Is a day trip to Edinburgh worthwhile from Newcastle?

In My Humble Opinion
1

It is a 90 minute train ride to and from Edinburgh from Newcastle.

There seems to be so many sites to see in Edinburgh that I wonder if the day trip is worthwhile or should I just plan a trip to Scotland in the future and not bother with the small taste I could get on a day trip.

On the other hand, I am not sure I’m getting back to the U.K. for a couple of years. Seeing two attractions in Edinburgh now might be a good idea as no one can predict another Covid or whatever event could prevent me from going overseas. The castle does look lovely and this will be a very heavy castle and cathedral trip for me to the U.K.

2

I’ve only been the once, far too many years ago, but Edinburgh was wonderful. I would say it is worth it. So much to see.

Actually everywhere I went in Scotland was incredible except for Glasgow. We spent 17 days using B&Bs all over the country. Beautiful .
But Glasgow was just the Scottish Milwaukee. Pass on that.

3

I day-tripped to Edinburgh twice from Dunoon. Didn’t get to see a lot, but thought it was definitely doing. Don’t remember how long the trip was, though.

4

It’s well worth it, even for just a small taste! If you can do an overnight rather than a day trip, even better, but in your place I would do it in a heartbeat. Spending 2 days in Edinburgh was one of the most memorable parts of my 10 day UK trip back in 1997.

5

We just spent 2 nights in Edinburgh last month, and it was well worth the trip. If you get in early, you absolutely should. The castle is certainly the highlight, and it has a great self-guided audio tour.

6

I went to the castle when I was a little kid and thought it was really cool and scary. So, yes.

7

We arrived in Edinburgh at night, on a train from London. Emerging from Waverly Station and looking up on one hand to the craggy eminence of the Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle on one hand, and the neoclassical elegance of Calton Hill and the New Town on the other, is a memory that’s stayed with me for nigh on thirty years. Yes, Auld Reekie is well worth a day trip.

8

Another vote for Yes, but accept that you’ll need to focus on just a couple of things to do/see, and that it’ll make a long day. It’ll certainly be a taste of something different, and perhaps it’ll give you the taste to “haste ye back”.

9

Just make sure the trains are actually running…

10

You get two weeks’ notice of strikes.

11

If you’re going in the summer, just catch an early train, and plan for a long day. It should be well worth it unless you have something very nice to do in Newcastle instead.

12

Yes, it will be in July so very long days. There’s no way I’d consider this in winter with the very short days.

13

With a window seat, even the 90 minutes train ride may not be wasted.

14

I’m actually in Edinburgh right now (and highly recommend it). One day is not enough, but it would certainly give you a taste of the city and the sites. However, I heard from a local yesterday that in the summer the streets are packed with tourists, and getting around is more of a challenge. (It’s quite nice now, in mid-May). Things like the castle might be impossible, or require tickets purchased in advance. (we just walked up yesterday, bought a ticket and wandered around).

15

Again, it was ages ago, but Edinburgh in August wasn’t too crowded. But I was in my 20s and on my Honeymoon. So I might not be remembering that well.

16

I don’t think you can be. August is when the Edinburgh Festivals are on, and the city is mobbed for a month. Also incredibly expensive due to high demand.

17

I see that the OP is going in July, not August, so the festival shouldn’t be an issue for their trip.

And when I was there during the festival 20 years ago it was crowded but manageable. Has it gotten much worse since then?