Caledonian Travel29 reviews
This score is based on 29 genuine reviews submitted via BritainReviews since 2018.
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Standing at the coach door, watching my lad wrestle with his case, I felt that little click of relief — this is going to be good. I'm 78 and a bit disabled, so I'm picky; previous companies left me stressing, but from the neat, roomy coach to the brilliant air‑con and Allen, our driver, everything just fit. The murder mystery night and Lion King trip were properly enjoyable, with extra sightseeing thrown in so we didn't feel short‑changed. Overnight stays were simple but comfy. I booked Scotland already — Oban and Inveraray — because when a trip runs like that, you know you've found a keeper.
Jamie made the difference
Standing in a drizzle, phone nearly dead, Jamie, our driver, arrived calm and practical. He navigated central London like he'd done it a thousand times — no fuss, friendly, kept everyone relaxed. Delivery-wise couldn't fault him; it's a world away from other firms I've used where drivers were late or flustered. The hotel was smart and spotless, a bit posh but not showy; buffet meals had plenty of choice, which suited our lazy mornings. We had decent free time and the Camden outing was fun. At a Live Odyssey gig I ended up chatting with a notable performer who nudged me to keep going with my own projects. Not perfect — small hiccup at check-in — but I’d book again.
Quiet tea saved the day
We dashed off for a day out to Dumfries House on 17 May, mostly to get out of the usual weekend rut. The coach was on time and comfy, which is always a relief. No proper itinerary though, so we had a daft first stop at Girvan when everything was shut — felt a bit like being left at a shop window. Portpatrick was nicer and actually worth wandering. The hotel was tidy, but the evening meal was underwhelming and breakfast was okay until the coffee machine ran out of milk by 7.15, so that was grim. The real highlight was the Dumfries House visit and especially the afternoon tea — proper lovely, made the day worthwhile. Driver could have chatted more. Not perfect, but I’d go again.
Weekend win, hotel fail
the organised trips were brilliant but the hotel nearly ruined it. I went from Newcastle to Liverpool for a five‑day jaunt — Chester, Beatles tour and the Mersey ferry — and the guided bits from Caledonian were the highlight, honestly better than I expected. The weird bit was the Adelphi Hotel: tired decor, no housekeeping all week (bins stayed full and I kept reusing a towel because, well, nothing fresh), food often bland though breakfast actually hit the spot. Also the guide’s jokes were surprisingly good. What annoyed me more was the constant reshuffle of departure times — our return slot was changed three times and that last morning felt very spoiled, hanging about unsure when the coach would leave. If I’d been travelling alone I’d have been on edge. I’ve booked another trip with them, so fingers crossed it was just a one‑off.
Coach, chaos and a decent dinner
00 and had no idea how long we'd be circling. The coach felt cramped, seat numbers didn't match anything, tray tables were useless (my coffee slid off while we were still stationary — classic), and the whole seating felt cheap. The hotel was run down: lumpy mattress — springs almost through — stains, mould round the windows and a not‑nice smell in the shower room. I did have to insist they change the mattress, and to their credit they did replace it after a bit of back‑and‑forth, and a receptionist was apologetic. Organisation overall was sloppy and one bloke, Gary, wasn't much help at first. On the bright side the restaurant team were brilliant: smooth service, friendly staff, actually saved part of the trip. So sceptical to start, a bit relieved by small fixes, but not glowing.
Recent trips feedback
All my recent trips have been brilliant! The hotels and service have been top-notch, and the excursions provided have been great. I really like that the single supplement is reasonable compared to other companies. I hope they don't start increasing these supplements or giving misleading descriptions like a "cozy double" for a double bed in a single room. Caledonian is always my go-to for booking trips - I've already got trips lined up for July and August.
Overnight trip to theme park
The booking process was really easy, and we got all the documents we needed quickly. Mick, who was our driver, did an amazing job making sure our trip was comfortable, even though it was really hot outside. I would definitely recommend them and use their services again in the future.
