Scotland (sandbox) · Sep 2

The trip

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San Diego · home → San Diego International (SAN) unconfirmed

road · no reservation

SEP 2time not fixed

≈3 milesMeasured from downtown San Diego, because no home address appears in any document. Adjust for where you actually leave from.

Rideshare10–20 min≈$20–30

Wednesday 4:45 PM departure means leaving in the build-up to rush hour. Terminal 2 rideshare pick-up is on the departures level.

Drive and park10–20 minTerminal 2 parking, rate not recorded

Nine nights parked. Cheaper to be dropped off if someone can.

Drop-off10–20 min—

Terminal 2 West curb, which is also where bag drop is.

Nothing is booked for this and no home address is in any document, so the distance is measured from downtown San Diego. What is fixed is the airport end: BA check-in opens 4 hours before and closes 1 hour before, bag drop is Terminal 2 West at desks 6–13, and boarding starts 45 minutes before a 4:45 PM departure. With the Sapphire lounge in the plan, be at Terminal 2 by about 2:00 PM — so leave around 1:15 PM and stay ahead of the Wednesday afternoon traffic.

San Diego (SAN) → Edinburgh (EDI)

air · booked

4:45PM── 13h 55m ──2:40PM +1

DEP SEP 2 · T2ARR SEP 3

BA 264 · SAN T2 → LHR T5 · 10h 45m
4:45 PM → 11:30 AM · Boeing 777

layover — 1h 45m at LHR, no terminal change

T5 → T5, no terminal change. Airside transit, no UK immigration. Bag drop at SAN is Terminal 2 West, desks 6–13; airport check-in opens 4 hours before and closes 1 hour before, and boarding starts 45 minutes before departure.

BA 1450 · LHR T5 → EDI · 1h 25m
1:15 PM → 2:40 PM · Airbus A320

Boarding starts 40 minutes before departure. BA warns it takes 15 minutes to reach the T5B gates and that you must be at the gate 20 minutes before departure — check the screens after security for whether it is T5B.

ConfSBX016Gate—Terminal2CabinWorld Traveller Plus (E) long-haul · Euro Traveller (B) to Edinburgh

More details

SBX005SBX008BagsChecked bags and a carry-on bag included in the fare. Piece and weight allowance not stated on any confirmation.TravelersJustin + AmandaThrough-checkunconfirmed — ask at bag drop

Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club — SAN Terminal 2, near gates 46–47
Same lounge as the Portugal departure. Arrive with margin before the 4:45 PM departure. · via Chase Sapphire Reserve unconfirmed

World Traveller Plus (premium economy) on the long-haul leg and Euro Traveller (economy) on the Heathrow–Edinburgh shuttle — that is what Chase's "mixed cabin" means. Seats are assigned at check-in only. Online check-in opens 24 hours before each departure and closes 1 hour before. Non-refundable; changes cannot be made online because the booking was made through an agent. Two booking references exist for this itinerary: BA's own Manage My Booking shows SBX016, while the Chase email calls the airline confirmation H4VL1B — give BA the SBX016 one.

Edinburgh Airport (EDI) → W Edinburgh · 1 St James Square, EH1 3AX unconfirmed

road · no reservation

SEP 3time not fixed

≈8 miles

Taxi25–35 min≈£25–30

The wedding FAQ says taxis are readily available at EDI. Uber availability is inconsistent — the FAQ says so explicitly.

Tram≈35 minAirport single, fare not stated

Runs to St Andrew Square / York Place, a few minutes' walk from the W. Contactless tap, no separate card.

Airport bus≈30 minFare not stated

Edinburgh Bus Station is 0.1 km from the hotel per the confirmation.

Nothing is booked for this. The wedding FAQ says taxis are readily available at EDI and the trams run directly into the city centre, and warns that Uber availability is inconsistent. The hotel confirmation describes the walk from the city centre as short. Landing is 2:40 PM and check-in opens at 3:00 PM, so there is no pressure on this direction — allow for immigration and bags.

