Travel from England’s capital of 8 million people to Scotland’s capital of just around 500,000 is smooth and convenient thanks to well-connected railways across the United Kingdom. On board a London to Edinburgh train, you will witness the cities and countryside between these beloved capitals change just as the accent evolves along the journey. Ready? It’s time for an adventure across the lush landscapes of the UK.

Getting from London to Edinburgh by train

The fastest trains from London to Edinburgh, Scotland take 4 hours and 8 minutes, covering a distance of approximately 533 kilometres. Note that the London to Edinburgh train time depends on the train you choose and if there are stops along the way. Pro tip: To catch coastal views towards the latter part of the journey, sit on the right side of the train.

On weekdays, the first train from London to Edinburgh is scheduled to depart at around 05:45. The last train from London to Edinburgh is usually at around 23:53. On the weekends, the first train leaves the station at 06:12 and the last one departs at 23:53. There are frequent services on this particular rail route. On average, there are about 37 trains per day travelling between the two cities.

Finding cheap trains from London to Edinburgh

Travelling during off-peak hours and days will help you find the most affordable tickets for this route. And, as always, booking as far in advance will help you score cheap train tickets. The average train ticket from London to Edinburgh runs £56 when booked 30 days before travel and £57 when booked 7 days in advance. Prices for a single ticket between the two cities start from £41.70.

Book trains from London to Edinburgh

Trains from Edinburgh to London

Browse tickets from different train operators right on Rail Europe to compare schedules, costs and more. Tickets for travel from London to Edinburgh open 6 months in advance. The cheapest train tickets are typically found when these tickets are first launched, so booking in advance is the best way to save.

The London to Edinburgh train stations served

Most travel between London and Edinburgh, including LNER, Avanti West Coast and Lumo trains, starts at London King's Cross station and ends at Edinburgh Waverly.

King's Cross Station

First opened in 1852 by the Great Northern Railway, London King’s Cross Train Station was constructed as a monument dedicated to King George IV. A short stroll from London St Pancras International train station, the new British Library and London Euston Train Station, the station is conveniently situated on Euston Road in the Borough of Camden. King’s Cross serves as a stop on both domestic and international train routes, with London North Eastern Railway, LUMO, Avanti West Coast and other providers servicing the station.

Thanks to extensive restorations over recent decades and the station's inherent historical grandeur, London’s King’s Cross has attained Grade I status, recognising its architectural and historical significance. Take the opportunity to explore during your layover, wander the halls of this architectural gem, and, if you're a Harry Potter fan, set aside some time for a photo at the once fictional Platform 9 ¾. Travellers will find a variety of shops, cafes, restaurants, lounges, currency exchanges and WiFi to keep them comfortable and entertained.

Transportation from King’s Cross

London’s King’s Cross Station is conveniently located in the heart of London. Tourists and communters alike use this station not only to reach London, but to also connect to other locations.

Connect to the Gatwick airport via the underground via the Victoria line to London Victoria. At London Victoria, connect to Gatwick using the Gatwick Express. Similarly, to get to Heathrow airport, use the underground via the Circle line to London Paddington Station then connect to the Heathrow Express from London Paddington.

To get to other stations or destinations by bus, interchanges are available on York Way (outside the station), Euston Road and Pancras Road. These are some of the useful lines that connect to other popular Underground stations.

  • Bus #91 Crouch End to Trafalgar Square

  • Bus #10 Hammersmith

  • Bus#17 Archway to London Bridge

  • Bus#30 Hackney Wick to Marble Arch

  • Bus#45 Streatham Hill

  • Bus #46 Lancaster Gate to Farringdon Street

  • Bus#63 Honor Oak

  • Bus #73 Seven Sisters to Victoria

  • Bus#205 Paddington to Mile End

  • Bus#214 Highgate to Liverpool Street Station

If you are moving around London, consider getting a London Travel Card or Visitor Oyster Card to swiftly and conveniently get around town.

The top destinations from King’s Cross include:

  • York

  • Newcastle

  • Edinburgh

  • Glasgow

  • Cambridge

Edinburgh Waverley

The Edinburgh Waverley train station is the second largest station in Britain and serves as the primary train travel hub in Edinburgh. Named after the famed Scottish Waverley novels that celebrate Scotland and whose author, Sir Walter Scott, hails from Edinburgh, it spans 25 acres in the city centre at Princes Street between Waverley and North Bridges. Inside the station, travellers will find a variety of shopping and dining options, as well as public spaces, lounges, luggage storage, restrooms and more. During your layover, take the time to admire the Victorian architecture of this landmark.

Arriving directly at Edinburgh Waverley, passengers can step right off their train and into the heart of Edinburgh. Visitors can easily access Edinburgh Old Town, Edinburgh Castle and Princes Street Gardens directly from this station.

