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car vs train vs bus? Traveling Scotland in Sept?

Kansas
5 posts
car vs train vs bus? Traveling Scotland in Sept?
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Hi! I need some advice!

We will be celebrating our wedding anniversary with a trip to Scotland--mid Sept. to Oct 1. Flying in/out of Edinburgh with reservations at resorts in Aveimore and Stirling. We checked out car rental and it was very expensive. Friends advised not driving and taking the trains. We don't want to spend our whole vacation making travel connections, but we dont' want to spend $$$$ on a car if it is not needed. We are coming to relax and to sightsee. Can a car be rented by the day as needed? How flexible is train travel with a rail pass? (On an 8 day in 15 pass is it travel by the day round trip or is it 1 trip each time you get off the train?) We arent' sure what to do. Thanks for your help.

Wigan, United...
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1. Re: car vs train vs bus? Traveling Scotland in Sept?
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Hi, Scotland is a beautiful country, but the public transport leaves a lot to be desired!! Personally I would always opt for a car to give me the flexibility and freedom the train just doesn't have. That's why this Government is having a hard time getting us Brits out of our cars on to public transport as unless you live in one of the larger cities you struggle without one! You could go from Edinburgh to Stirling by train, as the infrastructure is a lot better in the centre of Scotland, but for Aviemore and the Highlands the rail network is very limited and you would probably miss out on some lovely sightseeing. You could rent a car from Stirling when you have completed your stay there. Train fares are not cheap in this country either, so you may even find a car works out better moneywise too. Most things will seem more expensive for you with the rate of the pound to the dollar.Hope this helps!

London, United...
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2. Re: car vs train vs bus? Traveling Scotland in Sept?
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Have a look at http://www.seat61.com to find out more about train travel.

Scotland does have a couple of rail lines that are generally thought of as among the most scenic in the world (eg Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh, and Glasgow to Mallaig). Those apart, though, the rail network is fairly small in the Highlands, and a car is more or less essential if you want to get of of town (or take a tour if you don't want to drive - hundreds to choose from)

Cumbernauld, United...
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for Glasgow
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3. Re: car vs train vs bus? Traveling Scotland in Sept?
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The 8 day in 15 ticket is limited by day not trip usage.

You can take as many trips as you want on any particular day

that you validate it. (There may be some restrictions e.g. not valid before 9.15am.) However you can only use it on 8 days during your 15 day travel period.

on the road in...
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37 posts
4. Re: car vs train vs bus? Traveling Scotland in Sept?
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I have to agree with maisymeg, unfortunately you will miss some of the best parts of Scotland without a car. The rail networks between cities are pretty good but not cheap...But you might not see everything by car either!

One option would be to travel by train between cities (Edinburgh, Inverness etc) to save time and then either take day coach trips from these there. There are a number of companies that do day trips (Rabbies etc) this option could give you the best of both worlds?

Austin
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5. Re: car vs train vs bus? Traveling Scotland in Sept?
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First, which resort in Aviemore?

You may want to check them out on Trip Advisor. We stayed at the Coylumbrige Hilton and it is definitely NOT the place to celebrate a wedding anniversary, unless you are bringing your kids. We also looked over the Macdonald resort and thought it lacking.

Second, rent a car!

I've explored the highlands via every mode of transportation (even bicycle on Orkney) and car is by far the best. From Aviemore, for example, you will be able to explore the Whisky Trail.

Third, rent a car ahead of time.

The longer you rent it, the cheaper it will be per day. For our trip I checked 18 companies and wholesalers (or whatever they're called). Got a very good rate from Avis -- yes, strange, and was probably a computer/website fluke. I also found that renting a car in Aviemore was incredibly more expensive than picking it up at the Inverness airport. (Yes, I know you're coming from Edinburgh, but this is to disavow you from thinking about renting in the smaller locales.)

Fourth, check out our favorite website:

http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/

Stirling, United...
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for Stirling
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6. Re: car vs train vs bus? Traveling Scotland in Sept?
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You can get a train from Edinburgh to Stirling no problem - £7.10 cheap day return (won't be much cheaper for a single). Trains run half-hourly during weekday daytimes.

The 8/15 day pass is an all-Scotland pass. You are probably better to use a combination of point-to-popint (advance purchase) tickets for longer routes, and local passes such as the central scotland rover (3/7 day for £30 covers Stirling-Glasgow-Edinburgh after 9.15am) and highland rover (£65 for 4/8 days, covers Travel between Glasgow and Oban, Fort William and Mallaig. Travel between Inverness and Wick, Thurso, Kyle of Lochalsh, Aberdeen, Aviemore as well as some bus and boat services)

See http://www.firstgroup.com/scotrail/ for Tickets and passes, you do not have to buy these in advance.

Arnold Clark are advertising daily car rental from £19 (subject to availability and seasonabl fluctuations etc.)

Kansas
5 posts
7. Re: car vs train vs bus? Traveling Scotland in Sept?
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Thanks for all the advice. I don't want to "overplan" and miss out on some fun, but neither do I want to think, "Boy, we should have....."

I'll check out the links everyone suggested and go from there.

Thanks again!

8. Re: car vs train vs bus? Traveling Scotland in Sept?

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