55.953°, -3.188° Edinburgh

SEP 3 → SEP 6 3 nights

Three nights off St Andrew Square, with the wedding at Hopetoun House in the middle

W Edinburgh

Check-in3:00 PM

Check-out12:00 PM

ConfSBX011RoomSuperior with Balcony, King, 1 King bedRateThe Edit by Chase · 3 ntsPhone+1 555 0100

2 guests, Justin primary. Room and tax paid in full by SBX005; a personal card is required at check-in for incidentals. Cardmember benefits: daily breakfast for two, a $100 property credit applied once during the stay (not valid on room rate, taxes, fees or gratuities), a welcome amenity, Wi-Fi, and room upgrade / early check-in / late check-out subject to availability. Parking is £25 a day. Free cancellation until 12:00 AM on Wed Sep 2 property local time, after which the fee is £584.96 per room. The hotel's own phone number appears nowhere on the confirmation.

3 Sandbox Street

Getting around

unverified

Edinburgh Trams and Lothian Buses — Contactless tap on board or at the tram stop — no separate card needed
Covers: Edinburgh Trams (airport ⇄ city centre), Lothian Buses
Fares: Airport tram: single premium fare · city: flat fare
· Tram: Edinburgh Airport ⇄ St Andrew Square / York Place — the city end is a few minutes' walk from the hotel
· Edinburgh Bus Station is 0.1 km from the hotel and Waverley station 0.2 km, per the hotel confirmation
The hotel confirmation lists Waverley Railway Station at 0.20 km, Edinburgh Bus Station at 0.10 km and St James Quarter at 0.10 km. Everything in the couple's travel guide is walkable from St James Square except Glenkinchie. Check the first Sunday tram before relying on it for the 7:40 AM flight — it is very likely too late.

Ideas & open time6 ideas · 13 to eat

Anytime

Royal Mile up to Edinburgh Castle unconfirmed

The couple's guide. Two shops they name along the way: Socktopus, where Caroline buys a pair every visit, and The Royal Mile Gallery, Elliot's favourite print shop. About a mile uphill from the hotel end of town.

Victoria Street and George Street unconfirmed

The couple's guide — Victoria Street is the charming cobbled curve; George Street is the New Town shopping run, and the Tigerlily shuttle stop is on it.

Princes Street and the Scott Monument unconfirmed

The couple's guide (which calls it the Wallace Scott Monument). Five minutes from the hotel — the easiest thing to do with a spare half hour.

Arthur's Seat unconfirmed

The couple's guide: a two-hour hike round trip with the best views of Edinburgh. Friday is the only day it fits, and it genuinely does — the welcome party is not until 7 PM.

Johnnie Walker Experience unconfirmed

The couple's guide — on Princes Street, a modern take on whisky, and the walkable one of the two distillery options.

Glenkinchie Distillery unconfirmed

The couple's guide — about 30 minutes from the city centre by car or taxi. The only recommendation in the guide that needs transport, and the only free window is Friday daytime.

Eat & drink

The BalmoralThe couple's guide: worth stopping in for a Full Scottish Breakfast even if you are not staying thereThe WitcheryOne of the oldest buildings in Edinburgh — the couple call it a very memorable mealGleneagles TownhouseCocktails or afternoon teaThe Elephant HouseTea, coffee and cake — where JK Rowling wrote Harry PotterWhiski RoomsTasting room, for whiskyThe Ensign EwartThe couple's favourite pub, with live musicThe Guildford ArmsOn the couple's pint listThe Auld HundredOn the couple's pint listKitty O'Shea'sOn the couple's pint listThe Standing OrderThe couple's guide, for the Brits: "the best Wetherspoons ever"Cafe RoyalSunday roast — but you are wheels-up at 7:40 AM SundayThe Queens ArmsSunday roast — same problemThe Scran and ScallieSunday roast — same problem

The main event · wedding

Caroline DiMaggio & Elliot Hoare

11 Sandbox Street — no RSVP confirmation was among the documents provided

SEP 4 · 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM

The Welcome Party (International Arrivals)

The Dome

9 Sandbox Street

Smart Casual

7–10 PM at The Dome on George Street. No transport is provided and none is needed — it is roughly half a mile from the W, about a ten-minute walk down through St Andrew Square, though that last part is an estimate rather than something the couple stated. Smart casual, so this is a second outfit that is neither black tie nor what you travelled in.