Transportation from Edinburgh Waverly

If your final destination is not Edinburgh, this station conveniently connects travellers with a number of cities in Scotland and beyond. To reach Edinburgh Turnhouse Airport, utilise the frequent Airlink 100 bus service, which takes around 25 minutes (overnight N22 bus available).

For connections to other stations in Edinburgh, travellers will find a variety of trains to Edinburgh Haymarket station, just a 3-minute ride away. For bus transportation, travellers will find numerous options along the nearby streets. Train operators such as LNER and Caledonian Sleeper serve Edinburgh Waverley station.

The top destinations from Edinburgh Waverly include:

  • London

  • Glasgow

  • York

  • Aberdeen

  • Inverness

  • Eastern Highlands

London to Edinburgh train operators

Because there are various train operators that offer this route, choosing the best train from London to Edinburgh depends on your travel needs. With day and night trains and slow and high speed trains from London to Edinburgh, Rail Europe offers travellers a number of options.

LNER

LNER, or London North Eastern Railway, is one of the UK’s largest train providers connecting the East Coast Main Line from London King's Cross to the north of England and on to Scotland. Popular long-distance journeys include destinations like Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, York and Newcastle.

LNER’s international Azuma trains

LNER’s international Azuma trains showcase the finest of Japanese technology and offer speed and comfort, with ample space to stretch out and stow your belongings under your seat. Passengers are limited to a large suitcase, a carry-on bag and a small handbag. Enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi and power sockets, along with access to a bar car for cold or hot drinks and snacks.

Day train service

Day train services on all LNER London to Edinburgh trains offer at least Standard seating and non-smoking facilities. Depending on the route, some trains also provide First Class service, along with dining options and WiFi. Reservations are required for some routes, while optional for others. Tickets are valid solely for the specified date and train service shown on the ticket.

LNER tickets

LNER tickets offer travellers considerable flexibility compared to other train operators. There are three types of tickets offered by LNER:

  • Advance tickets

  • Off-peak tickets

  • Anytime

Advance Single tickets are for travel on a specific train at a specific time. This is typically the cheapest ticket for those who know exactly when they want to travel. Off-Peak or Super Off-Peak tickets cover travel on any train that is not during peak travel time (typically Monday-Friday) or on trains scheduled for weekends or public holidays. Travellers using this ticket do not need to choose a specific time to travel. Because these fares cover off-peak journeys, they’re often the cheapest tickets for travel from London to Edinburgh. Anytime tickets are the most flexible options that allow ticket holders to travel at any time and on their chosen route.

Onboard services

Meals are available for purchase with distinct menus for Standard and First Class. Snacking options include sandwiches, porridge, chips, cookies, wine and coffee (with vegan milk options).

Discounts on LNER trains

Children aged 5 to 15 qualify for discounted fares, while up to two children under 5 can travel free with each fare-paying passenger.

Lumo

Lumo is another train operator that offers high-speed trains from London to Edinburgh along the UK's East coast. New to the world of trains, Lumo first opened its environmentally conscious doors in 2021. Ever since, they have been providing speedy and affordable train service aboard their completely electric trains, helping make train travel the convenient, obvious choice. Snacks and drinks can be purchased onboard Lumo trains from London to Edinburgh. Their Hitachi-style seats ensure constant comfort no matter how long the ride. Passengers can enjoy Wi-Fi, power sockets, tray tables and more on Lumo trains. Travellers can bring one small bag or holdall and one suitcase (63 x 41 x 27cm).

LUMO tickets

Lumo, like LNER, offers three different types of tickets:

  • LUMOFIXED

  • LUMOFLEX

  • LUMOANY

The LUMOFIXED includes:

  • 1 piece of luggage

  • 1 small bag

  • A seat reservation

  • And flexibility with changing the journey with a £10 fee plus fare difference.

LUMOFLEX includes all the perks of the fixed tickets, plus the ability to change the journey for free and obtain refunds on the ticket if requested before the departure of the train. LUMOANY includes all the perks of the flex and fixed tickets, as well as the option to use the ticket on any train during the day.

Onboard services

Meals can be pre ordered or purchased on board, including meat and veggie-based food boxes plus sodas, coffee, tea, wines, cocktails and even a Train Beer that is brewed along the route.

Avanti West Coast

Avanti West Coast trains are part of the UK's West Coast Partnership Franchise, owned by FirstGroup and Trenitalia. Avanti West Coast took over these formerly Virgin-branded trains and offers a rail service that is comfortable, sleek and sustainable. Named after the Italian word for “Forward,” Avanti West Coast trains operate on the same long-distance West Coast Main Line routes, connecting London with cities such as Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh, Liverpool and Glasgow. Avanti West Coast also operates Pendolino trains, also known as Class 390s, deriving from the Italian word for pendulum. They are Italian-built tilting trains reaching a maximum speed of 200km/h.

