Day trip to glasgow/edinburgh

[filthiestfis]

Is it worth spending a day in Edinburgh/Glasgow? I've not been to either, dont fancy spending money on an hotel, but doing a day trip from london would be fine with ryanair/easyjet.
What would be the primary things I should cover on a day trip? Or is an overnight stay pretty much essential?

[Buenchico]

I've done several day trips to Edinburgh, by rail from Suffolk and I've always found it worthwhile. (I've used an 'All Lines Rover' ticket which I used to get very cheaply when I worked for a rail company). There's plenty to do and see. Full information is here:
http://www.edinburgh.org/

However, from my point of view, the best thing about Edinburgh is the Wetherspoon's pub ('The Standing Order'), on George Street, which serves great real ales and superb haggis, neeps & tatties ;-)

If you're flying to Edinburgh airport, you'll need to know how to get to the city centre:
http://www.edinburghairport.com/portal/site/de fault/menuitem.1509e57cfbd378f73bcdea10c02865a 0/

I've not been to Glasgow but I know many people who've had a great time there:
http://www.seeglasgow.com/

To get from Glasgow airport to the city centre, see here:
http://www.glasgowairport.com/portal/site/defa ult/menuitem.07debed571aba8f73bcdea10c02865a0/

Ryanair fly to Prestwick, rather than to Glasgow. I've considered taking a day trip myself, but I've decided that the airport is too far away from Glagow. The official Prestwick website is down but travel details can be found here:
http://www.prestwick-airport-guide.co.uk/trans port.html

Chris

[vehelpfulguy]

>Is it worth spending a day in Edinburgh/Glasgow?

A bit condecending dont you think ?

The two biggest cities in Scotland and you are wondering if there is enough to keep you for a day ?

I would say an overnight stay in either is essential.

Edinburgh is an amazing city with so much history.

The Royal Mile from Edinburgh Castle to Holyrood House is one of the most historically interesting and diverse miles in the world.

More here:

http://www.aboutscotland.com/edin/royal.html

Great view of the royal mile here:

http://www.architecture.ed.ac.uk/assets/Ed1/ca stle_royalmile.jpg

btw I am not Scottish but English, and I come from London, but I do get sick of us Londoners thinking there is nothing worth seeing north of Watford.

[filthiestfis]

vehelpfulguy-you are jumping to conclusions i.e. misinterpreting me. Geez how touchy! I simply want to know if its worth going just for one day, because there would be too much to fit into one day-I wasnt implying that there isnt enough to do/see.

[filthiestfis]

vehelpfulguy-I am not a Londoner either.

[filthiestfis]

IT DOESNT have to be Scotland. We are just looking to get away from London for a day to see some other beautiful city of England. Perhaps Bath or York are worth seeing? Which one impresses the most?

[Dusty Bin]

Too much to do in Bath in just one day.

Can't comment about York - never been. Sorry!

If you only want to go for a day, try somewhere like Plymouth.

[filthiestfis]

Whats there to do in Plymouth?
I reckon brighton is a cool place to see...maybe even Blackpool!

[Dusty Bin]

There's the famous Plymouth Hoe where Sir Francis Drake legendarily played bowls while the Spanish armada advanced, and the Brunel bridge into Cornwall.

Brighton and Blackpool aren't cities, but I see your point.

How about Liverpool?

[filthiestfis]

Are they towns?

[Dassie]

If you are in London, why not catch the Scotrail night sleeper train that runs to Edinburgh or Glasgow? It leaves from Euston around 11pm and gets you there about 8am the next day. That will give you the whole day and then you can return in the same way to get you back to Euston about 7am. If you go to Scotrail's web site and click on " Bargain Berths" then you might even find it cheaper than flying.

[filthiestfis]

Thanks Dassie but I tried it and for the 2nd week of august there isnt any Bargain Berth availability showing.

[annie0000]

You probably wont get much availability on anything cheap to Scotland esp Edinburgh or Glasgow around that time as the world famous Edinburgh festival and fringe is on then. A wonderful time to come and see the city in it's glory, but very busy and expensive - If you want to come and stroll round and enjoy the ambience, shopping, pubs and cuture, then I would recommend coming earlier or later. Being originally from Edinburgh, I would obviously recommend it over Glasgow! Edinburgh is a stunning city that can easily compete in terms of beauty with Bath and York - it's not called the Athens of the north for nothing.

[JK2]

York is lovely too. The Minster, a boat ride along the river, a walk around the Roman Walls & gates, the Casle Museum with the terrific cobbled streets& shops and lots more. Stonegate & the Shambles are wonderful old shopping areas.



http://www.visityork.org/mustseeyork/

[curious81]

I've recently spent a week in Edinburgh, gorgeous city with absolutly loads to see and do!! A walk down the Royal Mile is a must, would also recommend the ghost walks, the royal yacht Britannia, the Dungeons, the city bus tours etc. There's loads of free museums too!! Think an overnight stay would be beneficial!!
I have spent a day in Glasgow, but didn't enjoy my time there as much, may have been that we didn't do any research into what we could do there though!!

[mikey0118]

vehelpfulguy, how on earth do you come to the conclusion that spending just one day in a city is "condescending"? I am sure the people of any city couldn't care less as to whether somebody spends one day or one week in a city.

filthiestfis, you have just missed yet another crazy Ryanair sale, with flights going for a mere 2p return (no taxes or credit charges), so you could have had a really cheap day out. It has been their second seat sale of this kind in about as many months, so another is probably going to pop up soon. I visited Milan for the day in early June and it was great fun. I've got another day trip to Dublin planned for October, too.

Day trips are great fun and they're much cheaper (obviously). If you like a place, you can plan to go back. As it was, Milan was a bit of a disappointment, so I won't be returning.

[filthiestfis]

Mikey0118-thanks for the info. I know that Ryanair were doing a "No Taxes" promotion but my day trip is planned for mid-august when the promotion is not valid.
But you are right- Ryanair did run this promotion not long ago. I know because I did a day trip to dublin last month paying 1p each way (plus the obligatory Priority Boarding which is still less than a fiver)! Dublin is superb. I always have lunch at Gallagher's Boxty House on Temple Bar :-)

[filthiestfis]

Mikety0118-Tell us about Milan. Ive not been to Milan but have been told its maninly for fashion shopping. Why was it dissapointing?

[Buenchico]

If you're looking for cheap Ryanair flights, during the second week of August, consider flying to Brussels (Charleroi). There are plenty of flights for 1p each way. (I'm booking a day trip, for around the same time, myself).

Brussels itself is quite an interesting city (although a day is long enough for a visit). However, it's much better to go to the rail desk at the airport and buy a 'bulk ticket'. This costs �10.50 (single) and will take you to any station in Belgium. (It includes the 9 minute bus ride to Charleroi station. From there you travel to Brussels Midi and change for your ultimate destination). It's easy to get to Bruges (which is definitely worth a visit). Just a few minutes further down the line are the resort towns of Ostend and Blankenberge. (I love Ostend but I'll choose where to go to, depending on the weather, on the day).

Chris

[filthiestfis]

Thanks once again for your valuable answer Buenchico.
The problem I have is that I wont be travelling alone, as you are aware from other questions posed, I am travelling with my girlfriend who is Peruvian. She would need to apply for a visa to anywhere outside the UK, hence why Dublin is now out of the question.

[jno]

you can avoid Ryanair's priority boarding charge

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/main.jhtml?x ml=/travel/2007/03/03/etcssryan103.xml&DCMP=OT C-Autonolnk