The regal Edinburgh Castle reigns above streets that trace the evolution of the city through their medieval, Gothic, and Georgian architecture.
It’s a city where heritage and history sit hand-in-hand alongside contemporary trends and cosmopolitan vibes, creating a whimsical yet welcoming atmosphere that places you somewhere between a dream and home.
And Scotland’s magnificent capital is only a short train right away from central London.
The distance from Edinburgh, Scotland, to London by train is 400 miles via an LNER train. These trains roll at speeds up to 125mph, offering a fast way to get from London to Scotland without the expense of a flight and the cramped quarters of a bus.
Covering such a far distance in a short amount of time makes a day trip to Scotland from London practical, especially since cheap train tickets from London to Edinburgh are available.
Image credits, Getty Images, Izzet Keribar. Location, Edinburgh, Scotland.
Linguistics & Locomotives: Train FAQs With Scottish Slang
Everything you need to know about getting from London to Edinburgh by train, plus a few popular Scottish terms that’ll make your journey a wee bit (a little bit) smoother.
Is there a high-speed train from London to Edinburgh?
Aye (yes), the high-speed train from London to Edinburgh runs multiple times a day. The train arrives in the center of the city at Waverley Station, conveniently next to the Royal Mile and multiple chippies (fish and chips shops).
Is high-speed rail cheaper than flying?
Aye (yes), it can be. Flying can be quite dear (expensive) when you add in extra baggage fees, high-priced airport purchases, and the cost of getting to and from the airport. Plus with no liquid restrictions on trains, you can return home with a single malt whisky, an Irn-Bru (a bright orange soft drink), and a bottle of Bucky (Buckfast, a caffeinated tonic wine).
Can you do a day trip from London to Edinburgh?
Aye (yes), and you cannae (cannot) go wrong with a day trip to Edinburgh if you catch the first outbound train. But you shouldnae (shouldn’t) unless you’re pressed for time. Exploring the capital thoroughly deserves an overnight or weekend stay. From the spectacular Edinburgh Castle to the braw (excellent) city views from atop Arthur’s Seat, you can have a fulfilling and memorable experience in Edinburgh no matter how long you visit.
Does Eurostar go from London to Edinburgh?
Nae (no), though LNER and LUMO high-speed trains do make the trip from Kings Cross station which is adjacent to Eurostar’s hub at St. Pancras International. With on-board meals available, you might be served a bap (a stuffed bread roll), a pasty (a stuffed baked pastry), or another type of piece (sandwich).
Image credits, iStock, Chris Hepbrun. Location, Edinburgh, Scotland.
Is it quicker to fly or train to Edinburgh?
Let’s mince pies, not words: the flight time is shorter than the train time.
But the total travel time? Let’s compare the 4.5 hour average total travel time by train to the average total travel time by plane:
- Getting from London city to the airport: At least 30-60 minutes by car or train
- Preflight arrival time to the airport: Recommended at least 90 minutes
- Average flight time between London and Edinburgh: 90 minutes
- Getting from the airport to Edinburgh city: At least 30-60 minutes by car or train
Grand Total Travel Time = 4 hours minimum, if you’re lucky. 5 hours or more if you’re not.
Time and price aside, there’s one other commodity you don’t want to waste on vacation: your patience.
You’re already familiar with the trials and tribulations of air travel: long security lines and weight restrictions on baggage are just as prevalent in the UK as they are in the US. But did you know that most airlines in the UK and Europe close their gates 30 minutes prior to departure?
In plain old English without a word of Scottish slang in sight: you can be “on-time” by US standards and still miss your flight because you were “late”.
Or, you could hop a train in London, live-stream an envy-inducing journey thanks to reliable on-board Wi-Fi, and step right into the heart of Edinburgh.
Header image credits, iStock, Chris Hepbrun. Location, Edinburgh, Scotland.
What’s the easiest way to get to Edinburgh?
Train travel from London to Edinburgh isn’t just easy on the wallet and watch, but also, it's so much more enjoyable.
What’s the easiest way to leave Edinburgh? That’s a different story.
You may have luggage in-hand when you board your train to London, but a piece of your heart will forever remain in the Scottish capital.