Expert: Willie Wallace - 5/17/2010

Question
Hello,

I'm a French Student. With my boyfriend, we would go to Shetland Islands during a month, in july, but I'm quite lost between all the companies of bus and train.

Consequently I would know if you can help me: these are my questions:

we will arrive in a harbour, after crossing the sea in ferry.
Then, we want to go to Shetland Islands, since Aberdeen, in ferry also. What is difficult is finding a train or a bus (the cheaper solution would be the better), which would go since a city (if it is not possible, we can take a bus or a train to go to the city of the "main" bus or train), if posible a city-harbour (as Portshmouth, Douvres, Folkestone, Newhaven, Poole...) to Aberdeen.

It could be great if you would have any idea or solution to give to me.

Thank you very much, and please, excuse my english.

Daphnée Lemair.

Answer
Hello Daphnee,

I hope I can answer your question and I hope you do not mind any spelling or grammar mistakes but I am in a rush.  July is the most expensive time to travel anywhere in Europe, so be prepared to spend a fair amount.  Bus is usually the cheapest option, but it is very slow.  You can catch a coach to London from Folkstone (and various other South coast towns and ports), with

http://www.nationalexpress.com

They will also take you all the way up to Edinburgh in Scotland and eventually, to Aberdeen.

There is a bus from Folkstone at 06:55, which arrives in London Victoria coach station at 09:50, with just enough time to catch an underground train to Kings Cross and catch the 10:30 train to Edinburgh and on up from there to Aberdeen, to arrive just before 18:00.  

It is probably possible to catch a bus from Victoria bus station to Edinburgh and then another bus to Aberdeen, but all of that will mean, even if you can reach Aberdeen on the same day, you will be too late to catch the evening ferry from Aberdeen to Shetland.

Whether you take the bus to London and then the train or the train to London then the train on to Aberdeen, you really do need to catch the train from London, if you are to make Aberdeen the same day, so realistically, it is much easier just to take the train all the way from Folkstone (or whichever other port you start from).

http://www.thetrainline.com

has a journey from Folkstone to Aberdeen, leaving at 09:08 and arriving in Aberdeen at 17:52, in good time for the evening ferry.  There are three station changes on the way, but they are all very easy changes.  The cost, if you travel on the 7th July, would be GBP49.50 single, per person.

PLEASE BE AWARE, THE LONGER YOU LEAVE IT TO BUY TICKETS, THE MORE EXPENSIVE THEY BECOME!  THE EARLIER YOU BUY THEM, THE LESS THEY COST!!!!

I really do not think hyou will find a cheaper way of reaching Aberdeen, even on a bus, especially of yuo want to do it in one day.

The ferry company offers an overnight crossing from Aberdeen to Shetland and it is a really nice ship, with nice cabins.  I have done the crossing.  Nice restaurant and bar on board.  Anybody who remembers the old St Clare, run by P&O, years ago, on this crossing, will tell you it is like travelling by Rolls Royce, compared to bicycle.

http://www.nationalexpress.com

Departures three times a week are at 19:00, direct to Shetland and four days a week, they leave at 17:00 and go via Kirkwall.  This is no use to you, so you need to make sure you pick the days they go direct to Shetland.

On the way back, it really is worthwhile having a few days on Orkney.  Then maybe take the short crossing to the mainland at Scrabster and you can catch a train South from there.

I hope all of this helps.  The sooner you book it, the better, as the less the train will cost.  if you take the ferry back to Scrabster, take the train from there to Inverness and then on to Edinburgh and South via London to the South coast, again.

Good Luck,

Willie