Looking to travel from Glasgow to London by train? You've come to the right place!
The train from Glasgow to London takes around 6 hours and 29 minutes on average, but it can take just 4 hours and 32 minutes on the fastest services. With around 54 trains running on this popular route per day, you can get from Glasgow to London in no time when you take the train! You'll most likely be travelling with Avanti West Coast on this route.
Train travel is significantly better for the environment than other modes of transport, such as car and plane. In fact, you save 67% on CO2 emissions when you choose train over car*.
If you're ready to book, start a search with us today for cheap train tickets to London. Or if you want to know more, keep reading for:
For more money-saving tips on UK and European train travel, read our cheap train tickets guide.
If you want to travel from Glasgow to London, choose the more sustainable option - choose train!
Taking the train instead of driving lowers your CO2 impact by a whopping 67%.* Keep it simple, keep it low-carbon.
What's faster or cheaper than driving from Glasgow to London? Ah yes, that'd be the train. Cheaper even without a Railcard, too. Win for you. Win for the planet.
In the UK, you can take your bike on the train, for free! Cool, huh? And, thanks to our bike reservation feature, travelling with your bike has never been easier.
Unlike flying or driving, going by train means no extra luggage charges or parking costs. Plus, you step off the train, right into the city-centre. Aaaand relax.
* Calculations are based on CO2 / passenger km, comparing an average petrol car, using statistics and conversion factors published in the government’s greenhouse gas reporting conversion factors published 7 June 2023 and revised 28 June 2023. See here for more.
Between Glasgow and London, 89% of journeys sold on Trainline from May 2022 to May 2023 were cheaper and faster by rail vs car.
Travelling from Glasgow to London? The train takes just 4 hours 32 minutes, with fares from £39.20 — and produces 67% less CO₂ than flying. You’ll go city-centre to city-centre with no luggage limits or airport faff.
Flights may look faster on paper, but once you factor in airport transfers, queues and baggage fees, trains come out ahead. Driving takes 7+ hours,and coaches are cheaper (from £15) but much slower. In short, trains win for speed, comfort, and eco credentials — and there’s no risk of losing your seat over a 101ml shampoo bottle.
Ready to zoom? Direct high-speed trains on the Glasgow to London route can whisk you between these two cities in as little as 4 hours and 32 minutes. No faffing about with changes, just settle in and enjoy the ride. Most services are operated by Avanti West Coast, with their famous Pendolino trains reaching top speeds and offering a smooth, comfortable journey. If you're after a night adventure, the Caledonian Sleeper is your ticket to snoozing your way to the capital.
Planning a quick jaunt down to London and back again? Booking a return ticket is often cheaper and more flexible than two singles, especially if you travel off-peak. Just select 'Return' in our Journey Planner and see the savings stack up. And if you're heading the other way, check out our London to Glasgow trains page for the reverse route.**
Take two large bags and a small item of hand luggage on board for free. Got more gear? You may need to pay a bit extra, so check with your train operator before you pack your whole wardrobe. Bikes are welcome too, but booking a space in advance is a smart move—especially at busy times. For the full lowdown, check out our bikes on trains guide.**
When travelling from Glasgow to London by train, you’ll most likely be on board an Avanti West Coast train.
Avanti West Coast are one of the primary rail operators in the UK, providing services across the country including from Glasgow Central to London Euston.
Many of its routes, including those from Scotland to England, are served by direct high-speed trains (no changes required), making Avanti West Coast an excellent alternative to air travel if you're looking to traverse the length of the country.
Find out more about Avanti West Coast.
Psst: Occasionally, you might find a trip from Glasgow to London partially or wholly operated by another train company, such as London North Eastern Railway (LNER), Lumo or ScotRail. And yes, you can even take a sleeper (night) train from Glasgow to London with the Caledonian Sleeper! Take a look at our Journey Planner for all times, tickets and prices.
Avanti West Coast has three classes on board its trains: Standard, Standard Premium and First Class. Find out more about the amenities offered in each class.
Available on Pendolino services only. Find out more about Avanti West Coast Standard Premium Class.
Is Glasgow to London First Class worth it? Find out more about Avanti West Coast First Class.
When travelling with Avanti West Coast, you’ll be able to access a wide range of services and facilities on board the train.
If you’re taking a direct Avanti West Coast train, you’ll leave from Glasgow Central station. Here’s how you get there and information on what the station has to offer.
Glasgow Central station is situated in the centre of the city, close to the River Clyde and Princes Square Shopping Centre. The station is easily accessible on foot or by using the city’s public transport system:
Top tip: Remember to check which station your train leaves from in Glasgow. Though most services to London leave from Glasgow Central station, there are some journeys which begin at Glasgow Queen Street instead. We’ll show you the correct station when you use our Journey Planner to plan your trip, and it’ll be on your ticket too.
At Glasgow Central station, you’ll find a range of facilities such as:
There’s also a wide variety of shops, including food and drink outlets like Costa, Pret and Starbucks, and other retailers such as Boots and WHSmith.
When travelling from Glasgow to London by train, you’ll most likely arrive at London Euston station.
London Euston station is conveniently located in the heart of the capital. If you want to explore the city centre, you can head out on foot or use one of the many public transport services London has to offer:
What if my train doesn’t arrive at London Euston?
If your journey includes a leg with another operator, such as LNER, you might arrive at London King’s Cross station instead. Don’t worry! There are lots of public transport options available here too, including London Underground services from King’s Cross St Pancras tube station.
The London Underground, commonly known as the Tube, is one of the quickest ways to travel around the city. Once you get off at London Euston station, simply follow the signs to the London Underground station, where you’ll be able to choose from two Tube lines – the Northern (black) and Victoria (light blue) lines. You can also walk a short distance to Euston Square tube station, where you can hop on the Hammersmith and City (pink), Circle (yellow) or Metropolitan (magenta) lines.
Tube services usually run from 05:00 am until midnight, with Night Tube services available on some lines on Friday and Saturday evenings.
London buses are one of the cheapest ways to travel around the city, with 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.
If you want to get a taxi, you can find a taxi rank outside London Euston station.
Whatever you’re looking for, London’s got it! From parks to restaurants, museums to bars – there’s something for everyone. Take a look at our picks below.
Fancy exploring somewhere else after London? We’ve got you. To help inspire your next trip, here are some of the most popular train journeys from London:
Absolutely! Just select 'Return' in our booking tool. Return tickets can offer better value, especially if you're flexible with travel times. Don't forget to check our London to Glasgow trains page for the reverse journey.
Yes—Avanti West Coast runs direct high-speed Pendolino trains. You can also take the overnight Caledonian Sleeper for a different kind of direct route.
f your train is delayed or cancelled, you may be eligible for compensation or a refund. Check the operator’s Delay Repay policy or contact our support team for help.
Yes, free Wi-Fi and plug sockets are available on most direct trains. First Class and Standard Premium offer extra comfort and guaranteed at-seat power.
Let us know when you book or contact the train operator at least 24 hours in advance. Both Glasgow Central and London Euston offer step-free access, ramps, and accessible facilities.
Standard allowance is two large bags and a small item for free. Bikes are welcome (space permitting) but book in advance to avoid disappointment.
Fridays and Sunday afternoons are typically the busiest. If you’re after a quieter carriage, try midweek or off-peak times.
Trains are city-centre to city-centre, avoid airport faff, and are much greener. Journey times are competitive when you factor in airport transfers and security. Plus, you can actually see the countryside!