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London to Edinburgh (Waverley) by train

It takes an average of 5h 39m to travel from London to Edinburgh (Waverley) by train, over a distance of around 332 miles (534 km). There are normally 68 trains per day traveling from London to Edinburgh (Waverley) and tickets for this journey start from $44.94 when you book in advance.

First train

04:45

Last train

23:45

Departure station

London

Arrival station

Edinburgh (Waverley)

Journey time

From 4h 11m

Distance

332 miles (534 km)

Frequency

68 trains per day

Changes

Direct trains available

Price

From $44.94

Train operators

Avanti West Coast, Caledonian Sleeper, London North Eastern Railway, Lumo

London to Edinburgh (Waverley) train times

Check out the next trains departing from London to Edinburgh (Waverley) for Thursday Sep 21st 2023 using our handy timetable below, including platform and live travel information. You can view the full day timetable or search for a different date here.
DepartsArrivesTrainDuration
17:30 On timelondon kings cross22:08 On timeedinburgh (waverley)Platform 1 london north eastern railway PeakGet tickets4h 38m, direct
18:00 london kings cross22:20 edinburgh (waverley)Platform 2 estimatedlondon north eastern railway Off PeakGet tickets4h 20m, direct
18:00 On timelondon kings cross22:48 On timeedinburgh (waverley)Platform 2 estimatedlondon north eastern railway Off PeakGet tickets4h 48m, 1 change
18:18 On timelondon kings cross23:03 On timeedinburgh (waverley)Platform 4 estimatedlondon north eastern railway Off PeakGet tickets4h 45m, 1 change
18:30 On timelondon kings cross23:16 On timeedinburgh (waverley)Platform 5 estimatedlondon north eastern railway Off PeakGet tickets4h 46m, direct

Traveling by train from London to Edinburgh

Planning a trip to the Scottish capital and need more information on how to travel from London to Edinburgh by train? You’ve come to the right place! 

On average, you can expect the journey from London to Edinburgh by train to take around 5 hours and 29 minutes. If you want to get to Edinburgh as quickly as possible, it can take as little as 4 hours and 10 minutes on the fastest services. With around 53 direct trains running on this route every day, you can sit back and enjoy the journey as you don’t need to make any changes. 

When traveling on this route, you’ll board a train at London Kings Cross 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 travel with, you’ll enjoy onboard amenities such as comfortable seating and free WiFi. In just over 4 hours, you’ll travel across the country, hop over the Scottish border and arrive at Edinburgh Waverley station. 

Once you’ve stepped off the train, you will find yourself in the bustling center of the Scottish capital. From here, you can walk to some of Scotland’s most famous landmarks, such as Edinburgh Castle, Arthur’s Seat and the National Museum of Scotland. If you’d like to see more of Scotland, check out our guide to the best day trips from Edinburgh, as well as how to get from Edinburgh to the Highlands.  

If you’d like to save money on your train tickets, try traveling at Off-Peak times, as tickets tend to be cheaper than busier Peak times. Also, if you’d like to save even more money, try booking an Advance ticket, as they are usually cheaper than booking tickets on the day of travel.  

Ready to book? Start a search for cheap train tickets from London to Edinburgh in our Journey Planner at the top of the page. Want to find out more about the journey? Keep reading for train timetables, tips on finding cheap fares and FAQs.

FAQs for London to Edinburgh (Waverley)

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

The average journey time by train between London and Edinburgh (Waverley) is 5 hours and 39 minutes, with around 68 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 London and Edinburgh (Waverley) by train?

The fastest journey time by train from London to Edinburgh (Waverley) is 4 hours and 11 minutes.

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

Train tickets from London to Edinburgh (Waverley) can start from as little as $44.94 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 London to Edinburgh (Waverley)?

Yes, it is possible to travel from London to Edinburgh (Waverley) without having to change trains. There are 68 direct trains from London 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 London to Edinburgh (Waverley) leave?

The first train from London to Edinburgh (Waverley) leaves at 04:45. Times and services may vary during weekends and holidays.

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

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

Trains travelling from London to Edinburgh (Waverley) 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 Edinburgh (Waverley) to London.

Cheap train tickets from London to Edinburgh (Waverley)

Train tickets from London to Edinburgh (Waverley) start at $44.94 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 London 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.

