Thousands of National Rail staff are striking across the UK after a dispute over pay and working conditions. While ScotRail are not included, the industrial action has had a knock-on-effect with trains grinding to a halt across the majority of Scotland.
During the days of strike action, only five services will operate in the whole of the country, connecting only the central belt with services to and from Edinburgh and Glasgow, linking Bathgate and Lanarkshire. And ScotRail have warned customers to expect disruptions throughout the whole week.
A day after the first strike, the train service informed passengers that there would be delays on Wednesdays due to lines reopening. This is expected to happen again on Friday and Sunday in the wake of industrial action.
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Thursday marks the second strike day, with a third planned on Saturday June 25. For those wishing to venture from Edinburgh to other cities and towns, there are alternative ways to get to Dundee, Stirling and St Andrews without taking the train.
Dundee
There are a number of buses you can get from Edinburgh bus centre to the city of Discovery.
Megabus provides direct links, as well as one which requires an easy switch in Perth Broxden Park and Ride. Ticket prices vary, but the earliest bus you can get it at 6.20am.
The M92 bus takes around an hour and a half. While the route that requires you to change at Perth takes two hours and five minutes.
The last bus on a Saturday to Dundee is only at 8.20pm, while the last bus on a Monday is at 22.25. If you want to come back to Edinburgh, the buses are still regular and the last bus on a Saturday is at 10.15pm. You can buy tickets and see more details here.
Stirling
To get to and from Stirling, you have the choice of Megabus, City Link and First Bus.
If you want a direct bus to Stirling Goosecroft bus station, the 909 by City Link or the M909 by Megabus are your best options, both taking an hour and a half.
The last direct bus from Edinburgh to Stirling is the M909 at 9.20pm.
And coming back, the last bus with Megabus is at 5.30pm, as with City Link.
Prices vary depending on how far in advance you book.
If you go with First Bus, it is not a direct route, and after getting the 38 to Falkirk, you must then jump on the X38 bus from Asda in Falkirk which takes you to Edinburgh. The journey takes around two and a half hours.
St Andrews
The X59 with Stage Coach takes you from Edinburgh straight to St Andrews. It mostly runs every hour until 5.35pm, after that there are services where you will need to change and Glenrothes but it doesn't look like it adds any extra time onto the journey.
Ticket prices start at £6.30 and you can see more details here.
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