Flight
For those flying to Scotland from America, please keep in mind that flight prices will be the least expensive about 2-3 months before the event. Rebecca recommends flying Are Lingus through Dublin, Ireland or British Airways through London, England. An average round trip ticket will cost around $1,000-$1,500 if you don't mind dealing with a layover or two! August is a busy (and expensive) time to travel, so costs could go up if you delay buying a ticket for too long. Rebecca also recommends booking through Expedia or HotWire to get the best deals on flights, she has used Expedia several times and was very happy with the deals she found. SkyScanner and Google Flights are also great tools! Take the time to search them all, and clear your cookies as you do (prices will go up if they detect that you're looking). I'd also suggest that you download an app called Hopper, which will notify you if airfares decrease and let you know the best time to buy.
Train
Public transportation is excellent in Scotland (compared to Texas). If you fly into Glasgow or decide to stay overnight there, you can very easily take a train to or from Greenock. In addition, Glasgow Central is a tourist attraction in and of itself! Trains should cost $20 or less for a return ticket and the trip from Glasgow Central to Greenock Central takes roughly 30-40 minutes depending on the train. Please note that the last train from Greenock to Glasgow will be around 11:30pm on the day of the wedding, so you may need to find alternate transportation if you intend to stay to the end of the ceilidh. Taxis are an option, but they might be a bit expensive going all the way from Greenock to Glasgow.
Travel Note
There are many great choices for accommodation in Scotland. For those traveling solo, Rebecca highly recommends finding a hostel in Glasgow city center. You'll be able to meet people from all over the world, make new friends, explore the city and the cost of your stay should not exceed $50 per night (somewhere closer to $25 is the norm). You'll also have easy access to transportation to places all over the UK (including Edinburgh - where KickAss Hostel in Grassmarket is the best) from Glasgow if you want to take full advantage of your time there. Rebecca's hostel kit includes: -Sleeping mask -Soft ear plugs -Extension cable for phone charger -Flip flops (for the shower, just in case) For families, there are many hotels to be found in the Greenock area. Greenock is a quieter town and hotel prices shouldn't be astronomically higher than what is found in the United States. Book your stay early though! August is tourist season in Scotland.
House Or Rental
This is a student accommodation building in the center of Greenock, a walkable distance from the wedding ceremony and reception. (Although a cab or bus to the ceremony is recommended as it is about a half hour’s walk away.) It has private bedrooms and bathrooms with a shared laundry room and kitchen. It’s situated right across the street from a grocery store too! Prices for a single room are £30 for the first night and £25 for each additional night, and for a double room it’s £37 for the first night and £32 for each additional night. Contact Rebecca or Ryan in order to book your stay, since it is cheaper if you book in person than online. No money is due at the time of booking, and Ryan can book your stay in person if you have a 4000 mile swim between Scotland and you.
Hotel
If you want a more traditional choice of hotel, the Premier Inn in Greenock is within walking distance of the ceremony and reception. The ceremony will be about a half hour walk away, so getting a cab or bus to the Lyle Kirk is recommended.