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If you are planning a trip to the UK or a domestic city break, London is usually first on your list of places to visit. The capital of England is a vibrant city filled with plenty of things to do, but while you are in this beautiful part of the world, hotels in Edinburgh can offer you a chance to catch a little more culture with a trip north of the border to Scotland.
If you are coming from abroad to visit both cities, finding a package may be a little difficult. Furthermore, multi-stay trips are often slightly more expensive due to the arrangements and extra paperwork handled by the travel company. It may be much cheaper to book your flights and accommodation separately and UK hotels by HotelClub may be a good place to start. Chain hotels will often give you the best price but for a more authentic stay in the UK you may want to try some of the local independent hotels.
Travelling between the two cities is fairly easy, but they are not particularly close together. Flights between Edinburgh and London are cheap when booked in advance. Budget airlines offer prices as low as £12.50 one-way, but watch out for hidden costs for add-ons such as luggage, booking fees and early check-in.
The cheapest way to travel is on a coach; some companies offer prices as low as £5 when booked in advance, and there are no extra fees for luggage. The drive can last up to 12 hours, though, and may not be the most comfortable way to head up north. Although it may not be the cheapest, the easiest option when heading to Scotland is rail.
High speed train services can have you in the Scottish capital in a matter of hours and without the delay of check-in or baggage handling. If you book early, you can get a ticket for as cheap as £12.50 one-way.
When choosing your accommodation in London or Edinburgh, there is plenty to select from. It is important that you remember a few important tips before you go ahead and book. Whether you are looking at London 5 star hotels or a more basic 2 star accommodation, try to make sure you are near public transport routes.
In both cities there are plenty of bus routes and in London, being close to the tube is exceptionally useful for travelling to tourist destinations. However, this can affect the cost of the hotel you are staying at, so if you don't mind a walk then you could save some money.
Furthermore, use online map services to target the areas of each city you would like to stay. Both cities are large and you won't want to have to travel for hours each day just to get to the attractions. Target the destinations you would like to see the most and use UK post codes online to find the best areas to stay.
London has a huge number of attractions to choose from. Buckingham Palace is a tourist favourite and runs seasonal tours each year. Other attractions include the beautiful Kew Gardens and the iconic London Eye, an observation wheel so large that you can see over the entire city.
Most people in the civilised world will have heard of attractions such as Big Ben or the Tower of London, but there are also some more low key places of interest that you should definitely visit.
Covent Garden is a wonderful place to take a break from a long day sight-seeing to grab a drink or a bite to eat. Much in the same way, taking a trip to the bohemian village of Camden will bring you delight with its wonderful markets and boutiques. Should you be around at the right time of year, make sure you check out Notting Hill Carnival for an unforgettable experience.
North of the border, Edinburgh has plenty to offer, too. Edinburgh Castle is perhaps one of the most notable landmarks and tours operate all year. The historic castle offers a remarkable insight into the history of this beautiful country.
After a brisk walk through history, why not check out Edinburgh's famous whisky factories? The Scottish are world renowned for their single malt whiskies and for a taster session, there isn't anywhere better. Visitors can usually turn up on the day and enjoy this wonderful experience, with most choosing to exit through the gift shop.
Edinburgh also has a wide selection of museums and galleries, most of which are free to visit. Also, if you are a fan of the arts, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival held each year, is filled with musical, dance and comedy acts for a number of weeks.
So, why not make the most of your trip around the UK and visit both these wonderful cities? General pricing will not exceed much over the cost of visiting just one and you are sure to get the most out of your trip.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
