Trains from Edinburgh (Waverley) to London
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Edinburgh (Waverley) to London by train
It takes an average of 5h 41m 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 traveling from Edinburgh (Waverley) to London and tickets for this journey start from $43.14 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 $43.14 | |
| Train operators | Avanti West Coast, Caledonian Sleeper, London North Eastern Railway, Lumo |
Traveling from Edinburgh to London by train in 4 hours
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 37 minutes but can take just 4 hours on the fastest services. With around 65 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 maximize your time, you could take the Caledonian Sleeper night train from Edinburgh to London. No matter who you end up traveling 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 traveling with LNER or Lumo, you’ll arrive at London Kings Cross station, and if you’re travelling with Avanti West Coast you’ll arrive at London Euston station.
Once you’ve arrived in London, you can start to explore the city’s iconic landmarks. There are so many things to see and do in London, it can be a little overwhelming – that’s why we’ve compiled a guide to the 14 best things to do in London, including a trip to the Natural History Museum and Buckingham Palace. Fancy something romantic? Check out the filming locations of iconic 90s classic, Notting Hill. Or if you want to follow some historic people around, why not take a tour around the city trying to find some of London's most interesting blue plaques?
If you're tired just thinking about all the sightseeing you could be getting up to, check out our guide to London's luxury hotels to find out where you could spend the night. Or, if you've got kids to think about, check out 7 of the best family hotels in London.
This year, the NFL is returning to London yet again for their annual International Series. Read our comprehensive guide if you’d like to find out which teams are playing the NFL Europe games, where the host stadiums are, and how you can make the most of an exciting weekend of NFL action in England.
Want to snap up the cheapest train tickets? Try traveling during Off-Peak hours, when tickets tend to be cheaper outside of morning/evening rush hours between Monday and Friday. To save even more money, keep your eyes peeled for Advance tickets, as they are usually cheaper than buying tickets on the day of travel.
Ready to book? Start your search for cheap train tickets from Edinburgh to London in our Journey Planner at the top of the page. If you want to know more about the journey first, keep reading for train timetables, tips on finding cheap tickets and FAQs including first and last train times.
FAQs for Edinburgh (Waverley) to London
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 41 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 tickets from Edinburgh (Waverley) to London can start from as little as $43.14 when you book in advance and are usually more expensive when purchased on the day. Prices can also vary depending the time of day, route and class you book.
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).
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.
LNER, Avanti West Coast, Lumo and Caledonian Sleeper trains from Edinburgh to London
You can take the train from Edinburgh to London with LNER, Avanti West Coast, Lumo and Caledonian Sleeper. When searching for times and tickets, you might find some other options with multiple connections or operators if they’re available.
LNER
Since June 2018, London North Eastern Railway (LNER) have operated trains on the East Coast mainline from Edinburgh to popular destinations such as London King’s Cross, Leeds, Harrogate, York, Hull, Newcastle, Glasgow, Inverness and Aberdeen.
LNER have 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.
Avanti West Coast
Avanti West Coast is one of the primary rail operators in the UK, providing services from London Euston and several terminals including Birmingham New Street, Manchester Piccadilly and Liverpool Lime Street.
Most 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.
Lumo
Operating since 2021, Lumo is a train company that runs between Edinburgh and London King’s Cross via the East Coast Main Line. Lumo provide 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 traveling between Scotland and London, Lumo aim to help people switch from coach and air travel to more eco-friendly long-distance rail travel.
Caledonian Sleeper
The Caledonian Sleeper is one of two main sleeper trains in the UK. Six nights a week, the Caledonian Sleeper runs overnight from Scotland to London. On the Lowlander route, you can travel from either Edinburgh or Glasgow to London.
There are 4 different tickets to choose from, including Seated Coach, Classic Room, Club Room and the Caledonian Double.
LNER train classes from Edinburgh to London
Whether you're traveling for work, pleasure or a bit of both, LNER offers different seating classes to suit all budgets.
Standard Class
You’ll benefit from family-sized tables, power outlets and quiet cars, all at an affordable price in Standard Class.
| Power outlets | ✔ |
|---|---|
| Free WiFi | ✔ |
| Table at every seat | ✔ |
| Baggage storage | ✔ |
First Class
Upgrade to LNER’s First Class and 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 | ✔ |
| Power outlets and USB outletat seats | ✔ |
| Ambient lighting | ✔ |
| LNER’s best ever WiFi connection | ✔ |
Avanti West Coast train classes from Edinburgh to London
Avanti has a new class that offers some of the perks of First Class at a cheaper price, as well as Standard and First Class.
