Trains to Edinburgh run from across the UK on LNER, CrossCountry, Avanti West Coast and other operators. You can arrive at Edinburgh Waverley, the city's main station in the city centre. The fastest LNER services from London King's Cross reach Edinburgh in 7h 25m.
Edinburgh is home to Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile (connecting the castle to Holyrood House Palace), shops, restaurants, bars, theatres and galleries. Below you'll find journey specifics, which stations serve which operators, how to find cheaper fares, and what to do when you arrive.
How to find cheap train tickets to Edinburgh
Advance tickets are the cheapest option on most routes to Edinburgh. When you book 12 weeks ahead — typically when tickets first go on sale — you save an average of 61% compared to buying an Anytime ticket on the day of travel. Below are five ways to save further.
1. Book tickets to Edinburgh in advance
Advance tickets typically go on sale 12 weeks before departure and are the cheapest option on most routes. The earlier you book, the lower the price. If you can't plan 12 weeks ahead, sign up for Ticket Alerts and we'll email you as soon as Advance tickets release for your route.
Tip: Check if a return ticket is cheaper than two singles.
2. Get a Railcard
If you travel by train more than a few times a year, a National Railcard saves 1/3 on most fares. Railcards are available for different age groups and circumstances: Senior, Disabled Persons, 26-30 Railcard, and others. Combined with an Advance ticket booked 12 weeks ahead, a Railcard gives the strongest saving available on most routes. Check eligibility and purchase on our Railcards page.
3. Travel during Off-Peak times
Off-Peak tickets are valid outside peak commute times (usually Monday–Friday 09:30–16:00 and 19:00 onwards, plus weekends) and cost less than Anytime fares. When you search in our Journey Planner, compare all available tickets in the dropdown. If an Off-Peak Advance ticket is available, it will be the cheapest option. You can combine Off-Peak with a Railcard for even greater savings. See our Off-Peak tickets page for full details and peak-time windows by operator.
4. Travelling as a group? Use GroupSave
If you're travelling in a group of 3–9 people, GroupSave gives 1/3 off Off-Peak fares. You don't need a physical Railcard — GroupSave appears in the Railcard dropdown when booking. All passengers must travel together on the same day and be booked in a single transaction. Note that GroupSave isn't available on all routes or with all operators. See our GroupSave page for full terms.
5. Split your train tickets
On some routes, splitting your journey into multiple separate tickets costs less than a single through-ticket. Our SplitSave feature automatically finds and combines cheaper ticket combinations without requiring you to change trains. Look for the SplitSave icon when searching in the Trainline app.
*Conditions and peak travel time exclusions may apply on some Railcard types.
Popular train journeys to Edinburgh
Trains to Edinburgh from England come up the East Coast mainline. Other services come from Glasgow, or from Inverness and Aberdeen in the north of Scotland, including:
| Route | Fastest journey time | Train operator |
|---|---|---|
| London to Edinburgh | 4h | LNER, Avanti West Coast |
| Glasgow to Edinburgh | 42m | CrossCountry, ScotRail, LNER |
| Aberdeen to Edinburgh | 2h 17m | CrossCountry, ScotRail, LNER |
| Inverness to Edinburgh | 3h 15m | ScotRail, LNER |
| Manchester to Edinburgh | 2h 56m | TransPennine Express |
| York to Edinburgh | 2h 22m | CrossCountry, TransPennine Express, LNER |
| Newcastle to Edinburgh | 1h 22m | CrossCountry, TransPennine Express, LNER |
Traveller's top tip
When booking your train tickets to Edinburgh, reserve a seat on the right-hand side of the train on the way to Edinburgh. Between Newcastle through to Berwick-upon-Tweed, you'll enjoy fantastic views of the coastline.
Things to do in Edinburgh
Edinburgh's main attractions cluster around the city centre, most reachable within 10–15 minutes on foot or by bus from Edinburgh Waverley station.
Landmarks and Historic sites
Edinburgh Castle dominates the city from a volcanic crag and attracts over 1 million visitors annually. It's a 25-minute walk from Waverley or reachable by bus. From the castle, the Royal Mile runs downhill to Holyrood House Palace (the Queen's official Scottish residence) — you can walk it end-to-end in about 20 minutes and find independent shops, restaurants and bars along the way.
