Trains from Edinburgh (Waverley) to London
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Edinburgh (Waverley) to London by train
It takes an average of 5h 40m to travel from Edinburgh (Waverley) to London by train, over a distance of around 332 miles (534 km). There are normally 62 trains per day travelling from Edinburgh (Waverley) to London and tickets for this journey start from £32.90 when you book in advance.
| First train | 04:36 | |
|---|---|---|
| Last train | 23:40 | |
| Departure station | Edinburgh (Waverley) | |
| Arrival station | London | |
| Journey time | From 4h 0m | |
| Distance | 332 miles (534 km) | |
| Frequency | 62 trains per day | |
| Changes | Direct trains available | |
| Price | From £32.90 | |
| Train operators | Avanti West Coast, Caledonian Sleeper, London North Eastern Railway, Lumo |
Travelling from Edinburgh to London by train
Want to swap the Scottish capital for the English capital and looking for more information about the journey from Edinburgh to London by train? You’ve come to the right place!
On average, the journey from Edinburgh to London by train takes around 5 hours and 40 minutes but can take just 4 hours on the fastest services. With around 62 direct trains running between these two major cities, you can sit back and enjoy the views as you don’t need to worry about changing along the way.
When travelling on this route, you’ll board a train at Edinburgh Waverley station operated by either London North Eastern Railway (LNER), Avanti West Coast or Lumo. Also, if you want to maximise your time, you could take the Caledonian Sleeper night train from Edinburgh to London.
No matter who you end up travelling with, you’ll enjoy onboard amenities including comfortable seating and free WiFi. In just 4 hours, you will travel over the border, through the heart of England. If you’re travelling with LNER or Lumo, you’ll arrive at London Kings Cross station, and if you’re travelling with Avanti West Coast or Caledonian Sleeper, you’ll arrive at London Euston station.
Once you’ve arrived in London, you can start to explore the city’s iconic landmarks, including:
- Big Ben – recognised around the world for its beautiful golden clock face, Big Ben stands out as an iconic part of the London skyline.
- St Paul’s Cathedral – steeped in history, St Paul’s iconic dome is one of the largest of its kind in the world!
- Buckingham Palace – one of the most famous buildings in England, Buckingham Palace is the official home of the Royal Family.
Ready to book? Start a search for cheap train tickets from Edinburgh to London in our Journey Planner at the top of the page. Want to find out more about the journey? Keep reading for information on:
- LNER Simpler Fares
- Frequently asked questions
- Train operators from Edinburgh to London
- LNER train classes
- Avanti West Coast train classes
- Lumo train classes
- Caledonian Sleeper train classes
- Services on board trains from Edinburgh to London
- How to get to Edinburgh Waverley station
- Everything you need to know about Edinburgh Waverley station
- Arriving in London from Edinburgh
- Using public transport in London
- Things to see and do in London
- Where to travel next after London
- Review: Travelling from Edinburgh to London with LNER.
Journey details
Want to know more about your journey from Edinburgh (Waverley) to London? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.
How long does the train from Edinburgh (Waverley) to London take?
The average journey time by train between Edinburgh (Waverley) and London is 5 hours and 40 minutes, with around 62 trains per day. The journey time may be longer on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner on this page to search for a specific travel date.
What's the fastest journey time between Edinburgh (Waverley) and London by train?
The fastest journey time by train from Edinburgh (Waverley) to London is 4 hours and 0 minutes.
How much does the train from Edinburgh (Waverley) to London cost?
Train ticket prices from Edinburgh (Waverley) to London can start from as little as £32.90 when you book in advance. The cost of tickets can vary depending on the time of day, route and class you book and are usually more expensive if you book on the day.
Is there a direct train from Edinburgh (Waverley) to London?
Yes, it is possible to travel from Edinburgh (Waverley) to London without having to change trains. There are 62 direct trains from Edinburgh (Waverley) to London each day. Though there may be fewer direct services available depending on your exact departure date.
What time does the first train from Edinburgh (Waverley) to London leave?
The first train from Edinburgh (Waverley) to London leaves at 04:36. Times and services may vary during weekends and holidays.
What time does the last train from Edinburgh (Waverley) to London leave?
The last train from Edinburgh (Waverley) to London leaves at 23:40. Trains that depart in the early morning hours or very late evening may be sleeper services, time and services may also vary during weekends and holidays.
What's the distance between Edinburgh (Waverley) and London by train?
