Caledonian Travel - Gateshead Travel Centre

I returned from 2 day trip to Chester and Cheshire Oaks Sunday 30th July. Everything was great. Lovely Hotel and staff. Only fly in the ointment was the driver. He talked on his phone constantly on both journeys to other colleagues discussing all their routes in the coming days. At times he was less than complimentary about some of them. This was so unprofessional and uncomfortable to listen to. He shown no interest in his passengers and when asked any question he was either boorish or dismissive. He certainly needs to be made aware of his actions.

Good travel company. My husband and I have been on numerous day trips with them. Staff helpful and informative. Good value for money and any applicable entry fee is included in the price.

I went on the NC500….except it was the NC250 as the driver (who admitted that this was a new route to him) took us to Thurso and then, next day, back down the A9 and across to Ullapool, then Gairlock. We missed out Thurso to Durness and down to Gairlock. He was a technically good driver (9 out of ten) but a poor tour driver (1 out of ten). So we did not do the NC500. He did take us for a ‘treat’ to the Isle of Skye. But most people would have settled for NCoast with more information and not being left for 4hrs at Dunrobin castle, when we could have done it in 2 and visited Wick. He needs to give more local info and be more people focussed than driving focussed

Had a great trip to Southern Ireland - 2nd - 6th October. Hotel, waiting staff, catering, room, bus driver in Ireland all absolutely wonderful. BUT driver from Gretna to the ferry was rude, offensive and impolite. Had to be back at bus for 7.40am to drive to ferry. We all stood out in rain and I had to sit on wet seat till 8.00am. We said this was not good and he said it was my choice to sit on wet seat. Did not have a choice as I had disabilities. Said we should have waited inside but other passengers said we had been told when to be at bus. I asked him if he had ever had disabilities and he simply grunted. No apology, no asking were we alright. Terrible. An apology would have been accepted but none forthcoming. He needs training in politeness, timekeeping and disability awareness.

Just returned from a 2 day trip to chester and Cheshire oaks. The trip was excellent value but wish I could say the same for the driver . He was constantly on his fone (hands free) while driving trying to sort out trips booked for the next day and onwards. He was calling one of hs colleagues in particular and was very abrupt with customers on thecoach . I find this very unprofessional . It would of been nice to have a little music playing on the coach instead of having to listen to this the whole journey. The only time he addressed the customers was when we were close to home saying he hoped we had enjoyed it , but no one answered him. It won't deter me from using Caledonian again but feel this should be addressed by them.

Having previously been on a trip with caledonian, I had booked two more trips with this company. I had booked a trip in June 2023 which got cancelled a few weeks later and was fully refunded. However, this review is for the second trip I had booked. I had booked this trip in March 2023 to depart in November 2023. Being a single female passenger, I booked my seat well in advance. I also suffer from anxiety so I therefore booked a seat at the front of the coach behind the driver. I recently received an email in August 2023 about a seat change. I was upset over this, mainly because I had booked this seat in advance and I'm also unable to sit in the middle of the coach due to health reasons. I rang caledonian to explain my concerns. The reasoning for this was that a party of two had recently booked the trip and wanted to sit at the front in my seat. The party was one adult and one child. I understood that the party could not be split up but was not happy that caledonian did not ask me before hand as I booked that seat for a reason. (If the coach is full, don't book it) I was then told that the coach was no longer picking up from my chosen pickup point. I was offered to travel on a different date, however my holidays from work where already booked in. I was also conscious that my chosen seat could be changed again. When I asked to cancel the holiday, the attitude of the person taking the call had changed and it ended with him putting the phone down on me. Its clear that this company does not like single passengers. I will not be travelling with this company again.

Visited the Edinburgh Tattoo with Caledonian travel in August.The bus was clean and spacious. We initially had problems with our pre- booked seats which didn’t match the numbered locations on the coach. The driver spent 10 minutes moving everyone around to the correct booking places.The Tattoo was great, although we didn’t have an itinerary. Which would have been helpful.The Britannia Hotel where we were placed was a disgrace!Overall the hotel was dirty. The room was shabby, only one set of towels, mismatched and dirty cups and spoons in the room. Fire break glass on our floor was hanging off the wall. Check in was chaotic and the food left a lot to be desired.Six people on our bus decided enough was enough and went home by train. I hope this didn’t reflect on our driver who did the best he could under difficult circumstances.

Just like to say what a lovely weekend my wife and I had. We went to York and Lincoln staying in Doncaster holiday inn really good staff. fab time also a great lad Chris the driver very friendly.

Big NOOO.. by seeing good reviews I opted for 5 days trip from Newcastle to Cornwall.It's wastage of time, money and your mood. Very bad trip planner this company has.Caledonia travel - you really need good trip planner.You should provide details itinerary day wise.This travel is not for youngsters, family or people of age below 50.it's only for old age, retired people, very slow trip.We were odd man out in this trip. Management should have mentioned this while booking.False information by management team when I called before booking this trip like travel time n all.You just ruined our holiday.Please please avoid this agency. They just don't know how to plan a good, relaxing and enjoyable holiday.

I booked my tickets online. However, it was very easy to understand their website, and it was very simple to book my tickets as well.My family and I went to Flamingoland, and would you love to do so again when coach trips for next year become available.Our coach driver was absolutely amazing as well. I'm very happy with how my trip went, especially as it was my first time travelling with Caledonian, and it definitely won't be my last.I've already booked again. I'll be going to Edinburgh in December this year. I can't wait.