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Glasgow to Edinburgh (Waverley) by train

It takes an average of 1h 13m to travel from Glasgow to Edinburgh (Waverley) by train, over a distance of around 42 miles (67 km). There are normally 206 trains per day traveling from Glasgow to Edinburgh (Waverley) and tickets for this journey start from $8.13 when you book in advance.

First train

05:00

Last train

23:45

Departure station

Glasgow

Arrival station

Edinburgh (Waverley)

Journey time

From 44m

Distance

42 miles (67 km)

Frequency

206 trains per day

Changes

Direct trains available

Price

From $8.13

Train operators

CrossCountry, ScotRail, London North Eastern Railway

Travelling by train from Glasgow to Edinburgh in 45m

Planning a trip to the Scottish capital and need more information about the journey from Glasgow to Edinburgh by train? Start your journey with us! 

Generally, the train journey from Glasgow to Edinburgh takes around 1 hour and 14 minutes to travel the 42 miles between these two Scottish cities. Although, if you want to get there even quicker, the fastest services can take you from Glasgow to Edinburgh in just 45 minutes. As there are around 155 direct services available, you don’t need to worry about changing along the way.  

On this route, you’ll board a train at Glasgow Queen Street station operated by either ScotRail, London North Eastern Railway (LNER) or Avanti West Coast. Once you’ve boarded the train, you can sit back and enjoy the onboard amenities, including free WiFi and comfortable seating. In just 45 minutes, you will arrive at Edinburgh (Waverley) station, in the heart of the Scottish capital.  

Once you’ve exited the station, you can begin to explore the city’s famous landmarks. Head to Edinburgh Castle, an intimidating fortress perched proudly above the cobbled city. Alternatively, make your way to the National Museum of Scotland and uncover the country’s fascinating history. If you're in the Old Town, keep an eye out for the filming locations from the Netflix series One Day. If you want to see more of Scotland, check out our guides:

If you’d like to take advantage of the best train deals, try traveling during Off-Peak hours, as tickets tend to be cheaper outside of morning/evening rush hours between Monday and Friday. To save even more, try booking Advance tickets – they’re usually released 12 weeks before the departure date and tend to be cheaper than tickets purchased on the day of travel.  

Ready to book? Begin your search for cheap train tickets from Glasgow to Edinburgh in our Journey Planner. There’s no need to wait, start a search with us today! For more information about the journey, continue reading for timetables with first and last train times, tips on booking cheap train fares and FAQs.  

FAQs for Glasgow to Edinburgh (Waverley)

Want to know more about your journey from Glasgow 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 to Edinburgh (Waverley) take?

The average journey time by train between Glasgow and Edinburgh (Waverley) is 1 hour and 13 minutes, with around 206 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 and Edinburgh (Waverley) by train?

The fastest journey time by train from Glasgow to Edinburgh (Waverley) is 44 minutes.

How much does the train from Glasgow to Edinburgh (Waverley) cost?

Train tickets from Glasgow to Edinburgh (Waverley) can start from as little as $8.13 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 Glasgow to Edinburgh (Waverley)?

Yes, it is possible to travel from Glasgow to Edinburgh (Waverley) without having to change trains. There are 206 direct trains from Glasgow 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 to Edinburgh (Waverley) leave?

The first train from Glasgow to Edinburgh (Waverley) leaves at 05:00. Times and services may vary during weekends and holidays.

What time does the last train from Glasgow to Edinburgh (Waverley) leave?

The last train from Glasgow 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 and Edinburgh (Waverley) by train?

Trains travelling from Glasgow 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.

Cheap train tickets from Glasgow to Edinburgh (Waverley)

Train tickets from Glasgow to Edinburgh (Waverley) start at $8.13 one way for a Standard Class ticket if you book in advance. As most UK train companies increase their prices as the departure date approaches, we’ll help you find the cheapest tickets.

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 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.

Advance adult single fare. Excludes booking fee. Prices seen by Trainline customers in the last 30 days. Availability limited.

What are my ticket options for this journey?

If you're like us, you've probably seen the sheer number of ticket types available in the UK and wondered "Why are there so many?!" To help, we've put together a handy guide to the main UK ticket types, simply tap the one you’re interested in to find out more.

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.

A day trip from Glasgow to Edinburgh by train

I was working in Glasgow for a couple of weeks and decided to take a day trip to Edinburgh, as I’d never been before, and it only takes around 40 minutes to travel between these two cities by train. I arrived about 15 minutes before my train was due to leave, so I grabbed a coffee before heading to my platform.

On the train

I hopped on the ScotRail service I’d booked to travel to Edinburgh and found my seat with ease, there was enough space above me to store my coat, so I settled in for the journey. There was free WiFi on the train so I used this to upload some snaps of the countryside from my window to social media, as it looked so pretty as we whizzed along.

Arriving into Edinburgh Waverley station

We arrived into platform 4 at Edinburgh Waverley, did you know it’s the second-largest station in the UK? Well, you can tell! It’s huge! The main concourse sits right in the middle of the station and has exits on both sides, as I was heading into Old Town first to look at the castle, I took the Market Street exit.

About Jorja

Jorja is one of our trusted, hand-picked travel writers. The information for this article was recorded first-hand, based on her own genuine experience of the journey.


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