Bicester to Edinburgh

[paullb]

I plan to travel from Bicester to Edinburgh (and back again) some day later this month.

My planned route is Bicester to London Marylebone, tube to Kings Cross, then catch a train from there to Edinburgh.

I wonder if there is a better route?

 

[Harlesden]

How about Bicester-Birmingham Moor Street then Birmingham New Street-Edinburgh
Avoids the madness known as London and the craziness known as the London Underground

 

[paullb]

I've looked at the calling points for the Kings Cross to Edinburgh train, and Birmingham isn't one of them, and of the others I don't see any that I could easily connect to.

Perhaps I'll have to just head into London I don't see another way.

 

[telstarbox]

There are direct trains from Birmingham New Street to Edinburgh (they don't go near London).
It's also cheaper if you avoid London.

For example, tomorrow you could go:

10.30 Bicester North - Birmingham Moor Street
5 minutes walk
12.20 Birmingham New Street - Edinburgh

Use www.nationalrail.co.uk to find times when you want to travel.

 

[Trainfan344]

I've looked at the calling points for the Kings Cross to Edinburgh train, and Birmingham isn't one of them, and of the others I don't see any that I could easily connect to.

Perhaps I'll have to just head into London I don't see another way.

That's because the Kings Cross to Edinburgh train is on the ECML and the Birmingham to Edingburgh train is on the WCML from Euston.

 

[soil]

Yep two options, via Birmingham or via London.

In terms of ticketing depending on time of travel there MIGHT be advances, but if you want to go via Birmingham, then rather than buying Bicester - Edinburgh Off-Peak Return, buy a London - Edinburgh Super Off Peak Return.

There are no restrictions on this ticket on Marylebone - Birmingham and Birmingham - Edinburgh, and it's also a few quid cheaper than the Cross Country-priced Bicester - Edinburgh Off Peak Return (which is only valid after 9:30am).

 

[telstarbox]

There are also flights from Birmingham to Edinburgh which may be cheaper depending on when you want to travel - www.skyscanner.net is a good place to compare prices.

 

[paullb]

I should add that I need to get to Edinburgh as early as possible in the morning, and then I'll be travelling back probably late evening. It will be a long day!

If I remember correctly from when I looked at tickets earlier, the first train from Bicester is at 05:33 with a 07:30 train from Kings Cross arriving in Edinburgh at 12:12. I had hoped perhaps avoiding London I could arrive a bit earlier (and possibly even get a later train from Bicester).

Perhaps then Marylebone to Birmingham then Birmingham to Edinburgh will be a better option that avoids Kings Cross. If I've understood the suggestion correctly. I'll look into tickets.

The cost isn't too important since I'll be reimbursed. Obviously though I can't first class or anything fancy like that. I'm more concerned that I need a flexible ticket since I have no idea what time I'll be ready to catch the train back from Edinburgh.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

There are also flights from Birmingham to Edinburgh which may be cheaper depending on when you want to travel - www.skyscanner.net is a good place to compare prices.

You used to be able to fly from Oxford to Edinburgh which would have been a good option but they don't do that trip anymore :/

 

[Altnabreac]

If you were worried about walking interchanges / have a lot of luggage one option is to change at Banbury and Wolverhampton. Depending on time of day this can be a fairly quick option too.

 

[maniacmartin]

the first train from Bicester is at 05:33 with a 07:30 train from Kings Cross arriving in Edinburgh at 12:12. I had hoped perhaps avoiding London I could arrive a bit earlier (and possibly even get a later train from Bicester).

Perhaps then Marylebone to Birmingham then Birmingham to Edinburgh will be a better option that avoids Kings Cross. If I've understood the suggestion correctly. I'll look into tickets.

The cost isn't too important since I'll be reimbursed. Obviously though I can't first class or anything fancy like that. I'm more concerned that I need a flexible ticket since I have no idea what time I'll be ready to catch the train back from Edinburgh.

If arriving early is more important than cost, then go via London, as the first train northbound from Bicester to Birmingham is later, and would mean you would arrive at Edinburgh an hour later than if you took the first trains via London.

 

[30907]

I should add that I need to get to Edinburgh as early as possible in the morning, and then I'll be travelling back probably late evening. It will be a long day!

Will whoever is paying your expenses cover the cost of the Scotrail Sleeper one way? (just before midnight from Euston)

 

[paullb]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I think I'll just stick with my original plan and go via London, it seems easier to do, and gets me there as early as possible.

 

[MarlowDonkey]

Perhaps then Marylebone to Birmingham then Birmingham to Edinburgh will be a better option that avoids Kings Cross. If I've understood the suggestion correctly. I'll look into tickets.

The line from Bicester North heading in the opposite direction as London goes to Birmingham, from where you can get trains to Edinburgh by a variety of routes.

As you may have seen, the route via London is more expensive but faster. If other local stations are possible, Oxford and Banbury also offer connections via Birmingham to the North of England and Scotland.

 

[Gathursty]

Maybe get a friend to drop you off at Milton Keynes Central? I drove from Wolverton to Kings Sutton (a similar distance in the same neck of the woods in about 40 minutes)

 

[crosscity]

The line from Bicester North heading in the opposite direction as London goes to Birmingham, from where you can get trains to Edinburgh by a variety of routes.

As you may have seen, the route via London is more expensive but faster. If other local stations are possible, Oxford and Banbury also offer connections via Birmingham to the North of England and Scotland.

According to Railplanner, via Birmingham and the West Coast (Virgin) is the fastest route to Edinburgh. The first train leaves Bicester North at 6:47, arr Bham Moor St at 8:02, dep Bham New St at 8:20, arr Edinburgh 12:21 (journey time 5h34m). Most journeys via this route are under 6 hours.

All journeys via London take at least 6 hours. So via London is not the quickest. The walk from Moor St to New St stations is signposted and easily done in 10 minutes.

The other route from Birmingham (Cross Country via Sheffield) typically takes just over six and a half hours, without the need to change at Birmingham (changing points can be Banbury or Leamington Spa depending on time of day).

As the Op wants the earliest arrival in Edinburgh, then via London wins with the 5:33 from Bicester North, comfortably in time for the 7:30 KX-Edinburgh which arrives at 12:12.

 

[Deerfold]

According to Railplanner, via Birmingham and the West Coast (Virgin) is the fastest route to Edinburgh. The first train leaves Bicester North at 6:47, arr Bham Moor St at 8:02, dep Bham New St at 8:20, arr Edinburgh 12:21 (journey time 5h34m). Most journeys via this route are under 6 hours.

As the Op wants the earliest arrival in Edinburgh, then via London wins with the 5:33 from Bicester North, comfortably in time for the 7:30 KX-Edinburgh which arrives at 12:12.

Depends how desperate the OP is to arrive earlier - I think for the sake of an extra hour in bed I'd go for the Birmingham route - or get the 2157 the night before from Bicester North and get to Edinburgh for 0722 on the sleeper.