SEP 5 · 2:20 PM

Shuttle to Hopetoun House

The Edinburgh Grand — Register Place, behind the hotel

6 Sandbox Street

The shuttle runs at 2.20pm from three hotels: the Edinburgh Grand (Register Place), Tigerlily on George Street, and the Scotsman at the Market Street entrance. You are at the W, which is not one of them — the Edinburgh Grand is the nearest, a few minutes' walk across St Andrew Square, and the FAQ says there is extra capacity there for guests who did not tell the couple where they were staying. Leave the W by about 2:05 PM.

SEP 5 · 3:00 PM – 1:00 AM

Wedding Ceremony & Reception

Hopetoun House, South Queensferry

2 Sandbox Street

Black Tie

Arrivals champagne reception at 3 PM, ceremony and celebrations 4 PM until 1 AM. About 30 minutes west of the city centre. Dinner and the reception are indoors, but the couple warn that parts of the day will be outside — September evenings in Edinburgh run 40–50°F. No children. The 1 AM finish is the number that matters: the flight home leaves EDI at 7:40 the same morning and you need to leave the W by about 5:15.

SEP 6 · time tbd

Enjoy Edinburgh — a farewell pint

11 Sandbox Street — one of the couple's favourite pubs, not named

An open invitation rather than a scheduled event: the couple will be at one of their favourite Edinburgh pubs for a farewell pint and ask anyone still around to message them. No time and no pub are published, and none will be — that is the nature of it. You will not be there: BA 1465 leaves Edinburgh at 7:40 AM and you leave the W by about 5:15, hours before any pub opens.

Watch-outs

Black tie both ways — a tuxedo or a kilt with a Bonnie Prince Charlie jacket and bow tie, and a long formal evening dress. No trews, no suits, no cocktail or light-coloured dresses. All of it has to survive checked baggage through a 1h 45m Heathrow connection, and it is needed on Saturday.
The 2.20pm shuttle does not stop at the W. Walk to the Edinburgh Grand on Register Place.
Check-in for the flight home opens at 7:40 AM on Saturday — the morning of the wedding — and closes an hour before the flight. Do it before you leave for Hopetoun House; seats are only assigned at check-in.
11 Sandbox Street — return transport from Hopetoun House is not confirmed, and celebrations run until 1 AM. The flight home leaves EDI at 7:40 AM the same morning. Book a car to the airport before Saturday evening.
Celebrations end at 1 AM and you leave the W by about 5:15 AM. That is roughly four hours, twelve miles from the venue, and it assumes the return transport is prompt. Pack before you leave for Hopetoun House.
The welcome party is smart casual — a third outfit, neither black tie nor what you travelled in.
11 Sandbox Street — UK Electronic Travel Authorisation for both travellers. Flagged by the wedding FAQ, not by either booking, and required before boarding.
Friday daytime is the only free window in the trip, and it is a real one: the welcome party is not until 7 PM. Thursday starts at 2:40 PM after a 13h 55m flight, Saturday is the wedding, and Sunday you are at the airport before dawn.

The Edinburgh Grand · Register Place, behind the W → Hopetoun House · South Queensferry EH30 9RW

road · booked

SEP 5time not fixed

12 miles

Couple's coach≈30 minProvided

Leaves at 2:20 PM from Register Place, behind the W. The FAQ offers extra capacity here for guests who did not say where they are staying.

DriverCouple's coach — 2:20 PM from the Edinburgh Grand

The shuttle runs at 2.20pm from three hotels: the Edinburgh Grand (Register Place), Tigerlily on George Street, and the Scotsman. The W is none of them; the Edinburgh Grand is a few minutes' walk across St Andrew Square. Leave the W by about 2:05 PM.

