(18 Jun 2015, 4:33 pm)Malarkey wrote Usually it is in September.

(18 Jun 2015, 2:41 pm)Davie wrote Does anybody know when the Lothian buses open day this year will be?
Thanks,
Davie

(12 Aug 2015, 11:38 am)Malarkey wrote I can confirm the Lothian Open Doors event will be held on the 26th September.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/barberbus/20503283702/

(12 Aug 2015, 11:58 am)R852 PRG wrote 08:40 from Newcastle up to Edinburgh for me (booked HST) and I imagine any train between 16:00 and 17:00 back down. I'll likely spend as long as I need at the event, then see how the Lothian Buses network is for myself (despite several trips to Edinburgh, I've never made a journey on a Lothian bus).

(12 Aug 2015, 12:52 pm)Jimmi wrote The 0840 would probably be the one I'd get from Darlington (or Durham). I'd probably be returning sometime between 4-5pm.

I'm in two minds about whether to go to this or not, as I've never used the train before and I am really nervous and my parents aren't helping me by saying a number of things that could go wrong plus me getting lost in Edinburgh, also cost which is looking like I am going to struggle to get train fares for under £40 from Darlington looking on VTEC website and I can't help but think would it really be worth the expense? What's now been said about trains has put me off and now I don't feel like I want to get on a train on my own. Also which train station in Edinburgh would be the one to get off at? 

Anyone help?

(12 Aug 2015, 1:00 pm)R852 PRG wrote Edinburgh Waverley is the station in Edinburgh that VTEC services stop at. Although I believe the 10:28 (08:40 from Newcastle) stops at Haymarket on its way to Aberdeen, which is one of the other stations in Edinburgh. The majority of buses (including some of the mainstream services) stop at Princes Street which is the main bus area in the city I gather, and located very close to Waverley station.

(12 Aug 2015, 1:07 pm)Jimmi wrote Thanks.

I am really stressing out about the train though which is a problem including fares, things going wrong, who am I going to end up being sat next to etc. The train is a completely alien concept to me and this would be my first time on a train like this and I'd be going alone as well which makes things worse.

(12 Aug 2015, 1:07 pm)Jimmi wrote Thanks.

I am really stressing out about the train though which is a problem including fares, things going wrong, who am I going to end up being sat next to etc. The train is a completely alien concept to me and this would be my first time on a train like this and I'd be going alone as well which makes things worse.

(12 Aug 2015, 1:00 pm)R852 PRG wrote Edinburgh Waverley is the station in Edinburgh that VTEC services stop at. Although I believe the 10:28 (08:40 from Newcastle) stops at Haymarket on its way to Aberdeen, which is one of the other stations in Edinburgh. The majority of buses (including some of the mainstream services) stop at Princes Street which is the main bus area in the city I gather, and located very close to Waverley station.

(12 Aug 2015, 2:55 pm)S813 FVK wrote Very close indeed. If you exit the station at Waverley Bridge (the only exits i think), which is where the Airlink 100 and Tour Buses terminate, turn right and go to the traffic lights - that is Princes Street. Shouldn't be too difficult to find.

(12 Aug 2015, 2:02 pm)Malarkey wrote Youll be fine Jimmi if you sit in the "Quiet Coach", that is where I sat when I went up to Edinburgh last year, morning trip was peaceful with barely a sole in the carriage, on the way back it was a lot more busier but still relatively quiet.

(12 Aug 2015, 2:51 pm)BusLoverMum wrote What on earth have your parents been telling you could go wrong with trains?! :s

They're easy. They go from A to B with no traffic jams. You shouldn't have any changes to make, so won't need to think on the hop if you miss any connections. The most complicated thing is findng your platform at bigger stations.

Arm yourself with maps and bus timetables from the Internet, using google maps to help you work out what stops look like.

Write instructions down for yourself eg what buses you need from where - that way, if you panic and lose your bearings, you can show someone those instructions and not have to worry about being able to find the words and get them out.

And definitely book the quiet coach - you might even get the option to chose an airline seat over a table seat, so you only get one person sat next to you at worst, instead of a whole noisy family.

The city centre itself is easy. New town on one side - Princes street, with streets behind it, running parallel that are pretty much chocka with restaurants and pubs. There's also a park and a couple of galleries there. Over the bridges is the old town which is less traditional high street and a bit more touristy with a load of tartan and whiskey shops, the whiskey museum and a conveniently placed castle.

(12 Aug 2015, 3:29 pm)Jimmi wrote Can quiet coach seats be booked or is it unreserved seats? If possible, how?



They keep saying trains can get cancelled, you don't who you will be sat next to, you may get lost, stuff like that.

