Luxury Rail Day Trips on the Orient Express from Edinburgh 2011-2012
Book a Luxury Train Day Excursions from Edinburgh on the Northern Belle
Updated September 2011
There are several luxury rail day trips from Edinburgh available on the Orient Express Northern Belle, including shorter circular tours (no stops) which take in the beautiful Scottish countryside and longer tours which visit places of historical interest or of particular beauty in Scotland and England. Most trips include fine dining with brunch and dinner on board the train so they are the perfect luxury gift experiences.
Full Listing of Gift Vouchers for
Orient Express Day Trips in the UK.
I've found that prices for Orient Express day trips from Edinburgh vary quite considerably from one itinerary to the next (from £150 to £310). This will obviously play an important factor in your decision as the shorter trips are much cheaper.
If you feel that the experience of being on a luxury train matters most to you then book one of the circular tours such as Afternoon Tea, Christmas Lunch or Valentine's Lunch which are cheaper and shorter but still long enough to allow you to sample the Orient Express experience.
However, if you want to make a real day out of it, and if you budget allows for it, then consider one of the longer trips such as the tours to Chester or Oban. In terms of recommendations, I would personally choose the Orient Express trip to Oban as it offers the widest variety of scenery of all of the available itineraries.
One Day Luxury Train Trips Which Depart from Edinburgh
- Orient Express day trip to Chester (England). This is the only day trip from Edinburgh to England on the Northern Belle and includes a visit to the historical city with Roman walls, cathedral and medieval buildings. Brunch with Bucks Fizz is served on the outward journey, then passengers have a coach tour of Chester included in the itinerary and some free time before enjoying a four course meal with champagne and wine on the return journey. The price of this rail trip is £310 and lasts for 14 hours 30 minutes.
- Orient Express train trip to the Oban (Scotland) - Oban is a beautiful destination for a one day luxury trip as it boasts stunning views of the Highlands and Islands. This Orient Express trip includes a visit to the stunning Isle of Mull (45 minute ferry crossing each way; the views on the journey are amazing). Brunch with a Bellini cocktail is included on the luxury train journey there and passengers have a four course dinner with champagne and half a bottle of wine on the return journey. The price of this trip is £310 and takes around 14 hours 30 minutes.
- Orient Express rail trip to Culzean Castle (Scotland). The historic Culzean Castle has a stunning location atop a cliff top on the Ayrshire coast and it offers magnificent views across the Firth of Clyde to the mountains on the Isle of Arran. This trip on board the Northern Belle includes a meal with champagne and wine, takes around 11 hours and is priced at £295.
- Christmas Lunch on the Orient Express, circular tour from Edinburgh aboard the Northern Belle with a five course meal including a glass of champagne and half a bottle of wine. This is a circular journey through the scenic countryside and therefore the train does not make any stops. This Orient Express Christmas day trip, which lasts around 5 hours 30 minutes costs £210.
- The Valentine's Day Orient Express tour meal on the Northern Belle luxury train includes a romantic meal with wine and champagne. This train journey is very romantic and it takes passengers through the stunning Scottish countryside on a circular journey. The price of the Valentine's Day Orient Express trip is £195 and it lasts about 5 hours 15 minutes.
- The Orient Express Afternoon tea trip from Edinburgh on the Northern Belle includes sandwiches, scones with jam and cream, cakes and tea or coffee. This is a circular journey on a scenic route and does not make any stops. The price for this 3-hour Orient Express tour is £150.
See all Orient Express Train Trips Gift deals in the UK.
NOTE: There is no Orient Express tour from Edinburgh Scotland to London at this time.
How Much Do Day Trips on the Orient Express from Edinburgh Cost?
The cheapest luxury day trip from Edinburgh on the Orient Express, the Afternoon Tea, costs from £150 per person, with the most expensive ones, to Chester and Oban, costing from £310 per person. While this may seem expensive, bear in mind that many of them (excluding afternoon tea) include brunch and a four course dinner with wine and champagne.
How Do I Book A Day Trip on the Orient Express?
Tickets can be booked online directly through the Orient Express website or through a number of third party agents.
Many people prefer to give Orient Express gift vouchers as a present for special occasions (most popular are wedding anniversaries or birthdays) which allow the lucky recipient to choose the trip and departure date of his or her choice. Gift vouchers can be booked in two main ways:
- Through the Orient Express official website which ensures that the recipient can choose from any of the scheduled day tours on the Orient Express train.
- Through a gift experience company such as Buyagift.co.uk. The benefit of buying a gift voucher through a third party agent is that you can choose from a whole range of experiences, not just Northern Belle. The downside, however, is that each company usually has a limited range of Orient Express tours and day trips available compared to the official site and in some cases the trips can be more expensive.
Timetable of Orient Express Day Trips from Edinburgh
| Destination | Departure Dates | Departure Time | Return Time | What is Included | Price Per Person | Book Northern Belle/OrientExpress |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chester | 3rd July 2011 | 07:30 | 22:00 | Brunch with Bucks Fizz - Coach Tour of Chester - Four course dinner with wine and champagne | from £310 | Book Orient Express Trips for One or Trips for 2 gift vouchers |
| Oban | 21st August 2011 | 08:00 | 22:30 | Brunch with Bellini cocktail - Visit to the Isle of Mull and Torosay House of Duart Castle - Four course dinner with wine and champagne | from £310 | |
| Culzean Castle | 3rd July 2011 | 10:00 | 21:00 | Dinner with wine and a glass of champagne | from £295 | |
| Christmas Lunch | 17th and 18th December 2011 | 11:30 | 17:00 | Five course Christmas lunch with wine and a glass of champagne | from £210 | |
| Valentine's Day Lunch | 18th February 2012 | 12:45 | 18:00 | Lunch with wine and a glass of champagne | from £195 | |
| Afternoon Tea | 16th October 2011 | 13:30 | 16:30 | Afternoon tea | from £150 | |
| Valentine's Day Lunch | 18th February 2012 | 12:45 | 18:00 | Lunch with wine and a glass of champagne | from £195 |
Official Orient Express pages
- Oban and the Isle of Mull on the Northern Belle
- Christmas Lunch on the Orient Express
- York on the Northern Belle
- Inverness Weekend on the Northern Belle
- Afternoon Tea on the Northern Belle
- Valentine's Day Lunch on the Orient Express
» Back to Orient Express Scotland Trips guide index
Orient Express Day Trips in the UK (to or from Scotland)
- Orient Express Edinburgh Tattoo Break - A luxury Orient Express weekend trip to Edinburgh to experience the world-famous Military Tattoo.
- Trips on the Orient Express from Edinburgh - Choice of day trips and weekend trips from Edinburgh to experience the luxury of the Northern Belle train.
- Orient Express Trips from London to Scotland
- Lunch on the Orient Express from Edinburgh and Glasgow
» Back to Edinburgh Day Trips and Tours guide index
All Edinburgh day trips and tours articles:
- Photography walking tour A tour around Edinburgh's most impressive attractions any tourist should capture on camera.
- Edinburgh Castle tour Best things to see when doing a tour of Edinburgh Castle.
- North Berwick trip from Edinburgh A short 30 minute train journey from Edinburgh lies North Berwick, the ideal destination for a family day out.
- Edinburgh day trip from London A quick day trip from London by train to see Edinburgh's most famous attractions.
- London train break to Edinburgh Two days and one night short break by train from London to Edinburgh.
- Train and hotel breaks to Edinburgh Book return rail travel and hotel accommodation to Edinburgh at the same time.
Also see:
- Edinburgh tours and trips Different tours and trips available in and around Edinburgh.
