Getting to Scotland for Christmas

[NamasteNiki]

I've left it a bit late and flight prices have rocketed.

Anyone experienced rail at Christmas or saints preserve us coach?

[Bowerbird5]

Where are you departing from?

[NamasteNiki]

God silly mare I am.

London

[cherrynibs]

Where from and where to? We used to drive down to Leeds from north of Inverness at Christmas time and it was always fine. There will be trains/coaches from and to all the main cities through the festive period. Edinburgh travel can get booked up fast around Hogmanay though

[NamasteNiki]

Sorry no car.

London to Glasgow.

[mumblechum0]

It’s often cheaper to fly and it’s slightly faster.

[cherrynibs]

Very straightforward then- I do that every few weeks for work and will be popping down on the 22nd for the day! Don't bother with the sleeper - go with virgin euston into glasgow central, it takes about 4hrs 30.
They advertise it as £30 each way but I've never seen it that cheap unfortunately.

[AvoidingDM]

Family rail card if your taking a child. It will pay for itself.

[NamasteNiki]

Single no children.

I hate how railcards penalise single people.

The only one is young person's that ends at 25 or so.

Then there is two together for a couple travelling.

Family and friends.

Then senior railcard.

What about us? The network railcard only covers a limited area. Only the south east really.

[inchyrablue]

Mil will be doing that by train. She booked a couple of weeks ago. I can’t recall the exact fair, but first class was only £14 more than standard and she gets coffee and a sandwich! Just make sure you book a seat.

[AgentProvocateur]

I quite often get that route for £30, but you have to be a bit flexible with times etc. I would advise against getting the overnight bus!

[AgentProvocateur]

Also, look at London city - flights are often cheaper from there. Or stansted via easyJet.

[LadyPenelopeCantDance]

I have braces the Megabus a few times both ways. Overnight is more tolerable if you are able to sleep. You can go for less than £10 each way so if you really don’t want to pay the flight prices it’s worth looking at.

[Northumberlandlass]

Kings Cross to Edinburgh
Edinburgh to Glasgow
Train

Or fly to Edinburgh & get train. There are a few options I think!

Last time we travelled Newcastle to Kings Cross it was really cheap £20 each but I did book in advance!

[crazycatguy]

I do this drive every xmas eve if you have a car. Roads are empty past 4pm!

[hugoagogo]

Do you have a tesco clubcard? You can use the points to get money off railfares.
My experience of traveling at christmas is that going north is a wee bit better than going south.

[Elephantgrey]

It depends when you go. Obviously you should avoid peak times if you can. Book a seat and take lots of snacks and a good book. It is not too long. I have done it lots of times and been fine. What I would avoid. If humanly possible is going from Edinburgh to London on New Years Day. There are very few trains and all are absolutely rammed.

[NamasteNiki]

I do have a tesco club card. How do you go about getting the free stuff

[LunasSpectreSpecs]

Trains will be extremely busy and check for engineering works between Christmas and New Year which might close the line. Coach sounds like hell on earth.

Personally, I would hire a car and drive.

[DeepPileTinsel]

Rail will be expensive. The Megabus, while not ideal, has pretty good service and isn't too expensive. My sister tends to fly or eurostar into London and then get the Megabus to Edinburgh. It takes longer (about 9 hours), but she has the time and it normally works out a bit - about £20 each way, and straight into the city centre rather than having to faff with getting to/from airports.

[GoodMorning1]

Are you under 30? Not sure this will kick in before Christmas though: www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/business-42052750

You've probably left it too late for a cheap rail fare but you could try split ticketing.

[LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett]

Trains will be busy and expensive but if you are flexible there will still be the odd cheap seat around. Do look at London/Glasgow and London/Edinburgh - the connection between Glasgow and Edinburgh is a piece of piss and it opens up a whole other route for you.

Book a seat

[GoodMorning1]

Just noticed it says from spring next year. Might help you next Christmas!

[LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett]

The trainline have a couple of £63 fares from Euston at the moment. Looks like that's the best deal.

[MotherofTerriers]

Look at flights from all the London airports - I often do Glasgow-Stansted. London City airport to Glasgow is often expensive but sometimes weirdly cheap. Maybe try skyscanner

[NamasteNiki]

Looks like I'll have to suck it up and fly.