Avanti tickets

Avanti West Coast trains provide two classes of service:

  • Standard Class

  • First Class

Avanti West Coast First Class

Avanti West Coast trains offer an excellent First Class service with spacious, comfortable seats, generous legroom and tables. Avanti West Coast’s First Class service provides power sockets at every window seat, as well as free Wi-Fi. A First Class ticket includes a complimentary food service featuring locally-sourced food, hot and cold drinks, and access to First Class lounges at train stations. You can upgrade a Standard Class ticket to First Class for just £15.

Avanti West Coast Standard Class

Seating in Standard Class consists of airline-style unidirectional seats, arranged in pairs. A small number of seats are arranged in sets of four around a table.

Onboard services

Avanti West Coast trains offer ample legroom and provide free Wi-Fi, as well as plug sockets at most seats. Travellers onboard Avanti West Coast trains also have access to Avanti Media, a free entertainment platform offering blockbuster movies, TV shows, games and newspapers. Connect to Avanti Media through the train’s free Wi-Fi.

There is sufficient space for bikes onboard Avanti West Coast trains, though these need to be reserved in advance, free of charge. Read our Help article on taking your bikes on trains.

Avanti West Coast trains feature an onboard shop selling hot and cold drinks, breakfast options for morning travel, and hot and cold snacks made with locally sourced produce, including vegan and vegetarian options.

Caledonian Sleeper

The Caledonian Sleeper is the highly regarded sleeper train service from London to Edinburgh. Seat reservations for this journey are necessary and include options such as basic seating, the Sleepers Classic Room and the Sleepers Club Room. Rail Europe does not currently offer this overnight train from London to Edinburgh. Learn about other night trains we offer.

Frequently asked questions about this route

Is there a train from London to Edinburgh?

Yes! There are a number of trains that run from London to Edinburgh. In fact, there are 37 trains daily journeys that travellers can choose from.

Is there a direct train from London to Edinburgh

Yes! There are a number of direct trains that cover the London to Edinburgh routes.

How long is the train from London to Edinburgh?

The quickest train from London to Edinburgh is 4 hours and 8 minutes.

How much is the train fare from London to Edinburgh

The average train ticket from London to Edinburgh runs £56 when booked 30 days before travel and £57 when booked 7 days in advance. Prices for a single ticket between the two cities start from £41.70.

When should you book your train tickets from London to Edinburgh?

Tickets for travel from London to Edinburgh open 6 months in advance. The cheapest train tickets are typically found when these tickets are first launched.

Is there an overnight train from London to Edinburgh

There is a night train from London to Edinburgh on board the Caledonian Sleeper. Rail Europe does not currently offer this ticketed route.

What is the total London to Edinburgh train distance travelled?

The total distance travelled by train from London to Edinburgh is 533 kilometres.

Getting the most out of your trip to Edinburgh

Scotland’s remarkable capital city is the perfect choice for a weekend break or longer stay. Set back from the Firth of Forth, and with the Pentland Hills just to the south, Edinburgh boasts a fine mix of neighbourhoods. The castle perches on a rocky crag, with the Royal Mile running down through the Old Town to Holyrood Palace. Explore the little alleys (called wynds or closes) which lead off the Royal Mile. Make time too for gracious Princes Street and the elegant New Town. After a few hours tramping the streets of Edinburgh, head for one of the city’s cosy pubs or bars for a wee dram of Scotland’s national drink.

Edinburgh's tram system has made it much easier to get around the city and recent traffic management projects have done much to make Edinburgh a far nicer place for pedestrians. The main rail hub is Edinburgh Waverley (for bookings on our website and app we refer to it simply as Edinburgh). It is at the eastern end of Princes Street Gardens in the very heart of the Scottish capital. The other main station, just west of the city centre, is Haymarket.

Edinburgh Waverley is a major hub for rail services across Scotland and cross-border links to England. Trains to London leave at least hourly. The east-coast route services take four to five hours to reach King's Cross station, while trains to Euston (which use the west-coast route) take closer to six hours to reach London.

There are several trains an hour to Glasgow, by a number of different routes; the fastest take less than an hour for the journey. Regular trains leave Edinburgh for all main Scottish cities including Stirling (less than an hour), Aberdeen (about 2 hours 30 minutes) and Inverness (3 hours 30 minutes). If you are tempted to head to remote areas of the Highlands, bear in mind that longer journeys take time. The train journey from Edinburgh to the west coast port of Mallaig takes over six hours; Edinburgh to Thurso takes eight hours.

