1island2go
-
Posts
187 -
Joined
Content Type
Forums
Store
Blogs
Downloads
Events
Gallery
Posts posted by 1island2go
-
-
I couldn't find any reviews on them which sites? But if you have heard of them and Gunwarf recommended I might go with them once I hear from them and get a bid. Thanks again for all your help!
-
Thank you for all the info. Very much appreciated and helpful.
Gunwarf is already all booked but they recommended Always Airports car service which I have sent off for a quote. Do you know anything about them? -
Wondering about car service from Southampton to hotel by LHR. I don't want to do the bus and willing to pay more to get there quickly but obviously don't want to pay more than I have to and want someone reliable. Looking at several companies and wondering if anyone has experience with any of these companies.
Southampton Airport Taxi Service
Southampton Taxis
Gunwarf Executive Travel
Jewels Airport Service
There is about a 30 pound difference from low to high so a bit of a difference in price. Blackberry is another one but I know it gets good reviews. I worry as most will only wait 5-15 minutes and if 5 ships in port might be crazy getting to where you need to be at a certain time. I want to prebook for that reason but wondering would we be better off just taking our chances and wait to grab a cab that day when we get off ship.
Thanks in advance I know this has been discussed a lot but looking for those with experience good or bad with these companies.
-
Hi there...Thank you for your replies and appreciate your input. Yes I am well aware that Glasgow and St Andrews as well as Heathrow and Portsmouth are different cities and the distance involved. I am just trying to get between those cities in a time efficient way that doesn't cost a fortune. Hence the train tickets except for Portsmouth to the Heathrow area. Haven't decided on that one yet. I have 99% decided train will have to be the way from Glasgow to St Andrews unless I could find a good car service that was reasonable.
-
Hi there
WE are sailing NCL May 8th around Ireland. We are flying in early to see some of Scotland and England pre cruise. We are arriving into Glasgow and going to St Andrews for a couple days then to Edinburgh before going on to London. I have already booked a Train from Leuchars to Edinburgh and a train from Edinburgh to London, and also London to Portsmouth where the ship is. I am now looking to book a direct train from Glasgow Queen St to Dundee instead of Leuchars so we do not have to do a 5 min transfer with all our luggage. I know there is a bus as well, but we would prefer not doing the bus with all of its stops. Car services seem crazy expensive and hard finding reputable ones for a reasonable price. Not sure if taxis at GLA would drive you to St Andrews or what the cost would be but have to think EXPENSIVE. Below are some questions I still have and hoping someone can help. Thanks in advance!
1. Has anyone done a taxi from GLA without reserving to St Andrews? Cost?
2. Do the taxis at GLA airport take credit cards?
3. Is there taxis available at Dundee train station that will go to St Andrews? Do they take cards? Do we have to book in advance or can we just walk out and get one?
4. I saw mention on one site that says you need a platform ticket for the train stations. What is this and where do you get it? I have already printed my train tickets. Is that the same thing?
Looking at Anytime ticket for the one from GLA to Dundee just in case plane arrives early, late, etc. Can you use the Sottish rail anytime tickets for an earlier time train than what you purchase? I understand you can use it on a later train that same day. Any other suggestions?
5. Has anyone used Uber from Cruise terminal to hotels by LHR? Or are there taxis available at the port when we walk off? Other suggestions on getting to hotel byLHR (not Termina) as we don't fly out until the next day and thought we might see Windsor since close to there.
Thanks again for any help you can provide!
-
So far...Looking at the following car services for between Glasgow airport and St Andrews. Has anyone heard or experienced goo or bad with the following.
Davidson Transfers
E2G
my taxe.uk
Thank you!
-
1 hour ago, fruitmachine said:
It's the train station closest to St Andrews, about 6 miles north west of the town.
https://goo.gl/maps/Juo1UckhftitgnyV6Thank you!
-
Where is Leuchars at?
-
18 hours ago, fruitmachine said:
I'd rent a car, returning it when you reach Edinburgh rather than hanging on to it until leaving for London. That could be at Edinburgh airport (taking the tram or airport bus into the city) or at one of the city car rental locations, depending on your hotel location. It would give you a bit of flexibility and options of visiting the Fife costal fishing villages on your journey to Edinburgh.
There will likely be a one-way charge, but that gets included in the quoted rate.
If that doesn't appeal, you could do the Glasgow-Dundee leg on the train as @gumshoe958 has suggested, but swap the two bus legs for taxis. There will be no issue getting a taxi at Glasgow airport, and there have always been a few taxis at Dundee train station when I've been there.
For your journey from St Andrews to Edinburgh, either use a local St Andrews taxi (about £100), or take the X59 bus (£12 each), or take a taxi to Leuchars and the train from there (about £15 for the taxi and £15 each for the train).. -
Hi all
Flying into Glasgow and heading to St Andrews for a couple nights then on to Edinburgh for a few nights before heading to London for our cruise. Trying to figure out transfers from Glasgow airport to ST Andrews. It says bus train and private car from what I am seeing. But when looking at it no trains are directly into St Andrews that I can find and the bus takes over 3 hours. Car hire (private) for two people is $225-$250. I can not find a shuttle service that pulls up a schedule so seem to be out of service???I am wondering what most folks do to get there. Also how far is bus terminal from the airport? If there is a train how far is train station from airport? Thank you in advance
-
13 minutes ago, Meander Ingwa said:
As mentioned, if you look on the map this hotel is almost surrounded by high security government buildings. It is a very nice hotel in a nice area. I feel very safe in London, safer than in my own home town. You don't have to stick close to your hotel for dining and being just steps from the tube station, you have a world palate of dining choices to explore .
