Edinburgh & Dublin

Edinburgh needs a few days to see everything worthwhile, there's so much there.

Agreed, if you can only do 1 night in Edinburgh I would at least arrive very early that day and then leave very late the following day.  2 days might do it, but you'd be pushed to see everything (unless you just want to see the outside of buildings and don't intend going in...Edinburgh Castle for instance needs a good 3 hours to do it any justice)

All good to know! Thank you.

Our plan is to leave early, around 7am and we figured we'd be off and about by 1pm. Allowing 30-90 mins for delay and misc. We'd then leave very late the next day, at about 6-7pm. So it'd almost be two full days.

Maybe we won't go to Dublin at all and definitely stay 2 nights in Edinburgh... It's so hard to decide and to pass up seeing at least a small bit of Ireland being so close though. And I was excited to see a little of Wales, even if from a window on a train to the coast.

Hmmm

Maybe we won't go to Dublin at all and definitely stay 2 nights in Edinburgh...

Oh, I would definately still do Dublin, even if it's just a flying visit to drink a pint of Guiness

Anyone ever booked through National Express with a US credit card?

I found the perfect train, only 46GBP for the round trip for each of us. Leaves early Monday morning on the 28th and returns on Wednesday the 30th.

When I get to the final page, it has me confirm my credit card by putting in my name, full address and the expiration date, card type, and security code (does not ask for the actual numbers.) It then says that the card is not recognised as a valid card. I've made sure I entered everything correctly. This is my Visa Bank of America debit/credit card that I've used for everything and for years. I also made sure to click "enter international address."

Also, anyone have experience with National Express being cheaper with two singles rather than a return? Is that normal? Technically we'll be buying 4 singles, two outward two inward, because it was much cheaper.

Thanks!

When I get to the final page, it has me confirm my credit card by putting in my name, full address and the expiration date, card type, and security code (does not ask for the actual numbers.) It then says that the card is not recognised as a valid card. I've made sure I entered everything correctly. This is my Visa Bank of America debit/credit card that I've used for everything and for years. I also made sure to click "enter international address."

That's strange - if it allows for International addresses, then your card should be accepted. And even the website FAQ says that they accept cards from anywhere in the world  . It could be a problem with the site - maybe you could try again in a while and if it still doesn't work by tomorrow, give National Express a call and try to book over the phone instead?

Also, anyone have experience with National Express being cheaper with two singles rather than a return? Is that normal? Technically we'll be buying 4 singles, two outward two inward, because it was much cheaper.

I usually go with the Fun Fares on National Express, which are always 2 singles rather than a return (haven't actually booked a straightforward return ticket with them since 2003!). I had to go to London last November for my US student visa interview.. I booked a bus journey through National Express with their Fun Fares and got from Bristol to London for £5 each way (about a 2.5 to 3-hour journey by coach)!

I got it figured out. There was a spot that wanted to know when my card was issued that was not highlighted or *. So I didn't think it was necessary. Apparently it is. I had to call my bank and get my issue date and entered that and it went fine.

I got it figured out. There was a spot that wanted to know when my card was issued that was not highlighted or *. So I didn't think it was necessary. Apparently it is. I had to call my bank and get my issue date and entered that and it went fine.

That's good - glad you got it sorted .

Usually the start date isn't required unless it's a Switch/Maestro debit card (same with the card issue number - only some Maestro cards have an issue number), but it's just occurred to me that my UK cards both have the 'valid from' date printed on the card (so you have it in case it's needed), but my US one doesn't, so it makes sense that you wouldn't think you needed to enter it.

We're looking at two different hostels in Edinburgh. One we will share with three others and it's super cheap and right across from the Edinburgh Castle. The other is private, but a lot more money. I like meeting new people and would like to have some people to hang out with, but what are the chances they will be party animals drinking into the wee hours of the night? Sounds like a stupid, hard to determine question, but maybe some of you have some experience with this? Edinburgh doesn't strike me as a major youth party spot...

Here's the cheap one: http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/scotland/edinburgh/3352/

Thanks as always, you guys have helped me make a ton of decisions!

P.S. We are doing Edinburgh for 3 days 2 nights and no Dublin. If things work out and money is going well we will plan Dublin toward the end of the trip midway through.

We're looking at two different hostels in Edinburgh. One we will share with three others and it's super cheap and right across from the Edinburgh Castle. The other is private, but a lot more money. I like meeting new people and would like to have some people to hang out with, but what are the chances they will be party animals drinking into the wee hours of the night? Sounds like a stupid, hard to determine question, but maybe some of you have some experience with this? Edinburgh doesn't strike me as a major youth party spot...

Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland and is the 7th largest city in the UK (population about 0.5 million), so I'd imagine it has a pretty big social scene, like all large cities - a search on Google maps comes up with a list of about 450 pubs and clubs!

I'm not too sure about the type of people you'll find staying in the hostel - mostly backpackers probably (Australian, American, British, European, Asian etc.). My experience of youth hostels has been limited to small towns and countryside areas where most of the people staying there are either middle-aged couples or families with youngish children .

definitely don't try to do edinburgh with just one night's stay.  2 nights/3 days is much better.

Is it true that even if there were a bunch of party animals and we were staying with them in our particular hostel room, that there'd be some "main room" or "dining room" where everyone hangs out? Wouldn't the hostel room be too small to be fun to drink/party around in anyways? That's all were worried about, getting sleep. We don't mind party animals during the day and can have fun like anyone else and drink our own weight, but we are big babies about sleep, lol.

Is it true that even if there were a bunch of party animals and we were staying with them in our particular hostel room, that there'd be some "main room" or "dining room" where everyone hangs out? Wouldn't the hostel room be too small to be fun to drink/party around in anyways? That's all were worried about, getting sleep. We don't mind party animals during the day and can have fun like anyone else and drink our own weight, but we are big babies about sleep, lol.

I love hostels!  I've stayed in hostels in both remote countryside areas *and* bigger towns and cities.  My experience is that there is almost always a curfew where noise in concerned and it's usually kept to the common rooms.  Mostly everyone is quiet at night and is careful about using flashlights instead of turning on the overhead lights, etc when coming back late to the rooms.

Also, whether it be town or countryside I find there is a range of ages from 20-somethings to couples with kids to retired age people.  Most don't even use the word "youth" anymore--just hostel by itself.

I've saved so much money by staying in hostels and have even made friends.

We're looking at two different hostels in Edinburgh. One we will share with three others and it's super cheap and right across from the Edinburgh Castle. The other is private, but a lot more money. Edinburgh doesn't strike me as a major youth party spot...

Here's the cheap one: http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/scotland/edinburgh/3352/

I've never been in that hostel but I know the area very well and can tell you that you will be smack in the middle of party town, the Grassmarket is jam packed with pubs and night clubs, most of them open beyond 3am.  I don't know if the hostel has double glazing (in which case you should be okay) but be prepared for the area to be busy and noisy into the wee small hours.

There's another hostel I know at Shandwick Place which isn't quite as busy, have you seen that one?

Great info Teuchtar, I will look up the area you posted.

In regards to the curfew, the one I posted has none...

Edinburgh is a very popular destination for hen nights and stag dos, it's definitely a party city.