Scotland Meets Thread (formerly Scotland: A Brave Adventure)

[Calfan]

OK, a couple of questions. It's just about getting time where airfare for my return flight will be out, so I'll be stalking airfare. What kind of airfare did you folks get for US to Edinburgh? What airline did you fly? Any good alternatives to the US airlines?

Also, folks who did pre- or post-nights on your own, what hotel(s) did you stay at? Looking for options, because as nice as the Balmoral sounds, it's *way* outside my budget!

Thanks!
Sayhello

We used miles for 3 of us, so I can't really comment on price, but United has a good route to Edinburgh flying through Newark. The flight from Newark is non-stop to Edinburgh and gets in in the morning.

 

[richflour]

You can get a better rate on the balmoral on hotels.com
Flight from atlanta rt was about $1200
British air. My wife said it was terrible.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

I fly frequently back and forth to Scotland (and London), mostly on the UK airlines. I don't like BA, but I am a huge fan of Virgin Atlantic, and since they now fly into Edinburgh you can take them the whole way. I think in summer I'd jump on $1300 and non-peak times I'd jump on $1100, but $100 or so more isn't a bad deal. If you are inclined to spend a little more, VAs premium economy is great (and much better than BAs). For that think in the $1600-1700 range. On our ABD trip to Scotland we experimented with Air France and their premium economy seats. I want to say we paid in the $1700-1800 range. I would NOT recommend Air France, for a number of reasons, but the biggest was the horrible connection on the way back: had to take a bus and then a train to get to our connector. We barely made it.

A couple of differences to keep in mind. If you are connecting through London from the US you will have to go through immigration so leave PLENTY of time at Heathrow--3 hour range is good. I almost missed a connection to Dublin once with a three hour window. Heathrow is a great airport, so if you end up with extra time you can pick up a sandwich at Pret or a coffee at Starbucks or shop at the Harrods shop, LOL.

If you connect through London from EDI on the way back, however, you do not need nearly as much time (I've done it with as little as 1 hour between, but 1.5 is better) because no immigration from UK to UK airport.

Keep in mind that if you use one of the US airlines and connect on the way back through the states, you have to claim your luggage and go through customs in the connection city, which is a big pain. I've had bad experiences at both JFK and Chicago, and I usually try to avoid this--although a good deal changes my mind

 

[JLoane]

OK, a couple of questions. It's just about getting time where airfare for my return flight will be out, so I'll be stalking airfare. What kind of airfare did you folks get for US to Edinburgh? What airline did you fly? Any good alternatives to the US airlines? Also, folks who did pre- or post-nights on your own, what hotel(s) did you stay at? Looking for options, because as nice as the Balmoral sounds, it's *way* outside my budget! Thanks! Sayhello

My family will be on the Aug 3rd trip next year and I just booked on United at around $1500, direct Newark to Edinburgh. There are 5 of us so I was afraid to wait. Although now, I'll be kicking myself if prices drop! But we get in around 745 am and that gives us a bit of time to explore before the welcome dinner.

 

[Calfan]

While I do generally prefer to connect through a European city, we had no issue with needing to reclaim our baggage and clear customs in Newark before continuing on to SFO. We had a 3-hour layover (maybe a little less) and it didn't take much time at all to deal with the baggage and customs. Left us time to grab a bite before our next flight.

 

[sayhello]

We used miles for 3 of us, so I can't really comment on price, but United has a good route to Edinburgh flying through Newark. The flight from Newark is non-stop to Edinburgh and gets in in the morning.

Was it a good flight? I can get to Newark from Columbus...

Sayhello

 

[sayhello]

You can get a better rate on the balmoral on hotels.com
Flight from atlanta rt was about $1200
British air. My wife said it was terrible.

I'll check hotels.com, but it's gonna have to be a serious discount!
I've not heard much good about British Airlines in a long time. The idea of not being able to select my seat until just before the flight scares me for international...

Sayhello

 

[sayhello]

I fly frequently back and forth to Scotland (and London), mostly on the UK airlines. I don't like BA, but I am a huge fan of Virgin Atlantic, and since they now fly into Edinburgh you can take them the whole way. I think in summer I'd jump on $1300 and non-peak times I'd jump on $1100, but $100 or so more isn't a bad deal. If you are inclined to spend a little more, VAs premium economy is great (and much better than BAs). For that think in the $1600-1700 range. On our ABD trip to Scotland we experimented with Air France and their premium economy seats. I want to say we paid in the $1700-1800 range. I would NOT recommend Air France, for a number of reasons, but the biggest was the horrible connection on the way back: had to take a bus and then a train to get to our connector. We barely made it.