LNER, Avanti West Coast, Lumo and Caledonian Sleeper trains from London to Edinburgh

You can travel from London to Edinburgh on LNER, Avanti West Coast, Lumo and Caledonian Sleeper trains. When you search for times and tickets, you might find some other options with multiple connections or operators if they’re available.

LNER

Operating trains on the East Coast mainline since June 2018, London North Eastern Railway (LNER) cover journeys from London King's Cross to popular destinations such as Edinburgh, Leeds, Harrogate, York, Hull, Newcastle, Glasgow, Inverness and Aberdeen.

Recently, LNER 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.

More information on LNER

Avanti West Coast

One of the primary rail operators in the UK, Avanti West Coast provide services from London Euston and several terminals including Birmingham New Street, Manchester Piccadilly and Liverpool Lime Street.

Many of the 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.

More information on Avanti West Coast

Lumo

Launched in 2021, Lumo is a train company that runs between London Kings Cross and Edinburgh 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 London and Scotland, Lumo aim to help people switch from coach and air travel to more eco-friendly long-distance rail travel.

More information on Lumo

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 London to Scotland. On the Lowlander route, you can travel from London Euston to either Edinburgh or Glasgow.

There are 4 different tickets to choose from, including Seated Coach, Classic Room, Club Room and the Caledonian Double.

More information on Caledonian Sleeper

LNER train classes from London to Edinburgh

LNER offers different seating classes to suit all budgets, whether you're traveling for work, pleasure or a bit of both.

Standard Class

In Standard Class, you’ll benefit from family-sized tables, power sockets and quiet cars, all at an affordable price.

Power outlets
Free WiFi
Table at every seat
Baggage storage

First Class

In LNER’S First Class, 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 London to Edinburgh

As well as Standard and First Class, Avanti also have a new class that offers some of the perks of First Class at a cheaper price.

Standard Class

Avanti West Coast’s 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

Standard Premium Class sits between Standard and First Class and 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 prefer to travel in style, upgrade to Avanti West Coast’s First Class and enjoy complimentary food and drink, as well as access to the First Class lounge at London Euston station.

Complimentary food and drink
Access to First Class lounge
Reclining seats

Lumo train class from London to Edinburgh

Lumo trains come with Standard Class only, but the service offers plenty of amenities on board that will make your journey super comfortable.

Standard Class

When traveling in Lumo’s Standard Class, you’ll 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 London to Edinburgh

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

Choose the Classic Room and travel between London and Edinburgh 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

The Caledonian Double offers a truly luxurious experience, with a double bed and a complimentary breakfast to start your day in Edinburgh the right way.

Double bed
Complimentary beauty and grooming products bag

Food and drink on board trains from London to Edinburgh

On your way from London to Edinburgh, 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. 

Onboard services from London to Edinburgh

Learn more about the onboard services offered by each train company operating from London to Edinburgh.

Traveling from the airport to central London

Visiting London from abroad? Chances are you'll be arriving at one of London's airports. If you want to know how to get to central London from the airport, keep reading for more details.

London has six major airports:

  • Heathrow Airport
  • Gatwick Airport
  • Stansted Airport
  • London City Airport
  • Luton Airport
  • London Southend Airport

Each airport is connected to the heart of London through the city's comprehensive train and bus system. Usually, trains are the fastest way to get from any airport to downtown.

How to get to London train stations

When traveling from London to Edinburgh, your train will depart from either London King’s Cross station or London Euston station. Not sure how to get to either one? Read on for more information on how to navigate the city’s public transport to your train.

How to get to London King’s Cross station

London King’s Cross station is conveniently located in the center of the capital, and 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.

If you’re driving to London King’s Cross station, you’ll find a Click and Park car park at nearby London St Pancras International station – it has 315 spaces and is always open, with staff on hand 24/7. If you’re cycling to the station, there are plenty of cycle spaces to store your bike safely.

How to get to London Euston station

Situated in the heart of the capital, London Euston station is easy to get to from all parts of the city.

London Euston station is served by 2 Tube lines, the Northern (black line) and Victoria (light blue) lines.

