Travel
Travel Planning
We have researched and outlined several different travel options for you to consider. Relevant information and helpful resources are listed below. Please reach out if you need (or want) help planning your trip itinerary!
Flights
As of late, flight prices have been fluctuating - a lot! January is the prime booking period for summer vacations so prices could be a tad bit higher. They may drop again in February but there is no guarantee. We suggest booking a minimum of 3-months in advance.
Depending on your overall itinerary, direct flights into Edinburgh (EDI) are an easy and convenient option; however, you may want to consider flying through London (LHR) or Dublin (DUB) for more flexible pricing. Either city would be an amazing beginning or end to your trip! We recommend checking out a few different options to get the best deal.
Delta Vacations
We are pretty loyal to Delta in our household but the flight prices haven’t been fabulous lately. Fortunately, Delta has great hotel/flight packages through Delta Vacations! You won’t be able use the group discount but you can still select the Hilton Edinburgh Carlton as your hotel of choice. Even without the group discount, this may still be the least expensive option based on dates and city of origin. Also, you are not able to book multi-city trips through Delta Vacations online; however, you can book multi-city trips by calling Delta Vacations directly. This is a great option if you are planning to visit other countries.
Hopper App
Hopper is an app that alerts you when flight prices drop. It can also help predict when the lowest fairs will occur. This is great for planning your airfare purchase.
Sky Scanner Website
Sky Scanner is another site that will generate best available flight pricing. Just make sure to check the layover times before booking.
Edinburgh
The Edinburgh Airport is approximately 7 miles from the heart of Old Town Edinburgh. Unfortunately, there is not a hotel shuttle so everyone will be on their own for transportation.
Depending on pricing when you arrive, Uber/Lyft will be your most convenient option. The cost is typically under￡20 (per car) and should take approximately 25 minutes door to door. There are also cabs waiting at the airport if you prefer that method of transportation.
Edinburgh has a pretty straight forward tram system that services the airport. The cost for a ticket between the airport and Waverley Station is￡6 per person (one way). This trip will take approximately 50 minutes. To get to/from the hotel, you will exit/enter the tram at Waverley Station and hike up/down several sets of extremely steep stairs (think “Stone Stairs of Death” for all you Savannah people). We don’t recommend attempting this option with luggage and jet lag/a hangover! The Uber/Lyft option is really your best bet.
If you are interested in seeing more of Scotland before or after the wedding, check out our To-Do page at the top of the website!
London
If you choose to fly into Heathrow (LHR), you can make your way to Edinburgh by plane, train, or car!
London - Flights
Flights between London and Edinburgh are typically between $100 and $200 (one way). If you check bags, you will need to pick them up at baggage claim and re-enter through security. Make sure to give yourself adequate time between flights. This is the most convenient option if you are planning to spend time in London before or after the wedding.
London - Train
Taking the train between London and Edinburgh is another great option! The train takes approximately 4 1/2 hours with an additional hour spent on the London Underground (also referred to as the Tube). Your total travel time will be 5 1/2 hours without factoring in layovers.
For example, if your arriving flight lands at Heathrow, here is a breakdown of the journey:
Exit Heathrow via the Tube and take the Piccadilly Line to King’s Cross Station. (Follow the signs in the airport and purchase the ticket there - see below.)
Take the train from King’s Cross Station in London to Waverley Station in Edinburgh. (Purchase tickets in advance - see below.)
Walk or Uber from Waverley Station to the Hilton Edinburgh Carlton.
If you are interested in this route, you will not need to buy your Tube ticket in advance - just buy it when you arrive. You will take the Piccadilly Line from Heathrow to King’s Cross Station (reverse overall steps if leaving Edinburgh via this route). This is the most direct route and will cost approximately￡6 per adult (one way). If you love Harry Potter, we suggest building in a little time to get your picture taken at Platform 9 3/4!
Next, you will buy a ticket from King’s Cross Station to Edinburgh Waverley Station (reverse overall steps if you are leaving Edinburgh via this route). We do suggest purchasing your train ticket in advance and as soon as your dates are available online. Tickets during the summer months tend to run between ￡100 - ￡200 (one way). See the links below for purchasing options.
Also, when arriving or departing out of Waverley Station, you will need to navigate extremely steep steps and cobblestone streets (with luggage). As a result, it may actually be easier to use Uber/Lyft when going between Waverley Station and the Hilton Edinburgh Carlton.
London - Car
If you decide to drive between London and Edinburgh, we suggest giving yourself several days to make the journey. Linked below is a very comprehensive self driving itinerary. You can adapt the itinerary as needed to fit your timeline.
If you are planning to spend time in London before or after the wedding, we suggest checking out the linked websites for tours, tips and itineraries.
Dublin
If you choose to fly into Dublin (DUB), we suggest you make your way to Edinburgh by plane!
Dublin - Flights
Flights between Dublin and Edinburgh typically run between $50 - $150 (one way). We suggest this route if you are planning to spend time in Ireland!
If you are spending time in Ireland before or after the wedding, we suggest checking out the linked websites that include tours, tips and self guided itineraries.
Professional Planning
If you are interested in using a travel agent, I HIGHLY recommend my friend, Jennifer Jacob, and her team at Explorateur Travel. They design incredible travel experiences - start to finish! They use their expertise to curate an itinerary centered around your unique preferences. Explorateur Travel is aware of our event schedule and can also help plan travel itineraries outside of Edinburgh. On a side note, three of the four team members are my sorority sisters from FSU. They are planning our honeymoon and have planned trips for several of our friends. The service is truly impeccable! Click the link below if you are interested in using Explorateur Travel!