A couple of differences to keep in mind. If you are connecting through London from the US you will have to go through immigration so leave PLENTY of time at Heathrow--3 hour range is good. I almost missed a connection to Dublin once with a three hour window. Heathrow is a great airport, so if you end up with extra time you can pick up a sandwich at Pret or a coffee at Starbucks or shop at the Harrods shop, LOL.

If you connect through London from EDI on the way back, however, you do not need nearly as much time (I've done it with as little as 1 hour between, but 1.5 is better) because no immigration from UK to UK airport.

Keep in mind that if you use one of the US airlines and connect on the way back through the states, you have to claim your luggage and go through customs in the connection city, which is a big pain. I've had bad experiences at both JFK and Chicago, and I usually try to avoid this--although a good deal changes my mind

Thank you so much! This is all such great info! I checked out Virgin Atlantic, and in order to fly to Edinburgh from Columbus, I'm going to have to call them. The website won't let me select Edinburgh with a start point of Columbus... We shall see!

Sayhello

 

[sayhello]

My family will be on the Aug 3rd trip next year and I just booked on United at around $1500, direct Newark to Edinburgh. There are 5 of us so I was afraid to wait. Although now, I'll be kicking myself if prices drop! But we get in around 745 am and that gives us a bit of time to explore before the welcome dinner.

I'll tell you, I've flown to Europe 3 summers out of the last 4 years, and not one of those times has the airfare gone down after I purchased my ticket by more then like $35. It's worth it to get the flights you want.

Sayhello

 

[sayhello]

While I do generally prefer to connect through a European city, we had no issue with needing to reclaim our baggage and clear customs in Newark before continuing on to SFO. We had a 3-hour layover (maybe a little less) and it didn't take much time at all to deal with the baggage and customs. Left us time to grab a bite before our next flight.

Cool. The only time I've had issues connecting in the US was flying from Charles de Gaulle to Dulles, and going through customs in Dulles. AWFUL, and we missed our flight by like 10 minutes.

Sayhello

 

[Calfan]

Was it a good flight? I can get to Newark from Columbus...

Sayhello

It was a very good flight On time. Also, the EDI flight was just a couple of gates down from where our SFO flight landed, so no scrambling to make our connection.

 

[Tozzie]

Thank you so much! This is all such great info! I checked out Virgin Atlantic, and in order to fly to Edinburgh from Columbus, I'm going to have to call them. The website won't let me select Edinburgh with a start point of Columbus... We shall see!

Sayhello

You don't have to call them, when you go to search for flghts click on flight connector, it will bring you to another page then click on the link for flight connector and you will be able to search using columbus to edi

i flew Virgin Atlantic for Scotland and I loved it .

 

[sayhello]

You don't have to call them, when you go to search for flghts click on flight connector, it will bring you to another page then click on the link for flight connector and you will be able to search using columbus to edi

i flew Virgin Atlantic for Scotland and I loved it .

Oooo, thanks for the tip, Tozzie! I'll definitely check that out!

Sayhello

 

[2BNDisney]

OK, a couple of questions. It's just about getting time where airfare for my return flight will be out, so I'll be stalking airfare. What kind of airfare did you folks get for US to Edinburgh? What airline did you fly? Any good alternatives to the US airlines?

Also, folks who did pre- or post-nights on your own, what hotel(s) did you stay at? Looking for options, because as nice as the Balmoral sounds, it's *way* outside my budget!

Thanks!
Sayhello

Used United as I did not want more than one layover and had no problem.

As far as hotels, I had a discount rate at the Apex Waterloo which is extremely close to the Balmoral so I just walked my one piece of luggage over there on check-in day to the Balmoral. And it was much cheaper. I also saw a Travelodge near the Apex. I took the bus in to the hotel from the airport rather than taxi, and I believe it was only 3.50 pounds. They have a place to store luggage on the bus and if you are not carrying a lot, I found this rather convenient and less costly than a cab (of course if you are staying at the Balmoral or coming in the day of the tour, Disney handles all this transportation for you).

