Magic Bus or not so much?
June 10, 2009 8:26 AM Subscribe
How easy or hard is it to travel from London to Edinburgh on either train or bus when compared to a quick flight as an option? Is the experience worth the time and how does the cost versus hassle play out?
When British Airways workers went on strike at the tail end of my trip to Edinburgh back in 2005 (I think), we hired a van to drive us down to London Heathrow Airport. It was a beautiful and picturesque trip but it took 6-7 hours. I think at the time it cost somewhere around $500 for the 5 of us on the trip, but as I wasn't paying I don't know exactly.
It was nice to have room to spread out and look out the window, rather than suffer in an airplane seat, but I'm glad we didn't do that going in both directions - a 7 hour drive through farmland gets boring after a while.
posted by muddgirl at 8:37 AM on June 10, 2009
It was nice to have room to spread out and look out the window, rather than suffer in an airplane seat, but I'm glad we didn't do that going in both directions - a 7 hour drive through farmland gets boring after a while.
posted by muddgirl at 8:37 AM on June 10, 2009
If you have time to book in advance, the train can be pretty cheap. If you turn up on the day, though, it could be hundreds of pounds. (I speak from bitter experience.) See some info on advance fares here. Also bear in mind that if you're going for the Edinburgh Festival in August, a lot of trains will be booked in advance.
It takes about four to five hours on the train, and is beautifully scenic once you reach Yorkshire. (Assuming you get a window seat -- reserve one.)
The coach takes eight or nine hours, and although it'll be your cheapest option, you'll be at the mercy of traffic and your fellow passengers. Last time I took the bus to Scotland, it was full of pissed-up Scots returning home for a Runrig concert. They played music and sang along all the way there. You might not see very much, either, because you'll be tearing through the countryside.
The plane takes half an hour, but you'll have to factor in travel time to the airport. I've flown from London City Airport to Edinburgh and found it pretty easy to get to and from both airports.
posted by vickyverky at 8:38 AM on June 10, 2009
It takes about four to five hours on the train, and is beautifully scenic once you reach Yorkshire. (Assuming you get a window seat -- reserve one.)
The coach takes eight or nine hours, and although it'll be your cheapest option, you'll be at the mercy of traffic and your fellow passengers. Last time I took the bus to Scotland, it was full of pissed-up Scots returning home for a Runrig concert. They played music and sang along all the way there. You might not see very much, either, because you'll be tearing through the countryside.
The plane takes half an hour, but you'll have to factor in travel time to the airport. I've flown from London City Airport to Edinburgh and found it pretty easy to get to and from both airports.
posted by vickyverky at 8:38 AM on June 10, 2009
By coach (bus): about £20-£25 return trip, 9-12 hours, mostly motorways, not much scenery as a result.
By train: price £40-£200 (depending on when you travel and how early you book), 4-5 hours, mixture of scenery ranging from rolling green countryside to drab grey industrial nastiness.
Plane: price £70 - £150, 1.5 hours.
All are available as direct services (no changes).
Personally I'd go by train on a cheap advance ticket. I'd only recommend doing the journey by coach if you really need to save the money.
posted by le morte de bea arthur at 8:39 AM on June 10, 2009
By train: price £40-£200 (depending on when you travel and how early you book), 4-5 hours, mixture of scenery ranging from rolling green countryside to drab grey industrial nastiness.
Plane: price £70 - £150, 1.5 hours.
All are available as direct services (no changes).