Trains travelling from Edinburgh (Waverley) to London cover a distance of around 332 miles (534 km) during the journey.
Looking for more information?
If you’re looking for the return train journey, check out trains from London to Edinburgh (Waverley). If you’re looking for other options, you can also catch the bus from Edinburgh (Waverley) to London.
Cheap train tickets from Edinburgh (Waverley) to London
Book in advance
Look out for Advance tickets – they usually come out up to 12 weeks before the departure date and can be cheaper than buying on the day. If you’re here a tad early, sign up for our Advance ticket alert today to get notified when your tickets are released.
Consider a Season Ticket
If you catch this train more than 3 times per week, you could save money with a Season Ticket. With annual, monthly and weekly options available, find out if a season ticket for Edinburgh (Waverley) to London is right for you.
Use your Railcard
National Railcards offer a 1/3 off eligible train tickets in the UK and can be a great investment if you travel a few times or more in a year. Find out how you can save with a National Railcard here.
Split your tickets
Download our app to find split tickets — courtesy of SplitSave, our handy feature which 'splits' your train tickets where possible to find you a better deal. Learn more about the clever tech behind split tickets, and how to spot SplitSave discounts in our app.
For more money-saving tips on UK and European train travel, read our cheap train tickets guide.
Enjoy Simpler Fares from Edinburgh to London with LNER
LNER’s new Simpler Fares pilot launched on the journey between Edinburgh and London in January 2024. There are now just three ticket types available to buy for travel from 5th February 2024, to make planning your journey easier:
Advance (non-flexible)
This ticket remains the same and is valid for a specific time and date that you book in advance. Find out more about Advance train tickets.
70min Flex (semi-flexible)
This new ticket type is valid for a single journey and allows you to travel on any LNER service that departs up to 70 minutes before or after your original booked train. Like Advance tickets, you’ll have a seat reservation on your original booked train, but can simply board another valid train and find an available seat with your 70min Flex ticket.
Anytime (fully-flexible)
This ticket remains the same and is valid on any service within the booked date validity. Find out more about Anytime train tickets.
Can I book the 70min Flex ticket on Trainline?
Yes you can! Once you make a search for times and tickets, you’ll be able to find the new 70min Flex ticket in the ‘Compare all ticket types’ section on our website and ‘First Class and more’ section on our app.
Related FAQs on the train journey from Edinburgh to London
Which train company goes from Edinburgh to London?
Trains from Edinburgh to London are operated by London North Eastern Railway (LNER), Lumo, Avanti and Caledonian Sleeper.
What stations does the train from Edinburgh to London stop at?
The stops will vary depending on the train you’re travelling with. However, most trains will stop at Newcastle, York and Durham before reaching London.
How long does the sleeper train from Edinburgh to London take?
The Caledonian Sleeper usually departs at 23:40 from Edinburgh Waverley station and arrives at 07:15 at London Euston station, taking 7 hours and 35 minutes in total.
What’s the cheapest way to get from Edinburgh to London by train?
If you’re travelling from Edinburgh to London by train, read our top tips for finding cheap train tickets below or check out the latest train deals and discounts:
- Get a Railcard: Save up to 1/3 on eligible journeys for a whole year – find out more about Railcards
- Book in advance: Most train companies in the UK usually release tickets 12 weeks in advance
- Travel Off-Peak: Tickets are usually cheaper during quieter times on weekdays and weekends compared to Peak times
- Use GroupSave: If you're travelling in a group of 3-9 people, you can save up to 34% on eligible journeys at Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak times with GroupSave
- Split your train tickets with SplitSave, our split-ticketing app feature.
LNER, Avanti West Coast, Lumo and Caledonian Sleeper trains from Edinburgh to London
You can travel from Edinburgh to London on LNER, Avanti West Coast, Lumo and Caledonian Sleeper trains. When you search for times and tickets, you might find some other options with multiple connections or operators if they’re available.
London North Eastern Railway (LNER)
Operating trains on the East Coast mainline since June 2018, London North Eastern Railway (LNER) covers journeys from London King's Cross to popular destinations such as Edinburgh, Leeds, Harrogate, York, Hull, Newcastle, Glasgow, Inverness and Aberdeen.
Recently, LNER introduced a new fleet of state-of-the-art Azuma trains on their major routes, which use technology from the Japanese bullet train to travel faster, quieter and more reliably than ever before.
Learn more about LNER trains.