If you’re driving to London, there is limited parking spaces available nearby. Alternatively, there is a pick-up and drop-off point in the taxi rank by Euston Road. If you’re cycling to the station, there are plenty of cycle spaces to store your bike safely.

Everything you need to know about London stations

While you're waiting for your train, there's plenty of things to do at London King's Cross station and London Euston station. Read on to find everything you need to know, including information on facilities and first class lounges. 

Arriving at Edinburgh Waverley station from London

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 Modern Edinburgh, 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:

  • Bus: Local buses leave from Princes Street and North Bridge to all areas of the city.
  • Tram: The nearest stop is St Andrews Square and 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 center 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 center).

Things to see and do in Edinburgh

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:

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 blog

We love helping our customers find inspiration for their next train journey. We also believe about taking those journeys and sharing our experiences with you, so you can sit back, relax and get the most out of your trip.

Travelling the line made famous by the Flying Scotsman

Review by Brian Heard

Reviewing London Kings Cross to Edinburgh by train

By Brian Heard

Leaving King’s Cross station, the train plunges into the Gas Works and Copenhagen Tunnels (the latter being named from the area above it called Copenhagen Fields, which was the site of the Ambassador of Denmark's residence in the 17th century).

After a few minutes look to the right-hand side for the Emirates Stadium, home of Arsenal Football Club and currently the third-largest stadium in the UK.

After speeding through some north London suburbs and countryside, the train passes through the centre of Peterborough. The Peterborough Cathedral can be seen on the right-hand side after crossing the River Nene.

A few miles south of Grantham the train passes the spot where, in 1938 the world speed record for steam trains was set when the London and North Eastern Railway locomotive ‘Mallard’ reached 126 mph on 3rd July, a record which still stands. Watch out for the commemorative sign on the right-hand side of the train.

The first stop on the journey is York, reached 1 hour and 53 minutes after leaving London. York is well worth a visit not least as it’s the home of the famous National Railway Museum, the magnificent cathedral and the well-known ‘Shambles’ an old street dating back to the 14th century.

About 7 miles north of York you can see the famous London to Edinburgh Half Way sign.

At Durham, the train crosses a viaduct giving superb views of Durham city, castle and cathedral on the right-hand side.

3 hours out of Kings Cross the train slows and crosses the River Tyne ready to make its next stop at Newcastle Central Station, giving a good view on the right of the numerous Tyne bridges.

Leaving the imposing Newcastle Central Station, the railway runs high above much of the tightly-packed city centre, giving glimpses of the banks of the Tyne to the south. The surroundings change to rolling farmland and woodland as the train follows the line to Alnmouth, from where coastal views of the North Sea can be seen on the right. In a short while, the distinctive shape of Holy Island and Lindisfarne Castle is visible out to sea on the right-hand side.

The line follows the coastline even more closely on the approach to Berwick upon Tweed, where the train slows for a sweeping curve leading to the Royal Border Bridge, a twenty-eight-arch structure across the Tweed which is 2,160 feet long and 120 feet high. Taking just over 40 minutes from Newcastle the train makes its penultimate stop in Berwick-upon-Tweed, which has changed hands many times in its history between England and Scotland (it's just 2 and a half miles inside the English border).

From Berwick-upon-Tweed, the line heads north along the cliff tops overlooking the North Sea, soon passing the historic lineside indicators marking the English/Scottish boundary, until it veers inland to avoid some difficult terrain, then back to the coast as far as the town of Dunbar. From here it is possible to see Bass Rock, 350 feet high and home to a large colony of gannets.

The line then heads inland, directly towards Edinburgh, soon allowing glorious views across the Forth towards the hills of Fife on its north shore. The suburbs of Edinburgh are soon reached, and the distinctive shape of Arthur’s Seat can be seen to the left. Look out for Meadowbank Stadium on the right just before the train slows for the final approach through the tunnel under Calton Hill before finally coming to a final stop at Edinburgh Waverly station.

You can then say that you have travelled in the tracks of the famous “Flying Scotsman”.

Brian's top tip:

When booking your train ticket, reserve a seat on the right-hand side of the train on the way to Edinburgh so you can enjoy the fantastic views available on this line.

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*Based on the average monthly unique visitors to Trainline’s website from 1.03.2022 to 28.02.2023 vs other independent retailers.

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