Flying into London, overnight train to Edinburgh that evening, where to stow bags/shower?
Looking for advice for how to manage things during a one-day "layover" between a flight (from the US) and the overnight train from London to Edinburgh.
I'm heading to Scotland for a wedding in the fall, and will be seeing some of England as well. We're using London as our flight base of operations (flight from US to/from London), and taking the Caledonian Sleeper to Edinburgh. I have myself, my wife, and two children (2 and 4).
On the way in, we'll be taking an overnight flight to London, landing around noon. We're then taking the Sleeper that evening. We're travelling Economy class (on Virgin Atlantic, to LHR) from/to the US, and haven't yet booked our train tickets.
What are our best options for stowing our bags and taking showers? We plan to spend the day in London seeing a few sights (though we'll be back the next week for a longer period). The way I see it we have a few choices, given we want to take one shower sometime between the flight and the next day (so either before the sleeper ride, or after @ Edinburgh).
Stow bags at LHR vs stow bags @ Euston, or perhaps a third location?
Shower @ LHR vs Shower @ Euston vs Shower @ Edinburgh; for Euston, we can get first class tickets to use the Lounge, or otherwise pay.
Is there a better option of these? I've never used showers at a public airport/train station before, though I'm sure we'll manage with anything that's usable. We're in particular concerned about the kids (who we don't worry about showering/bathing, but we do want to not lose track of!) and also read that in Euston they won't necessarily be allowed in the Virgin lounge.
Best Answer
I'm not sure there's a good solution here, it'll depend if you want to maximize time or minimize money. Heathrow is off in the wrong direction, leaving the bags there is going to burn between 90 minutes and a few hours collecting them so I doubt it's worth it.
Honestly, I'd consider a cheap hotel/B&B in the Euston or Paddington area. You could even reach out to a few of them in advance and explain you just need somewhere to leave luggage and have a shower, they may be able to help, it can't be that unusual. That also gives you the option of somewhere to rest if you need it.
The main problem is that all the left luggage places in the stations (at least the rail station part) are run by the same company and so charge largely the same prices -- £10 per item/day.
Going to Euston and leaving your bags there would be the obvious good plan. As mentioned in the question and the comments you could use the lounge there or the showers at Waverley (as mentioned, £5 per person).
However Heathrow to Euston isn't that easy an journey, if you're taking public transport the TFL Journey Planner is suggesting the Heathrow Express to Paddington.
But, if you're going via Paddington you may as well leave your bags there (same price) and there are showers there, again same price.
Or you could go via Tube to St Pancras/Kings Cross left luggage is the same and there are showers at Kings Cross.
Note that all those luggage services close at 11pm, so you'd have to be back there in enough time.
If the luggage price is too steep your other option is Victoria Coach Station (as mentioned in the answer linked in the comments). There luggage is £4 to £6 per bag. I can't find showers in either the Rail or Coach station at Victoria, but you'd still have the option of Waverley or Euston. You could get the National Express Coach direct to Victoria. Luggage closes at 10:45pm but you'd need to be there beforehand to make it to Euston in time.
Overall, it depends how much you want to spend, how much time you want to have free and how much luggage you have.
If money is no object then Heathrow Express to Paddington, leave bags there (optionally shower), get the tube to go see some things, get back to Paddington before the left luggage closes and take a taxi to Euston. But, if I were doing that I'd be very tempted to check out hotels near there, there are a lot within walking distance that are really pretty cheap.
Cheapest option I can see (that's not just carrying your bags all day) would be National Express to Victoria.
And hopefully everything above gives you some insight as to the choices in-between.
I'm trying to think if there's some 'out of the box' solution, but it's escaping me. There may be some travel package you could book that would take care of the luggage -- that'd be a question for a travel agent somewhere.
Pictures about "Flying into London, overnight train to Edinburgh that evening, where to stow bags/shower?"
When can you board the Caledonian Sleeper in Edinburgh?
Information. If you're travelling between Edinburgh and London find the train times for your journey on the Caledonian Sleeper here. Enjoy a good night's sleep as we take you 337 miles from Capital to Capital. Our trains departing from Edinburgh Waverley are ready to board from 2300 Mon-Fri and 2230 on Sunday.Where does the Caledonian Sleeper leave from?
Six nights each week, Caledonian Sleeper services depart from Aberdeen, Inverness and Fort William. The Aberdeen train takes in a number of major stops, including Dundee, Leuchars (for St Andrews), Stonehaven and Montrose.How early can you get on Caledonian Sleeper?
The Caledonian Sleeper runs six days a week, Sunday to Friday. Travelling southbound from Scotland to London Euston, search for services after 19:00 (after 20:00 from Edinburgh Waverley). Travelling northbound from London Euston to Scotland, search for services after 21:00. You can book tickets up to 12 months ahead.What platform does the Caledonian Sleeper leave Euston?
The Caledonian Sleeper is one of the longest passenger trains in the UK (as far as I know, only the Eurostar is longer), occupying pretty much the entire length of Platform 1 at Euston.The NEW Caledonian Sleeper - London to Edinburgh in a classic room
More answers regarding flying into London, overnight train to Edinburgh that evening, where to stow bags/shower?
Answer 2
Check out https://www.between9and5.com/en/c1591803/day_rooms_London/
A day room accommodates bags and showers in one swipe, you get to pick the location (to some extent), the kids can take a nap and its pretty convenient.
It may be a little more expensive than a locker + public-shower option but probably not by much and the convenience should be significantly better.
Answer 3
Partial answer: I would store your luggage in central London, if you store it at the airport you'll spend a large proportion of your day going back and forth to Heathrow.
There is a left luggage storage company at Euston, though it's expensive at £10 per item.
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