Museums and galleries
Free general admission to the National Museum of Scotland, Scottish Parliament and various art galleries. They're all within 10–15 minutes' walk of Waverley, so easy to explore between other activities.
Nature and outdoor spaces
The Royal Botanic Garden spreads across 70 acres of plants from around the world — great for a walk or picnic. Edinburgh Zoo has 80 acres of parkland with 127 animal species and over 1,000 animals. It's west of the city centre, accessible by bus or a short train ride; it's also near Edinburgh Airport if you're arriving by air.
Food, drink and shopping
The Royal Mile is packed with independent shops, restaurants and bars. If you want to explore Scotland's famous whiskies, The Scotch Whisky Experience offers tastings and tours. Leith, north of the city, has seafood restaurants, independent shops and galleries — it's a 20-minute walk from Waverley or a quick bus ride.
Edinburgh Festival Fringe
The Edinburgh Fringe Festival runs 7th - 31st August 2026 (3+ weeks) across hundreds of venues, featuring theatre, comedy, music and dance. Getting there by train: LNER and Lumo run direct from London King's Cross (4h 30m); Caledonian Sleeper offers overnight service from London; ScotRail connects Glasgow, Dundee and Aberdeen frequently to Edinburgh Waverley.
Getting to Edinburgh Fringe Festival by train:
- From London: A direct, high-speed LNER or Lumo train takes around 4 hours 30 minutes from London King's Cross to Edinburgh Waverley Station.
- Overnight: Take the Caledonian Sleeper for an overnight train from London to Edinburgh.
- Within Scotland: ScotRail trains are frequent and connect Glasgow, Dundee and Aberdeen to Edinburgh Waverley.
Frequently asked questions
Which stations can I arrive at in Edinburgh?
Trains arrive at Edinburgh Waverley (the main city-centre station), plus Haymarket. Which station you arrive at depends on the train company and where you're travelling from.
Which train companies run to Edinburgh?
ScotRail, LNER, Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, TransPennine Express and Caledonian Sleeper all operate services to Edinburgh from different parts of the UK.
What's the cheapest way to book a train to Edinburgh?
Advance tickets (booked 12 weeks ahead) save around 61%* compared to Anytime fares. If you can also use a Railcard or travel Off-Peak, you'll save even more. Groups of 3–9 can use GroupSave for another 1/3 discount on Off-Peak travel.
Do trains run to Edinburgh every day?
Yes, trains run to Edinburgh very frequently. Service frequency is lower late at night and very early morning, but there are regular daytime and evening services throughout the day.
Can I use a Railcard to save on a trip to Edinburgh?
Yes. Most Railcards save 1/3 on eligible fares and the 16–17 Saver saves up to 50%. Types of Railcard include:
- Two-Together Railcard (Great for couples and friends who always travel together)
- 16-17 Saver (You can save up to 50% with this one)
- 16-25 Railcard (Ideal for students)
- 26-30 Railcard (Also known as the Millennial Railcard)
- Senior Railcard (For those aged 60 and over)
- Friends & Family Railcard (Great for families of up to 4 adults with up to 4 kids)
- Disabled Railcard (If travelling with another adult they can save too)
How long does it take to travel to Edinburgh from London?
The fastest LNER trains from London King's Cross reach Edinburgh Waverley in 4h 20m. Journey times vary by operator and route (e.g. Glasgow to Edinburgh is 42 minutes; Newcastle to Edinburgh is 1h 22m). Check the live Journey Planner for your specific origin.
What happens if my train to Edinburgh is delayed?
If your train is delayed by 30 minutes or more, you're likely entitled to compensation under the Delay Repay scheme. Whether you claim from the operator or Trainline depends on your ticket type. See our Delay Repay page for full details.
Can I change or cancel my ticket?
It depends on your ticket type. Advance tickets can't be changed or cancelled once booked. Anytime and Off-Peak tickets can usually be switched to a different train if you need to. Check our ticket changes page for the full terms.
*Average savings on advance fares booked at least one week before day of travel vs Anytime fares purchased on day of travel. Subject to availability. Excludes coach.