London - Edinburgh

[Jturner98]

Hi everyone, but of a strange request here but I’m looking at taking my mum to Edinburgh later in the year. Unfortunately for her she’s been on a Pendolino before and didn’t like it so we can’t go that way. I’ve also been on an Azuma and felt the same. So my question is what other ways are available? Obviously I know the Caledonian Sleeper is an option.

Thanks for you help

 

[Sad Sprinter]

Hi everyone, but of a strange request here but I’m looking at taking my mum to Edinburgh later in the year. Unfortunately for her she’s been on a Pendolino before and didn’t like it so we can’t go that way. I’ve also been on an Azuma and felt the same. So my question is what other ways are available? Obviously I know the Caledonian Sleeper is an option.

Thanks for you help

You could do London to Sheffield and get a XC Voyager from there, but I suspect your Mum wouldn't like Voyagers either as they're cramped and uncomfortable.

 

[PY33]

You could do London to Sheffield and get a XC Voyager from there, but I suspect your Mum wouldn't like Voyagers either as they're cramped and uncomfortable.

Take her in first class - I’m sure she’d like that!

 

[yorkie]

Hi everyone, but of a strange request here but I’m looking at taking my mum to Edinburgh later in the year. Unfortunately for her she’s been on a Pendolino before and didn’t like it so we can’t go that way. I’ve also been on an Azuma and felt the same. So my question is what other ways are available? Obviously I know the Caledonian Sleeper is an option.

Thanks for you help

Perhaps an LNER '225' to Leeds/York, followed by a Voyager to Edinburgh?

The forum's site has sufficient advanced options to force such an itinerary.

 

[BlueLeanie]

Hi everyone, but of a strange request here but I’m looking at taking my mum to Edinburgh later in the year. Unfortunately for her she’s been on a Pendolino before and didn’t like it so we can’t go that way. I’ve also been on an Azuma and felt the same. So my question is what other ways are available? Obviously I know the Caledonian Sleeper is an option.

Thanks for you help

If you can't cope with an 800 series train and your mother can't cope with a Pendolino, then the best option is to fly from London City. 50 minutes in the air then tram from EDI.

 

[zwk500]

Hi everyone, but of a strange request here but I’m looking at taking my mum to Edinburgh later in the year. Unfortunately for her she’s been on a Pendolino before and didn’t like it so we can’t go that way. I’ve also been on an Azuma and felt the same. So my question is what other ways are available? Obviously I know the Caledonian Sleeper is an option.

Thanks for you help

Would either of you be willing to take the Azuma if the journey was split up? York is approximately 2hrs from both and would give you a lovely lunchtime stopoff if you aren't in a hurry (and can handle/store any luggage).

 

[Wallsendmag]

A320/1 or 737 would be the other options

 

[Kite159]

Lumo?

Depends why she didn't like the Azuma, ie seating.

 

[yorkie]

Or if

If you can't cope with an 800 series train and your mother can't cope with a Pendolino, then the best option is to fly from London City. 50 minutes in the air then tram from EDI.

Or, if air isn't an option, but the journey could take all day, the 0906 London - York, for a Voyager northwards, would completely avoid 800-series units.

Later departures would be possible on '225' sets by changing at Leeds, rather than York.

Or, if an 'Adelante' would suffice, then Grand Central, changing at York.

It's also possible to go from St Pancras (change Derby, Chesterfield or Sheffield)

The link below shows options avoiding LNER (i.e. not including the '225' options listed above), Avanti, Lumo, TPE:

Planner - Results - FastJP

fastjp.com

If you want to do a '225', then check the diagrams (or ask here) and a bit of tweaking with a journey planner could generate a through itinerary.

 

[AndrewE]

You could do London to Sheffield and get a XC Voyager from there, but I suspect your Mum wouldn't like Voyagers either as they're cramped and uncomfortable.

one of my former colleagues hated Pendolinos (but personally I think they are fine) and considered Voyagers much better - citing much bigger/taller windows - and maybe hers didn't tilt either...
Could you try to get a pair of window seats on a Pendolino so that she could be guaranteed a "facing direction of travel" seat? Maybe split/break the journey (at Carlisle?) to avoid going via the W Midlands but still have the variety and comfort of the WCML (when it actually runs)?
e.g. the 09.30 or 11.30 EUS-GLC connect nicely into the Edinburgh trains at Carlisle. You could also leave an hour earlier and have lunch in Carlisle instead...

 

[Peter0124]

How about this?
London to Leeds on a LNER '225' set, Leeds to Carlisle on a Northern 158, Carlisle to Edinburgh on a TPE 397.

Would take just over 7hrs 30m if you get the 10:03 from Kings Cross. Arriving into Edinburgh at 17:40. I am basing my timings off a Mon-Fri timetable (unsure if weekends are the same as I didn't check). You'd get to travel via the S&C.

The only problem is how do you ticket this as I don't think its a valid route on an any permitted London-Edinburgh.

 

[A S Leib]

The only problem is how do you ticket this as I don't think its a valid route on an any permitted London-Edinburgh.

Looking at split ticketing sites, the cheapest flexible option is splitting at Stevenage, Grantham and Carlisle, although I don't know if the 225s are normally the Stevenage / Grantham or Peterborough / Newark services (and splitting south of Doncaster rules out Grand Central if more convenient / desirable).

Would St. Pancras – Sheffield – Manchester – Edinburgh work?

 

[Blindtraveler]

I had also been about to suggest leads, Carlisle, Edinburgh via the S&c. Quite often works out relatively cheaply if booking late notice
As someone who had done this semi-regularly at one point, could I suggest doing it on three separate split tickets on The logical splitting at Leeds and Carlisle

Another slow option is London Northwestern railway to crew, transport for Wales or Northern to Manchester and transpennine from there

Please note that if using transpanine Express on the West coast, there are one or two diagrams booked 802

I assume the coach is not an option

 

[Dr Hoo]

If you’re able to drive have you thought about hiring a car? You could break up the journey a bit with meal stops in towns/ cities of your taste.

 

[john.wickens]

As your mother doesn't like Pendilinos or Azumas you've really no choice but to go by coach from London Victoria. Or if she would like a mixture of bus/train, coach to Leeds and then by train via the famous Settle - Carlisle line through the Yorkshire Dales. From Carlisle train on the the alternative route to Glasgow via Dumfries - avoiding the West Coast line, and finally Glasgow to Edinburgh !
Obviously, the direct coach option is the most sensible option.

Good luck !
John Wickens
Harrogate, North Yorkshire

 

[Falcon1200]

Why does the lady not like Pendolinos? If it is the Standard Class seating, Standard Premium would be worth considering.