London King’s Cross train station or “Kings Cross” opened in the early 1850’s in London N1 and was named after the area it was built.  Today King’s Cross is the London terminus for the east coast main line with trains run by National Express East Coast and First Capital Connect to destinations such as King’s Lynn, Letchworth, Doncaster, Hull, Leeds, York, Harrogate, Newcastle, Glasgow and northern Scotland. Thameslink trains no longer journey through the station.

The London Underground, otherwise known as “The Tube”, also runs through King’s Cross St Pancras Station via the Circle line, Hammersmith & City line, Metropolitan line, Northern line, Piccadilly line and Victoria line.  St Pancras station neighbours King’s Cross and it is here that the Eurostar train service runs directly to France and Belgium under the English Channel.

Kings Cross car hire is simple to arrange with easyCar and can either be collected from the station if booked in advance or from one of the car hire offices in close proximity to the station.

The actual locale of King’s Cross station is on the Euston Road, postcode N1 9AL, and it falls in both the London Boroughs of Camden and Islington. The British Library is just 5 minutes walk from King’s Cross, with Regent’s Park a short bus journey away.  The area of Bloomsbury next to Russell Square is to the south with all the delights of central London just a hop away!

The closest motorways to King’s Cross are the start of the M1 in Brent Cross, north west London and the beginning of the M11 in South Woodford (to the north east).  If heading to the west of England or Wales, then you will head to the M4 entry which is near Chiswick in west London.

King’s Cross and Euston are located on the edge of the Congestion Charging zone in London, and no fee will be required to pay as long as you stay north of Euston Road or Pentonville Road. Should you drive through the Congestion Zone the current fee is £8.00 per day if paid before or on the day of travel (£10 charge on the first charging day after travel – fines thereafter). There is no charge for vehicles driven in the charging zone between 1800 and 0700 Monday to Friday, or at weekends or during English public holidays.

If you board the Eurostar train from London St Pancras or Ashford International (Kent) to Paris, you will arrive at Paris’ Gare du Nord (North Station) – unless of course, you are heading on the direct train to Disneyland Paris!

One of the six main stations on Paris’ SNCF network, Gare du Nord is the busiest station in France and Europe.

As well as being the London Eurostar terminal in Paris (platforms 3 to 6), the Paris Metro (Line 4 and 5, next stop, Gare de l’Est) and RER trains (platforms 41 to 44 – lines B, D and E), Gare du Nord is also used by mainline trains, TGV trains to the north and the Picard TER depart from platforms 9 to 29 with trains to Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands departing either platforms 7 or 8. Gare de l’Est however is only a few streets away and can easily be walked to although buses also connect the neighbouring stations.

In the basement of Paris’ busiest station, line B goes to Charles de Gaulle airport (Roissy) and D to Gare de Lyon. B and D both travel to Stade de France in Saint Denis. If hiring a car from Gare du Nord, the car rental desks are on Level 1 and can be accessed from rue de Compiegne and rue Amboise Pare. Car hire may be prebooked from any number of car hire locations throughout France, including numerous rail way stations too.

Movie fans will have spotted Gare du Nord featured in the films Mr Bean’s Holiday, The Bourne Ultimatum and Ocean’s Twelve.

Travelling at speeds of up to 200 mph, the TGV (Train à Grande Vitesse) is definitely a fast way to travel through France.   These passenger trains are modern and comfy, and seats should be prebooked. The popularity of the TGV has lead to the development of the double decker train or TGV Duplex which can seat over 500 passengers. Not all the TGV’s depart from Gare du Nord, so make sure you check exactly which Paris train station you are due to depart from or arrive into. Rail tickets may be booked with RailEurope or SNCF online.

After Waterloo, London Victoria is the second busiest railway station in London; however Victoria is also the location of London City’s central coach station, a busy bus station and the London Underground.

Located in the City of Westminster and named after Queen Victoria, the London Victoria National Rail station sees hundreds of trains travelling to and from stations from all over London, Kent, Surrey and parts of Sussex. London Victoria Station provides some of the best facilities of any London station with multiple fast food outlets and restaurants, bars and coffee shops, cash points (ATMs), an upper floor shopping centre and public toilets/restrooms (current charge to use is 20p).

