Expert: David Stewart White - 2/21/2009

Question
We will be visiting friends in Midsomer Norton, England for a few days, then will go to Edinburgh, Scotland for 3-4 days, then back to Midsomer Norton before we fly home to U.S. from London.  Should we rent a car and drive to Scotland?  Is it more convenient to take a tain to Scotland then walk/bus/car rental when there?  Which is most cost-effective?  Thanks.

Answer
Hi Susan

Closet major rail to Midsomer Norton is Bath Spa and from there its a 7-8 hour rail trip, changing in Bristol, to Edinburgh.  A trip by car is 7 hours.  So there's not much difference time wise.  

For more info:

    http://www.transportdirect.info

Generally, for 3 or more people, a rental car can be less expensive per person than a train.  But there are many variables including the type of rail tickets you can purchase, the type of car you rent, petrol/gas costs, etc.  

While you probably don't want a car in Edinburgh--it's a fairly busy city with good public transportation and difficult parking--you would have more flexibility to stop and see things along the way (and back) if you rented a vehicle.  I think that is the key question:  do you wish to tour some of the countryside between your two locations, or simply get back and forth to Edinburgh?  

All told, I'd give a slight nod to taking the train for a simple, direct trip to Edinburgh and back.  Even more so if you don't look forward to driving on the "wrong" side of the road.  

I hope this is helpful.

Dave White