Personally I'd go by train on a cheap advance ticket. I'd only recommend doing the journey by coach if you really need to save the money.
posted by le morte de bea arthur at 8:39 AM on June 10, 2009
The train wins this hands down, as long as you can get a ticket at a price you like. (Book as far in advance as possible via thetrainline or NXEC.) North of Durham, it's an intensely beautiful journey, plus free WiFi on board, stations located in the centre of both cities, and a warm inner glow at your environmental friendliness. If your start and endpoints are near the middle of London and Edinburgh, you'd be hard pressed to do the trip by air in less than 3h; the train is 4h30 (plus journeys to and from the stations).
posted by game warden to the events rhino at 8:40 AM on June 10, 2009
posted by game warden to the events rhino at 8:40 AM on June 10, 2009
I've never taken the bus from Edinburgh to London but i've taken the trip many times by train and plane -- i would choose the train over the plane every time if I could. The journey is much more relaxing and while it takes more time, it takes a lot less "dead" time, i.e., waiting in a depature lounge, travelling from the airport to city centre, etc. That, and I love reading a good book while watching all the various people get on and off the train as we travel along the country.
posted by ukdanae at 9:00 AM on June 10, 2009
posted by ukdanae at 9:00 AM on June 10, 2009
worth noting: the scenery's great from Edinburgh south to the top of the Midlands (Sheffield-Birmingham-Manchester). From that point on, it's mostly flat, boring and crowded. So don't worry about booking a train that covers the last part of the distance under darkness.
posted by philip-random at 9:01 AM on June 10, 2009
posted by philip-random at 9:01 AM on June 10, 2009
Don't take a coach. It's cheap but it can easily become one of the most miserable experiences of your life if there are delays (being stuck on a coach from London to Birmingham during the 2007 flooding comes to mind - we were nearly 3 hours late). There's no place to go on a coach, nor food or distractions. At least if you're stuck on a train you can get up and move, there should be a trolley coming round with snacks, and if you're lucky, wi-fi!
Also pretty scenery up North.
posted by elsietheeel at 9:03 AM on June 10, 2009
Also pretty scenery up North.
posted by elsietheeel at 9:03 AM on June 10, 2009
I did the cheapest option as a student in London, which was to take the coach, mostly overnight. It was miserable, and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
posted by booknerd at 9:24 AM on June 10, 2009
posted by booknerd at 9:24 AM on June 10, 2009
Last month I went from London-Edinburgh by train and then back to London by plane.
I preferred the train. Getting the train station was cheaper in both cases. The fares were about the same (I bought both fares ahead of time in Canada). When you factor in airport time and travel to airports, the time it took was about the same. The train was far more comfortable. The train had free wireless and you could walk around. You don't have to wait for your luggage. There's a nice view. I got lots of nice pictures.
The plane is a hassle. Airports are a hassle. They only let me put 13lbs in my carry-on (less than the weight of camera + laptop) and all the other restrictions plus going through security and having to be at the airport ahead of time, etc.
If I had it to do over I would take the train both ways.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 9:26 AM on June 10, 2009
I preferred the train. Getting the train station was cheaper in both cases. The fares were about the same (I bought both fares ahead of time in Canada). When you factor in airport time and travel to airports, the time it took was about the same. The train was far more comfortable. The train had free wireless and you could walk around. You don't have to wait for your luggage. There's a nice view. I got lots of nice pictures.
The plane is a hassle. Airports are a hassle. They only let me put 13lbs in my carry-on (less than the weight of camera + laptop) and all the other restrictions plus going through security and having to be at the airport ahead of time, etc.
If I had it to do over I would take the train both ways.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 9:26 AM on June 10, 2009
With a plane, you have to get out to the airport and then have the hassle of check in, baggage, security, cramped seats, then baggage claim and travel from your destination airport. I'd happily pay a little more and add a couple hours to the grand total travel-time to take the train (just show up, go right on, and sit down). A plane ticket may look quicker and cheaper than a train, but after you factor in travel to and from airports and time spent in them, it's sometimes not that much quicker or cheaper.
Coaches are considerably more cramped and squashed than Greyhound buses, and as mentioned, if you're stuck with less-than-ideal traveling companions then you're stuck with them for a long time.
The only real advantage to the coach is the price--and the fact that you can turn up on the day and still get the same price. Planes and trains need to be booked in advance to be affordable and you may need to do some comparison shopping between operators.
posted by K.P. at 9:31 AM on June 10, 2009
Coaches are considerably more cramped and squashed than Greyhound buses, and as mentioned, if you're stuck with less-than-ideal traveling companions then you're stuck with them for a long time.