Beamish, Durham & Bamburgh Castle trip
The driver, Paul, was absolutely brilliant - so polite, helpful, and really accommodating the whole way. Even though the weather wasn't great at Beamish, the day out was a lot of fun and definitely money well spent.
Arrochar tour review
I was really disappointed with the tour overall. The way they organised the activities, both the planned ones and the optional ones, was pretty poor. The whole thing was a bit confusing for everyone because they didn't make it clear how everything was meant to work. It was annoying not knowing which coach you were supposed to be on, who your driver was going to be, or where you were meant to sit during each trip. On top of that, I found out from other passengers that there were problems with the Harry Potter train experience, with some people having to stand the whole way from Fort William to Mallaig. I think that's just not right and shows that they didn't really think things through properly.
Dunoon & Isle of Bute trip
I recently went on a 5-day trip to the Esplanade Hotel in Dunoon and the Isle of Bute, and I have to say, it was a really enjoyable experience. The hotel was fantastic, with tidy rooms and amazing food. Its location was perfect, just a short stroll from the ferry and town centre, providing a beautiful view from the front. However, I did notice that both Dunoon and Rothesay in the Isle of Bute seemed a bit neglected, with not many activities available to do.
Mystery weekend for friend's 60th
A bunch of us, all six, thought it'd be a good idea to arrange a mystery weekend for our mate's 60th birthday. We didn't have a clue what to expect as none of us had tried it before. Surprise, surprise, we ended up in Liverpool which was nice as we had no idea where we were headed. The stay just outside of Preston at a Holiday Inn was brilliant - clean, yummy food, and comfy beds. We had all mistakenly assumed we were off to Blackpool the next day, but were pleasantly surprised to find ourselves in Bowness-on-Windermere, especially with the lovely weather. Our driver, Andy, was top-notch - polite, funny, and went out of his way to make sure we had a great weekend. The coach was comfy, and we were lucky to have a great bunch of people on board. All in all, it was definitely worth the money.
Phone booking
Booking over the phone was really easy, didn't have any problems at all. Got a confirmation email straight away. Just a suggestion but it would be great if they could give us an idea of what time we might be back when we book instead of just the pick up time. I know the driver tells us on the day but having an estimate would help us plan ahead for lifts.
Travel experience in Coventry
My trip to Coventry was a bit of a mixed bag, really. The journey there was nice - the coach had a good vibe, and the driver was really friendly and helpful. Coventry itself is in a great spot, right in the centre and perfect for exploring. But, the manager at the hotel was a bit of a downer - really grumpy and kept giving me the eye. Thankfully, the other hotel staff were lovely and went out of their way to help. Just a shame there were beggars hanging around outside late at night, made me feel a bit uneasy and took away from the whole experience.
Coach trip to Scotland
My recent coach trip to Scotland was really good. The journey was nice, all thanks to our fantastic driver. The trips were well organised and our guide was truly amazing. The hotel we stayed in was lovely, but I was a bit let down by the entertainment and food. I had to send back a meal because it wasn't up to scratch. The entertainment throughout the trip was mostly not great, except for the last night which was really good.
11-hour trip to the Isle of Wight
I recently bought a trip to the Isle of Wight and it was a complete letdown. The coach was ancient and really uncomfortable, plus there weren't any USB ports for charging our gadgets. The driver was so grumpy and unhelpful the whole time we were travelling. And then, when we finally got to the hotel, all they had at the bar were canned drinks. It was just awful, I definitely won't be booking with them ever again.
Durham excursion
I just got back from a brilliant 5-day trip to Northumberland. Our coach driver, Dean, was a real gem - so funny and informative, it made the journey a laugh. Even though I'd heard some mixed reviews about the hotel near Newcastle Airport, it turned out to be better than I expected. The rooms were clean and simple, and the food was top-notch. I'd definitely think about booking with this travel company next time.
Budget-friendly holiday booking
Amazing value for money, the itinerary was really well-organised and the driver was informative. The hotel went above and beyond with some delicious food options that I really enjoyed. I also liked how they focused on being eco-friendly with their room service. Basically, I had a perfect holiday experience.
