Christmas is fast approaching and if you've already visited the amazing market and Winter Wonderland in Newcastle and still have presents left to buy, then you won't be alone.
Both York and Edinburgh have their fair share of amazing Christmas events stretching across the city. But which should you choose to visit?
Both are easily accessible from Newcastle via coach and train, with many departures happening throughout the day. The train might be significantly quicker than a coach, but you may find that the price difference may tempt you.
While train times are more forgiving, if you're heading out for a long day of shopping and a tipple or two to finish the day off, then you may also want to consider an overnight stay. Both Edinburgh and York are popular Christmas shopping destinations and at the minute, hotel prices are surging.
If you're considering an overnight stay, average hotel prices in Edinburgh for two people on a Saturday in December would set you back around £180. Whilst York accommodation will cost you somewhere in the region of £169.
Comparing Newcastle to York train versus coach times and prices
For your trip to York, hopping on the train might be your first choice. The train journey from Newcastle to York takes just 54 minutes on average, and is a popular route from Newcastle.
Hundreds of trains leaving Newcastle Central Station stop on York each day. According to Trainline, approximately 167 trains leave Newcastle headed for York a day, with the first leaving bright and early at 3.26 am and the last train from York to Newcastle leaving York at 10.54 pm. When booked in advance, open return tickets - those which allow you to return at any time - can cost from as little as £9.10, though the average appears to be around £16.
If booked on the day of travel, an adult return ticket could cost as much as £44.
Meanwhile, coach travel is a much cheaper option. Two major coach operators, Megabus and National Express offer trips to York. Both take roughly four and a half hours and involve a change in Leeds.
For coaches, Megabus only appears to have one departure per day and finding a return is tricky, but National Express offer trips throughout the day with departures and return trips available regularly. The cost of an adult return ticket is around the £17 mark, with some routes at peak times costing slightly more. There are many tour operators offering Christmas market day coach trips which travel directly to York and are quicker than coach travel.
Newcastle to York day trip options:
Train
Time: 54 minutes
Price: £44, or around £16 in advance
Coach
Time: 4 hours
Price: £17
Comparing Newcastle to Edinburgh train versus coach times and prices
For Scotland's capital, celebrating Christmas is a big deal, with a huge market sprawling through the city with shopping, food and drink options available at every turn. Expect the city's iconic fairground rides such as the big wheel and ice rink to attract huge crowds, too.
Edinburgh is just a stone's throw from Newcastle, again with hundreds of trains departing Newcastle Central Station for Edinburgh Waverly each day. The earliest of 117 departures leaves at 5.12 am.
The train between Newcastle and Edinburgh takes one hour and 23 minutes on average . One of the most scenic routes in the UK the route takes in the luscious Northumberland countryside.
If booked on the day, an adult open return journey will cost around £62. Booking in advance will save you some cash but not much, with advance open returns costing £49.
Coaches take a bit more time to reach the capital taking around two hours and 35 minutes. There are plenty of options for departure with National Express, with the earliest coach leaving Newcastle at 5am, getting you to Edinburgh in time for breakfast. Return times are less forgiving with only three departures at 8.45 am, 10.45 am or 9.10 pm, meaning that it'll be a super long day if you're on that first coach out.
The Megabus is similar with only two departures from Newcastle, with only one leaving in the morning at a shocking 4.20 am at that. Departures are the same with only two options to return at either 11.25am or 10.40 pm.
Both coaches are much easier on the price front, with National Express costing around £20 and Megabus around £22, though the latter can change depending on the seat reservation you choose.
Newcastle to Edinburgh day trip options:
Train
Time: One hour 23 minutes
Price: From £62, or from £49 in advance (it can often be cheaper if two single fares are booked)
Coach
Time: Two hours 35 minutes
Price: £20
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