Morning Train from Newcastle to Edinburgh

This morning I woke up and showered in my hostel. Since the bathroom was not in the room and down the hall I had planned to shower in my hotel in Manchester. But my change of plans to travel to Edinburgh meant I was most likely without a room for most of the day.

I showered, checked out of my hostel and walked to the train station. Remember my train pass is “technically” only for England so I was hoping it would work for Scotland as well. I went to the ticket office to ask them if my pass would be accepted from Newcastle to Edinburgh and the man at the counter said it would be. I pointed out my pass was England only but he said not to worry so I did not.

I was on the 9:29 am train to Edinburgh. I figured my pass would be ok taking the train to Scotland since I got on in England. The train conductor came by, looked at my pass and said thanks. I was in the clear for this leg of my journey. Then I realized the next three days on my rail pass I would be coming or going to Scotland and I would need to go through the same exercise on each of those trains.

The train from Newcastle to Edinburgh is one of the most beautiful train rides in the world. As you get to the England – Scotland border it rides adjacent to the North Sea and the views are spectacular. The train arrived at Edinburgh at 11:02 am. Luckily the hostel I booked was a short walk from the train station. I was at the Edinburgh backpackers before 11:30 am where I was told I could not check in until 1 pm.