The only real advantage to the coach is the price--and the fact that you can turn up on the day and still get the same price. Planes and trains need to be booked in advance to be affordable and you may need to do some comparison shopping between operators.
posted by K.P. at 9:31 AM on June 10, 2009
I've taken the bus (once) and the train (three times). The train was far nicer, but in the scheme of things, the bus wasn't bad. At the time, though, I was younger and had more time than money. If you have more money than time, take the train.
posted by another zebra at 9:31 AM on June 10, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by another zebra at 9:31 AM on June 10, 2009 [1 favorite]
nothing is better than the kings cross to peterborough portion on the train, leaving london behind, heading home to edinburgh.
posted by iboxifoo at 9:48 AM on June 10, 2009
posted by iboxifoo at 9:48 AM on June 10, 2009
It depends which airport.
I would never travel via Heathrow or Gatwick for a domestic flight, because they're miles away from the centre and pretty unpleasant. The train is definitely a better option than this.
But I've flown from London City several times, and it's great: about 15 minutes away from the centre of London on the Tube/DLR, and it's the quickest and most efficient airport I've been in. You only have to arrive at the airport about half an hour before takeoff. I've never had carry-on luggage though; that might slow you down.
posted by matthewr at 10:05 AM on June 10, 2009
I would never travel via Heathrow or Gatwick for a domestic flight, because they're miles away from the centre and pretty unpleasant. The train is definitely a better option than this.
But I've flown from London City several times, and it's great: about 15 minutes away from the centre of London on the Tube/DLR, and it's the quickest and most efficient airport I've been in. You only have to arrive at the airport about half an hour before takeoff. I've never had carry-on luggage though; that might slow you down.
posted by matthewr at 10:05 AM on June 10, 2009
For me, I'd choose the train. Central departure points, leisurely yet fast travel, not dependent on traffic, you get to see the Angel of the North, and the mist comes down as soon as you cross the Scottish border. Plus there's food, and wi-fi, and I can read without feeling sick.
I've never done the journey by bus - if it's what you can afford, National Express coaches are not too bad, but you would have to be in not much of a hurry. If you can fly from City, or if you're near the major airport you'd need to fly from, the plane might not be too bad, but others have listed the inconveniences.
posted by altolinguistic at 10:09 AM on June 10, 2009
I've never done the journey by bus - if it's what you can afford, National Express coaches are not too bad, but you would have to be in not much of a hurry. If you can fly from City, or if you're near the major airport you'd need to fly from, the plane might not be too bad, but others have listed the inconveniences.
posted by altolinguistic at 10:09 AM on June 10, 2009
(matthewr: carry-on luggage is American-speak for hand luggage)
posted by altolinguistic at 10:10 AM on June 10, 2009
posted by altolinguistic at 10:10 AM on June 10, 2009
From experience, the coach bus is terrible, you won't sleep at all - don't do it if you can help it...
posted by lizbunny at 10:33 AM on June 10, 2009
posted by lizbunny at 10:33 AM on June 10, 2009
Train is much more civilised, transport around London is better than transport around Edinburgh, but you'll be in the centre of Edinburgh so it won't be a great problem. If you actually intend to use the free wi-fi, book a table seat. I've never had a problem with turning up on the day and finding a table slot (not always for the whole journey - you might have to shuffle around when people are getting on and off in the north of England).
As an experience, you get a pretty nice cross section of the UK, from the post-industrial outskirts of London, via idyllic flat countryside, Victorian railway stations, bumpy northern countryside, Newcastle, bits of the coast near the border (IIRC). Plenty of daylight at this time of year so you should be able to see everything. Last time I did it I ended up talking to a wee Moldavian lady for about 3 hours of the trip - like I said, civilised.
I would advise you to take your own beer and sandwiches, it's expensive to buy on the train.
