Britrail pass?

[starbkjrus]

You think hire a car in London and keep if the entire time?

Or train to say, Edinburgh and then rent a car for the time in Scotland? The wrong side of the road thing scares me a tad...

Thanks all!

I am looking at rental car prices and am stunned by how cheap it actually is... though I know gas is almost $5 a gallon!

Thanks for the tips about Edinburgh traffic Phil. I was curious if many hotels there had their own parking or would we have to worry about that as well?

I do drive occasionaly in the UK but don't particularly enjoy it. It's stressful to have everything reversed. I'll do it in the countryside, villages and small towns (no problems in Dumfries for instance) but I'd never drive in Edinburgh or Glasgow. London?!? Good heavens no!

For times in the cities use public transit then hire a car for day trips outside the cities or if you are going to spend a few days village hopping and seeing the countryside.

[sydnie7]

Last time (about 3 years ago) we purchased a separate rental car insurance policy from a third-party company that specializes in such. Can't remember the name, sorry, but I'll keep looking. Meanwhile do some Googling on "rental car insurance policy UK" and see what you find. We were there a month, and it was WAY less expensive than insuring through the rental company. If you're putting the car on a premium credit card, that also insures you to a certain extent (check w/ your credit card co. to be sure) but we went with the extra coverage to be on the safe side.

IIRC it's actually a 6-mo or year-long policy that covers any car you rent during that time.

FYI, if you are left-handed, you will likely adapt very easily (according to two sisters and mother who are all lefties and have driven there).

[Colin]

Take the coach. It's cheaper and still very efficient.

Unless you are used to driving on the left of the car I would advise against it, especially in the bigger cities. Sit back relax and let someone drive while you enjoy the view.

[JS Sanders]

To save a considerable amount of auto insurance, charge it to your American Express card. Doing so provides trip coverage & saves a beau coup of cash.

There are a few caveats, but easily met if you know before you go.

[Chas]

Hi Firetacoma,

There are pros and cons to both sides and even for a local there is no ideal solution.

If you have bulky, awkward luggage and a complex itinerary, then maybe the car is the best option. If so, then the Highway Code is what you need to consult:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAn...code/DG_070202
These are the rules of the road and what is used when taking a driving test. When in doubt - drive slower, it is after all a beautiful country.

Our railway system today is far improved from ten or twenty years ago, but there are still some little minefields for the unwary. If you can, buy and pay on-line at least 24 hours before departure - buying on the day might be excessively expensive. In January, I had to travel to London from Norfolk (80~90 miles). I checked on-line and found the fare to be £6 each way. I wasn't thinking so did not pay for tickets then and there. Went to station next day - £35 return instead of £12.

Oh yes, a quick word about taxis. A licenced taxi (hackney carriage) will have a badge on the back and inside giving licencing details. Tariffs are set and 100 similar journeys will all cost the same. They also have to meet a certain standard of cleanliness and civility. Very difficult to book in advance. There are also 'mini-cabs' - often cheaper and can be pre-booked, but are unlicensed, unregulated and can charge more and can be filthy (I once shared the back seat of a mini-cab with a German Shepard giving birth to a litter of pups). You pay your money - you take your choice.

Your best bet is probably a mixture of car hire and train to give yourself the greatest flexibility.

Regards

Chas

[sydnie7]

[snip] I once shared the back seat of a mini-cab with a German Shepard giving birth to a litter of pups. . . [snip]

Oh, but the stories you get to tell! Sounds like something from Randy Wayne White

[/threadjack]

[Firetacoma]

I'm appreciative of all the advice! I think the newest plan is to take a train from London to Newcastle. Rent a car there, drive to Chirnside for a couple days, drive to Edinburgh, hang out there for a few days, go to St. Andrew's, go to Inverness, loch ness and all that, and then drive back to Newcastle, return the car and take the train back to London.

But perhaps return the car in Edinburgh and take the train to St. Andrew's and on to Inverness? A lot we just want to play by ear when we get there, but I'd at least like to know what sorts of options we have!

[Jock Scot]

Once you get to Inverness(by train) There is NO RAIL TRACK alongside Loch Ness and on down the Great Glen to Fort William. From there you can have a world renowned rail trip back to Glasgow and the South. However, there are regular bus schedules between Inverness and Fort William.Another scenic route.

[Phil]

I'm appreciative of all the advice! I think the newest plan is to take a train from London to Newcastle. Rent a car there, drive to Chirnside for a couple days, drive to Edinburgh, hang out there for a few days, go to St. Andrew's, go to Inverness, loch ness and all that, and then drive back to Newcastle, return the car and take the train back to London.

But perhaps return the car in Edinburgh and take the train to St. Andrew's and on to Inverness? A lot we just want to play by ear when we get there, but I'd at least like to know what sorts of options we have!

There is no train service to St. Andrews - the nearest train stop is Leuchars and then you have to catch a bus from there to St. Andrews. I don't know if every train stops there so you might have to ask when getting a ticket. Similarly Chirnside and the Borders have no train service so it is definitely either a bus or car to go anywhere there. The train from Edinburgh to Inverness takes about 3.5 hours, longer if it stops in Perth. As Jock says, Loch Ness is completely devoid of trains although you should be able to get a bus from Inverness to Fort William and a train from there. I don't know how frequent a service it is or where you would go to catch a bus. It does mean, of course, that you cannot stop or explore any areas. Unless you have business in Newcastle you would be better taking the train all the way to Edinburgh, hire a car there and drive to Chirnside. The A1, particularly south of the border is not a road for the unwary tourist - mostly one lane in each direction, carrying heavy traffic and is notorious for the number of fatal accidents. They even have lots of signs at the roadside informing you how many fatalities!

[Firetacoma]

Thanks phil!

That's just the sort of insider information that I was looking for!

I should have mentioned that we plan to fill in with buses if we end up going the no rental route. I've been to Chirnside once before actually... but only for a couple of hours (the extent of my time ever in Scotland).