Standard Class
Standard Class is the ideal class for travelers looking for low-budget fuss-free travel. On board, you will enjoy:
| Free WiFi | ✔ |
|---|---|
| Access to onboard entertainment system | ✔ |
| Power outlets | ✔ |
| At-seat order | ✔ |
Standard Premium Class
Located between Standard and First Class, Standard Premium Class 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 fancy treating yourself, upgrade to Avanti West Coast’s First Class and enjoy complimentary food and drink.
| Complimentary food and drink | ✔ |
|---|---|
| Reclining seats | ✔ |
Lumo train class from Edinburgh to London
Lumo trains offer Standard Class only, but the service includes plenty of amenities on board that will make your journey super comfortable.
Standard Class
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
When traveling 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 power outlet | ✔ |
| WiFi | ✔ |
| Secure overhead storage | ✔ |
| Dedicated food and drink menu | ✔ |
| Complimentary sleep kit | ✔ |
| Baggage storage area | ✔ |
Classic Room
Opt for the Classic Room and travel between Edinburgh and London in your own personal room, with twin bunk beds and a sink.
| Twin bunk beds | ✔ |
|---|---|
| Breakfast available | ✔ |
| In-room sink | ✔ |
| WiFi | ✔ |
| Power outlets | ✔ |
| 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
Offering a truly luxurious experience, the Caledonian Double comes with a double bed and a complimentary breakfast to start your day in London the right way.
| Double bed | ✔ |
|---|---|
| Complimentary beauty and grooming products bag | ✔ |
Food and drink on board trains from Edinburgh to London
On your way to London, you can enjoy food and drink no matter which train company you're traveling with. Read on for a summary of the food and drink provided by each train operator.
LNER
Avanti West Coast
Lumo
Caledonian Sleeper
Onboard services from Edinburgh to London
Learn more about the onboard services offered by each train company operating from Edinburgh to London.
Baggage
Entertainment
Pets
Bikes
Traveling from Edinburgh Airport to the city center
Visiting Edinburgh from abroad? Chances are you'll be arriving at Edinburgh Airport. If you want to know how to get to central Edinburgh from the airport, keep reading for more details.
Buses from Edinburgh Airport
If you want to take the bus from Edinburgh Airport to the city center, you can take the Airlink 100 service. The Airlink 100 service departs from the airport every 10 minutes during the day and every 20 minutes during the night. In total, the service takes around 30 minutes to get to St Andrew Square, in the heart of Edinburgh.
You can purchase tickets from the driver as you board the bus using contactless card payment, m-tickets or the exact cash fare.
Trams from Edinburgh Airport
The tram is one of the easiest ways to get from the airport to central Edinburgh. Trams depart from the airport every 7 minutes between 07:00 am and 07:00 pm, passing through Haymarket, St Andrews Square and onwards to Newhaven. In total, the entire journey takes around 30 minutes.
Trains from Edinburgh Airport
As there isn’t a train station at Edinburgh Airport, you’ll need to take a short tram ride to Edinburgh Gateway station. From here, you can board a ScotRail service to Edinburgh Waverley station, taking just over 10 minutes.
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 center, you can simply walk to the station to catch your train. If not, you can travel to the station by:
- 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.
Check out our guide to Edinburgh Waverley train station if you need more info.
Arriving at London King’s Cross station and London Euston station from Edinburgh
When traveling 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
London King’s Cross station is conveniently located in the center 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
London Underground, commonly known as the Tube, is one of the quickest ways to travel around the city. Once you get off at either London Kings Cross station or London Euston 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.
Usually, tube services run from 05:00 am until midnight, with Night Tube services available on some lines on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Taking the bus in London
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.
Things to see and do in London
London has it all! Whether you’re looking for leafy parks, fascinating history or vibrant nightlife, London is an ideal city to visit all year round! 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:
Explore Europe by train with a Eurail Pass
After visiting Edinburgh, why not continue exploring Europe by train? With a Eurail Pass, you can travel across 33 European countries as much as you want on participating European train networks for a set amount of travel days.
You can use a Eurail Pass if you’re not a European citizen or resident. If you're a European citizen or a non-European who is an official legal resident of a European country, you can use an Interrail Pass instead.
Tips and tricks from our Trainline team
We love helping our customers find inspiration for their next train journey. Discover some travel stories written based on our employees' experiences.
* Based on European average monthly visitors to Trainline’s app and website from 1.1.2023 to 10.31.2023 vs other independent retailers.