £25 which lasts a year and gives good discounts (but you cannot use at weekends)

you dont need to buy your infant a ticket as he/she can sit on your lap/buggy but hopefully you will get a table of 4 with no-one else having reserved the 4th seat so you have it to yourself

when you reserve your seats (phone them up to do this) ask for seats near a toilet (handy for children and nappy changes) and near a disabled spot (which isnt already booked) so you can out your buggy/luggage there

check GNER website for train times and get the fastest train!

take a packed lunch as the train food can be hit and miss
If you have a laptop take it for your 5 year old to watch some DVDs on it

I cannot help you with the car hire or hotel info unfortunately. Think about whether you will need car seats for the childrenand if you do, how will you transport them on train or plane.

I hope the train info is useful though. I found flying took longer (esp checking in luggage) and more expensive by the time you add in the travel to and from Edin Airport and Luton/Stanstead/Gatwick/Heathrow even although its only an hour in the air. Note that if your infant is over 2 you also have to buy them a airplane ticket as well. As fr the coach dont even think about it!

Answer 3

I am going up tomorrow and flying; Yeah, you have to do all the airport stuff, but you only fly for an hour, compared to 5 hours on the train or 9 driving up. If you fly with EasyJet, you only have to check in an hour before.

As for the accommodation, why not get a cheap hotel/youth hostel? Or maybe hire a flat for a night, there are many different companies on the internet.

As for car hire, I have no idea about prices, sorry, but I know the Hertz are a company up there. You have to be over 21, I don't know how that affects you.

Hope I have got back to you in time. Have a good trip :) x

Answer 4

try supabreaks.. think its called that they do all inclusive breaks..... but to make it a lot easier go into a travel agent and you will get your family train ticket and hotel accomodation booked at a very good rate especially at this time of the year.. and it will save you a lot of hassle..

if you dont't want to do this then atleast buy your train ticket in advance of travel because you will SAVE a lot of money..
check out prices with GNER and Virgin..
. you can also get real cheap flights from Glasgow Prestwick (Ryan Air) but thats not so good for you in Edinburgh... but Easyjet have some discount deals too.. ;goodluck and enjoy your trip

Answer 5

If you are only coming down south for the day then it is a long way to drive, especially if you are not staying overnight.
If you really cannot stay ina hotel for the night, then you should look at flying down, or it is not really worth the time and effort, as i imagine you would be driving in excess of 14 hours (at least).

Answer 6

If you're coming from Edinburgh then you will probabley find it is cheaper to fly down then driving or getting a train.
It is also a lot quicker and gives you more time in London.

Answer 7

I would take the train .... it is a lovely scenic ride and easier since you can walk around.... also, see if they can also book you a hotel for the night since it really is a long ride, especially for the children, and you will be rested and have a good journey back the next day ...... take box lunches!!!

peace

Answer 8

Trains are extremely fast (generally a little under 5 hours) and frequent (roughly hourly). Use journey planner on www.nationalrail.co.uk. You can then check fares available on times you have selected. Also check GNER website for special deals (which can be extremely cheap).

Answer 9

Definitely take the train, as mentioned here. The scenary is great, it's convenient, takes about 4-5 hours.

Answer 10

buy a just legal used car for £200 drive to london and leave the keys in the ignition to claim the insurance.