Hopetoun House · South Queensferry EH30 9RW → W Edinburgh · 1 St James Square, EH1 3AX unconfirmed

road · no reservation

SEP 5time not fixed

12 miles

Couple's coach≈30 minProvided

The FAQ promises transport "to and from" Hopetoun House. Return pick-up points and times are still to follow — this is the one that has to land.

Taxi≈30 min≈£40–50

Twelve miles, late at night, in black tie. Not something to arrange from the driveway at midnight.

The FAQ says transportation is provided both ways on Saturday and that pick-up locations, timing and return options are still to follow. Nothing has been published. This is the loose end that matters, because the flight home leaves at 7:40 the next morning — if the last coach is late, the margin on Sunday's 5:15 AM departure disappears.

W Edinburgh · 1 St James Square, EH1 3AX → Edinburgh Airport (EDI) unconfirmed

road · no reservation

SEP 6time not fixed

≈8 miles

Pre-booked car≈25 min≈£30–35

The only option that can be relied on at 5:15 AM on a Sunday. Book it before you leave for the wedding.

Taxi on the night≈25 min≈£25–30

Finding one at 5 AM on a Sunday, in black tie, on no sleep, is not a plan.

Tram≈35 minAirport single, fare not stated

The first Sunday tram is very unlikely to be early enough for a 5:40 AM bag drop. Check before relying on it.

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BA opens kiosk check-in and bag drop at Edinburgh two hours before departure — 5:40 AM — and boarding starts at 7:00. Leave the W by about 5:15. This is the tightest chain in the trip and the only one with no fallback: the night before is the wedding, twelve miles away, and its return transport has not been confirmed either.

Edinburgh (EDI) → San Diego (SAN)

air · booked

7:40AM── 15h 15m ──2:55PM

DEP SEP 6ARR SEP 6 · T2

BA 1465 · EDI → LHR T5 · 1h 35m
7:40 AM → 9:15 AM · Airbus A321neo

layover — 2h 20m at LHR, no terminal change

Kiosk check-in and bag drop at Edinburgh open 2 hours before departure, in Zone B. Boarding starts 40 minutes before. There is a British Airways lounge opposite Gate 5, but entry is for BA Club Gold and Silver members.

BA 265 · LHR T5 → SAN T2 · 11h 20m
11:35 AM → 2:55 PM · Boeing 777

T5 → T5, no terminal change. Boarding starts 60 minutes before departure, and BA requires you through security at least 35 minutes before.

ConfSBX016Gate—Terminal—CabinEuro Traveller (B) to Heathrow · World Traveller Plus (E) home

More details

SBX005SBX008BagsChecked bags and a carry-on bag included in the fare.TravelersJustin + AmandaThrough-checkunconfirmed — ask at bag drop

The morning after the wedding, at dawn. BA opens kiosk check-in and bag drop at Edinburgh two hours before departure — 5:40 AM — and boarding starts at 7:00. Leave the W by about 5:15. The reception is at Hopetoun House, twelve miles west, and its return transport has not been confirmed. Book a car to the airport before Saturday night; do not plan to find one at 5 AM on a Sunday.

Check-in for this flight opens 24 hours before departure — 7:40 AM on Saturday, the morning of the wedding — and closes 1 hour before. The June confirmation had this leg at 7:30 AM with a 2h 30m connection; the August schedule change moved it to 7:40 AM with 2h 20m, and BA's own Manage My Booking agrees with the later one. Booking reference SBX016 with BA; Chase's email calls the airline confirmation H4VL1B.

San Diego International (SAN) → San Diego · home unconfirmed

road · no reservation

SEP 6time not fixed

≈3 milesMeasured to downtown San Diego, because no home address appears in any document. Adjust for where you are actually going.

Rideshare10–20 min≈$20–30

Terminal 2 rideshare pick-up is on the departures level, one floor up from baggage claim.

Pick-up10–20 min—

Landing 2:55 PM Sunday. Allow 45–60 minutes from wheels-down for immigration, customs and bags before anyone should be at the curb.

Landing at 2:55 PM on a Sunday after 15h 15m in the air, arriving from an international flight, so immigration, customs and checked bags all come first. Nothing is booked and no home address is in any document — the distance is measured to downtown San Diego.