You couldn't drag me onto the plane with wild horses: vulgar and stressful.
posted by Wrinkled Stumpskin at 10:56 AM on June 10, 2009
As an experience, you get a pretty nice cross section of the UK, from the post-industrial outskirts of London, via idyllic flat countryside, Victorian railway stations, bumpy northern countryside, Newcastle, bits of the coast near the border (IIRC). Plenty of daylight at this time of year so you should be able to see everything. Last time I did it I ended up talking to a wee Moldavian lady for about 3 hours of the trip - like I said, civilised.
I would advise you to take your own beer and sandwiches, it's expensive to buy on the train.
You couldn't drag me onto the plane with wild horses: vulgar and stressful.
posted by Wrinkled Stumpskin at 10:56 AM on June 10, 2009
My vote is for plane but only if you go from London City Airport. It's small, quiet and they have a great restaurant. Gatwick and Heathrow wouldn't be worth the hassle for such a short trip.
FWIW I paid £90 return for a flight to Glasgow. Flight time is only about an hour. It would have to be about £20 for the train for me to put up with it for 4 hours.
Finally train wifi sucks. Think 3.6Mbps shared between 30+ people. Completely unusable. You'd be better off buying a pre-pay USB modem.
posted by mr_silver at 11:24 AM on June 10, 2009
FWIW I paid £90 return for a flight to Glasgow. Flight time is only about an hour. It would have to be about £20 for the train for me to put up with it for 4 hours.
Finally train wifi sucks. Think 3.6Mbps shared between 30+ people. Completely unusable. You'd be better off buying a pre-pay USB modem.
posted by mr_silver at 11:24 AM on June 10, 2009
If you can get a cheap advance ticket, I would definitely recommend the train for the scenery. There are some parts where you are so close to the cliff side that it feels like you're on the ocean. It's amazing.
posted by tickingclock at 1:56 PM on June 10, 2009
posted by tickingclock at 1:56 PM on June 10, 2009
I did this once by plane and several times by train. Never paid more than 35 pounds for a ticket by booking a couple of days ahead. The train is entirely civilised and easy, and not much slower than flying, at least out of Heathrow.
posted by the duck by the oboe at 1:58 PM on June 10, 2009
posted by the duck by the oboe at 1:58 PM on June 10, 2009
N'thing taking the train as your best option. I travel up to Edinburgh 10 or 12 times a year, sometimes to see family and sometimes for work. I've taken both multiple times, and every time the train wins out.
If you're travelling with a budget airline like Easyjet, you will very likely be flying out of Gatwick or Stanstead, each of which costs £15-20 and forty odd minutes to get to from the centre of London. If you fly with BMI or BA out of Heathrow, it's a 15 minute train ride or a 50 minute tube ride. Once you've factored getting in to the centre of London, out to the airports an hour before your flight, through security, on the plane, off at the other end and taking a taxi or bus into the centre of Edinburgh, you're looking at maybe, if everything goes perfectly, shaving about an hour off your travel time. My average travel time, door to door, by plane is about 3hrs, 30 mins. By train, it's about 4hrs 30 mins.
Plus, if you use the tips at The Man In Seat 61 and use the National Express East Coast website to book, you can find some really good deals. I've paid as little as £35 return before.
posted by Happy Dave at 2:03 AM on June 11, 2009
If you're travelling with a budget airline like Easyjet, you will very likely be flying out of Gatwick or Stanstead, each of which costs £15-20 and forty odd minutes to get to from the centre of London. If you fly with BMI or BA out of Heathrow, it's a 15 minute train ride or a 50 minute tube ride. Once you've factored getting in to the centre of London, out to the airports an hour before your flight, through security, on the plane, off at the other end and taking a taxi or bus into the centre of Edinburgh, you're looking at maybe, if everything goes perfectly, shaving about an hour off your travel time. My average travel time, door to door, by plane is about 3hrs, 30 mins. By train, it's about 4hrs 30 mins.
Plus, if you use the tips at The Man In Seat 61 and use the National Express East Coast website to book, you can find some really good deals. I've paid as little as £35 return before.
posted by Happy Dave at 2:03 AM on June 11, 2009
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I wouldn't take the coach, though.
posted by methylsalicylate at 8:28 AM on June 10, 2009