to think it shouldn't cost a thousand just to visit family

[number5namechange]

a few hrs away on the train?

So both me and dh don't drive due to medical issues/lack of confidence.So use public transport.

We are going to visit his family in a few weeks ( monday to Wednesday) with a grand cost of one thousand pounds!!!
That includes train fare for 2 adults and 3 kids. Premier inn with breakfast. We also have to pay for our own food when there. Some spending money ( 200)

I just got a Mon-Thu in August (chose school holidays) for 5 with railcard from Edinburgh to Wick for £213.
Obviously doesn’t help if you’re not going to Wick 😂 But maybe go there instead? And bring your own porridge!

Trains are ridiculously expensive even when booking way in advance. Do Tesco vouchers get money off any expenses? Could be cheaper to fly.

That train fare is insane. When did you book it? 12 weeks before is cheaper.

You are also better with singles and often breaking the journey. So if it were Edinburgh to Dingwall book Edinburgh to Inverness and then Inverness to dingwall.

Certain trains are usually cheap so it's about working out which ones

My guess the reason everything is so expensive is because you’re booking it 2 weeks before you’re going.

Booking train tickets, they’re always cheaper 12 weeks in advance. Trainline app recommends journey splitting as standard these days too.

Hotels are always cheapest on a Sunday night and most expensive Fridays & Saturdays. I also check Booking.com to make sure there’s nothing cheaper on there than the nearest Travelodge - there often is!

Food - you could eat with family for dinners and the local Weatherspoons would be cheaper for a fry up than the hotel breakfast offered. You could also buy ingredients from a local shop to make packed lunches for during the day.

Please bear in mind that not everywhere in the UK has excellent public transport.
OP may be travelling to a location that only has one or two trains a day so may not be able to start their journey after 10 or they’d miss their connection.

I've go £65 roundtrip Edinb <-> Aberdeen for all 5 of them ,off peak, 4-6 July. With railcard.

Hiring a car would cost similar probsbly incl car seats petrol
/lack of confidence to drive can be treated
Buy lessons and practice
Did you cost the bus /coach?

I'm not sure you've found the cheapest train tickets, did you look at singles and in advance? I've travelled to Edinburgh lots from up north (near manachester) and have always got good deals searching out the cheapest option and booking in advance. Can't family collect you or take the bus from the station? I'm am 100% sure I could do your trip at half of what you've suggested.

So if they’re travelling to Kyle of Lochalsh that just leaves them 200 miles short of their destination.
I’m in Aberdeen and the North of Scotland is over 220 miles away

Also looks like you are booking anytime fares where you just turn up for a train whenever you fancy. It is much cheaper to book specific trains like you have to with flights.

Maybe op isn't going to Aberdeen.

@pixie5121 - well they've got breakfast at premier inn so you can get away with a tiny lunch.

If they're visiting family, will they not get fed? I'd assume at least one meal.

I think £20 pp a day for a snack lunch and dinner is pretty topped if you're on a budget

£91.30 for an advance return to there from Edinburgh.

Could try ticket splitting to save money on train, I did this using Train Pal.

Are you booking two rooms at the premier inn because there are five of you? If so, could one child stay with the family you are visiting?

Tbf Edinburgh to Thurso can be done for just over £300 for OPs family size

So that's £100 on taxis

Edinburgh to Wick for under £160. I’m sure if the OP told us where we could help find a deal.

The breakfast isn't included in the fare at Premier Inn, though. You have to pay for it on top. I think you get 2 kids free with 2 adults eating but that's still about £30 just for breakfast.

A snack lunch of a Sainsburys meal deal type thing is still £3-3.50, so £18ish for five. I wouldn't be able to get by on much less food than that, even with a big breakfast.

Then dinner could easily be £70 for a family of five eating just mains at a chain restaurant, even without expensive drinks or desserts. If the kids wanted ice cream or some chocolate cake as a treat after, easily another £15, even more if adults had some too.

I don't think it's difficult at all to spend close to £150 a day on holiday for a family of five without particularly splashing out.

So Monday to Wednesday and you are spending £300 on 'food and spending' but you're going to see family?

Why so much?

Exactly

aYou’re not paying to see your family, you’re paying for hotels rooms, train tickets, food and things to do.

I’m going to see my family and it will be free, because they live a 5 min walk away.

@pixie5121

The breakfast isn't included in the fare at Premier Inn, though. You have to pay for it on top.

OP has said the cost of breakfast is included in the £300 for Premier Inn

This is why people drive. Public transport is insanely expensive.

I used fare splitter for my train tickets to Edinburgh.