On train to Pitlochry with change in Perth this afternoon as have an author event to go to at Pitlochry Theatre at 17.30.
- • £31 off peak open return versus £0 on Ember
• Journey time 2hrs 10mins vs 1hr 55mins*
• Rail = Smoother and slower journey
• Rail = Better views
• Easier to type on train
• Rail ticket harder to buy with pop up reminders interfering when you're just about to click 'pay'.
• ScotRail site still has peak fares showing even though they don't exist for the journey I made
• If you use Club 50 at a booking office you pay more (!) Online is 20% discount versus 10% using booking office. You do get tea for £1.25 if there's a trolley on train. You can't use LNER but they have cheap Advance Singles available before you board the train if bought at a booking office (!maybe online too but only one train a day from Perth!)
• Train avoids Edinburgh Airport and the fractious roundabouts on the A8 and approaches to Queensferry crossing.
• Ember now runs most e-buses via airport terminal as of now. Obviously this is quite stressful for their drivers as people are laden and tired. ScotRail dodged that market when the tunnel under the runway was abandoned. (Flood risk too) Gateway is the rail/tram interchange but is always quiet.
*Journey times vary. Rail can be faster at 1hr 35mins and Ember can be over 2 hours. A9 Dualling is factor now.
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