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OK someone on here must be able to tell me.... because having little knowledge of cross-country train services I am at a complete loss....

There MUST be a direct train from somewhere in South/central Scotland (or Carlisle) to Bristol.... I can't even see prices till I put in the stations, but I am having no luck - between the 2 stations in Glasgow, 2 in Edinburgh, countless other possibilities ... and 2 possible destinations in Bristol it is taking me forever to find the right combination. Most combinations have me changing 3 times and the journey taking more than 6 hours


Help please

I once looked at trains from Newcastle to Bristol and was horrified! The journey was going to take, 3 trains, 3 stations a taxi at least 11 hours one way and I'd end up in Kings Cross at around 9.30pm on the journey home and it was going to cost around £100 - and this was 10 years ago. So I flew instead it took about an hour and cost about the same! If you are looking to go to Bristol in the Easter hols the offer of a lift still stands - you can hop on a train in Edinburgh get off near us and we'll do the rest of the journey. We may even be able to set you up with a bed - my other friend in Bristol has rather a large house and loves company! In fact part of her house is a flat that she's considering hiring out for weekends etc

It is for easter. Thanks for the offer but LO needs a car seat in a car, plus travel cot, plus one suitcase for us all, plus buggy. We would take the car but I don't drive and OH doesn't want to do the whole trip himself...

We fancied 3 or 4 days as a mini break and would probably get a room at a posthouse type affair for the 3 of us.

Just thinking about it just now.... the train is a deal breaker I am afraid though

Hi Annpan - I think it can be done with one change - not sure where though. Is flying a huge no ? Cos you might get a cheap flight from Glasgow airport.
If you need to fly from Prestwick - get in touch - we can help out as we live three miles from there.
Piper.

Hello again - checked my First Scotrail stuff. You can leave Glasgow Central at 10 am to get to Bristol around 4pm with one change at Birmingham.
Go to the First Scotrail website to see.
Hope that helps!

That sounds not to bad

I am quite proud of the fact I have never flown, and I plan on keeping it that way for now *.... besides, when I was asked to fly to London for my work I was told I needed my passport and none of us have one.



*I have a friend who can get me empty/standby seats on transatlantic flights for a pitence, that might change my mind

Annpan - you can get direct trains from Edinburgh to Bristol with no changes. I know there is one at 9.06 each weekday, I think that may start at Aberdeen or Inverness. Check the Cross County Trains website.

http://www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/

If you're looking for cheapness, another option might be the sleeper to London and then onwards from london. The sleeper has 'bargain berths' where you can get a single for £20. I've used it a couple of times. It does depend if you can sleep on a train and if they have ticket availalbility on the days you want. Don't forget the option of booking two cheap singles rather than a return journey if you're trying to keep the costs down. If you're changing trains look at each leg individually for cheapest sinlge options. Although changing trains witha little un and a buggy and suitcases becomes tricky.

Cassie

Good idea - but i dont think you get the bargain berths at Easter - if its during Scottish holidays (2nd - 19th April this year I think)

Having looked at the CRAZY prices of the cross country trains (upwards from £142 EACH!!!) the sleeper sound lovely, we have been wanting to do that for a while, but just too much for E at the moment.... esspecially when we would still have another journey in the morning, and have to do it all again coming home

I think we have come to the decision of driving - at least we can all be in relative comfort, and stop when we want, and visit people on the way down, or back home again....

Now we just need to decide if it is worth the time/cost/tiredness of driving 350 miles