Avanti West Coast
One of the primary rail operators in the UK, Avanti West Coast provides services from London Euston and several terminals including Birmingham New Street, Manchester Piccadilly and Liverpool Lime Street.
Many of the routes feature high-speed services with no changes required, making Avanti West Coast an excellent alternative to air travel if you're looking to traverse up or down the length of the country.
Learn more about Avanti West Coast trains.
Lumo
Launched in 2021, Lumo is a train company that runs between London King’s Cross and Edinburgh via the East Coast Main Line. Lumo provides low-cost, fully digital, 100% electric travel across iconic cities on the route from Edinburgh to London and vice versa.
Offering low fares to people travelling between Scotland and London, Lumo aims to help people switch from coach and air travel to more eco-friendly long-distance rail travel.
Learn more about Lumo trains.
Caledonian Sleeper
The Caledonian Sleeper is one of the best sleeper trains to take to London. Six nights a week, the Caledonian Sleeper runs overnight from Scotland to London. If you want to save on a hotel room and maximise your time in Scotland’s capital, this could be a good option for you.
On the Lowlander route, you can travel to London Euston from either Edinburgh or Glasgow. There are 4 different classes to choose from: Seated Coach, Classic Room, Club Room and the Caledonian Double.
Learn more about Caledonian Sleeper trains.
LNER train classes from Edinburgh to London
LNER offers different seating classes to suit all budgets, whether you're travelling for work, pleasure or a bit of both.
Standard Class
In Standard Class, you’ll benefit from family-sized tables, plug sockets and quiet carriages, all at an affordable price.
Standard Class
| Plug sockets | ✔ |
|---|---|
| Free WiFi | ✔ |
| Table at every seat | ✔ |
| Luggage storage | ✔ |
First Class
In LNER’S First Class, you’ll get access to a few extra perks before, during and after your trip, as well as all the usual amenities you'll find in Standard Class.
| Complimentary food and drinks | ✔ |
|---|---|
| Plenty of legroom | ✔ |
| Larger tables | ✔ |
| Reclining seats | ✔ |
| Plug sockets and USB outlets at seats | ✔ |
| Ambient lighting | ✔ |
| LNER’s best-ever WiFi connection | ✔ |
Avanti West Coast train classes from Edinburgh to London
As well as Standard and First Class, Avanti also has a new class that offers some of the perks of First Class at a cheaper price.
Standard Class
Avanti West Coast’s Standard Class is the ideal class for travellers looking for low-budget fuss-free travel. On board, you will enjoy:
| Free WiFi | ✔ |
|---|---|
| Access to onboard entertainment system | ✔ |
| Plug sockets | ✔ |
| At-seat order | ✔ |
Standard Premium Class
Standard Premium Class sits between Standard and First Class and offers the usual amenities you’ll find in Standard Class, as well as a few extra perks, including:
| Wider, more comfortable seating | ✔ |
|---|---|
| Extra legroom | ✔ |
| Table at every seat | ✔ |
First Class
If you prefer to travel in style, upgrade to Avanti West Coast’s First Class and enjoy complimentary food and drink, as well as access to the First Class lounge at London Euston station.
| Complimentary food and drink | ✔ |
|---|---|
| Access to First Class lounge | ✔ |
| Reclining seats | ✔ |
Lumo train classes from Edinburgh to London
Lumo trains come with Standard Class only, but the service offers plenty of amenities on board that will make your journey super comfortable.
Standard Class
When travelling in Lumo’s Standard Class, you can take advantage of the free WiFi and order food through the LumoEats service from the comfort of your seat.
| Comfortable seating | ✔ |
|---|---|
| Free WiFi | ✔ |
| LumoEats at-seat catering | ✔ |
Caledonian Sleeper train classes from Edinburgh to London
On the Caledonian Sleeper, you can travel in 4 different classes, from the comfortable seats of Seated Coach to the luxury of Caledonian Double.
