Page 220 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Scotland

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Travelling by Rail and Road Scenic Train Rides coaches. Brit Xplorer passes
When motor transportation offered by National Express are
Scotland has a privatized rail network, ScotRail, that covers made many rural railways ideal for those planning to cover
most of the country and is generally efficient and reliable. redundant in the mid-20th many destinations over a
A quarter-hourly service operates between Edinburgh and cen tury, picturesque sections limited period. They allow
Glasgow, and lines radiate from both cities, with frequent of track, and many of the old unlimited travel on all National
steam engines, were rescued
Express services in Scotland and
services to many Scottish des tinations and to most parts of and restored to working order. the rest of Britain. You can buy
England. Journey times to London are just over four hours Tourist offices or train ticket the pass in the UK at major
from Edinburgh and just over five from Glasgow. Scotland also The Flying Scotsman, one of the many swift offices can provide you with international airports, at
has a good coach (long-distance bus) service that is generally inter-city train services information on where the lines Glasgow’s Buchanan Bus Station
cheaper than the trains, although journeys can be slow. are, and how much it will cost and at Edinburgh’s Tourist
Information Centre. The Explorer
to take a ride on the trains.
Weekend rail and coach services are popular, so book ahead. General Tips
Ride the Jacobite steam train Pass, available from Scottish Open-top bus tour on the Royal Mile in
Britain’s fastest and most from Fort William to Mallaig, City link agents and from Edinburgh
Freedom of Scotland pass allows comfortable trains are those passing over a spectacular via- Glasgow Airport, allows travel
unlimited rail travel around the on the inter-city routes. These duct at Glenfinnan; or take the only within Scotland and only DIRECTORY
country for a set period. The popular services book up Strathspey Steam Railway from on Scottish Citylink services.
Highland Rover permits travel quickly. It is always advisable Aviemore to Boat of Garten. UK and Overseas Rail
on the West Highland lines and to reserve your seat in advance, Coach and Bus Tours Numbers and Websites
the Inverness-to-Kyle line. The especially if you want to travel
Central Scotland Rover is for at peak times such as Friday Dozens of coach tours are National Rail Enquiries
use between Glasgow’s evenings and Sunday available in Scotland, catering Tel (08457) 484950.
Queen Street and after noons. Inter-city for all interests, age groups and ∑ nationalrail.co.uk
The Virgin Superfast train at Edinburgh’s Edinburgh’s Waverley trains are fast, with a a host of different destinations.
Waverley station station on any three out limited number of stops. They may last anything from a Lost Property
of seven consecutive The trip from Edinburgh couple of hours for a city tour to Tel (0330) 223 0893 (Edinburgh
days. The passes are also to Glasgow, for example, several days for a national tour. airport).
Train Tickets valid on some coach and takes around 50 minutes. The Jacobite steam train on its picturesque Scottish Tours offers
Allow plenty of time to buy your ferry services and on the A reduced service is journey to Mallaig scheduled sightseeing tours Rail Europe
ticket, and always ask about any Glasgow Under ground usually in operation of Edinburgh, Glasgow and ∑ raileurope.co.uk
special offers or reduced fares. (see p102). on Sundays and public International Coach Travel Inverness and offers many
Try to buy your tickets for One-third price dis- holidays. Porters are often multi-day tours. The Edinburgh- ScotRail
intercity routes at least 14 days counts are available for A leaflet about scarce at British stations, Although travelling by coach based Scotline Tours offers Tel (0344) 811 0141.
in advance. You’ll find the best 16- to 25-year-olds using a the steam train although trolleys are (long-distance bus) is cheap half- and full-day tours, while ∑ scotrail.co.uk
offers online. For shorter trips, Young Person’s Railcard. usually available for compared with other methods Rabbie’s Trail Burners offers
reasonable fares are available The Senior Rail card and Disabled passengers to help themselves. of transport, it is not the most tours of three days or more. Coach and Bus
from station ticket booths and Railcard entitle the holder to If you are disabled and need comfortable way of crossing Ask at your hotel or tourist Information
machines on the day of travel. a one-third discount on most assistance, contact the rele vant Europe. If you have a lot of spare office for details of local bus
First-class tickets cost about fares. There are also railcards for train company before the day time, however, and want to stop and coach tours. Most major Megabus
one-third more than standard 16- to 18-year-olds and families. you travel. off en route at other destina- towns and cities offer open-top Tel (0141) 352 4444.
fares although sometimes first tions, it can be a convenient bus tours. ∑ uk.megabus.com
class can be good value as mode of transport. The ticket Local buses are generally a National Express
prices depend on availability. Rail Map of Scotland Key usually covers all parts of the cheap way to get about. In the Tel (0871) 781 8181.
It’s usually cheaper to buy two journey, including the ferry or more remote rural areas not ∑ nationalexpress.com
singles on long-distance routes. Principal routes Channel Tunnel. served by public transport,
ScotRail has some discounted Thurso Wick Other routes Royal Mail operates the Post- Rabbie’s Trail Burners
fares; up to two children aged Rail junction National Coach Network bus. Fare-paying passengers Tel (0131) 226 3133.
between 5 and 15 can travel free Lairg travel in the postal delivery van ∑ rabbies.com
with each adult who pur chases Train station The largest coach operators in – an interesting if rather slow Royal Mail
a “kids go free” ticket. Groups of Scotland are Scottish City link, way to travel around. Details of Tel (0345) 774 0740.
more than three should enquire Mallaig Kyle of Inverness Inverurie Megabus and National routes are available from the ∑ royalmail.com
Lochalsh
about discount fares. Aberdeen Express, which runs services Royal Mail and via its website.
Fort William Carnoustie Scotline Tours
Rannoch only between the main cities Tel (0131) 557 0162.
Rail Passes Oban Perth Dundee and to destinations in the rest ∑ scotlinetours.co.uk
Stirling Edinburgh of Great Britain. Buy a reserved
If you plan to travel a lot by train, Glasgow ticket to guarantee a seat. Scottish Citylink
it is a good idea to buy a rail pass. Dunbar Discounts are available for Tel (0871) 266 3333.
These can be pur chased from Troon Kilmarnock full-time students or anyone ∑ citylink.co.uk
agents such as Rail Europe, under 25 with a coach pass.
which operates in Europe, Stranraer Dumfries Newcastle Over-50s and children aged Scottish Tours
Carlisle
the US and Canada. Durham between 5 and 15 years also Tel (0141) 237 4294.
There are different passes qualify for reductions. Under-5s The Postbus provides transport in remote ∑ scottishtours.co.uk
available to suit every need. The travel free on Scotland’s nation al parts of the Highlands

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