We think any time is a great time to visit Edinburgh, as each season has its own unique charm. Nevertheless, it may be worth checking the local weather and average seasonal temperatures at your destination before deciding on your holiday. If you are looking for warm sunny days, Madrid or Rome may be the better capitals to visit. While Edinburgh has less rain than many cities in Europe, it is on par with spots like Dublin, Amsterdam and Brussels.

Travelling around Scotland aboard scenic trains

Let the train lead you to an unforgettable adventure around Scotland. City slickers will relish in the easy connection between Edinburgh and Glasgow that can be made by rail. Those who err towards country mouse with a dash of adrenaline can cycle off the train in Pitlochry, canoe from Fort William along the Caledonian Canal or hike in Cairngorms National Park from Aviemore.

When travelling Scotland by train, almost every route ends up being the scenic route whether you’re headed to the urban hubs, the sparsely populated highlands, to campsites of the many islands or the harsh terrain of the moorlands. Here are some of the most popular routes in Scotland that train fans simply cannot skip.

West Highland Line

This Scottish train journey isn’t just one of the most famous in Europe, but also in the entire world. The West Highland Line covers over 300km of Gaelic gorgeousness, which makes it hard to see it all in one journey.

Enjoy the view of the off-the-beaten path as you travel from Glasgow to Mallaig, located on the western coast. This train heads away from the city and smooth highways towards the wilderness of Scotland as if the remote Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, and Rannoch Moor and Glencoe were magnets calling train travellers to local natural wonders. In just a five hour trip, travellers can get from the Highlands to Fort William, then continue onto the quaint fishing village of Mallaig. You can then reach the Isle of Skye on a 35 minute ferry ride, passing the legenedary Glenfinnan Viaduct on the way.

Another route is to branch off at Crianlarich (still on the West Highland Line) towards the gateway of the islands, Oban. Visit the Spean Bridge, also known as the crossroads of the highlands, camp alongside the freshwater Loch Lochy and explore a portion of the 100 km of the winding Great Glen, or climb the steep ridget of the Grey Corries. To feel even more off the grid, take the train to Corrour, the station with the highest elevation in all of the United Kingdom.

The Kyle Line

Travel all of Scotland coast to coast on a single track called the Kyle of Lochalsh to the Inverness Line, or the Kyle Line for short. In just about 2 hours and 30 minutes, passengers roll through Inverness, the Highland capital, travelling along nine monros and through the Torridon Peaks. In Scotland “munros” are mountains that measure over 914.4 m in height. “Monro bagging” is the very Scottish term that means climbing these munros. If you can’t stop for a climb, at least bring binoculars along the train ride for a glimpse at the incredible views and wildlife.

Before reaching the coast of the Kyle of Lochalsh, consider a stop in the charming town of Plockton along Loch Carron. Here you can kayak through the coral beaches and bays emcompasses by the prisitine moorland. Another worthwhile and less travelled stop is Dingwall, which is actually the starting point of the Kyle Line. During the short travellers between Dingwall and the more famous stop of Inverness, you will also score views of the secluded Ben Wyvis peak.

The Far North Line

The oft forgotten north of Scotland is well worth the convenient trip on the Far North Line. This line also starts off in Inverness, winding its way along rivers full of salmon, remote Highland villages and peaty moors that go deeper and deeper into nature. You will have a front seat to Forsinard Flows, one of Europe’s largest blank bogs and National Nature Reserve protected for its rare plants and animals. Take advantage of the visitor center conveniently located at the Forsinard Station.

The final destination on the Far North Line is the mainland town of Thurso. Thanks to its location as Scotland’s northernmost town, Thurso boasts sea vistas that stretch to the islands of Hoy and Dunnet Head. Hop a ferry from the close town of Scrabster to the Orkney archipelago.

Aviemore and Cairngorms National Park

Access Cairngorms National Park via Aviemore station. The largest of Scotland’s two national parks, Cairngorms National Park is home to over 52 mountain peaks towering over 900 meters. Skiers and snowboarders flock to the local Cairngorm Mountain resort in winter while nature lovers journey here all year round. Travellers can also access this vast national park via the Kingussie stop. Both Kingussie and Aviemore are around a 2 hour and 30 minute train ride from Edinburgh.

East Coast route

It is easy to take the train from London to Edinburgh, the classic Flying Scotsman route. There are no spectacular mountain landscapes on the route from London to Edinburgh, but you will catch a glimpse of a trio of English cathedrals (Peterborough, York and Durham) and there is some very fine coastal scenery as the train crosses the Anglo-Scottish border.

An alternative route to Edinburgh leaves from London Euston station. There are both daytime and overnight services on the Euston route, but even the fastest daytime trains take an hour longer than the main East Coast line from King’s Cross.