Trip to Dunoon
I've just returned from a 5-day trip to Dunoon. We stayed at the Esplanade hotel, which was decent, but the bedroom and shower could do with a bit of attention. Suzy and the staff were fantastic! The food was excellent, especially thanks to Julia who always seemed so cheerful. The only issue was the bus driver, who drove a bit recklessly and made a few of us a bit nervous.
Fourth stay at hotel in Bournemouth
I've just got back from my fourth stay at the hotel in Bournemouth and it was amazing once again. Despite a few delays on the journey, our driver Keith made sure we were comfortable and kept us informed along the way. The reception staff at the hotel were really efficient and helpful, sorting out any little issues we had with our room quickly.
The food at the hotel was top-notch, especially the mushy peas with the perfectly cooked fish and the best mushrooms I've ever had for breakfast. There were so many choices for meals and everything was delicious. Overall, it was a delightful experience. Huge thanks to Caledonian Travel and all the staff at the hotel for making my stay so enjoyable. I can't wait for my next two visits that are already booked. Cheers!Harrogate and cream tea on a steam train tour
My sister and I had a lovely experience on the Harrogate and cream tea steam train tour. It was a great day out for us on Tuesday, all thanks to our fantastic driver Kath. Despite some hiccups with the wrong postcode for the station, Kath handled it all brilliantly. She made sure we got to the right place on time, and they even waited for us, which was very kind. The narrow roads we had to go through were a bit scary, but Kath's expert driving skills reassured us. The afternoon tea was absolutely delicious, which added to the enjoyment of the whole tour. I would definitely recommend this tour to others and wouldn't hesitate to book with Caledonian Travel again, especially if Kath is the driver.
About Caledonian Travel
Are you looking for a cheap short break? A way that you can try something or travel somewhere totally new without having to empty the bank at the same time? Caledonian Travel offers you a possible solution to this with their holidays by coach in destinations from Oban to Vienna to Monte Carlo! Read on to find out a bit more about this company, then check out the customer reviews to see what previous users of this company have had to say!
About Caledonian Travel
Caledonian Travel are the leading specialist in short breaks or holidays by coach, based in Scotland. Their breaks spread all the way across the UK, Ireland and Europe, allowing a broad range in variety so that each customer can find what they really want.
Customer Services: What does this company feature on their website? What can they offer you?
The Caledonian Travel website offers holidays to be searched by typing in a destination, hotel or event along with departure dates, duration length and departure town. This will then produce a search with the results of all the events in that area. Alternatively, instead of typing in specifics, customers also have the choice of browsing by area. Within the Britain and Ireland category there are Holiday Types such as Seaside, City Breaks, East, Mother's Day, Christmas Markets and specific Destinations such as York, Snowdonia, Belfast, Dublin, Fort William, Aberdeen, Scarborough and Chester. The Europe category has the same construction with Holiday Types such as Bulbfields, River Cruises, New Year, Battlefields, Inclusive, Lakes and Mountains and Destinations such as Bruges, Monte Carlo, Vienna, Pisa, Budapest and Black Forest. On the other hand, customers also have the choice of selecting their holiday by theme such as Showtime, Family Fun, Caledonian Sports and Special Events.
Customer Reviews: What are your thoughts on this company? Share your complaints, opinions and praise!
Have you ever been on holiday with Caledonian Travel? What did you think of this holiday experience? The experience that you have gained with this company could now be invaluable advice to someone else who is considering using this company's business but is unsure. Either, you could inform them that this company is amazing and you absolutely recommend them. Or you could warn them that this company is a scam or totally not worth the price, thus saving them money and time!
What do Caledonian Travel customers have to say about their holidays? Read and write customer reviews about their coach holidays to Europe & the UK!
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Last update: November 2025
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It's extremely easy to access whatever I like . Unlike other sites, the complete booking process is simple even for someone who know nothing about booking. It's also good for m... Read onBy: Anna