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Each fare is the lowest adult economy ticket fare found by our customers on Trainline. Fares booked further in advance than the dates displayed may be cheaper. Prices are updated daily, subject to change and indicative of price last update. Limited availability. Discount cards and coach journeys excluded, prices exclusive of booking fee.

Glasgow to Edinburgh (Waverley) by train

It takes an average of 1h 14m 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 travelling from Glasgow to Edinburgh (Waverley) and tickets for this journey start from £6.20 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 £6.20

Train operators

CrossCountry, ScotRail, London North Eastern Railway

Travelling by train from Glasgow to Edinburgh in 45m

Want to spend some time in the Scottish capital and looking for more information on how to travel from Glasgow to Edinburgh? Start your journey with us! 

On average, the train journey from Glasgow to Edinburgh usually takes around 1h 15m, but can take just 45m on the fastest services, with around 151 trains running on this popular route each day. As there are direct Scotrail services available, you don’t need to worry about changing along the way. So you can sit back, relax and enjoy the onboard amenities including family-sized tables, power sockets and generous luggage allowances. If you prefer travelling in style, upgrade to Scotrail First Class and enjoy comfy seats, quieter coaches and complimentary refreshments.  

Boasting cobbled streets, medieval architecture and elegant gardens, Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland and a fantastic location to spend a few days. Edinburgh Waverley station is situated in centre of the city, meaning you can start exploring as soon as you step off the train. Make your way to Edinburgh Castle for spectacular views of the city, or the National Museum of Scotland to learn about the country’s fascinating history and culture.  

If you’d like to save money on your train tickets, try travelling Off-Peak. Tickets tend to be cheaper during quieter times on weekdays and weekends. Also, if you get a Railcard, you’ll save up to 1/3 on eligible journeys for a whole year. Use our Journey Planner at the top of the page to compare cheap train tickets from Glasgow to Edinburgh.  

Want to go straight to booking? Start a search with us today! If you want to know more about the journey, keep reading for timetables, tips on how to find cheaper train tickets and FAQs including first and last train times.  

Journey details

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 14 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 ticket prices from Glasgow to Edinburgh (Waverley) can start from as little as £6.20 when you book in advance. The cost of tickets can vary depending on the time of day, route and class you book and are usually more expensive if you book on the day.

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 £6.20 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.

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.

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, a Trainline employee, chose to share her experience of the journey between Glasgow and Edinburgh.

† 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.

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