 

[calypso726]

OK, a couple of questions. It's just about getting time where airfare for my return flight will be out, so I'll be stalking airfare. What kind of airfare did you folks get for US to Edinburgh? What airline did you fly? Any good alternatives to the US airlines?

Also, folks who did pre- or post-nights on your own, what hotel(s) did you stay at? Looking for options, because as nice as the Balmoral sounds, it's *way* outside my budget!

Thanks!
Sayhello

We flew on British Airways in first class on miles so it was a great experience. Collecting miles and travel hacking has become a worthwhile hobby with the rising costs of air fare and hotel stays. We just booked our flight to Vancouver for our upcoming Alaska cruise on the Wonder using miles and managed to snag first class seats to boot!

We did a 3 night pre stay. We stayed one night at the Sheraton Grand Hotel and Spa in Edinburgh on points (12K). It was a very nice and comfortable and we enjoyed the one night stay very much. Our room was not a whole lot different from the Balmoral to be honest and if paying cash would have been over $100 less per night. Applying for a Starwood Preferred Guest Amex would get you 25K SPG points if you spend $5K within 6 months of applying for the card. 25K SPG points is 2 nights at the Sheraton Grand with 1K in points to spare.

We also did a couple of nights in the Witchery by the Castle suites. Now that was an experience all on its own and still cost less per night than what it does to stay a night at the Balmoral. They don't have a reward program so we couldn't pay for it with points or miles. Instead we used a credit card with no foreign transaction fees that earns double miles on hotels, travel and dining

 

[Bobo912]

Used United as I did not want more than one layover and had no problem.

As far as hotels, I had a discount rate at the Apex Waterloo which is extremely close to the Balmoral so I just walked my one piece of luggage over there on check-in day to the Balmoral. And it was much cheaper. I also saw a Travelodge near the Apex. I took the bus in to the hotel from the airport rather than taxi, and I believe it was only 3.50 pounds. They have a place to store luggage on the bus and if you are not carrying a lot, I found this rather convenient and less costly than a cab (of course if you are staying at the Balmoral or coming in the day of the tour, Disney handles all this transportation for you).

We're spending a few days in Edinburgh prior to the Ireland ABD next summer I was planning to stay at the Apex Waterloo The rates I've seen are not too bad. Would you mind sharing where you found the best rates?

 

[2BNDisney]

We're spending a few days in Edinburgh prior to the Ireland ABD next summer I was planning to stay at the Apex Waterloo The rates I've seen are not too bad. Would you mind sharing where you found the best rates?

I believe I saw something pop up on either Orbitz or Expedia. It has been a while so I am not sure which. If I happen to find my receipt I will repost. I found it was within easy walking distance of the Royal Mile and Princes Street Gardens.

 

[edinburghlass]

For anyone who has been or going to Edinburgh you might like to watch the film Sunshine on Leith.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmreviews/10353573/Sunshine-on-Leith-review.html

Billed as a feel good film and this years answer to Mamma Mia a lot of it was filmed in Edinburgh and the views of Edinburgh are certainly the stars of the film. I loved it but then I'm maybe biased

 

[sayhello]

For anyone who has been or going to Edinburgh you might like to watch the film Sunshine on Leith.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmreviews/10353573/Sunshine-on-Leith-review.html

Billed as a feel good film and this years answer to Mamma Mia a lot of it was filmed in Edinburgh and the views of Edinburgh are certainly the stars of the film. I loved it but then I'm maybe biased

Oooo! And it *is* to do with the Proclaimers! I do love them. I'll definitely have to check it out!

Thanks,
Sayhello

 

[edinburghlass]

Oooo! And it *is* to do with the Proclaimers! I do love them. I'll definitely have to check it out!

Thanks,
Sayhello

I wasn't sure if The Proclaimers would mean anything but yes all the music is by them and they have a cameo role at the start of the film. I came home and downloaded the sound track and put 500 Miles as my ring tone on my phone

The afternoon I went we met some Americans outside and suggested the film to them. Spoke to them on the way out and they loved it although they knew nothing about the film before speaking to us. We were able to tell them were to go to see some of where it was filmed.

ps, best take a hankie, quite sad in places