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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

Edinburgh and South Wales from Edinburgh

Independent UK rail trip between Edinburgh and Cardiff and back

Illustration of Edinburgh and South Wales from Edinburgh

Railbookers operates this 6-day, 5-night independent rail vacation between Edinburgh and Cardiff, traveling by UK Rail in both directions. The trip opens with two nights in Edinburgh, including a guided tour of the Royal Mile that explores narrow alleys and hidden courtyards and ends with entrance to Edinburgh Castle. From there, a train takes travelers south to Cardiff for two nights, with time to explore the city center and a private day tour of South Wales that visits Cardiff's landmarks and the medieval Caerphilly Castle. A final train returns travelers to Edinburgh for one more night before the trip ends. Beyond the two guided days, most of the itinerary is unstructured, so travelers explore each city at their own pace. This suits independent-minded travelers who want a compact two-city UK rail trip with a mix of guided highlights and free time.

What to know before you look closer

  • Railbookers lists 12 accommodation options across Edinburgh and Cardiff and different price tiers, so the exact hotel depends on which tier and city combination you choose.
  • Aside from the Royal Mile tour and the private South Wales day tour, the rest of the itinerary is unguided; travelers explore Edinburgh and Cardiff on their own on days 1, 3 and 5.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Edinburgh

    Your Journey Begins in Edinburgh

    Welcome to Edinburgh! Check in at your hotel for a two-night stay. Spend the day exploring the city at your leisure. Perhaps visit Princes Street Gardens or stroll through the historic Old Town.

  2. Day 2overnight: Edinburgh

    Edinburgh

    Join a guided tour to discover the secrets of the Royal Mile, Edinburgh's historic heart. Explore narrow alleys, hidden courtyards, and hear tales of the city's past. The tour includes entrance to Edinburgh Castle, where you can delve into Scotland's royal history.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Cardiff

    Edinburgh to Cardiff

    Board a train to Cardiff and check in at your hotel for a two-night stay. Spend the afternoon exploring Cardiff's vibrant city center, with its rich cultural heritage and bustling atmosphere.

  4. Day 4overnight: Cardiff

    Private Day Tour Of South Wales

    Embark on a private day tour of South Wales. Visit the capital city of Cardiff, exploring its key landmarks, and continue to the impressive Caerphilly Castle, one of the greatest medieval castles in Britain. Return to Cardiff in the evening.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Edinburgh

    Cardiff to Edinburgh

    Travel back to Edinburgh by train and check in at your hotel for an overnight stay. Spend your final evening in Edinburgh revisiting your favorite sights or exploring new ones.

  6. Day 6

    Your Journey Ends in Edinburgh

    Check out of your hotel after breakfast this morning and continue with your travels.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2A guided tour of the Royal Mile through narrow alleys and hidden courtyards, finishing with entrance to Edinburgh Castle.
  • Day 3The train journey from Edinburgh to Cardiff, followed by an afternoon exploring Cardiff's city center.
  • Day 4A private day tour of South Wales visiting Cardiff's landmarks and Caerphilly Castle, one of the greatest medieval castles in Britain.

Included

  • Rail travel as per itinerary
  • Three nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Edinburgh
  • Two nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Cardiff
  • Secrets of the Royal Mile Tour Plus Edinburgh Castle Entrance with Guide
  • Private Day Tour of South Wales, including Cardiff and Caerphilly Castle

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes. UK Rail travel is included both ways, from Edinburgh to Cardiff on day 3 and back to Edinburgh on day 5.
Is it escorted or independent?
It's an independent rail vacation. Two elements are guided, the Secrets of the Royal Mile Tour and the private South Wales day tour; the rest of the trip is unguided.
Which trains are used?
UK Rail services between Edinburgh and Cardiff, in both directions.
What hotels are included?
Railbookers lists 12 accommodation options across Edinburgh and Cardiff, including the InterContinental Edinburgh The George, the Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel and the Park Plaza Cardiff, among others.
What else is included besides rail and hotels?
The Secrets of the Royal Mile Tour with Edinburgh Castle entrance and a guide, plus a private day tour of South Wales covering Cardiff and Caerphilly Castle.
How much does it cost?
Prices start from 2,609 US dollars per person.

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