I'll have my phone with me so I should be able to access Google Maps and such plus Traveline and operators websites although my phone hates going away, I had massive problems with the Internet in Blackpool and Carlisle despite it saying I have good signal. Not sure where I'd get my hands on maps and Timetables and I don't have a printer either so that's an issue although I can save PDF timetables on my phone.

Thanks for advice everyone, if anyone has any more advice let me know.

(12 Aug 2015, 4:07 pm)BusLoverMum wrote Just googled

bus edinburgh waverly to annandale street

and got a couple of suggestions - namely the 25 from princes street to craigentinny or the 49 from leith street (walk) to magdalene.
http://lothianbuses.com/assets/files/r25_130324.pdf
http://lothianbuses.com/assets/files/r49_130324.pdf

(12 Aug 2015, 9:39 pm)northern156 wrote Jimmi...


Absolutely nothing to worry about. Now you know what date it is you can book your tickets.
If you get an 'on the day' ticket ie an Off Peak Return (Darlington - Edinburgh = £69.70) however you can potentially get it cheaper by 'splitting' it.
See: http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/split-cheap-train-tickets/ for info plus a handy tool.
Alternatively you can get an Advance fare (two singles) which is £38. You must stick to those trains.

Yes trains do get cancelled from time to time but:
- This is very rare however it is always well announced (Facebook/Twitter/Websites) as well as station announcements/screens
- There will almost always be a contingency. Ie advance tickets can be used on other services.
Being a Saturday daytime there'll be someone on hand if you're stuck at both Darlington, Durham and Edinburgh (obviously more stations too) to advise. They will have heard worse stories than you could tell them before so there's no need fretting about that.

As long as you have the correct ticket for your journey (ie you're not travelling on the wrong train, but if you are, find a member of on-train staff, you won't get bollocked!!) and present whenever asked by rail staff, you'll be fine.

If you have a 'walk-up' ticket bought on the day, you cannot reserve a seat.
If you have either an Advance or walk-up ticket purchased at least a day in advance you can reserve a seat. Coach B is the Quiet Coach on VTEC services (usually at the far north end of the train) and you can select this on the reservation options screen on the website. Also can choose direction of travel and airline/table seating.

Re apps/websites/timetables. Download the National Rail Enquiries app; this brings up fares/times for all journeys on the network.

Re Marcus. All VTEC services beyond Edinburgh (Glasgow, Inverness, Aberdeen) serve Haymarket.

As Dan has said there are numerous exits from Waverley; plenty of signs to tell you where to go and also plenty of staff on-hand. You can't really miss it, it's a massive station roof .
(And if by any chance you end up at Haymarket [very unlikely] just get a train to Edinburgh Waverley, buying a ticket at the station. Only a couple of quid if that.)


I need to see what shifts I'm on that week but if I can I will go! Will probably try driving there, parking at Newcraighall or Tweedbank and connecting via train.

(12 Aug 2015, 10:27 pm)BusLoverMum wrote Headphones, low volume fine. Just don't share!

(14 Aug 2015, 8:19 pm)Malarkey wrote I can confirm I am going to the Open Doors Event on the 26th September after my Dad gave me the money for my Train Tickets which I will be booking tomorrow.

(15 Aug 2015, 4:54 am)Dan wrote I best burn my train tickets then...

(16 Aug 2015, 1:39 pm)Malarkey wrote Wouldnt want to be seen in Public with you anyway Dan, might cramp my style . 

Anyway I am all booked up for the 26th September, Departing Newcastle on the 06:30am Train getting into Edinburgh for 08:10am, this journey was only £9, £6 cheaper than if I was to depart Newcastle an hour or so later, might think I am daft go up so early but I am going to use the few hours I have on the morning to go to the following spots, Ocean Terminal & Leith Walk (The Shore) as I really enjoyed taking photos in those areas last year using the Plusbus Ticket, otherwise I will be hovering around Princess Street/The Mound before heading to the Open Doors Event for a few hours before heading back for the 4pm Train out of Edinburgh, getting back into Newcastle for 17:25pm.

(16 Aug 2015, 2:04 pm)Jimmi wrote Lucky you! I can't get below £20 for singles to/from Darlington, so it's going to be at least £40 for me and I am struggling to think it's worthwhile at that price especially when a fair few of us are going up and whenever I do these trips nobody views the photos most of the time either.

I really can't decide if heading to this is really worth it. What does everyone think?

(16 Aug 2015, 2:42 pm)Malarkey wrote Cost me £23.20 in total to go there and back, £40 is quite expensive in my opinion from Darlington and even going from Durham is only going to save you a few quid.

Might be cheaper for you to do Darlington to Edinburgh & Edinburgh to Newcastle via Train, then get the Bus from Newcastle back to Newton Aycliffe.