Trains from Glasgow Queen Street to Edinburgh (Waverley)
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Glasgow Queen Street to Edinburgh (Waverley) by train
It takes an average of 1h 6m to travel from Glasgow Queen Street to Edinburgh (Waverley) by train, over a distance of around 42 miles (67 km). There are normally 129 trains per day travelling from Glasgow Queen Street to Edinburgh (Waverley) and tickets for this journey start from £6.20 when you book in advance.
| First train | 05:00 | |
|---|---|---|
| Last train | 23:45 | |
| Departure station | Glasgow Queen Street | |
| Arrival station | Edinburgh (Waverley) | |
| Journey time | From 44m | |
| Distance | 42 miles (67 km) | |
| Frequency | 129 trains per day | |
| Changes | Direct trains available | |
| Price | From £6.20 | |
| Train operators |
Travelling from Glasgow to Edinburgh by train in under 45 minutes
Considering a trip to the Scottish capital and looking for more information on the journey from Glasgow Queen Street to Edinburgh by train? You’ve come to the right place!
Generally, the train from Glasgow to Edinburgh takes around 1 hour and 7 minutes but can take just 44 minutes on the fastest Scotrail services. With around 129 direct trains on this popular route each day, you can make yourself comfortable as soon as you board the train as you don’t need to change along the way.
When travelling on this route, you’ll board a train at Glasgow Queen Street station. Once you’ve settled in your seat, you can start to enjoy Scotrail’s onboard amenities, including family-sized tables, power sockets and generous luggage allowances. If you prefer to travel in style, why not upgrade to Scotrail First Class? You’ll take advantage of comfy seats, quieter coaches and complimentary refreshments. Before you know it, you’ll arrive at Edinburgh Waverley station.
Combining the medieval Old Town with the Georgian New Town, Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland and the perfect place to spend a few days exploring. If you’re a history fanatic, head to Edinburgh Castle and take in panoramic views of the city. If you enjoy hiking, strap on your walking boots and make your way to the top of Arthur’s Seat, a steep hill overlooking the city.
Want to save money? Try travelling Off-Peak – tickets are usually cheaper during quieter times on weekdays and weekends. If you’d like to save even more, get a Railcard and save up to 1/3 on eligible journeys for a whole year.
Ready to book? Start your search for cheap train tickets from Glasgow Queen Street to Edinburgh with us today. Just head to our Journey Planner at the top of the page to get started. For more information, you can check out:
- Today’s train times
- ScotRail trains from Glasgow to Edinburgh
- Classes on board ScotRail trains
- Services on board ScotRail trains
- How to get to Glasgow Queen Street station
- Everything you need to know about Glasgow Queen Street station
- Arriving at Edinburgh Waverley station from Glasgow
- Using public transport in Edinburgh
- Discover Scotland
- Where to travel next after Edinburgh
- Review: Travelling from Glasgow Queen Street to Edinburgh by train
Journey details
Want to know more about your journey from Glasgow Queen Street to Edinburgh (Waverley)? 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 Glasgow Queen Street to Edinburgh (Waverley) take?
The average journey time by train between Glasgow Queen Street and Edinburgh (Waverley) is 1 hour and 6 minutes, with around 129 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 Glasgow Queen Street and Edinburgh (Waverley) by train?
The fastest journey time by train from Glasgow Queen Street to Edinburgh (Waverley) is 44 minutes.
How much does the train from Glasgow Queen Street to Edinburgh (Waverley) cost?
Train ticket prices from Glasgow Queen Street to Edinburgh (Waverley) can start from as little as £6.20 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 Glasgow Queen Street to Edinburgh (Waverley)?
Yes, it is possible to travel from Glasgow Queen Street to Edinburgh (Waverley) without having to change trains. There are 129 direct trains from Glasgow Queen Street to Edinburgh (Waverley) each day. Though there may be fewer direct services available depending on your exact departure date.
What time does the first train from Glasgow Queen Street to Edinburgh (Waverley) leave?
The first train from Glasgow Queen Street to Edinburgh (Waverley) leaves at 05:00. Times and services may vary during weekends and holidays.
What time does the last train from Glasgow Queen Street to Edinburgh (Waverley) leave?
The last train from Glasgow Queen Street to Edinburgh (Waverley) leaves at 23:45. 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 Glasgow Queen Street and Edinburgh (Waverley) by train?
Trains travelling from Glasgow Queen Street to Edinburgh (Waverley) cover a distance of around 42 miles (67 km) during the journey.
Looking for more information?
If you’re looking for the return train journey, check out trains from Edinburgh (Waverley) to Glasgow Queen Street.
Cheap train tickets from Glasgow Queen Street to Edinburgh (Waverley)
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 Glasgow Queen Street to Edinburgh (Waverley) 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.
ScotRail trains from Glasgow to Edinburgh
If you’d like to know more about Scotrail trains, keep reading for more information.