Seated Coach
Seated Coach offers an economical Caledonian Sleeper experience, but still ensures a stylish and comfortable journey. On board, you will find the following amenities:
| Adjustable headrest and footrest | ✔ |
|---|---|
| Tray table | ✔ |
| Individual reading lights | ✔ |
| USB charging port and plug socket | ✔ |
| WiFi | ✔ |
| Secure overhead storage | ✔ |
| Dedicated food and drink menu | ✔ |
| Complimentary sleep kit | ✔ |
| Luggage storage area | ✔ |
Classic Room
Choose the Classic Room and travel between London and Edinburgh in your own personal room, with twin bunk beds and a sink.
| Twin bunk beds | ✔ |
|---|---|
| Breakfast available | ✔ |
| In-room sink | ✔ |
| WiFi | ✔ |
| Plug sockets | ✔ |
| Room service | ✔ |
| Keycard entry | ✔ |
| Temperature control | ✔ |
| Dimmable lights | ✔ |
Club Room
Club Rooms include an en-suite with shower, as well as comfortable mattresses to ensure a great night’s sleep.
| En-suite with toilet and shower | ✔ |
|---|---|
| Breakfast included | ✔ |
| Complimentary beauty and grooming products | ✔ |
| Station Lounge access | ✔ |
| Priority Club Car access | ✔ |
| Priority boarding | ✔ |
| Complimentary chocolate | ✔ |
Caledonian Double
The Caledonian Double offers a truly luxurious experience, with a double bed and a complimentary breakfast to start your day in Edinburgh the right way.
| Double bed | ✔ |
|---|---|
| Complimentary beauty and grooming products bag | ✔ |
| En-suite toilet with shower | ✔ |
Onboard services from Edinburgh to London
Learn more about the services offered on board trains from Edinburgh to London.
Luggage
Food and drink
Entertainment
Travel with Children
Bikes
Pets
Special assistance
How to get to Edinburgh Waverley station from central Edinburgh
No matter which train operator you decide to travel with, you’ll depart from Edinburgh Waverley station.
Conveniently, Edinburgh Waverley station lies between the old town and Modern Edinburgh, close to Princes Street and Edinburgh Castle. If you’re in the city centre, you can simply walk to the station to catch your train. If not, you can travel to the station by:
- Walk: Due to its central location, you can walk to Edinburgh Waverley station from some of the city’s most famous landmarks, including St Giles’ Cathedral and Edinburgh Castle.
- Bus: Local buses leave from all areas of the city to Princes Street and North Bridge, which are within walking distance of the station.
- Tram: You can take the tram from most areas of Edinburgh to St Andrews Square, which is the closest tram stop to the station.
- Taxi: You can take a taxi to the closest taxi rank to the station, which is on Market Street.
Everything you need to know about Edinburgh Waverley station
While you wait for your train to London, there are plenty of things to keep you occupied at Edinburgh Waverley station.
As soon as you’ve entered Edinburgh Waverley station, you can make your way to the platform. If you’ve got some time to kill, you can take advantage of the amenities:
- Shops
- Cafes
- Restaurants
- Fast-food outlets
- Toilets and baby-changing facilities
- ATMs
- Lost property
- Left luggage
- Free WiFi.
Arriving at London King’s Cross station and London Euston station from Edinburgh
When travelling from Edinburgh to London, your train will arrive at either London King’s Cross station or London Euston station.
How to get from London King’s Cross station to central London
As London King’s Cross station is conveniently located in the centre of the capital, and the rest of the city can be easily reached by National Rail, London Underground, bus services or car.
King’s Cross St Pancras Underground station is served by 6 Tube lines, including the Hammersmith & City (pink line), Circle (yellow line), Metropolitan (purple line), Northern (black line), Piccadilly (dark blue line) and Victoria (light blue) lines.
How to get from London Euston station to central London
Situated in the heart of the capital, all areas of the city are easy to get to from London Euston station.
London Euston station is served by 2 Tube lines, the Northern (black line) and Victoria (light blue) lines.
Using public transport in London
Read on for more information on how to navigate London’s public transport system.
Taking the tube in London
Commonly known as the Tube, the London Underground is one of the quickest ways to travel around the city. Once you get off at London King's Cross station, simply follow the signs to the London Underground station, where you’ll be able to choose from a variety of Tube lines that can take you to different parts of the city.
Generally, tube services run from 05:00 until midnight, with Night Tube services available on some lines on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Taking the bus in London
One of the cheapest ways to travel around the city, London buses offer plenty of sightseeing opportunities along the way. You can pay with an Oyster Card, Travelcard or a contactless payment card for Tube and bus journeys.
Things to see and do in London
Whether you’re looking for leafy parks, fascinating history or vibrant nightlife, London has it all! With so many things to see and do, it can be difficult to know where to start. To help inspire your trip, here are some of the best things to do in London:
Where to travel next after London
If you enjoyed your time in London and want to explore more of the UK, you can easily reach nearby towns and cities by train. To inspire your next trip, here are some of the most popular train journeys from London:
