London - Glasgow (return) - quickest way?

[Dr Murdoch]

As the thread title really, I need to go to Glasgow on business, happy to use train, car or plane. What would be the quickest way door to door? What plane / train company to use / avoid?

Would you recommend a method that isn't the quickest? If so, why?

[gregf40]

Depends how far from an airport you live...London is a pretty big place!

[soad]

Direct flight is what, 1h 15m? (Assuming, there's no delays).

Driving would take many hours...sitting on the motorway isn't exactly fun either.

Personally, I'd fly. (Don't fancy a train either).

[Charlie1986]

flying your looking at 1 hour before the flight 1,20mins flying then say 30 mins other end. Or driving your looking at 6 hours if you avoid traffic. Train is 4 hours I believe. My choice would be driving if a car is needed other end if not fly.

[ewenm]

Depends mainly on the journey at either end. If getting to/from the airport/station is a pain/difficult/a long way, then drive. If you can expense 1st Class on the train then Virgin from Euston to Glasgow is meant to be ok. Flying is the usual hassle of airports but probably quickest overall if you can easily get to/from the airports.

[sgrimshaw]

The quickest way door-to-door would be private charter of either a Jet or Helicopter.

Give the guys at Castleair a call, the London Office is 01959 576017 or www.castleair.co.uk

[poprock]

For basic use, the train is the sensible bet.

City centre to city centre, no need to do an airport commute (or wait to board) at each end.

I usually go for the sleeper train, if possible. Very time-efficient to travel while you’re sleeping.

[Frimley111R]

Fly, internal flights are painless as you have no luggage. 6hrs of driving up there and 12 hours back? No thanks. (Unless its an epic hoon!!)

[technodup]

Normally I'd say fly but I took the train recently and it was great. Left Glasgow at 6am, had a quiet carriage all to myself until Crewe. Smooth ride, power sockets at my feet and a table to work/internet on. Left on time, arrived on time, plus it goes centre to centre, I despise landing at Stansted and then it's another train or bus to London.

Given the hassle of airports and the transfer times the train really runs it close time wise, and you get time to actually do something.

ETA check the prices carefully. I found it's sometimes cheaper to buy two tickets than one. Glasgow to Crewe then Crewe to London for example. And incorporating a local service (one 5 min stop) doubled the total fare!

Edited by technodup on Wednesday 29th April 20:17

[soad]

You can enjoy a few beers on the train!

[Chucklehead]

I live in London but travel to Glasgow once a month or so and find Stansted to Glasgow with Ryanair to be the mist efficient use of time and regularly get a weekend return for £60 ish from memory.

Given up on the train because it's boring and expensive... and I'm only about a mile from King's Cross.

[GG89]

sgrimshaw said:

The quickest way door-to-door would be private charter of either a Jet or Helicopter.

Give the guys at Castleair a call, the London Office is 01959 576017 or www.castleair.co.uk

Amazing.

Only on PH!

[rcspeirs]

Your question is too vague. Where (precisely) do you need to get to/from? There are frequent flights from five London airports, but suggesting a flight from (say) STN won't be much help if you're starting in South London . BA, easyjet and Ryanair all compete in this market. Don't assume that any one of them is the cheapest, it very much depends on day / time - there are occasions when BA can be cheapest.
Fastest trains are operated by Virgin from Euston, minimum four hour journey.
Driving - even for a committed petrolhead - is no fun on this route.

[anonymous-user]

As a reasonably regular visitor to Glasgow, flying is always my choice.

BA from London City (you can arrive at the airport only 30 mins before the flight and still comfortably make the 'plane') is only a 70 min flight to Glasgow, often lands earlier too.

Of course, if you're resident in some Western suburb of London that may make no sense, and flights from LHR more convenient, but of course more time required at the airport.

If you're North of London then Luton (Easyjet) or Stansted (Easyjet and Ryanair) fly to Glasgow.

Glasgow airport is a breeze too, you can get in/through very quickly, and there's loads of space and good facilities.

[uber]

I do Glasgow to London twice a month and always choose the train as its easy on / off , has lots of room , allows for me to do work on route and most importantly they give you some really nice food, unlimited drinks and cookies in first class!

As someone said earlier make sure you shop around for ticket as you can get some really good deals.

[Crombers]

4hrs 20mins on an overnight car run from Maidenhead :-)

I prefer the train but connecting to Euston or Kings Cross often puts me off unless it's for leisure purposes and I can take my time. Train has to be first class though otherwise its BA and LHR - GLA for me.

[ikarl]

GG89 said:

sgrimshaw said:

The quickest way door-to-door would be private charter of either a Jet or Helicopter.

Give the guys at Castleair a call, the London Office is 01959 576017 or www.castleair.co.uk

Amazing.

Only on PH!

I would never have the money to use a service like this, but I think it answers the op perfectly.

It's exactly what I was going to post!

[KarlS]

If after digesting this lot you decide to fly. Out of the London Airports I find Stanstead best for Glasgow trips. Some of the time, for cost, it's worth flying out with a different airline than the return. I last flew out with Ryanair and returned with easyjet for about £50 in total. When in Glasgow use the Glasgow Shuttle form the airport into town, it's really cheap for a return (under a tenner from memory) and makes a couple of stops.