How to Book Train Travel From Aberdeen to Edinburgh

A visit to Scotland affords the opportunity to appreciate monumental architecture in a beautiful setting. Whether your travel starts in Aberdeen, where the city's ancient university buildings have given it the name of 'The Granite City,' or ends in Edinburgh, where the medieval is mixed with the avant-garde, taking a train between these two Scottish cities allows you to make the most of the beautiful scenery along the way.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Computer with Internet access for making reservations.
• A valid passport.
• Telephone with international dialing capability.

Plan Your Trip

1. Read the train schedule carefully. There are frequent trains between Aberdeen and Edinburgh, but many do not run every day.
2. Choose your national rail service provider from several alternatives. They all depart from Aberdeen's fully staffed station at Guild Street, but may differ in price and amenities on board.
3. Think about your schedule when you book your ticket. The average travel time for this route is 2.5 hours.

Buy Your Ticket

4. To book accommodations, contact National Rail Enquiries at 011 ([phone] or visit their Web site (see Resources, below). Depending on your time of travel, you will have several options, including standard and first class.
5. Purchase your ticket online and plan to pick it up at the station on your day of travel. Tickets cannot be mailed to US addresses, so keep that in mind when making your purchase.
6. Pick up the phone and dial the rail service provider or travel agent of your choice. You may book your ticket and make seating reservations by phone, but unless you purchase through a travel agent who can make the appropriate arrangements, you will still need to pick up your ticket at the station.

Board The Train

7. Present your ticket to enter the terminal in Aberdeen. You may also book tickets and make seat reservations at the station. You should allow for extra time if you do this as the station ticket booth may be crowded.
8. Travel first class and you will find amenities such as complimentary beverage service as well as larger seats. You will also be given access to the first class lounge at participating terminals.
9. Disembark in Edinburgh, either Haymarket or Waverly Station, and find luggage trolleys at your disposal. These fully staffed terminals are also wheelchair accessible and have a conveniently located taxi bank.