Thank you!
-
2 hours ago, fruitmachine said:
Yes, another decent hotel. The building looks old, but was built in 1989, much of it coming in kit-form from Scandinavia! The area is busier and closer to the busiest part of the Royal Mile, which starts just west of here. It's in a location where returning to the hotel for a short break during the day would be really easy. If you're thinking of going a bit further afield than the immediate city centre, public transport within a couple of minutes of the doorstep is quite a bit better than at the Macdonald Holyrood.
Thank you!
-
1
-
-
Just now, 1island2go said:
I believe it is on the Star as we were going to do this sailing and at last minute switched it to the May sailing date. Hopefully they won't change the May one as well, as I already have air that I booked and hotels lined up. I am really looking forward to seeing Ireland and would not be interested in what they are proposing.
-
21 hours ago, The Traveling Man said:
Technically NCL could refer to this as an itinerary change, but I agree with you that it represents an entirely different cruise experience. The new ports are interesting. I have been to most of them and enjoyed my journey, but if you had your heart set on Ireland I definitely can see how you would be disappointed. Can you tell us what ship is involved? I also have a cruise around Great Britain scheduled for this October, but have not received any notice regarding tendering in Ireland.
21 hours ago, The Traveling Man said:Technically NCL could refer to this as an itinerary change, but I agree with you that it represents an entirely different cruise experience. The new ports are interesting. I have been to most of them and enjoyed my journey, but if you had your heart set on Ireland I definitely can see how you would be disappointed. Can you tell us what ship is involved? I also have a cruise around Great Britain scheduled for this October, but have not received any notice regarding tendering in Ireland.
-
Thanks for the info. Also looking at the raddison blu which is pretty much centered half way between castle and the holy rood hotel. Any thoughts on that hotel? Thanks again!
-
58 minutes ago, fruitmachine said:
Edinburgh is a compact city. There are probably 50+ hotels within 15 minute walk of the middle of the Royal Mile that match your budget. You're not going wrong with the Macdonald Holyrood.
I haven't booked it yet. It was on a list that a TA I know put together for a tour. So it is in a good area??? Thanks again for all your help!
-
Thank you for your reply. It seems St Andrews is very walkable and we want to be close to the course as well. In Edinburgh we want something close to oldtown and royal mile that is safe and clean and walkable to everything in that area. We will only be there for 2 nights before heading on to London. We do not typically stay out late. Would like something updated. Queen size or larger bed, safe, safe area, close to places to eat, sites and shopping. Under $300 a night would be great if possible. Thank you
-
1 hour ago, fruitmachine said:
In both Edinburgh and St Andrews, there are a range of hotels. My view is that the market works quite well, and unless you are dabbling at the bottom or top ends, you get what you pay for.
If you're looking for hotels that overlook the Old Course, then Russacks or The Old Course Hotel are your main options, but they have a price tag to match.
In Edinburgh, the choice is so wide I'd be reluctant to recommend anything specific without a detailed set of criteria!! The only thing I could add is that - just last week - a friend said to my wife that she felt walking late at night in the High Street section of the Royal Mile to be a bit intimidating. I was surprised. It's nothing like that during the day or in the evening, and when I've been there there later I didn't notice a problem - so take what you will from that.
-
So these are places to have a drink and get something to eat close to St Ermins? Thank you! Will check them out.
Is it a safe place at night to get to these pubs if walking? We chose this to be centrally located and to be able to walk to some of the sights so not always on the tube. We do want to be in a safe area that is not deserted or dicey though we will not be out super late after sightseeing all day. Mayfair and Westiminster were suggested, but either cost (points) or reviews had me look at this hotel. Hence the question for anyone who has actually stayed there or knows that area well.
-
2 hours ago, Cotswold Eagle said:
Stay here. 😀
As well as the Buck, I offer you the Adam & Eve, the Grafton, the Old Star, the Westminster Arms, the Two Chairmen, the Feathers….
-
Thank you for your reply. We are only staying at Renaissance the night before our flight as it is a early departure. We will be doing all things London while at St Ermins.
-
1
-
-
4 hours ago, Meander Ingwa said:
I would not be out at Heathrow if I wanted to visit in London. It is a long way out and back particularly after theatre other evening events. For layover the hotel is fine, for getting in to town, not as much
St Ermins is a good location , VERY highly rated. The St James tube station is served by two useful lines for getting out and around town. Very walkable for the classic touristic places. The very immediate neighborhood Is largely government and business focused. It is a little lacking in character and "local places" for food and drink. that last is a bit subjective.
Cannot help you with St Andrews.
-
4 hours ago, CruiserBruce said:
I would be looking on TripAdvisor.
Thanks for your response. I have been looking at trip advisor and there are a bunch of Marriott properties in London but some have bad reviews. Just was wondering if anyone has stayed at any of these for a second opinion.
-
21 minutes ago, fruitmachine said:
If you have
Greyfriars St Andrews is owned by the UK pub chain Green King. They're a mass-market brand, and I wouldn't have even thought of them as a go-to for a hotel, but it seems to get very good ratings on TripAdvisor.
Macdonald Holyrood is in quite a quiet area, nearly next to the parliament building, but still an easy walk into the busier bit of the old town. Directly opposite is the home of Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption; luckily they only create havoc in the virtual world!
If it's available on a good rate, then there is no reason to avoid it.
If there is a better suggestion for about the same rate in St Andrews please advise…also in Edinburgh and have no idea what to do there.
Info overload help needed
in British Isles/Western Europe
Posted
Wondering when setting your time were you off the ship early? How long once off the gang plank were you able to get to your car pick up? Where did you meet them once you exited the terminal. Thanks in advance!