Britrail pass?

[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!

[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).

[McClef]

[QUOTE=Firetacoma;689211The wrong side of the road thing scares me a tad...[/QUOTE]

It is the correct side of the road actually!

It should only be scary if you insisted upon continuing to drive on the right over here!

I am a little behind with the latest information but I used to work for National Rail Enquiries here in the UK.

If you decide to go for the pass please remember that it cannot be bought once over here and must be obtained before departure for the UK.

Full information can be found at http://www.britrail.com/ .

[Firetacoma]

If I drive, I'll give in and drive on the conventional side... reluctantly.

Looking at the fares on the britrail site, they seem quite a bit higher for the same trips than the national rail enquiries site... any reason why that may be?