One of the most popular overland rail routes  (National Rail) is between London and the coastal city of Brighton. This train also stops at the excellent shopping town of Croydon and at Gatwick Airport.  The “Gatwick Express” is a direct train service between Gatwick Airport and London Victoria with a journey time of 30 minutes (35 mins on Sundays). Whilst the daily London to Gatwick service runs every 15 minutes from 5.00am to 11.45pm, there is a train at 3.30am and 4.30am, with the last services at 00.01am and 00.30am (correct as of 17 August 2009). Times are slightly different from Gatwick to London Victoria.

The London Underground or tube at Victoria lies a few steps away and to the north of the mainline/overland rail station. There are four platforms; two for the Circle and District lines, and two for the Victoria line.  Victoria Coach Station (NOT bus station) is located on Buckingham Palace Road about half a mile from the mainline rail station and is used for long distance coach services.

Collecting car hire from London Victoria is popular due to its central location in the city, and because the drive between Gatwick and the city can be slow. There is a huge choice of cars to hire from London Victoria with easyCar.com and whilst driving can be slow during rush hour (as with any major city), the route to reach the M1 motorway in north west London is direct, with popular “A” roads leading all over the city from Victoria.

Remember that Central London is covered by a Congestion Charge and Victoria, as all the major London stations, is within the designated area; however there is a non-chargeable route alongside Victoria so ensure you view the www.tfl.gov.uk website for full details.  In brief a charge of £8 is imposed on all those driving within the congestion zone from Monday to Friday between 7am and 6pm, which MUST be paid on the day entry is made. There is no charge at weekends, English public holidays or between 6pm and 6am the following morning, Monday to Friday. All vehicles entering “the zone” are registered by a camera system (there are no tolls, barriers etc).

Probably the most celebrated festival in the United Kingdom and the largest arts festival in the world, the Edinburgh Festival will take place this year (2009) from the 7th to the 31st August.

Within the Edinburgh Fringe Festival over 2,000 shows amounting to over 34.000 performances will take place in the Scottish capital over the 25 day period, with about a third being comedy, another third, theatre, and the remaining acts being an assortment of music, musicals, dance, opera and so much more including a host of special events for children of all ages.

The beauty of the Scottish capital is quite staggering; a magnificent rugged setting along the Firth of Forth, where the ancient Edinburgh Castle dominates the sky line and the New Town and Old Town are listed UNESCO World Heritage Sites.  A captivating setting for exciting entertainment!

The Fringe started in 1947 with just eight theatre groups meeting in the city but then developed over the next decade as performers travelled to Edinburgh for the Edinburgh International Festival (a selection of August festivals).  The heart of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival is now based around the Royal Mile, the main road leading from the castle, although performances may be found at nearly 250 venues throughout the city.

Travelling to Edinburgh couldn’t be simpler, with festival goes arriving by air, train, coach, road or water!

Just eight miles west of Edinburgh is the International Airport (EDI) from where regular bus services run to the city centre. Tickets may be bought for the express bus service Airlink 100 which runs from Edinburgh Airport to Waverley Bridge in 25 minutes, and to the main rail and bus stations. The cost is about £3.50 each way (return tickets cheaper; child reductions applicable) and tickets may be bought at the airport information desk, at the bus stop or from the driver. There is a night bus service (N22 from Stand 19) which runs every half hour from 00:45 to 04:10 and costs £3.00.  The Lothian Bus Service 35 also runs during a regular day service which is cheaper.

There is a new car rental centre at the single terminal Edinburgh Airport which is accessed from the Check-in Hall via a covered walkway which skirts the multi storey car park.  Cars may now be picked up and returned to the same area, and may be pre-booked with easyCar.com who offer Edinburgh car hire at fantastic low cost prices.

If travelling to the Edinburgh Finge by train, you will arrive in either Waverley or Haymarket station. Check the NationalRail website for timetables and fares of train travel throughout the UK.

Once in Edinburgh, particularly during August, the best mode of travel to explore the city and move from one fantastic event to another is by foot.  Bicycles may also be rented, and there are many regular bus services running throughout the city.  During 2011 a brand new tram service should be launched.