ScotRail is the major rail operator of trains in Scotland. ScotRail will take you from major hubs like Glasgow and Edinburgh to the Scottish East Coast, the Highlands and beyond.
For those who prefer not to leave their travel plans up in the air, ScotRail takes you to destinations outside of Scotland too, including Newcastle and Carlisle that connect to the rest of Great Britain and places further afield.
ScotRail train classes from Glasgow to Edinburgh
On ScotRail trains between Glasgow and Edinburgh, there are two classes to choose from, Standard and First Class.
Standard Class
In ScotRail’s Standard Class, you can charge your devices and store your luggage in the available storage sections.
- Family-sized tables
- Power sockets
- Generous luggage allowances
- Free WiFi on some services.
First Class
In First Class, you’ll benefit from all the amenities of Standard Class, plus some additional extras, such as more comfortable seating and quieter coaches.
- Quieter coaches
- Comfortable leather reclining seats
- Table at every seat
- Adjustable curtains
- Individual sockets and USB ports
- Free Wi-Fi
- Hospitality on some services (subject to availability)
Onboard services from Glasgow to Edinburgh
Learn more about the services offered on board ScotRail trains from Glasgow to Edinburgh.
Luggage
Food and drink
Entertainment
Travel with children
Bikes
Pets
Special assistance
How to get to Glasgow Queen Street station
When travelling to Edinburgh, your train will depart from Glasgow Queen Street station. Read on for more information on how to get there using public transport.
Glasgow Queen Street is the third busiest station in Scotland, located in the heart of the historic centre, close to Buchanan Street – Glasgow's main shopping hub. There are several ways to get from the city centre to Glasgow Queen Street station, including:
- Walk: If you’re already in central Glasgow, you can simply walk east from Buchanan Street, and enter via George Street to the south or Cathedral Street Bridge to the north.
- Train: If you’re situated further afield, you can take ScotRail trains to Glasgow Queen Street from stations across the city including Charing Cross, High Street, Partick and more.
- Bus: There are various buses available from all areas of the city to Glasgow Queen Street station.
Everything you need to know about Glasgow Queen Street station
As you wait for your train to Edinburgh, there are plenty of things to keep you occupied at Glasgow Queen Street station.
As soon as you’ve entered Glasgow Queen Street station, you can make your way to the platform. If you’ve got some time to kill, you can take advantage of the amenities:
- Seating area
- Left luggage
- Mobile coffee van
- Toilets
- Baby-changing facilities
- Free WiFi
- Ticket office
- Lost property.
Arriving at Edinburgh Waverley station from Glasgow
No matter which train operator you decide to travel with, you’ll arrive at Edinburgh Waverley station. The station lies between the Old Town and New Town, close to Princes Street and Edinburgh Castle.
As soon as you’ve arrived, you’ll want to start soaking up the city’s atmosphere as soon as possible. All areas of Edinburgh are easily accessible due to the city’s public transport system:
- Walk: Due to its central location, you can walk from Edinburgh Waverley station to some of the city’s most famous landmarks, including St Giles’ Cathedral and Edinburgh Castle.
- Bus: Local buses leave from Princes Street and North Bridge to all areas of the city.
- Tram: The nearest stop is St Andrew’s Square which connects you with the rest of Edinburgh.
- Taxi: The closest taxi rank is on Market Street.
Want to travel from Edinburgh Waverley station to Edinburgh Airport? You can simply walk to St Andrews Square and catch the tram to the airport, taking around 35 minutes in total.
Using public transport in Edinburgh
Edinburgh is a small city, so everywhere is easy to reach on foot. Plus, you’ll pass historic architecture as you walk. However, if you want to reach somewhere quickly, Edinburgh boasts a modern public transport system to help you navigate the city.
Taking the bus in Edinburgh
Edinburgh has multiple bus companies that operate in the heart of the city, but the most prominent are Lothian and First. Both companies have the same bus stops, but the bus numbers vary and each company has its own ticket.
Lothian is the leading city operator with the largest number of buses and routes, while First has fewer bus routes and concentrates on the outskirts of the city.
If you don't buy a day-ticket, then you won't need to fret about which bus you take. However, if you choose to stay a bit further away from the centre and need to purchase a day-ticket, it's essential to note which route runs closest to your accommodation. Generally, the best option is to buy a Lothian day-ticket, but it will depend on where you're located.
Taking the tram in Edinburgh
The Edinburgh tram features one route that links York Place to Edinburgh Airport. This route includes fifteen stops, all of which are equipped for wheelchair access.
It will take roughly thirty-five minutes to get from Edinburgh Airport to Princes Street (the closest stop to the city centre).
Discover Scotland
If you’re planning a trip to the Scottish capital, but unsure where to visit first, here are some ideas for things to see and do in Edinburgh and Scotland:
Where to travel next after Edinburgh
If you enjoyed your time in Edinburgh and want to explore more of Scotland and 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 Edinburgh:
