what's the best way to travel from london to edinburgh

How to Travel from London to Edinburgh by Train, Bus, Car, and Plane

TripSavvy / Jess Macdonald

Edinburgh is the Scottish capital and sits about 400 miles from its English counterpart in the south. You'll have to traverse nearly all of the United Kingdom from south to north to get there, so flying is the fastest way to complete the journey. However, the train takes almost the same amount of time and also lets passengers enjoy the lush beauty of the landscape that you would otherwise miss. You can also enjoy the scenery for a fraction of the price by taking the bus, although that is a much longer trip. If you have access to a car, driving yourself is the best way to truly experience life in the U.K. outside of the major cities.

What Is the Cheapest Way to Get From London to Edinburgh?

If you don't mind an all-day (or all-night) bus trip, you can book a bus from London to Edinburgh on National Express or Megabus . It's a long journey and involves nearly 11 hours seated on the bus, but when tickets are as cheap as $20, it's hard to turn down. Megabus is about two hours faster than other services, getting you to Edinburgh in roughly nine hours. You can typically choose from four daily buses, two that leaves in the morning and two more that leave at night. The overnight bus is an ideal option so you don't miss out on a full day of your trip while also saving yourself a night of accommodation.

Regardless of the company you choose, you catch the bus in London from Victoria Station, with connections to the Circle, Victoria, and District lines of the Underground. The Edinburgh Bus Station is in the city center next to St. Andrew Square and is easily accessible to most parts of the city by foot.

What Is the Fastest Way to Get From London to Edinburgh?

The method of transport with the least amount of travel time is flying, and you can choose from one of several direct daily flights between London and Edinburgh. The total time in the air is only 1 hour, 20 minutes and flights start as low as $30 for a one-way ticket. The primary airlines that fly this popular route are Easyjet and British Airways, with flights departing from any one of the several London airports—Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, or Stansted.

Heathrow is the largest of the airports and is the one that's best connected to the city center, with an express train from Paddington Station to the terminal. You can also take a train to Gatwick or Luton from the city center, while Stansted is only accessible by bus. Edinburgh Airport is located about 10 miles outside of the city, but you can take a tram or bus to the city center.

Although a plane is ostensibly the fastest way to get to Edinburgh from London, you also have to factor in all of the time it takes to get to and from the airport, check-in for your flight, pass through security, and wait at your gate. All things considered, flying and taking the train take almost the same amount of time.

How Long Is the Train Ride?

The fastest trains get you from London to Edinburgh in only 4 hours, 20 minutes. Considering that trains leave from King's Cross Station in the center of London and bring you directly to central Edinburgh, the total travel time of the train is more or less the same as going by plane. Taking the train also has the added benefits of enjoying the English countryside scenery while you travel as well as being the most environmentally friendly option.

Train tickets start at about $33 when you can find the cheapest "Advance" ticket prices. As those sell out, however, tickets jump up in price dramatically and can cost over $200 for a one-way ticket during peak travel times. Flexibility is key for finding the best deals, so try looking at different times and days to see if prices fluctuate. You should also buy tickets early to find the cheapest seats, as the Advance tickets usually go on sale about eight to 10 weeks before the travel date.

The drive to Edinburgh is about 400 miles and takes seven hours if you drive straight through along the direct route on the M1 highway. Traffic around London and Edinburgh can cause major delays at the beginning and end of your trip, but the bulk of the journey should be easy driving with the scenic countryside. Parking within the city center of Edinburgh is complicated at best. However, there are several Park & Ride structures outside of the city that offer free or inexpensive parking spaces and then shuttle customers into the city. Once you're in Edinburgh, everything is accessible on foot or public transportation and your vehicle won't be necessary.

When Is the Best Time to Travel to Edinburgh?

Being Scotland, Edinburgh is cold and rainy in the winter (as well as much of spring). The summer months are the most comfortable time to enjoy the Scottish capital when the average high hovers around 65 degrees F and there are more days of sunshine than overcast. August not only all but guarantees you good weather, but the Edinburgh Fringe Festival is taking place all throughout the month. It's the largest arts festival in the entire world and it completely inundates the city for four weeks with performances, art shows, music, and entertainment. It's also the busiest time to visit the city, but it's a uniquely Edinburgh experience you won't regret seeing.

Winter may be chilly, but spending the holidays in Edinburgh has its own special magic, especially if you're visiting during the special New Year's celebration of Hogmanay . This three-day event starts on December 30 and goes until January 1 of the new year, and it's a special Scottish tradition that more than makes up for the cold weather.

What's the Most Scenic Route to Edinburgh?

If you have your own vehicle and want to get to Edinburgh quickly, the M1 highway will get you there in about seven hours. But one of the best parts of driving is being able to take your time and explore along the way. If you take the M6 highway along the west side of the country, you'll pass through worthwhile towns such as Oxford, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Liverpool, and Manchester before continuing through the photogenic national parks in northern England. The drive itself is minimally longer than the fastest route, but you'll definitely want to make pitstops along the way to see all the country has to offer.

What Is There to Do in Edinburgh?

Edinburgh offers all types of historical, cultural, and culinary delights, so it's no surprise that this Scottish capital is the second most popular city to visit in the U.K. after London. Edinburgh Castle overlooks the city and gives visitors an educational history lesson along with breathtaking views. Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and still retains the medieval architecture that it was founded with. Nearby is New Town, praised for its urban planning which culminates around the famous Princes Street, popular for shopping, restaurants, and going out.

Trains leave King's Cross Station in London and bring you directly to central Edinburgh in about four hours and 20 minutes.

Train is the best mode of travel as it's easy, convenient, and likely the fastest option (if you count the additional airport time you'd need if flying).

The drive to Edinburgh is about 400 miles and takes seven hours if you drive straight through along the direct route on the M1 highway. 

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The BEST Train from London to Edinburgh in 2024 (Review)

Posted by Francesca Brooking | No-Fly Holidays , Scotland | 14

Wondering what’s the best train from London to Edinburgh? Read my review comparing all the main train operators which serve the London to Edinburgh route.

I break down the costs, duration and what it’s like onboard based on my own experience travelling by LNER, Avanti West Coast, Caledonian Sleeper and Lumo.

So, which train should you take from London to Edinburgh? Here’s what I found out.

Why I chose to travel by train 

I visited Edinburgh on a brief weekend city break a few days before Christmas. Time was of the essence so I took a flight thinking it would be cheaper and quicker… Or so I thought. 

I was wrong, of course, and both my flights ended up being delayed and it looked like there was a real danger that I would spend Christmas Day in Edinburgh Airport. I didn’t, luckily!

So, when the opportunity arose to take a second trip to Edinburgh, I was determined to do things differently.

Edinburgh is my favourite city in the UK (after London of course…) but it’s far – not travelling internationally, but still a trek in its own right.

Even so, flying was not an option for me. I couldn’t justify it. Not with the possibility of reliving unapologetic delays and the needless negative impact on the environment. 

Up until very recently, flying has reigned supreme in being the most cost-effective and convenient way to travel from London to Edinburgh.

Historically, trains were expensive and time-consuming, and when you’ve only got a small amount of time to spare on your mini-break, the last thing you want to do is spend most of it travelling to and from the destination. 

Launched in the summer of 2019, the new LNER Azuma trains promised travellers a cheaper, faster and more convenient way to travel to the Scottish capital.

Since I was already planning to go, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to test it and see if it really was the best train from London to Edinburgh and how it stacked up against other operators.

READ MORE: No-Fly Holidays: 10 of the Most Epic Train Journeys in the World

How much the train tickets cost 

I bought my ticket directly from the LNER website to keep things simple.

If booked well in advance (a month, say), LNER promises that you can get as much as 52% off and a standard single ticket from London to Edinburgh could cost you about £32.20. 

I didn’t manage to get quite such a bargain, instead, paying £96.85 for a standard return with a railcard included. It was still a reasonably good deal and as a bonus, there were no added booking fees. 

For luxury travellers, an advance upgrade can cost you as little as £68 for a first-class single, and for that, you can get super comfy seats, hot food, drinks, booze and snacks galore. 

Find out more about the LNER Azuma and book your tickets

What it’s like to take the train from London to Edinburgh

The journey from London King’s Cross to Edinburgh Waverley was a scenic one. The train raced through the country in record time (about 4h 20m) as it headed northeast.

The best views were saved until last as we sped past the historic city of Durham and spotted the cathedral and castle rising above the rooftops.

Next, we snaked through Newcastle and caught a glimpse of the city’s famous Tyne Bridge before getting a close-up of Newcastle Castle on the way out.

Skirting the east coast of England, we made it to the picturesque town of Berwick-Upon-Tweed, the final frontier before our journey up into the Scottish Borders and onwards to Edinburgh.

With less than 5 hours spent travelling, the journey could not have gone better. I sat back and relaxed with a book in hand and a cup of tea in the other as the world sped by my window. 

You could argue that a flight is quicker in the air (about 1 hour) but once you’ve factored in the commute to and from the airports, the time waiting before your flight and the stress of luggage allowances, a fraction of time more if indeed at all just doesn’t seem worth it. 

Virgin Trains have been replaced by Avanti West Coast (more details on that below).

READ MORE: No-Fly Holidays: London to Barcelona by Bus (REVIEW)

Alternative trains and routes from London to Edinburgh

The LNER Azuma was a game-changer for me but it’s not the only choice on the tracks. So, is it the best train from London to Edinburgh? Here are 3 other popular services listed below to compare: 

The Caledonian Sleeper 

The Caledonian Sleeper hearkens back to the romantic age of slow travel. It’s more of an iconic luxury experience than your average train journey.

The journey from London to Edinburgh is a fair bit longer (about 8 hours) but if you’re taking the Caledonian Sleeper simply to get from A to B then you’re doing it wrong. 

Passing through the night, it’s designed to be a chance for passengers to really relax and indulge. You have a choice of sleeping arrangements from cabins with a double bed and ensuite to reclining seats with a personal locker each. 

The Caledonian Sleeper is slow travel at its core so don’t try to rush. WiFi and charging sockets are available throughout the train and passengers have a choice of menus offering a selection of seasonal Scottish dishes to tuck into.  

Read More: Caledonian Sleeper Review: Is This Train Worth The Hype?

Accommodation and Ticket Prices 

Prices are based on booking a single ticket 1 month in advance and are subject to change: 

Find out more and book tickets for the Caledonian Sleeper. 

Avanti West Coast

Virgin Trains was replaced by Avanti West Coast . The operator promised to introduce a range of passenger improvements. I’ve yet to see it. Between you and me, I would avoid them if you can!

An advance single ticket from London to Edinburgh starts from £35 if you book it in advance. 

Avanti West Coast is the other popular train service that can take you from London to Edinburgh.

A slower train than the LNER Azuma, it takes about 4h 42m with departures from Euston every 2 hours at normal operating times. Note: the last train is 23:45 on weekdays and 20:56 on weekends.

Comfort is very much how you make it onboard an Avanti train. Passengers can either go fancy in First Class or pick Standard Class with the option of the Quiet Coach if necessary. 

Food and drink services are available throughout the train as well as free WiFi.  

However, I find that Avanti West Coast trains are often delayed, cancelled or overcrowded in my experience. I’m yet to be convinced – sorry, Avanti!

Find out more about travelling with Avanti West Coast and book your tickets.

Brand new fully electric train service on the scene, Lumo, follows the East Coast mainline but at a fraction of the cost of Avanti West Coast and other rivals.

Launched in October 2021, Lumo started with two services a day and now pushes it up to five. Trains depart London King’s Cross at 5.45, 10.45, 12.18, 14.48 and 20.27 during the week.

Lumo promises to be the low-cost, eco-friendly answer to plane travel.

Trains are 100% electric, the food menu is 50% plant-based and staff uniforms are recyclable. But I think its most important sustainability message is reflected in the price.

Train travel in the UK is, on the whole, more expensive than flying but Lumo wants to change this and make it an affordable choice for everyone.

So where do these swish new trains go? It’s only a handful of stations so far. These are London King’s Cross, Stevenage, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Morpeth and Edinburgh Waverley.

Lumo is definitely one to watch and I can’t wait to see where it goes next.

I’m yet to travel on a Lumo train as they seem to be quite elusive – or sold out. One day!

Accommodation and Ticket Prices

Prices are based on booking a single ticket 1 month in advance and are subject to change. The best way to get the cheapest price is to book a month or two in advance.

If you’re flexible, the best-priced trains are the earliest and latest ones!

Find out more about Lumo and book your tickets.

Train from London to Edinburgh comparison 

So, now that you’ve seen what each train offers, here’s a quick comparison below to help you decide which the best train from London to Edinburgh is based on speed, comfort and price: 

As you can see, LNER Azuma stands out as the fastest and one of the most reasonably-priced train services which makes it the best train from London to Edinburgh if comfort isn’t your main priority.

The Caledonian Sleeper is in a league of its own. As one of the top luxury train experiences in the UK, it can’t really compare. Ride the Caledonian Sleeper FOR the journey itself. Plus you have the added benefit of travelling through the night. 

Lumo doesn’t have a First Class as it’s cheap and cheerful. It wins on price and sustainability. It’s competitive on speed too.

READ MORE: How to Save Money On a Festive Winter Mini-Break

Best ticket providers and how to use them 

You can, of course, book your tickets directly via each website – I recommend it if you choose the Caledonian Sleeper. But, if you want to find competitive rates, there are three main ticket providers I use: 

Trainline: It’s one of the most popular train ticket services that gives you an overview of the best train routes and prices.

You can download your tickets directly onto your phone if you want to go paper-free or get a code to collect your tickets via the machine at the airport. 

Trainline is useful if you want to get train tickets for the UK and mainland Europe but it’s best if you book them well in advance if you want the benefit of saving a few pennies.

Booking fees are also an unavoidable fact of Trainline, charging you £0.75 to £1.50 when you book depending on the price of your train ticket.  

You can download the Trainline app for both iPhone and Android. 

National Rail Enquiries: Much like Trainline, National Rail Enquiries gives you a breakdown of train times and prices, offering the cheapest routes.

Once you’ve chosen your tickets it redirects you to the train service website so you can carry out your purchase there. 

You can go online at National Rail Enquiries or download the app for smartphones. 

TrainPal: It’s a similar service to the first 2 but it’s by far my favourite one to use. You can always find a cheap ticket and there are no extra added booking fees to deal with.

Owned by Ctrip, the parent company of the fan-favourite flight booking platform Skyscanner, TrainPal also has another trick up its sleeve: the ability to calculate and provide split ticketing options.

This means that passengers will be able to save money by booking separate tickets for different sections of their journey, rather than just one ticket, even if they don’t need to change trains. 

You can download the TrainPal app for both iPhone and Android. 

Editor’s Tip: If your train is cancelled or delayed by 15 minutes or more, always claim compensation through the train operator, NOT ticket booking platforms like Trainline. All train operators have a Delay Repay system . Trainline will just charge you an admin fee.

London to Edinburgh by Train: Verdict 

If you’re travelling from London to Edinburgh it’s time to say adios to air travel. It’s no longer the fastest, cheapest or most convenient way to travel now that LNER’s high-speed Azuma trains have entered the ring. 

If I compare both my journeys to Edinburgh, it’s fair to say the train won but it would be wrong to say it was completely perfect.

There were slight delays on the return journey but it was more favourable in comparison to being stuck for 4 hours at Edinburgh Airport the night before Christmas Eve (now THAT’S a fun story for another time). 

The Caledonian Sleeper is a bucket list train journey. You get your travel and your hotel rolled into one and the pleasure of waking up in another part of the country.

I haven’t tried the Lumo train so I can’t comment on its service. Its prices are certainly competitive so you have to book well in advance if you want your chance before it sells out.

But if we’re talking about fast, cheap and convenient then the LNER Azuma is by far the best train from London to Edinburgh. It trumps Avanti West Coast every time.

Looking for more train travel experiences?

• Jacobite Steam Train Review: What It’s Really Like (+ Photography Tips!)
• No-Fly Holidays: London to Barcelona by Bus (Review)
• Caledonian Sleeper Review: Is This Train Worth The Hype?
• How to Get To Inverness: The Best Travel Routes in 2024

This post may contain affiliate / compensated links. As an Amazon Associate, I also earn from qualifying purchases. For full information, please see my disclaimer here .

About The Author

Francesca brooking.

Francesca Brooking is the Founder of Little Lost Travel. A travel expert with a passion for the planet, Francesca is on a mission to help you travel well. From Costa Rica to Jordan, she's travelled all over the world. When she's not off on an adventure, she's reviewing sustainable travel products and writing travel guides.

14 Comments

An awesome way to see the country side! I just wish it wasn’t so expensive! Looks like an unreal time though.

Thank you! Yes, sadly the trains in the UK are ridiculously expensive. It’s definitely worth a treat.

I love how accessible the transportation is in Europe! The views from the train look incredible!

Thank you! Yes, they’re super accessible which is great 🙂

Wow deffo on my to do list!!!

I read your sunflower post so I found my way here. I’ve been giving serious thought to more train travel, it’s a nice way to travel. Plus you can have a drink as you go. The Caledonian Sleeper would be a wonderful way to go to Edinburgh. Love to give that a go.

Thank you! The Caledonian Sleeper works a treat for the start of your holiday. I actually need to include the new Lumo train which gets you from London to Edinburgh at a fraction of the cost!

Sounds really nice- thanks for sharing! But what do we do with ourselves in Edin urgh at 5am? Any suggestions?

Thank you! Ooo that’s a tricky one. You might be able to get a coffee near Waverley station. Depending on the time of year you’re going, you could watch the sunrise on Carlton Hill. Then you might be able to get some breakfast at around 8-9am.

Travelling from London to Edinburgh, do you recommend which side of the train has the better views? The left side or the right side? Thanks

Hi Vanessa, good question! If you’re travelling the LNER route, you get lovely views of the coast when you reach Berwick-Upon-Tweed in the north of England on the righthand side.

Thanks for stopping by and have a lovely trip!

Wonderful insight! I enjoyed reading your article. We are coming from the States to visit my mom’s family in Scotland. From my research, it seems that the best options for us is to fly to London, then take a train to Edinburgh. Do you have insight into train options from Glasgow back to London as well? Still trying to plan out the logistics. Thank you so much.

Hi Carrie, thank you! You can get an Avanti West Coast train straight from Glasgow Central to London Euston. Enjoy your trip!

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Last Updated on 04/05/2024

How to get from London to Edinburgh (Options – train, car, plane or coach)

By: Author Tracy Collins

Posted on Last updated: February 13, 2024

Wondering how to get from London to Edinburgh ? In this guide, we cover 4 of the most popular ways to get to Edinburgh from London including by train, car, plane and coach to help you choose the best option for your travel budget, style and needs.

Edinburgh and London are two of the most popular cities to visit for both overseas visitors and UK residents. It is, therefore, no surprise that visitors want to see the many attractions these UK cities have to offer.

So how to get from London to Edinburgh may be an easy question to answer but it can depend on various considerations and factors, including:

• Do you want to travel directly to Edinburgh by the quickest means?
• Do you want to stop off on the way there?
• How many are there in the travelling group?
• Do you have a preferred mode of travel?
• The cost of travel
• The day and time of travel and time of the year, around seasons and daylight hours.

This quick guide provides an overview of the various travel options with considerations taken of the factors mentioned above. Individual preferences are numerous but can be based on:

• Particular travel mode preferences
• Places/site attraction sites along the route best suited for visiting with one mode of travel eg castles and the countryside best reached by car.
• Mobility restrictions of travel group member(s)
• Quantity of luggage to be moved
• Budget of the group
• Time limitations or preferences

First time in Edinburgh? Read our practical tips to ensure you make the most of your visit

🧭 Fast Facts

• London to Edinburgh by Train*

London to Edinburgh by Coach

London to edinburgh by plane, london to edinburgh by car, how will you travel from london to edinburgh, london travel guide & itinerary planner (+ 4 bonus ebooks).

London to Edinburgh Distance

By car – 400 miles or 643 km

By train – 332 miles or 534 km

London to Edinburgh train – how long does it take?

The quickest route is 4h 20

How to get from London to Edinburgh

London to edinburgh by train *.

Listen to episode 26 of the UK Travel Planning podcast where we chat about how to travel by train from London to Edinburgh plus tips to make the most of the journey.

Our preferred mode of travel is to travel by train from London to Edinburgh.

The train journey has many advantages including being able to choose the day/time and route of travel and book train tickets for your preferred class of travel.

You can move around the train easily, it’s more social and there is no better way to see the beautiful English countryside than from the comfort of a modern fast train.

The train arrives directly into the city centre too. Book a hotel in the Old or New Towns of Edinburgh and you won’t have too far to go from Edinburgh Waverley Train Station.

East Coast Mainline (ECML) London King’s Cross Station to Edinburgh Waverley

This is the train line from London King’s Cross train station up the east side of the UK to Edinburgh Waverley Station.

The east coast route offers the fastest and most direct train services to Edinburgh, favoured by many and is the most direct for a stopover for days or just hours in York.

• Train Operators – LNER London North Eastern Railways, Lumo and Grand Central
• Train Tickets – The best deal option is likely displayed first with the national ticketing online booking options and with individual train operating companies or Open – Access  – companies.
• Advance Train Tickets – Sold in limited numbers in advance (around 9 to12 weeks from day of travel) and subject to availability. Not all advance tickets are released for general sale at the same time. Date and train specific.
• Off-Peak – Available to buy for off-peak travel only (specific to individual companies), buy at any time.
• Anytime – Any travel time or day. Buy any time.
• Season train ticket – Unlimited travel between 2 stations for a specific length of time.
• Click for ticket prices on TheTrainLine.com
• NOTE: Individual train companies and Ticket Retailers MAY have there own ticketing structures or terminology.
• Various types available can be posted out to the UK only or purchased on arrival at most mainline train stations, including some airports – though not Heathrow Airport .
• Digital options can be bought online prior to travel with terms and conditions.
• Click for more information about UK Railcards
• Britrail Pass – An excellent alternative for overseas travellers visiting the UK intending to travel around frequently using trains. Good option choices for area-specific passes and families. Has continuous or flexible durations available. Click here for more information about the BritRail Pass.
• Global Eurail   –  Similar to the Britrail and also has continuous or flexible duration options. Click here for more information about the Global Eurail Pass. www. Global Eurail.com

West Coast Main Line (WCML)

This is the train line from London Euston station up the west side of the UK and then across to Edinburgh Waverley Station.

These are fast trains but not the quickest or the most direct train services to Edinburgh. but it is an alternative route.

• Train Operators – Avanti West Coast. 

Tickets/Railcards and Passes – As above for the ECML.

Caledonian Sleeper – Night train service

This is a luxury overnight sleeper train service that departs from London Euston station for ‘Highland’ and ‘Lowland’ destinations on Sunday to Friday nights (not Saturdays) travelling initially along the West Coast Main Line train route.

The Lowlander service operates between London Euston and the stations of Glasgow Central and Edinburgh Waverley.

This is not intended to be the fastest option but it is a fantastic time-saving option to travel overnight with the opportunity for a lovely meal and hotel-quality accommodation.

Click to purchase tickets on the Caledonian Sleeper

Read more about the Caledonian Sleeper or listen to our podcast episode all about travelling on the Caledonian Sleeper

Cross-Country (via Birmingham New Street or Derby)

This is the train line from Birmingham New Street train station travelling up through the middle of the UK to Edinburgh. This joins the ECML at York.

Alternative routes to Birmingham are via the WCML (and then the Birmingham line) or the Chiltern train line from London Marylebone to Birmingham Moor Street train station. A short walk, well signposted, then to Birmingham New Street.

Another alternative is to head to Derby on the Midland Mainline (also known as the East Midlands Route) and then join a train and travel on the Cross Country Line via York Station to Edinburgh.

These are not the fastest train routes and this definitely is not the quickest or the most direct train services to Edinburgh. This is popular option for visitors who wish to enjoy a trip through the industrial heartland of England including towns and countryside along the way.

Train Operators – Cross Country/ East Midlands Trains

UK Train Travel Guide

The buses or coaches that journey between the two cities generally depart from London Victoria Coach station for National Express and Megabus, arriving at Edinburgh Bus Station on Elder street (near St Andrews Square). National Express has around 4 daily services and Mega-bus around 4 connecting services.

These are generally the cheapest form of travel, they also take around 9 ½ hours, depending on roads/weather etc.  The amount of luggage taken can be restrictive. You can break your journey up with this option.

Click here for ticket prices for National Express Coaches via TheTrainLine.com or Omio for ticket prices for Megabus.

Whilst this may seem at first glance an ideal way to move between London and Edinburgh it has several logistical issues to be considered.

While it is the fastest direct line of travel (around 332 air miles once in the air) with a flight time of around 1 hour 20 minutes it is important to factor in the travel time to and from the airports.

The cost of the flight itself may seem reasonable but add checked baggage and costs rise. These are smaller aeroplanes used for domestic flights and weight/space is of a premium.  If you have carry on only this may make flying a more cost-effective option.

One obvious disadvantage of flying is missing out on enjoying the scenery of the English countryside as you travel.

There are several London airports with flights to Edinburgh including London Heathrow, London City Airport, London Gatwick Airport

Several operators fly between London airports, including British Airways, Easyjet, KLM, American Airlines as examples.

For flights check Omio for prices and schedules.

This is, of course, an option but firstly driving in London is not advised. The traffic congestion is immense and the time to even get out of London can be lengthy.

Options for car hire from the principal airports can be considered if this is a preference particularly if you wish to visit destinations along the way to Scotland.

The most direct road route is about 400 miles and can take around 7 to 8 hours depending on the day/time of setting out.

Car hire gives flexibility to a travel itinerary but can be demanding on time and budget (consider car hire costs plus insurance and the high cost of petrol). 

Visitors not familiar with driving on the left may find it stressful. We recommend Tripiamo – an online resource which through its online guides prepares North Americans to drive in the UK. You can listen to our podcast where we chat with founder John Cortese about Tripiamo .

Good to know – Most availability for UK car hire is for manual transmission cars and not automatics. An automatic will cost more and must be booked in advance.

Read – Guide to renting a car (and driving) in the UK

So there you have it – the various options to travel from London to Edinburgh (or of course how to get from Edinburgh to London if you are travelling the opposite way!)

For information about what to see and do in Edinburgh, these articles are what you need to read:

• Things to do and see in Edinburgh (Itinerary suggestions)
• Where to stay in Edinburgh
• Best day trips from Edinburgh

We highly recommend stopping off along the way if you are travelling by train (and of course by car) and York would be our number one choice (followed by Durham ) Read more about visiting York:

• Visiting York Podcast
• Where to stay in York
• Things to do and see in York

Train operators highlighted are the principal train operators on these train routes as of Feb 2024. Other operators are available but do not necessarily cover the entire train route between London and Edinburgh.

Savvy Travel Advice

A Guide to How to Get From London to Edinburgh

Last updated: April 17, 2024 - Written by Jessica Norah 49 Comments

London and Edinburgh are two of the UK’s most popular cities, and many visitors to the UK want to travel from London to Edinburgh. These two amazing capitals are very different but both offers loads of interesting attractions and activities for visitors. If you are aiming to visit both cities on your UK trip, you may be wondering how to get from London, England to Edinburgh, Scotland?

To help answer that question, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide on how to get from London to Edinburgh or from Edinburgh to London. We’re going to list at all the options you have for getting from London to Edinburgh, as well as give you an idea how long each option takes, the cost associated with each method, the main companies and ways to book each route, and cost saving tips.

We also provide some advice on how to choose a method based on your budget, time, and travel style, and we also share our own preferred way to travel from London to Edinburgh—a trip we’ve taken ourselves many times!

Table of Contents:

How to Get From London to Edinburgh

Here are 10 different ways to get from London to Edinburgh or Edinburgh to London. We cover the most popular ways such as flying or taking a train or bus, less conventional ways such as walking or biking, as well as lesser known options such as ride sharing, taking an overnight sleeper train service, and private transfers. Here they are in no particular order:

The first option to consider is to fly. London and Edinburgh are 332 miles apart in a straight line and you’ll generally find that a plane is usually the quickest ways to get between the cities.

London has six main airports to choose from, and five of those airports offer direct flights to Edinburgh. See our guide to getting from London to all six of London airports  for information on London’s airports and options on traveling to each airport from London’s city centre.

Edinburgh has only one main airport , conveniently located with good public transport links about 8 miles from the city center. From the airport, you can take a cab, Uber, the tram , a pre-arranged  private transfer , or a city bus such as the AIRLINK bus to the city center. The least expensive options are the Airlink bus and the tram.

Which airlines fly between London and Edinburgh?

With five airports to choose from, as you might imagine, there is plenty of competition between the airlines on the London to Edinburgh route. The main airlines flying between London and Edinburgh are British Airways, easyJet, Ryanair, and Flybe.

How much does it cost to fly from London to Edinburgh?

Most of the flights from London to Edinburgh are with budget carriers so they are not usually very expensive. If you book well in advance and don’t need to check luggage, you can snatch a flight for as little as £15 one way with a budget airline!

However if you are not booking well in advance and/or have luggage, expect to pay in the region of £70 to £200 per person. You’ll also need to add in the cost of travel to and from the airports into your budget.

If you have a large budget you can also charter a private plane from London to Edinburgh. Private hire costs start around £4,200 (~ 4,800 euros) for a light jet. You can check prices here .

How long does it take to fly from London to Edinburgh?

Direct flight times from London to Edinburgh are usually between 60 minutes to 90 minutes. However, you mustn’t forget to factor in the time it takes to get to the airport in London, or the requirement to check-in at least an hour before your flight. You also have to get from Edinburgh airport to the city, which will take between 20 to 30 minutes.

Once you consider those factors, you’ll likely find that the total trip time will be between 3 hours to 4 hours in total from leaving London’s city center to arriving in Edinburgh’s city center.

Where to book flight tickets?

You can of course search all the individual operators for flight options (e.g., British Airways, Ryanair), but it is often faster to use a flight comparison tool if you are looking for the lowest priced flight. Two flight comparison tools we often use are Priceline.com and  Kiwi.com ,  these both include prices from the top airlines as well as smaller budget airlines.

2. Bus / Coach

A long distance bus, usually referred to as a coach in the UK, is another way to get from London to Edinburgh. Coaches run on a regular basis from a number of departure points in London, with the majority departing from London’s Victoria Coach Station . A coach is one of the least expensive options, although it takes longer than many of the other options.

Which bus companies operate between London and Edinburgh?

The two major long distance bus operators in the UK are National Express and Megabus , and they both operate routes from London to Edinburgh with multiple departures each day.

How much does the bus cost from London to Edinburgh?

Again, booking in advance will get you the best deals. We’ve seen fares as low as £3 one way if you book in advance and are flexible with your timings! Average prices however are in the region of £10 to £30 per person, making this one of the most cost-effective options. If you are booking last minute, a bus is likely your best option if you are on a tight budget.

If you have limited travel time, there are overnight buses from London to Edinburgh as well. If you are able to sleep on a bus, then you could save time and money on a hotel by booking an overnight bus.

How long does the bus take from London to Edinburgh?

The coach is going to be one of the slower options available. You’re looking at between 8.5 and 11 hours of travel, depending on the bus and route.

How to book a bus ticket?

The easiest way to book a bus ticket is directly via the operator’s websites, either  National Express or   Megabus .  But you can also buy bus tickets from National Express by phone or in person from the Victoria Coach Station. Megabus tickets can also be purchased in person from the Victoria Coach Station.

Generally our preferred way to get from London to Edinburgh is to take the train. The UK has a good high speed rail network that runs across the country, and there are numerous direct services running between London and Edinburgh on a daily basis. We recommend booking as far in advance as possible to get the best price and to be guaranteed an actual seat. 

Which train companies operate between London and Edinburgh?

The main train company is London North Eastern Railway (LNER; formerly Virgin Trains East Coast), which operates the fastest services up the east coast. The other major operators of trains between London and Edinburgh is Avanti West Coast (formerly Virgin Trains) and Lumo.

How much does the train cost from London to Edinburgh?

If you book far enough in advance, the cheapest ticket from London to Edinburgh will cost you in the region of £25 to £30 or a single standard class ticket. If you book closer to the time, you’re looking in the region of £50 to £150 for a single in standard class. First class tickets are generally about double the price of a standard class ticket.

Rates will vary and will be higher during busier times of year (holidays, festivals, weekends, summer). Generally, the further you book in advance, the less expensive the tickets will be.

Also note that the only way to guarantee a seat on the train is to book at least a couple of days in advance. If you buy a train ticket on the day, you usually aren’t guaranteed an actual seat on the train and may have to stand for segments of the journey. It definitely pays to book in advance!

If you plan to make multiple train journeys within the UK, you might consider getting a BritRail GB Pass  (includes train travel in England, Scotland, & Wales) which can save you money if you plan to travel around the UK by train. Includes some London airport transfers. These passes must be purchased in advance of your trip (must purchase from overseas before you enter the UK) and are NOT valid for UK residents.

How long does the train take from London to Edinburgh?

The fastest trains take slightly over four hours to get from London to Edinburgh, running up the east coast of the country. These are run by LNER as well as by Lumo (starting October 2021). There are also slightly slower direct services that take the west coast, which are a little under six hours in duration.

Where to buy train tickets?

There are a number of website operators where you can book trains online. You can go directly to the train service website (LNER, Avanti, Lumo) or compare times and prices on a website like Trainline . 

You can also of course buy and book tickets in person at the actual train stations but we recommend booking in advance if you can.

4. Car / Driving 

If you’re planning on following one of our self-drive UK itineraries, such as our two week UK itinerary , then you’ll likely be thinking of getting a car. And of course, a car (or motorcycle or campervan) is a great way to get around the UK, giving you lots of flexibility in your schedule and meaning you can stop where you wish. Distances in the UK are not so great and the road network is fairly good. Read here for our  tips on driving in the UK if you are new to it.

Note that we don’t recommend driving in London or Edinburgh as both are busy cities and parking can be difficult and expensive. The best ways to explore both cities as a visitor is on foot, by public transit, or cab. So I would only recommend driving or renting a car if you plan to make other stops along the route or after your visit to Edinburgh. 

How Long Does it Take to Drive from London to Edinburgh

It is about a 400 mile drive from London to Edinburgh, and if the traffic conditions are good you’re looking at around a 7 hour drive from central London to central Edinburgh. The majority of the route will be on a fast motorway. The 7 hours is without accounting for any stops, so I’d estimate at least  8 to 9 hours for the total journey to take into account food and rest breaks. If you travel during rush hour, Edinburgh’s August festivals or Hogmanay festival season, or over a holiday weekend, the journey will likely take a little longer. 

Of course, if you are driving, you can make detours to visit some of England and Scotland’s other cities and attractions near the route. There is a lot to explore in between and even if you are stretched for time, I’d plan a couple of stops and perhaps overnight along the route to break up the long drive.

Fastest Driving Route from London to Edinburgh?

There are two main options for those looking for the quickest route between London and Edinburgh. The most direct way is to take the M1 to the A1. But you can also take the M1 to the M6 to the A702. Both options normally take a little over 7 hours without stops.

Before setting out on your long drive I’d check road conditions and any delays or scheduled construction before heading out to see which might be the best option for your trip. Two useful websites are Traffic England and Traffic Scotland which cover all the main motorways and roads in the UK, and reports live road conditions, delays, construction, traffic incidents, etc. UK radio stations normally report traffic conditions on a regular basis as well which can alert you to any major traffic incidents along the route as you are driving.

Where to Rent a Car in the UK?

If you need to hire a car, there are a number of rental car companies operating in the UK. Just note that if you are doing this as a one-way journey, that the majority of companies will charge extra for a one-way fee so do check before booking.

We definitely recommend checking around on a few sites to find the best deal on a rental car. We usually check a couple of price comparison sites, both Discover Cars  and AutoEurope . We also regularly use Enterprise as we often find their one-way fees are the lowest, so do check with them directly as well.

Cost of Driving from London to Edinburgh?

This is going to vary widely depending on whether you need to rent a car, your rental car category (e.g., economy vs. luxury), fuel prices, and your route (do you make a lot of detours or drive there directly?). Currently, the fuel cost for the drive would likely be between £55 to £80 depending on your car, speed, and route based on current fuel prices.

As an example for rental car cost, I checked for a 2 day rental in April 2024 on Discover Cars and found rates as low as £60 for a budget mini-sized car for pick-up in London and drop-off in Edinburgh. Add in fuel costs of £65 for a 2-day rental total as low as £125. So I would estimate costs between £125 to £250 for a 2-day rental. Just remember that will you will also need to factor in any needed insurance and one-way fees you may need to pay.

If you like cycling, then you may want to consider cycling from London to Edinburgh. The UK has a fairly comprehensive system of bike routes, known as the National Cycle Network .

Bike Route from London to Edinburgh?

One good option is   Route 1 , which is part of the National Cycle Network. This route links Dover on the coast of southern England with the Shetland Islands in the far north of Scotland. The 1,695 mile route runs through both London and Edinburgh. The section of the bike route from London to Edinburgh is 783 miles (1260 km) long. 

There are also other routes that follow a more direct path on or alongside more major highways, as well as less direct paths if you want to include other sites along the way. A more direct path, although less scenic route, will be about 450 miles.

How Long Does it Take to Cycle from London to Edinburgh?

If you taking a fairly direct route, the time can vary widely between 4 days and 3 weeks to complete the journey, depending on route, fitness, and speed. It can actually be done in as a little as 2 days if you are a pro athlete, but expect more around 2 weeks for the average person going at a good pace.

Estimate your days based on which route you plan to take and how much you think you can bike on average each day. Cycling the Route 1 the full way, it will take you 9 or 10 days at 80 miles per day, 13 days at 60 miles a day, or about 20 days at 40 miles a day. But if you take a more direct route using more highways, you could do it in 6 days at 80 miles per day, 8 days at 60 miles per day, or about 11 days at 40 miles per day.

Where to Rent a Bike in London?

If you are returning to London after your trip to Edinburgh, you have lots of bicycle hire companies with offices in London. However most don’t allow you to rent a bike in London and return it in Edinburgh. But we do think you can do this with British Bike Hire , as the company allows you to receive the bike by mail anywhere in the UK and then mail it back. But do check on the details before booking.

Another option is to purchase a used bike in London and then sell it once you are in Edinburgh.

6. Overnight Sleeper Train 

As well as the standard train services, there’s also an overnight sleeper train that runs from London to Edinburgh. Known as the Caledonian Sleeper , this is a specialist train service that offers comfortable sleeper accommodation and a service that runs more slowly than the standard trains, offering you the chance to get a proper nights sleep as you journey between the two cities.

You can read more about our own personal  experience riding the Caledonian Sleeper .

How Long Does the Overnight Train take from London to Edinburgh?

The total journey time is around 7.5 hours. On most days the train leaves London Euston station around midnight and arrive into Edinburgh around 7.30am. Similarly, you can also do the same journey from Edinburgh to London which has similar train times.

However, you can actually board the train in London an hour or so before the train leaves, giving you time to have a drink or meal on board and get to sleep earlier if you wish. We’d recommend boarding early to settle in and get ready for the night.

You can see the full train timetable and boarding times for London to Edinburgh here .

How much is the Overnight Sleeper Train from London to Edinburgh?

Prices vary depending on the type of accommodation you want, which ranges from a sleeper chair through to a private first class compartment. You also save money by booking a fixed date ticket in advance (dates are usually posted 12 months in advance). 

Normal advanced rates start at about £48 per person for a sleeper seat, £145 for a solo classic room, £175 for 2 people in classic twin room, £250 for a club room for 2 people (twin with en-suite), and £400 for a Caledonia superior double room for 2 persons. Note that prices will be higher on more popular dates and times of the year.

When considering the prices, don’t forget that you are also saving yourself the price of a hotel night, so it can be a pretty good value option for some travelers.

How do I buy a Caledonian Sleeper ticket?

The best place to buy tickets is directly through the Caledonian Sleeper’s official website . Tickets can be purchased up to 12 months in advance of your travel date. 

7. Walk or Hike

Not many people are going to choose to walk or hike the 377 miles from London to Edinburgh, but it is another way (and the oldest way) to get between the two cities. If you are into really slow travel, this is your best bet and it is also a very healthy option!

Hiking Route from London to Edinburgh?

Unfortunately, there is no single walking or hiking route between the two cities, although you can join some of the England’s National Trails  and Scotland’s Great Trails   together. History fans may want to follow a famous old route like the Great North Road that dates back to Roman and stagecoach times (now A1 closely follows a large part of this route)..

Hiking will of course require you to do a fair bit of planning and be reasonably fit and resourceful, but if you have time and want an adventure, this is certainly an interesting way to get from London to Edinburgh!

How Long Would it Take to Walk from London to Edinburgh?

This will depend on your chosen route, level of fitness, planned stops, and how fast you want to move. A really fit person moving at a good pace could do the walk in about 1.5 to 2 weeks but it will take longer for the average person.

I’d estimate your time based on how many miles you think are doable per day on average. So for example if you think you can walk 30 miles a day you could reach Edinburgh in about 12 or 13 days, doing 20 miles per day you’d get there in about 19 days, and if you think 10 miles per day is more realistic it will take about 37 days.

8. Take a Guided Tour

If you aren’t in a rush, or want to see a bit of the UK as you go, then another option for getting from London to Edinburgh is to take a guided tour. This is a great way to see more of the UK in between these two great capitals. You can join an existing guided tour or arrange a private tour.

How Long is a Guided Tour from London to Edinburgh?

This really depends and tours may be as short as two days or as long as 10 days or more.

Most companies do not offer one-way tours, but a few do. For example, we know that Rabbie’s (one of our favorite tour companies in the UK) offers a guided  eight day tour that starts in London and finishes in Edinburgh! The Edinburgh-based tour company also offers the opportunity to build a customized private tour, so you can put together an itinerary that suits.

If you are looking to return to London, then you have a lot more options as there are a number of tours that visit Edinburgh and return to London, such as this 3 night long weekend tour and this   5 day tour.

How Much Does a Tour from London to Edinburgh Cost?

Tour prices will vary dramatically depending on the length of the tour, time of year, number of people and so on. As an example though, the Rabbie’s 8 day tour mentioned, which will be in a group of 15 people or less, costs around £474 per person, excluding accommodation, entrance fees, and most meals. The 8-day tour cost including B&B overnight accommodation and daily breakfast for this trip would be around £719 per person. Just be sure to take into account what each tour includes when comparing prices.

9. Ride share

Another option for getting from London to Edinburgh is to share a ride with someone who is already going there. There are a number of ride sharing websites that let you find rides going where you want to go, and you usually just have to contribute to the cost of the journey. This can be a great way to meet strangers and fellow travelers, but do use good judgement and caution in vetting opportunities.

Ride Sharing Services for a London to Edinburgh Trip?

We have not personally used these, but a couple of ones to check out include BlaBlaCar and Liftshare . You can join a carshare that someone else is offering or offer one to have others join if you are able to drive.

Other options include posting or checking ads online to find a travel buddy or ride sharing opportunity. Some places to try include online classifieds (e.g., Craigslist, Gumtree), online travel message boards, and physical classified and bulletin boards (if you live or already staying in the London area). 

Cost of Ride Sharing Services from London to Edinburgh?

It is usually very inexpensive as most drivers just want company and assistance covering their expenses such as the cost of fuel. Expect it to be a little less or similar to the cost of a budget long-distance bus. Costs might range from £8 to £35 per person for a direct drive from London to Edinburgh (and return back to London is usually an option as well).

10. Private Car Transfer or Cab

A final option is to hire a private car with driver or take a cab. These are good for those wanting to travel in comfort by road without having to worry about driving or renting a car. The driver will pick you up and drop you off at the address of your choice. Options can range from a standard cab to a luxury limo.

How to Book a Private Car Transfer or Cab from London to Edinburgh?

There are several cab and private transfer companies who will offer a car service between London and Edinburgh, but it is something you’ll need to arrange in advance. We recommend using a UK cab comparison website like minicabit to compare rates for cabs and private transfer options.

How Much is a Private Car Transfer or Cab from London to Edinburgh?

This is a premium option and rates are likely to range from about £400 to £600 for a private transfer in a standard sized car. However, if you have 3 or 4 people sharing the cost, it is not as expensive.

What is the Best Way to Get From London to Edinburgh?

There is no easy answer to this question as it is going to depend on factors such as your budget, time, and travel style. But the following information should help you find the best method for you and your travel plans.

Cheapest Way to Get from London to Edinburgh?

Those on a tight budget should check out the long distance buses, train, and ride sharing options. Booking in advance can save you a lot of money on both bus and train tickets which are likely to be the least expensive options. If you have a car in the UK, then driving may also be a good budget option, especially if you can split fuel and parking costs with travel companions.

If you need to book relatively last minute, then a long-distance bus ticket is likely going to be the least expensive option.

Quickest Way to Get from London to Edinburgh? 

The quickest way is to fly. But because of travel time to and from the airports and airport security, flying will only save you a little time (40 minutes to 1.5 hours) over taking a high-speed direct train. So those looking for fastest options should check out flying or taking a direct train.

Most Cost/Time Efficient Way to Get from London to Edinburgh?

The most efficient way based on both money and time depends on how much you value each, but we’d recommend taking a direct train or flying if you are able to book your tickets in advance. However, overnight buses and the overnight sleeper train can also be very time and budget efficient options as they don’t waste sightseeing time and save you the expense of paying for lodging for one night.

Most Luxurious Way to Get from London to Edinburgh?

If you have the money, you can charter a private plane which is probably the most luxurious option available. However, for those looking for the most comfortable way to get from London to Edinburgh on a tighter budget should consider first-class seats on commercial flights, first-class train seats, the private Caledonian Sleeper rooms, and private transfers. 

Best Way to Sightsee from London to Edinburgh? 

Those wanting to make some stops and sightsee should consider taking a guided tour, driving, or biking. You can also go by train and travel the route in sections, stopping in a number of towns and cities along the way. Check out our 10 day UK by public transport itinerary and 1 week UK by car itinerary for ideas. If you are considering joining a guided tour, we recommend checking out this one .

Most Leisurely Way to Get from London to Edinburgh? 

Walk or bike, which are also the most healthy ways! Driving is another good way to make the journey at your own pace and everyone loves a good road trip. 

Our Preferred Way to Get from London to Edinburgh?

We’ve traveled from London to Edinburgh and from Edinburgh to London more times than we can count and have made the journey using a variety of transportation types. Our preferred method for traveling between London and Edinburgh is to take the train. If you book the train in advance it can be very competitively priced compared to other options such as a long-distance bus. While traveling by train might take slightly longer than flying, the advantages are that it is more convenient, normally less expensive, and you are able to watch the scenery go by outside. The overnight sleeper train option is also recommended for those wanting to travel without losing precious sightseeing time.

But we can also recommend checking out flying, long-distance buses, driving, and taking a guided tour. All of these are also good options that we have used. It really just depends on your budget, time, and travel style.

Can you Take a Day Trip from London To Edinburgh?

It is possible to visit Edinburgh as a day trip from London, but honestly, we would advise against this. It’s going to involve at least eight hours of travel, meaning an early start, a late finish, and limited time to actually sightsee in Edinburgh.

If you want to visit Edinburgh from London, we would highly recommend staying at least one night in Edinburgh, and ideally two. This self-guided tour for example includes round trip transfers, an overnight stay in Edinburgh, Edinburgh Castle entry and a hop on hop off bus ticket whilst this is a similar 3 day tour .

Of course, you can visit Edinburgh as a day trip from London if you really want to. We would recommend taking the train as it will take you directly from city centre to city centre. Alternatively, there are tours available, such as this one .

So that summarizes our guide to getting from London to Edinburgh! If you are planning your trip to the UK, here is a guide to public transit in London as well as a 3 day London itinerary and a  6 day London itinerary to get you ready for your time in London.

To give you some ideas for what to do when you arrive in Edinburgh, take a look at our guide to the must-see things to do in Edinburgh  as well as our tips for getting off the beaten path in Edinburgh .

We hope this helps you figure out how to get from London to Edinburgh, or vice versa! If you have any questions about traveling between these two cities or travel within either one, just let us know by leaving a Comment below. Also, if you have any of your own tips or advice about travel between London and Edinburgh, feel free to share below!

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Darlene Post author

January 13, 2024 at 10:49 am

Wow I am so thankful I found your blog. I am going to do my first solo adventure and I have been having a hard time deciding how to get from Southampton to Edinburgh after a cruise. I will definitely be taking a train from London ( think it was Kings Cross station) to Edinburgh. Now I just need to decide how I am getting from Southampton to London. I truly appreciate the valuable information you put in this post.

From a very grateful first time solo traveler from Maine.

Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author

January 13, 2024 at 5:53 pm

Hi Darlene,

So happy to hear you have found our travel blog helpful in planning your trip to Scotland, and on how to get between London and Edinburgh.

We’ve done cruises to and from Southampton so have done those connections. So to get from Southampton to London, you have two real options, either take a bus/coach (National Express is the one we have used) or the train to London. First, to get from the cruise port, you’ll need to make your way to the bus or train station. It is a short taxi ride to either from any of the cruise terminals (there are several within the port) to either the central coachstation or train station. It is even possible to walk to the bus station – 15-30 minutes depending on the arrival terminal but probably not the best idea if you have luggage. There is also a local bus you can take but you’d need to check the schedule for that so again a taxi is probably easiest.

Both the bus or train work well. If you can get a direct train that will be a bit faster, but a bus is often a bit cheaper – we’ve done both. Bus is great backup also if there are any railway strikes going on. Neither the train or bus go directly to Kings Cross station though (trains normally end at Waterloo station or Paddington, and buses normally terminate at Victoria Station in London) so you’ll want to take the Underground (Tube) or a taxi probably once you get to London if you need to then head directly to Kings Cross for a train.

No matter which option, just be sure to allow for possible delays and travel time so you are not rushing. You can almost always count on at least a small delay somewhere with so many connections in your journey. Being able to do it at a more relaxed pace is always nice, particularly if it is your first time.

Hope that helps, and wishing you a wonderful trip. If you have any further questions as you plan your trip, just let us know!

Best, Jessica

Pedro Post author

January 1, 2023 at 2:52 pm

This information has been very useful. I have a couple of questions that hopefuly you can help provide guidance to. Here´s a little context that might help set the stage. We are planning on UK (London)- Scotland-Ireland for our Honey Moon and are flying in from Mexico City. From the total of 17 days (+2 for the international flights), we´ve decided on 3 days in London to then go to Edinburgh. This is were we are having a hard time pinning down an itinerary beggining with how to get to Scotland, how to move around Scotland and what to prioritize for scenery, towns, castles, etc.

1. We are planning to spend aproximately 1 week in scotland getting to Edinburgh from London. We haven´t decided if a day (7.5 hr), a speed train (4 hr), a night train or flight is best. If we want to also go sight seeing in Scotland, is it worth it to take the train? If so, which train would you take to get there? Would the 4 hr spreed train be good enough to check the sight seeing box? 2. While in Scotland, would you recommend to move between towns or pivot back and forth from Edinburgh? If moving from town to town is recommended, would you recommend renting a campervan for the experience/cost/flexibility? If not, how would you recommend to move between towns? 3. To move around Scotland, is it better to join tours privoting from Edinburgh (or Glasgow), to rent a car, to move around by bus or move by train? 4. How many days would you recommend for Glasgow (considering a samewhat fast paced trip and that we will most likely want to spend more time in Edinburgh)? 5. Considering the time restriction, what would you list as must see places, towns and visits?

Any recommendations for Ireland along the previous travel plan style would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks in advance for the help.

Best, Pedro

January 2, 2023 at 8:19 am

Happy to try to help you plan your trip to the UK and Ireland.

First, I would suggest considering 4 nights in London if that is your first stop. You’ll likely be very tired the first day and with potential flight delays, it might be good to have an extra night here. Also, out of all the cities in the UK (and Ireland), London has some of the top museums, attractions, and nightlife. So it is a good city to spend a little extra time so you don’t feel too rushed.

To get from London to Edinburgh, I’d probably suggest just taking the high-speed day train. In terms of time X cost, it is probably the best bet (although you can compare them to a flight, but flights are more a hassle with security/screening, etc.). There is some nice scenery from the train, particularly as it gets further north but it is certainly not a panoramic sort of train ride (the best scenery in Scotland from a train is north of Edinburgh and Glasgow). But the night train can also be a good option as it does save you the money of a hotel that night but is not always a restful experience depending on how you sleep on trains and normally it arrives very early in the morning.

If Edinburgh and Glasgow are places you plan to go already, then getting around by train probably makes a lot of sense. You don’t need a car to get around either city if you stay near the city center, lots of stuff is walkable or you can take the public transit (or a taxi).

I would say maybe 3 nights Edinburgh, 2 nights Glasgow, and 2 night up in Inverness. Both Glasgow and Inverness are very easy to reach by train from Edinburgh. From Glasgow, you can also easy day trip to Loch Lomond. Inverness, the capital of the Highlands, makes a good base to explore Loch Ness, Cairngorms, and/or Isle of Skye.

Across our two travel blogs Independent Travel Cats and Finding the Universe, we have lots of articles on Scotland (and London and Ireland) that I think cover all or most of these places and top things to see. If you have any questions, just ask!

For tours in Scotland, we recommend checking out Rabbie’s which is based in Edinburgh and offers both day tours and multi-day tours from Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Inverness.

I am not sure what your plans are for Ireland. But you can take a ferry from Scotland to Northern Ireland for example (or catch a short flight), and then head to Belfast. In Northern Ireland. Top sights here would probably be Belfast (particularly the Titanic Belfast ) and the Giant’s Causeway (you can drive or take a day tour along the Causeway Coastal Highway ).

Then you could take the train down to Dublin and spend a couple days exploring the sights around Dublin. You can also do day tours from Dublin to places like the Cliffs of Moher, Kilkenny, and Blarney Castle. I would also recommend seeing a bit of the countryside, so depending on how much time you have left, you could either take rent a car or join a tour to explore a scenic more rural area such as the Ring of Kerry or Dingle Peninsula.

So your trip itinerary might look something like this: 4 nights London, 7 nights Scotland (split between Edinburgh/Glasgow/Inverness), 2-3 nights Belfast, 3-4 nights Dublin (maybe 1-2 nights in rural area instead?) – flying into London and out of Dublin.

Anyway, hope that helps, and just let us know if you have further questions as you plan your trip.

Happy travels, Jessica

Rindy Post author

September 3, 2022 at 10:13 am

My flight from London to Edinburgh was canceled and our optional flight gets us into Edinburgh after midnight and we still have to drive to Glasgow. We decided to take the train, but noticed the Lumo wont allow luggage, is that correct? We are open for any advice on how get to our destination.

Jessica Post author

September 3, 2022 at 11:58 am

I am not sure if you are asking about going from London to Glasgow by train or how to get from Edinburgh airport to Glasgow after midnight. So I will try to answer both questions.

Yes, it looks like from their policy that the Lumo train service only allows one medium suitcase and hand luggage so that would probably not be a good fit (although they have a luggage courier service you can pay extra for). The last non Lumo train is also at 11.45pm so that would probably not work in terms of timing if your flight doesn’t get into Edinburgh until midnight or later.

If you need to get from Edinburgh to Glasgow late at night, I’d recommend looking at the Megabus bus service . They currently offer through-the-night direct services from Edinburgh airport. So that should work if you take the midnight flight, just be sure to check the bus schedule for your specific date.

If you are asking about best way to get from London to Glasgow, you have a few options: train (Avanti West Coast has probably the most direct trains), sleeper train (Caledonian Sleeper service at night), or a long-distance bus (such as by Megabus or National Express).

Note that if planning to take the train, you’ll want to check in advance for rail stike dates as industrial actions in the UK has made some of the companies limit selling tickets on some dates because of planned or potential strikes. I think the dates for September have been announced.

Hope that helps, and feel free to follow up if you have further questions as you plan your trip to Scotland.

Noelle Post author

July 25, 2022 at 6:16 pm

Thanks for this informative article. I am planning to take the train from London to Edinburgh in mid August right after I land from the US. My flight from the US gets into Heathrow at 1:15PM and I don’t plan on checking a bag. I’m trying to figure out if I should buy: 1. an advanced single train ticket (£71.50) or 2. an anytime ticket (£173) or 3. just show up at the train station and buy a ticket day of (not sure how much more $$ this will be)

With air travel the way it is in the UK right now, I’m worried if my flight will get delayed. Also I have no idea how long it will take to get through customs, etc. What are my options if I miss a train or can I take an earlier one if I show up way before my scheduled train? Thanks for your help!

July 26, 2022 at 9:45 am

This is a great question. There is no real right answer to this, it really depends on balancing money with risk.

So most advance single tickets can only be exchanged fee free up to 6pm the day before you travel. Changes made after this will depend on the train company, for the London to Edinburgh route that is operated by LNER and they currently charge £10 for a change. However you have to make the change prior to the timetabled departure.

LNER currently also allows you to book an advance ticket up to 5 minutes before departure however this will be subject to availability. You can see more here .

To answer your questions:

– Baggage/security/customs can take a while! Recently we’ve gotten through in as little as half an hour, but it can take much longer depending on how many flights are coming in and staffing. You also have to factor in the time to get from Heathrow to London Kings Cross. It’s about an hour direct by Picadilly Line.

– If you miss a train you are normally out of luck, unless you have requested to change it before it leaves (for advance and saver tickets). For anytime tickets, you can travel any time, but they are more expensive.

– If you show up early, you can pay the small fee to change to an earlier train, subject to availability.

If it was me, I would likely book a train at around 4.30pm with an advance single. That should be enough time to get through customs and across London. I’d book an advance single directly with LNER, you can download and use their app. If your flight arrives late, unless it is really late then you should be able to change it when you land. If it is looking like it is going to depart very late, then you can change your train before the flight takes off.

Of course, this is down to your own personal approach to risk. You could opt to try for an advance single on the day, but they are not always available. If you are arriving on a Thursday or Friday for example these might have less availability than earlier in the week.

If you don’t want to worry about delayed flights and timing that day, you could also just plan to spend the first night of your trip in London near the train station so you are more relaxed and just book a morning train to Edinburgh from London. So the only thing you need to do is to get from the airport to you hotel and then you can just choose one within walking distance to the train station.

Anyway, hope all the above helps in making a decision. If you have any further questions, just ask! Fingers crossed for a smooth and on-time flight.

July 26, 2022 at 2:50 pm

Thank you so much for this detailed response. I have been trying to research this for days and figuring out the train system has been confusing for me. This is SO helpful for me and I will take your advice and book the advanced single for 4:30pm. I’m assuming that if I download the LNER app I can make changes to the train (if needed) right on the app? Also if I make any changes and there is a change in fare (like if it’s more $), do I need to pay the difference plus the fare change fee or just the change fare fee?

July 28, 2022 at 3:03 am

You’re very welcome, happy to try to help.

Yes, you should be able to make changes (e.g., times) via the LNER app once you sign up and have a ticket booked in your account. If there is a price difference between the train tickets, you would normally need to pay the price difference plus the admin change fee.

Yes, we have been having a lot of train/airline staff strikes in the UK and the rest of Europe. A good thing is that they are normally announced publically about 2 weeks in advance. So I would check for updates before you head out.

Also note if you have travel insurance, you might want to check to see if that would cover you if you needed to cancel your tickets or miss your train due to a flight or travel issue. Travel insurance will often cover things booked according to their policy due to travel delays/cancellations/interruptions. Although hopefully you will not need to use it!

Tiffany K Post author

June 29, 2022 at 6:42 am

A note for Americans who may be looking to rent a car: Car Hire is our equivalent of rental cars and you may see them advertised either way. We were a bit confused as “car hire” over here typically means someone else is driving (like a limo or a taxi). Also, most UK cars have manual transmissions and you’ll need to specify if you want an automatic. I highly recommend it; even if you CAN drive stick, doing so on the opposite side of the road and shifting with your left hand adds a whole new level of distraction to an already somewhat stressful activity. Thanks for your article–we’re about to go visit Edi again (to watch our daughter graduate this time!) and I just can’t get enough of the city. Always love to spend a few days in London first, then take the train up to Scotland and enjoy the countryside. Your information is very helpful!

June 29, 2022 at 8:24 am

Hi Tiffany,

You are very welcome! And thanks for sharing some comments about what you have found confusing about the way that rental cars are advertised and rented in the UK as an American.

Yes, the Brits normally use “car hire” versus the term “rental car” that is often used in the United States but they mean the same thing. But in the UK, if you say you want to rent a car, they understand what that means and it means the same thing. Americans generally only refer to hiring when it means hiring an actual person, such as a driver.

Yes, there are definitely more cars with manual transmission available to rent/hire in the UK. There is definitely a shift though to more automatic cars on the road here. More than 50% of new cars sold in the UK are automatic and this keeps rising and it also means more and more rental cars are also automatic. But if you are someone who is good at driving a manual car, they are usually less expensive, so a good way to save money. But if you are not used to manual gears, I would definitely not recommend it for tourists, especially for those coming from countries used to driving on the right side of the road.

A note on trains. The UK is experiencing a number of strikes (including rail strikes) and transport staffing issues. This means that lots of trains have not been running on certain days, this is particularly the case in Scotland. So just be sure to check this close to your trip. For strikes, they normally give about a 2 week notice. Hopefully all the strikes will be ended by the time of your trip but they have been causing a lot of travel chaos affecting the rails, Underground in London, trams, and airports. So always good to have an alternative travel plan just in case.

That sounds like a lovely trip, and I hope you have a great time in Edinburgh to visit your daughter and see her graduate!

Christine Post author

November 23, 2021 at 9:31 am

Thank you for making my travel planning a lot easier and more efficient. I normally do all my own research and would have spent so many hours pulling together all the information that is in one article. Plus, I have never been to Scotland so my understanding of how it all works would have taken much longer to process and I still might not have felt 100% confident with my information. Your wonderful article laid out everything beautifully. So organized and answered all the questions I had about costs, names of vendors, and pros/cons of choices. I am done with this portion of my trip and have decided to book a day train ticket from London to Edinburgh so I can see the scenery. Many thanks!

November 24, 2021 at 1:48 pm

Hi Christine,

I am so glad that our traveling planning guide for getting from London to Edinburgh was helpful to you. A day train is a great choice and I hope you enjoy the train and your time in Scotland!

We used to live in Edinburgh and have written several Edinburgh articles across our two travel blogs that may be useful, but just let us know if you have any questions about your trip.

Rachel Post author

November 4, 2021 at 8:17 pm

Thank you so much for this article! So much information that I needed when trying to decide how best to plan. Really appreciate the details!!

November 5, 2021 at 8:52 am

Glad to hear and wishing you a great trip in the UK. Just let us know if you have any questions about planning travel between London and Edinburgh!

Jack Post author

October 14, 2021 at 6:14 am

Hey, very helpful article, all you need to know to find the best way to get from Edinburgh to London!

October 17, 2021 at 6:13 am

Thanks Jack, glad you enjoyed it and just let us know if you have any questions!

Wishing you safe & happy travels, Jessica

Rose Post author

October 1, 2020 at 6:33 pm

Oh dear I’m a bit confused…hasn’t Virgin trains lost the contract to Avanti? A while ago so it’s not a new thing? Thanks, great post otherwise.

October 2, 2020 at 4:05 am

Glad you found our article helpful in planning your journey between London and Edinburgh!

Yes, you are (sort of) correct. As noted, London North Eastern Railway (LNER) is the main operator of trains from London to Edinburgh (formerly Virgin Trains East Coast) and the one we mainly recommend as it operates the fastest service. This has not changed since we wrote the post. However, more recently another route between Edinburgh and London was operated by Virgin Trains and this changed to Avanti West Coast in December 2019.

The operators of various trains and routes, particularly during our time in Scotland, have changed fairly frequently but the routes themselves have generally remained the same, which of course is the important thing!

Wishing you safe & happy train travels, Jessica

Swati Post author

August 22, 2020 at 5:02 pm

Hi! Great info in your post! I am travelling next week Wednesday evening from London to Edinburgh. We are driving down (3 couples and 4 kids in two cars ). We intend to leave around 3-4 pm and reach by 11-12 at night. Could you provide some insight on how the drive is – single/double lane road ? Well lit or no street lights? Is it recommended to drive during the night ? Safe/risky? Thanks!

August 23, 2020 at 6:48 am

Yes, if you follow the most direct route (and fastest route) north from London to Edinburgh, you’ll mainly be on the A1 and the M1 motorway – this is a major highway in the UK and a busy one. The A1 is mostly 2 lanes, but the number of lanes does of course vary over the course and it gains lanes in different sections of the route, from one lane each way to several. You can see all the lane changes here . The road is well signed, easy to follow, there are many exits, and it is a popular route.

If you are not used to driving very much, it may be easier to drive it during daylight than at night. So you may consider leaving earlier to arrive before dark.

The drive between London and Edinburgh takes about 7 to 8 hours, but of course you’ll want to leave time for stops for food, fuel, etc. so I think leaving 9 to 10 hours, especially with kids, would be a good idea to ensure plenty of time. Road construction can add time to the journey as well.

Enjoy your trip! Jessica

Elizabeth Noble Post author

March 10, 2020 at 11:36 am

Hi. We are headed to Edinburgh in August and may head to Ireland. What is the best way to travel across that won’t break the bank? Also once there the best way to get around if we don’t feel confident driving to see the sights. Thank you.

March 10, 2020 at 12:26 pm

Hi Elizabeth,

You, of course, need to cross a body of water to get from Scotland to Ireland so you will need to either take a ferry or fly as part of your journey. The larger airports are in Dublin and Belfast.

If you want to take a ferry, you’ll need to get a coach or train to reach the ferry ports. It depends where in Ireland you want to go as well as they will determine some of your travel options and companies that run that route. So I’d probably compare prices and time between flying from Edinburgh or doing a ferry route.

The quickest option is to fly but it can often be less expensive to take a coach & ferry trip.

Probably the least expensive way to get from Edinburgh to either Belfast or Dublin is to book a coach and sail package with Stena Line as they often offer rates as low as £29 per person. They also offer rail & sail packages as well. It is probably too early to book for August so you’ll need to wait until closer to your trip to book these.

There are regular ferries from Cairnryan, Scotland to Larne / Belfast in Northern Ireland. You can go by foot passenger, car, or via a bus (all the regular passenger buses and tour buses must cross by ferry obviously). The two main ferry companies are Stena Line and P&O Ferries .

Once in Ireland, you can travel between cities and towns pretty easily by train or bus, for train Irish Rail is the main provider. For day trips, if you want to see several sites in one day, I’d recommend taking a bus tour. For example you can see our recommendations for day tours from Belfast .

If you are looking for longer trips around Ireland to explore various areas, you might consider checking out the tours from Dublin offered by Rabbie’s Travel .

BTW, Edinburgh is easy to see on foot and via public transit. There are also a lot of day tour possibilities from the city. You probably are well aware, but August is a VERY busy time in August so I’d book your accommodation as soon as you know your dates, especially if you are on a budget, as it is the most expensive time for lodging in the city given all the August Edinburgh festivals .

Hope that helps you get started. Let us know if you have further question as you continue with your planning.

Pat Post author

November 12, 2019 at 5:07 pm

Excellent information for someone who had never traveled from London to Scotland. Appreciate all the options, tips, etc. We will have about 5 days to visit Scotland/Ireland in May 2020. I wish we had more time. Any suggestions are welcome.

November 13, 2019 at 9:26 pm

I would suggest spending all 5 days in Scotland if you can. If you try to also visit Ireland it will mean a lot more rushing around and you won’t get to see much in either country. If you have 5 days in Scotland, I’d recommend 2 days in Edinburgh and then the next 3 exploring the Highlands (Glencoe, Loch Ness, Cairngorms, castles, whisky distilleries, etc.) and maybe a visit to Glasgow if you enjoy cities. You can either move around or just base in Edinburgh and take day trips from Edinburgh , depending on how you want to get around. It depends a lot on your interests. Are there different sorts of things you really want to do/see in Scotland?

If you do split the 5 days between Scotland and Ireland, it will depend on how you plan to get around (car, public transit, tour). You can also do a flight from Edinburgh to Dublin. But I’d probably recommend 3 nights Edinburgh (2 days exploring city, 1 day trip) and then 2 nights in Dublin (I’d recommend flying from Edinburgh to Dublin). Alternatively, you could choose Belfast instead of Dublin. I’d recommend flying to Ireland, but you can also get from Scotland to Ireland by ferry but this will take up more time.

Hope that helps, and just let us know if you have further questions as you plan your trip to the UK.

Ashley Post author

June 18, 2019 at 4:47 am

Which is the best train station in London to go into?

June 19, 2019 at 8:39 pm

There are a lot of train stations in London and they are well-connected. If you are trying to get to Edinburgh, I’d purchase your ticket and that will tell you which station to go – most trains from London to Edinburgh leave from Kings Cross. Let us know if you have further questions.

Gail Dundas Post author

March 25, 2019 at 2:34 pm

How much luggage can you take with you on the train from London to Edinburgh?

March 25, 2019 at 4:03 pm

Hi Gail, You’ll need to check with the specific train company operating the route you book (e.g., Caledonian Sleeper, LNER, etc.) as it is different for every transport service. But normally you are allowed 2-3 pieces of luggage per person that fit comfortably in the train, don’t block passage, and you can handle yourself. Extra luggage can often be taken but will need to be put in bulk storage (if available) and may incur an extra fee. For example here is the baggage policy for LNER . Hope that helps, Jessica

December 31, 2018 at 1:25 am

Great and helpful information, exactly what I needed. Think I am going to take a bus or train, just need to check on prices 😉

January 1, 2019 at 11:17 am

Hi Rachel, Glad this was helpful, and enjoy your trip from London to Edinburgh!! Best, Jessica

VIKKI WANG Post author

December 26, 2018 at 10:44 pm

Hi! I just would like to clarify : London to Scotland Caledonian sleeper New train has been started running? I am travelling around 06 Feb 2019. is it possible to book for new sleeper. Can you please reply to my email? Thank you!

Regards Vikki

December 27, 2018 at 3:23 am

The new Caledonian sleeper trains are still being tested. They were supposed to begin running the London to Edinburgh route in October 2018, but the start date has been delayed. They are now planned to start all services with the new trains in Spring 2019. So you cannot book the new trains, but you can still book a journey between London and Edinburgh on the old trains as they will continue to operate until the new ones are ready.

Kim Post author

November 8, 2018 at 11:59 am

Great information, thank you! Just booked a trsin trip for my family from London-Edinburgh. Allow me to share the difficulty I had, and how it was solved. For some reason, the LNER website refused to take either of our credit cards (Visas issued on an American bank). I sent two emails to the company (different offices) and received automatic notifications that it could take up to 20 days to respond. (Who has 20 days when their booking an overseas trip??) I tried again today with the same results. Picked up the landline to call them, and received a message that “this number cannot accept incoming calls from your location.” Tried from my cell phone, same response. So I went to Facebook and messaged LNER from their FB page … aha! Got someone. They recommended I try PayPal (but had no explanation as to why my credit cards wouldn’t work). Tried PayPal, it worked. THEN I get a notification from LNER that my transaction is being investigated for fraud. I”M JUST TRYING TO BUY TRAIN TICKETS FOR MY FAMILY! Current situation: waiting to see if my purchase will go through. Bottom line: use social media to reach them if there’s a problem.

November 9, 2018 at 1:30 am

Hi Kim, Sorry to hear that about LNER and your difficulties booking a ticket on their website. That railroad was recently taken over by LNER (Virgin used to run it). We had not had any issues with Virgin, but have also had a small issue with LNER but nothing like in your case. I hope you are able to get the issue sorted out. Thanks for sharing your experience as it may help future readers.

If you are not able to purchase them from LNER, I’d recommend using Trainline . They charge a small commission fee (usually around £1 per ticket or transaction) but we’ve found them very easy to use. In fact, we just purchased our most recent UK train tickets through them from London.

Tiffany K. Post author

June 29, 2022 at 6:36 am

This sounds like it was flagged by your credit card company, as often happens with overseas transactions. It probably wasn’t on LNER’s end. If anyone is reading this and finding the same issue, call your card company first and see if they will allow the charge. We’ve had issues with one large bank (not sure if I’m allowed to say the name?) where they’ve even denied charges after we informed them of our travel. It’s not as much of an issue anymore because tracking is so much better, but can still pop up occasionally.

Akash Greene Post author

August 29, 2018 at 6:47 am

Where to Rent a Bike in London? Having problem answering this question! Thanks a lot for this post!

August 29, 2018 at 8:06 am

Hi Akash, There are a number of places where you can rent a bike in London if you just want to cycle around London and surrounds, including road bikes, e-bikes, hybrids, mountain bikes, etc. These include typical bike shops, bike share programs, and docked city bikes (Santander Cycle docking program). A few places where you can rent a variety of bikes for more than a day include On your Bike and The London Bicycle Tour Company .

But if you are planning to rent a bike in London and cycle to Edinburgh (and not return to London), then you’ll need to find a place that will let you return it there which can be more difficult. I’d call and check in advance with companies. If the above aren’t won’t let you do this, I’d check out British Bike Hire ‘s bike through post program as that may be an option.

Hope that helps! Jessica

Richard Post author

July 19, 2018 at 2:53 pm

Wow, such awesome info about getting from London to Edinburgh! We will be in GB and Ireland next year, 2019, for about 30 days to celebrate both of our retirements. There is just so much to take in and it can all be overwhelming when looking at all the beauty, history, and art that can be explored. We will be flying into London so finding ways to get to Edinburg for the Fringe is great information. I would love to keep in touch and pick your brains about sites and ideas to explore while we are there.

July 22, 2018 at 5:55 am

Hi Richard,

Glad you found it helpful! Yes, if you are traveling in August, you will be traveling in high season and particularly in Edinburgh (and surrounds) things can be a bit crazy. I’d book any train tickets and hotels well in advance (~ 3 months) if you can for Edinburgh as prices go sky high for the entire time of the festivals. Even 1 hour away in Glasgow lodging prices are currently double normal rates.

Since you are planning to visit Fringe, you might find our Edinburgh summer festivals guide helpful. We have been going every year for the past few years so do let us know if you need any planning tips.

One article that may help is our 2 week UK itinerary which might help give you an outline, but since you have double the time, you can stay longer in any location and add in many more stops! If you are thinking of going by train or bus, we also have a 10 day itinerary that may give you some initial ideas.

Yes, very happy to provide advice as you plan your big trip – just ask! Sounds like a very wonderful retirement trip to look forward to next year.

Jully Jeams Post author

April 21, 2018 at 9:43 pm

In this post, there is much informative information to get from London to Edinburgh. I think the airport is the best because there has been much security available so so less likely for security problems to occur. Now Airport system takes much security.

April 22, 2018 at 12:27 am

Hi Jully, Glad you found this information helpful and thanks for sharing your opinion! Taking a plane is definitely a fast way to get from London to Edinburgh (or Edinburgh to London) and as you point out it is definitely option that has the most security. So if you want to feel the safest, it may be the best bet! However, the downside to the security is the need to get the airport at least 1 hour in advance to get through security and this takes up a lot of the time that could be saved by flying and of course many people find the security scanning a bit of a hassle. So it is definitely a matter of personal preference in the best option to get between London and Edinburgh!! Best, Jessica

Shikha Singh Post author

April 2, 2018 at 5:41 am

Yes, the cities are both popular and beautiful as well. Thanks for guiding through these famous locations in England. The pictures are really heart winning.

April 2, 2018 at 6:06 am

Hi Shikha, Glad you found it helpful, do let us know if you have any questions about your UK holiday! Best Jessica

Lolo Post author

March 28, 2018 at 7:33 am

I literally just discovered the Caledonian Sleeper Train yesterday while flying home from London! That seems like it could be pretty cool, although while sleeping you’d obviously miss the beautiful countryside views! Although taking a normal train would be fun between London and Edinburgh! Would love to do that as we definitely don’t like driving in London and I can imagine how terrible it is in Edinburgh! But we do like to road trip and stopping at multiple locations! Ah I’m torn! Definitely saving this for next time!

March 28, 2018 at 8:05 am

Hi Lolo, Yes, the Caledonian Sleeper is one of those “greatest train journeys” that shows up in a lot of rankings. The routes date back to the 19th century but they have kept updating the services and trains, and are actually getting completely new carriages this year. So we are excited to do it again and check out the new sleeper rooms and dining/lounge cars! If you take the overnight train from London to Edinburgh, you only get a couple of hours of time in the morning to see the countryside depending on the time of year, but if you continue on to Inverness, that can be a really scenic journey and gives you a much more leisurely time on the train. A regular train is probably a better way if you want to see more scenery.

Driving between Edinburgh and London is just long and while most is fast (if boring) driving along the motorway, it definitely takes most of the day. Although you can of course make stops and overnight along the way to make a fun mini road trip. We often do this if we have time to break up the journey. Edinburgh is not as bad as London in terms of driving/parking but we don’t recommend a car in either city and most people we know living in Edinburgh bike, walk, or take public transit within the city center. London now charges extra congestion fees to drive in certain parts of the city. So we recommend dropping off a rental car before exploring either city, leaving the car in long-term overnight parking (a few hotels offer free parking although most charge a lot for it), or parking at a friend’s house if you know someone in London or Edinburgh.

Anisa Post author

March 26, 2018 at 7:14 am

So many options to get from London to Edinburgh! From Norwich to Edinburgh, where we live, I think the easiest way is to just fly. If I was coming from London I would love to do that overnight train. Thanks for sharing!

March 26, 2018 at 9:48 am

Hi Anisa, Yes there are a lot of options and the overnight train is a great way to get to Edinburgh if you are in London. If you have the chance, it is a great train journey, and going further to Inverness is an even better experience as it gives you more time to relax.

Unfortunately from Norwich it takes about the same time to reach Edinburgh by car but the train connections are much worse from there and add a couple of hours onto the journey. But at least you can get flights from Norwich to Edinburgh which is super convenient!

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London to Edinburgh: How to Get There + Tips

Home » Blog » Europe » United Kingdom » London to Edinburgh: How to Get There + Tips

Are you planning to travel from London to Edinburgh? There are multiple ways to reach the popular Scottish tourist hub. In this guide, we’ve detailed all the various transportation methods to help you plan your route.

London to Edinburgh is a very popular transportation route, as many travelers start their UK exploration in the bustling British capital city before making their way to Scotland. 

However, a considerable distance (400 miles, or about 640 kilometers) separates the two cities, making it somewhat challenging to pick the single best transportation method. 

Having spent a great deal of time traveling throughout Europe ourselves, we can tell you it depends on several factors including your budget, how much time (and luggage!) you have, the number of people traveling, and more. 

In this guide, we outline all those logistics to make getting from London to Edinburgh as seamless as possible.

London to Edinburgh

• Guided tours

Other resources for planning your trip

• Essential Tips for Driving in Scotland + How to Choose the BEST Rental Car
• Best Time to Visit Scotland: When to Go & When to Avoid
• Epic Places to Visit in Scotland
• Insanely Fun Things to Do in Edinburgh
• Best Campervan Hire in Scotland: Ultimate Guide
• Best Airbnbs in Edinburgh

Be sure to download our  complete packing list for Scotland !  It’s packed with good suggestions and  insider tips  to help plan your Scotland trip. And it’s completely  FREE , so why not!?

London to Edinburgh by plane

Flying from London to Edinburgh is the fastest option, with a flight time of about 1 hour and 20 minutes. It’s also quite affordable. Often, you can find tickets available for between £20-25. 

However, traveling by plane has some disadvantages, and we wouldn’t recommend this option in ALL scenarios. Let’s break down the logistics of traveling from London to Edinburgh by air.

Cost of flying from London to Edinburgh

As we mentioned above, it’s generally fairly easy to find budget flights between these two cities. Especially if you book more than a couple of weeks in advance, there’s usually an ample selection of weekday tickets under £25. 

However, prices often double—if not triple—for weekend travel and booking last-minute is always the worst value. Even a ticket on a budget airline for an upcoming weekend can increase to a pricy £150!

Easy Jet is the UK budget airline with the cheapest flights. However, it’s important to note that fees on this airline are sky-high (pun intended!). You’ll wind up paying for everything from your seat to your carry-on baggage which really adds up.

If you need to get from London to Edinburgh as quickly as possible, we recommend paying extra for tickets with British Airways. Typically starting around £50 and going up from there, these flights depart from London Heathrow, a short 15-minute train ride from the city center!

No matter what options you’re considering, remember that flight prices tend to fluctuate quite a bit. Check ticket prices as far in advance as possible and don’t forget to watch for last-minute deals!

Psst! For more potential savings, follow these expert tips on how to find cheap flights .

Airports with flights from London to Edinburgh

London has a whopping six major airports, so just figuring out where to fly in and out of can be tricky. On the other hand, all Edinburgh flights land at Edinburgh Airport (EDI), a straightforward 30-minute bus ride from the city.

• London Heathrow (LHR): the main international airport in London, which is easy to reach via a fast train or subway ride from the city center. This airport services British Airways. 
• London Gatwick (LGW): can be reached by 30-minute train ride outside of the city. This airport services budget airlines that’ll get you to Edinburgh such as Easy Jet, Ryan Air and Air Lingus. 
• London Luton (LTN): can be reached via a 25-minute train and then a 10-minute shuttle outside the city. This airport services Easy Jet and Ryan Air. 
• London Stansted (STN): is the furthest from London proper; a 50-minute train or 1-hour (or more) bus ride, depending on traffic. This airport services Easy Jet and Ryan Air.
• London City (LCY): this is the closest airport to London’s city center and requires a 45 minute train ride or 30 minute taxi rise (depending on traffic). This airport services British Airways. 

Note: While taxis and rideshares are available for all the airports, we do not recommend them since they’re both slower and much more expensive than the alternatives.

Getting from the airport to Edinburgh center

Tram: 

Taking the tram from the airport to Edinburgh city center is the easiest and most convenient way to arrive. Trams run every 7 minutes from the hours of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and every 15 minutes outside of those hours. 

The airport tram stop is right outside the main terminal next to the plaza and Edinburgh sign.

Services run between the airport and York Place in the Edinburgh city center and make 15 stops along the way. A one-way adult ticket is just £6.50 and can be purchased at the ticket machines at every stop. 

The Airline 100 Bus also runs between Edinburgh Airport and the city center. Departures from the airport are every 30 minutes from 1:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., then every 10 minutes from 4:00 p.m. to 12:10 a.m. The journey is about 25 minutes (depending on traffic). A ticket costs £4.50 and can be paid to the driver as you board.

Uber also works in Edinburgh, but is a much more expensive option. You can expect to pay around £17-24 for a one-way ride to the city center. 

Pros and cons of flying from London to Edinburgh

In our opinion, the biggest disadvantages of traveling by plane are the additional costs and time involved with getting to, in, and out of the airports. 

London’s airports are all outside of the city center, anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour commute from the city. As a result, transportation tickets can get pricey, sometimes costing up to £20 (nearly the same as the plane tickets!). 

Plus, after factoring in time for going through security and the cost of baggage, the high-speed train is only a bit slower but competitively priced. And it’s so much more hassle-free! 

Of course, there are scenarios when flying is definitely the best option. For example, if you’re simply connecting flights in London, it’s easier than switching to other transit methods. 

Another great option is to book a hotel near the airport, eliminating commuting stress altogether! Even with all the additional transit time, flying is still the quickest option. It takes approximately 3.5-4 hours end-to-end to fly from Edinburgh to London.  

Planning a trip to Scotland? Find out the best time to visit Scotland based on seasonal weather patterns and your personal travel style.

London to Edinburgh by train

The train system in the UK is highly regarded as one of the best in the world. Trains run frequently, typically departing every half-hour from early morning through late evening in many major cities. 

The ride is very comfortable and it’s the best way to take in the scenery on the journey north (not having to pay attention to the road frees you up to simply soak it all in!). Best of all, trains arrive and depart from the center of both London and Edinburgh. 

The only major downside of this transportation method is the cost — tickets can get pricey.

Cost of the train from London to Edinburgh

Train tickets start from £20 if booked a month or more in advance for weekdays. As with flights, prices tend to increase significantly on weekends. Additionally, tickets at off-peak times (like extreme early mornings or late at night) are cheaper than the daytime. 

If booking a few weeks ahead for a “normal” time, £40-60 is a typical good-value ticket.

One important thing to note is that it’s crucial to purchase train tickets in advance in Europe. It’s not like hopping on the L train in Chicago on a whim. 

We’ve searched for train tickets just a few days ahead of our trip and the prices have always been steep, nearing £200 a seat! If you’re traveling during holidays, this is even more true. 

Another thing to keep in mind is that while it’s convenient to search for tickets using an aggregator service like TrainLine or Omio, you’ll get the best value by booking directly through the train operator.  

Pros and cons of train travel from London to Edinburgh

Trains, especially in the UK, are convenient. They’re quick and punctual, plus well-equipped for travelers with luggage (many even allow passengers to bring bicycles!). 

This route departs from King’s Cross Station in central London and arrives at Waverley Station, close to Edinburgh’s major attractions. 

With over 50 trains daily, it’s very easy to pick a time. Best of all, the trip only takes 4.5 hours — much quicker than driving by car or bus!

We think train travel is often the best option for getting from London to Edinburgh (and many other destinations in Europe!) — if you can plan ahead to take advantage of good pricing. 

Psst! If you have time to discover more of the country, don’t miss these epic places to visit in Scotland .

London to Edinburgh by bus

Several carriers service the bus routes from London to Edinburgh, including Megabus, FlixBus, or the National Express. In our opinion, there’s no significant difference between any of them, so choose the one with the most convenient time and departure/arrival location. 

The bus trip takes around nine hours, making it the slowest form of public transportation. However, it’s not always a bad option, as tickets are consistently affordable and flexible.

Cost of bus travel from London to Edinburgh

Bus tickets typically vary between £10-25, depending on the company and specific times. Keep an eye out for promotions — we’ve occasionally seen tickets drop to as low as £5!  

Like other transportation methods, prices increase for weekend travel. However, unlike trains, buses don’t have much variation between departure times; prices are fairly consistent regardless of the time of day. 

Ticket costs also don’t usually increase for a departure within the next few days. So if you’re looking for an affordable option for a last-minute trip, the bus is the way to go!

Pros and cons of taking a bus from London to Edinburgh

The biggest downside of bus travel is the duration; nine hours is a lengthy trip. And while they’re still fairly spacious, we find buses a bit more cramped than trains in the UK.

However, buses are unquestionably the most flexible option. You don’t have to worry about booking a ticket far in advance and the price deviations are more manageable. Like trains, buses depart from a central location — either from London Victoria Coach station or Finchley Road. 

For the most budget-friendly way to travel from London to Edinburgh, consider taking an overnight bus. That eliminates the need for accommodation and you’ll arrive in Scotland in the early morning with a full day ahead of you to explore!

London to Edinburgh by car

Another option is to take a road trip to Edinburgh! This self-guided option allows for the most flexibility and some sightseeing along the way. 

The drive takes around seven hours, following a straightforward route via the M1 and A1, both major roads. If you’d like to add some stops along the route, check out lively Newcastle and the Northumberland Coast.

Cost of driving from London to Edinburgh

Unlike ticketed transportation with a flat price, the cost of driving involves several factors like car rental and fuel costs. If you’re traveling with several people, though, this option can be pretty economical. 

As a very rough estimate, car rentals from London typically start at £100 a day, and the 400-mile road trip averages around £70 in fuel.  

Split several ways, this price is comparable to other transportation methods, but here, you have the added benefit of a private vehicle at your disposal. Search Discover Cars for the best deals!

Search & Compare Rental Car Prices

• Discover Cars : We personally use this aggregate site to compare rental car prices from all the big name companies and get the best price possible. 
• Booking.com :  We’ve had good experiences finding rental cars with this site (formerly RentalCars.com) in the past. 

We put together a complete guide to renting a car in Scotland with all the information you need to find the best price, including tips for driving in the country.

Alternative driving options

If you like the idea of car travel from London to Edinburgh but don’t want to make the drive yourself, there are loads of other options. 

For the most hassle-free experience, various chauffeur services operate between the two cities. With hotel pick-up and drop-off, the driver takes care of all the travel logistics. 

At around £500 in price, chauffeurs are expensive, but offer an attractive option if you’re traveling in a group that can split the cost. Several sites aggregate driver services, like Findtransfers.com .

Another excellent option for traveling from London to Edinburgh is via rideshare. Similar to an intercity Uber, drivers offer a seat in their car for a low price. Rideshares are sometimes the cheapest option, with rides ranging in price from £10-40. 

However, there are downsides: they can’t be booked in advance, there aren’t always available drivers, and because you may be sharing the vehicle with other passengers, there’s no way of telling how long your trip will be. 

We do think it’s worth looking for last-minute transportation — just don’t rely on it. Popular platforms include BlaBlaCar and LiftShare .

The pros and cons of driving from London to Edinburgh

The biggest advantage of car travel is having complete control over the trip. If you’re not under a time constraint, it’s a great way to see more of the UK, visiting other destinations in addition to Edinburgh on your Scotland road trip . 

However, the drive does take a long time, averaging 7 hours between the 2 cities.  

Parking can also be a major issue in both London and Edinburgh, especially close to the city centers. Always check with your accommodation for information (many accommodation options in the city center don’t include a parking space!).

London to Edinburgh by bicycle

For the trip of a lifetime, consider cycling from London to Edinburgh (yes, seriously — it’s totally possible!). 

The UK is interconnected through an extensive bike path system called the National Cycle Network. There are endless possibilities for a route from London to Edinburgh, and this is a fantastic way to see the European countryside. 

It comes down to how much time you have and what you want to see along the way, but following these trails minimizes road dangers and allows you to incorporate interesting sights. 

Plus, since it’s so densely populated, you don’t have to bring as much bikepacking gear as other trips. It’s possible to stay in a warm bed every night and eat out for every meal, if you really wanted to.

The real logistics challenge comes in the form of the bicycle itself, for which there are two options. You can fly with your own bicycle, which means disassembling and packing the bike into a cardboard box or bike travel case. Usually, there’s an oversized luggage cost for this, but you’ll also arrive in London with your own wheels!

The other option is to rent from the many bike shops in London. Make sure to check with the shop that your bike is prepared for a long-distance journey (this is fairly common, so they’ll likely have plenty of options). 

For the biggest selection of bicycles, check out FatLlama , a platform that lets you rent directly from the owner. 

How long does cycling from London to Edinburgh take?

The most direct bicycle route from London to Edinburgh is 450 miles (about 724 kilometers), passing through the countryside in eastern England. 

The duration of the trip is entirely dependent on your speed and how often you stop. A fast but realistic pace for such a distance would be averaging around 65 miles a day, making the journey last about a week. 

For a more leisurely, relaxed bikepacking experience, allow two weeks, getting in about 30 miles a day. 

Pros and cons of cycling from London to Edinburgh

Of course, riding a bicycle for many consecutive days isn’t for everyone. However, for a reasonably fit rider, this form of transportation—and this particular trip—does have its charms. 

Biking allows you to experience towns off the beaten path, really take in all the surroundings, and connect with locals (many will surely be inquisitive about a long-distance traveler on a bicycle). 

And then there’s the flexibility: whether you’d like to camp and couchsurf for a budget experience or stop by breweries, restaurants, and quaint inns along the way, the options are endless.

Guided tours from London to Edinburgh

Want to leave all the planning up to someone else? It is possible to book an entire tour from London to Edinburgh. Here are a couple of intriguing options.

London to Edinburgh Day Trip

On this day trip, you’ll meet a guide at King’s Cross in London, who will give you an overview of the day ahead. Next, you’ll board a high-speed train to Edinburgh, where you’ll be greeted by another guide. 

The day will be full of sightseeing, hitting the city’s major attractions, before returning to London via train in the evening.

London to Edinburgh Overnight Trip

This overnight tour is similar to the day trip, but also includes a stay at a hotel. We recommend this option over a day trip so you won’t feel as hurried. Both are a great way to experience the Scottish capital stress-free, however.

Are you planning a trip to Scotland?

We have lots of resources on travel in Scotland and destinations throughout the country. Check out our  Scotland Travel Homepage  for everything you need to know, or read some of our favorite articles below.

• Best Places to Visit in Scotland
• How to Plan the Ultimate Scotland Road Trip
• Best Airbnbs in Edinburgh, Scotland

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The Best Way to Travel Between London and Edinburgh

London and Edinburgh are about 400 miles apart. By US standards, that’s not a lot. There are several ways to travel between the capital of England and the capital of Scotland, but which is best? Here are all your options, and the pros and cons of each.

Travel Between London and Edinburgh By Plane

Flying between London and Edinburgh is usually a good option, and might seem like the fastest at first, but don’t forget the travel time to get to and from the airports. The flight between the cities takes a little over an hour, but it could take several hours to get from central London to central Edinburgh.

There are four main airports in London – Gatwick, Heathrow, Stansted, and Luton. Heathrow is the only airport connected to London by the tube. Luton is perhaps the hardest to get to, taking up to two hours from central London to departures, depending on traffic.

As to price, flights can seem to be the cheapest option at as little as £10 ($13.00) each way. We just have to take into account the other expenses. The cheapest option to get to each of the London airports is between £3.50 and £10 ($5-$13). In Edinburgh, both the bus and the tram cost £4.50 ($6) between the airport and the city center. Oh, and don’t forget the cheap tickets are also only if you are traveling really light.

To recap, the plane is a good option. Relatively fast and cheap, but not always the fastest, and definitely not the cheapest.

Search flights to Edinburgh

London to Edinburgh by Train

The train can be one of the fastest ways to travel between London and Edinburgh but’s also the most expensive. The average ticket is about £80 ($115) and goes up to £250 ($325).

I’ve also heard there are trains for as little as £15 ($20) with the new Lumo service, but I’ve yet to find any ticket close to that price myself. They must have all sold out as soon as they were put up for sale.

Depending on which train you book and the number of stops it has, it will take anywhere between 4.5 and 7.5 hours. The great thing is the train will take you from King’s Cross Station in the center of London to Waverly Station in the center of Edinburgh. So the train can be relatively fast, without a need for as much transit time on either end, but certainly not cheap.

The best thing about taking the train is the scenery, which almost makes up for the price of the ticket.

Check train prices between London and Edinburgh

Edinburg By Bus

The bus is almost always the cheapest option, but also the slowest. The ride is about 9 hours long. Tickets are as little as £1 ($1.30) each, but usually around £10 ($13.00).

There are three main companies: Megabus, National Express, and most recently Flixbus . I’ve always found Megabus to be nicer than National Express, which is surprising as Megabus also has the cheaper tickets. I’ve yet to ride on Flixbus since they entered the UK, but I’ve had great rides with them around Europe…and some horrible rides too.

The long journey probably puts off a lot of people, but if you’re like me, sleeping on the bus is like sleeping on any other mode of transportation. I love falling asleep in London and waking up in Edinburgh, or vice versa. Again, you travel from city center to city center, departing from London’s Victoria Coach Station and arriving in Edinburgh’s New Town.

Check bus prices on this route here

Finally, there’s renting a car. If you’re traveling in a group and don’t mind driving for 7-8 hours (or perhaps longer, depending on traffic), this will be your cheapest option. Just make sure to research all the rules about driving in the center of London, and where to park in both cities. Car rentals have dipped as low as £5 a day at times, but you won’t normally find a rate that low. Check current prices here .

To sum things up, each mode of transportation between London and Edinburgh, Scotland has its pros and cons. If I’m in a hurry, I fly. Otherwise, I prefer the bus, or renting a car with friends as I personally love the idea of an 8-hour road trip.

Related posts:

About the author.

Skye is an adventure blogger photographing the world, eating good food and helping travelers everywhere. He started SkyeTravels.com to help other travelers follow their dreams. He's always looking for the next adventure.

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Great Post!!! I truly believe that there is much more to explore new places. The world has incredible beauty which makes us visit new places for sure.

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From London to Edinburgh: 4 Best Ways to Get There

Written by Bryan Dearsley Dec 9, 2021

The Scottish capital city of Edinburgh is one of the most visited tourist destinations in the UK. As such, any traveler heading to the British Isles should certainly consider adding it to their travel itinerary.

Fortunately, the UK has a well-stablished and extremely efficient public transit and highway infrastructure. This, added to the fact it's a relatively small country (it could fit into the USA around 40 times), makes getting from one end of the country to another relatively easy.

The journey between the capital cities of London and Edinburgh is no exception. Though they're located around 400 miles apart and are at different ends of the UK, journey times can be surprisingly quick depending on your preferred means of transport.

By far the fastest method is flying . Non-stop flights take only an hour from London's airports, although you do have to take into account the time needed to get to the airport, plus security. Travel by train from London to Edinburgh is a pretty good second choice, taking around five hours, followed by car (seven hours), and bus travel (nine hours).

Whatever your budget or your allotted time to make the journey, be sure to refer to our handy guide to the best ways to get from London to Edinburgh.

On This Page:

• From London to Edinburgh by Plane
• From London to Edinburgh by Train
• From London to Edinburgh by Car
• From London to Edinburgh by Bus

1. From London to Edinburgh by Plane

By far the fastest means of getting from London to Edinburgh, even after factoring in getting to and from airports and security checks, is by flying. Each of London's big three airports – Heathrow, Gatwick, and Stansted – offer direct flights. While flight times vary anywhere between an hour up to 90 minutes , the addition of security and other measures could possibly double the amount of time you'll need to fly. Even so, it still makes it faster than other methods.

There are usually a good number of flights to choose from throughout the day from these airports. In addition to the UK's national carrier, British Airways, a number of discount airlines offer cheap, no-frills flights, which are worth considering given the short travel time. As with most other forms of transport, the further ahead you can plan and book your flight, the greater the savings.

Be aware, though, that London's airports are located some distance from the city center (train and underground travel can take anywhere up to an hour, depending on where in London you stay). Edinburgh, though, is a different story. Edinburgh Airport is a modern facility capable of handling both domestic and international flights.

While a number of good airport hotels are situated close by, the city's excellent transit network provides fast, efficient, and easy-to-use connections into Edinburgh city center. These include a great eco-friendly all-electric tram system, frequent buses, and, of course, taxis. Not only will these deposit you close to the city's top attractions such as Edinburgh Castle , they're also useful for getting you to your Edinburgh accommodations.

2. From London to Edinburgh by Train

A travel time of often less than five hours to cover 400 miles certainly makes rail travel between London and Edinburgh a worthy contender for your consideration. Trains in the UK are not only fast and efficient, they're comfortable, clean, and reliable, and offer a ringside seat to some of the prettiest countryside you'll see anywhere. (None of this should come as a surprise, really, as the country's railways have been shuffling people from A-to-B for over 200 years!)

With regular departures from London's Kings Cross and Euston stations and traveling along the east coast of England, you can travel pretty much any time of day. In fact, this is one of the busiest rail routes in the country, boasting no less than 63 daily departures (though there may be fewer on holidays).

Food and drink are allowed onboard, and most if not all trains offer at the very least a basic snack service. A sleeper service for those wanting to travel overnight is also available. Taking eight hours, you'll depart London in the evening and arrive (refreshed!) in Edinburgh bright and early the next morning.

As with most modern-day rail reservation systems, the further you're able to plan ahead, the greater the choice and the heavier the discounts. You can get the latest pricing details, as well as schedule info, from the National Rail website .

While you're at it, check out the cost for a BritRail Pass if you intend to travel beyond Edinburgh by train. It's available to international travelers only, and the savings can be substantial.

All trains from London arrive at Edinburgh Waverley Station. This historic train station is located in the heart of the city, and in fact boasts great views of Edinburgh Castle as you enter (or leave) aboard your train.

3. From London to Edinburgh by Car

Depending on the level of traffic – and pending no road closures, rush hour traffic, and pit stops – it's actually possible to make the drive from London to Edinburgh by car in around seven or eight hours . In fact, once outside London, it's pretty much motorway (or highway) for the bulk of the journey.

The quickest route is to follow the M1/A1 route, while those wanting to enjoy a little more scenery should take the M6 along the west coast of England, passing such popular destinations as Manchester , Liverpool , and even the famous Lake District . Any one of these would in fact make for a great stopover if you're not in too much of a hurry.

Motorway stops and rest areas are plentiful along both routes.

4. From London to Edinburgh by Bus

Although it generally takes longer, the cheapest way to get from London to Edinburgh is by bus (or "coach"). But with an average travel time of around nine hours , be prepared to be seated for a long time.

Departing London's Victoria Coach Station throughout the day, travelers can also choose to travel overnight, arriving in Edinburgh in the morning. The route is served by both National Express and Megabus . Both can be booked online, and frequently offer discounts for off-peak and advance reservations.

Whatever coach line you choose, you'll be deposited at the centrally located Edinburgh Bus Station. From here, it's only a short walk to all major attractions.

More on England

How to Get from London to Edinburgh (+ cheap options!)

This post contains affiliate links for which I may make a small commission to help keep the site running. You will not be charged extra for these items had you not clicked the links. Thank you for your help to keep the site running!

Figuring out the journey from London to Edinburgh can be a confusing one for visitors.

What’s the best way to get from London to Edinburgh?

Should you fly, take a train, a bus, or rent a car?

In this guide, I’ll break down the methods of getting to Edinburgh from London (and how to get from Edinburgh to London) so you can make the most informed choice for your vacation.

GET A FREE LONDON INTRO GUIDE and ACCESS TO MY FB GROUP

Start your planning with this “Intro to London” guide and access to my London planning Facebook group!

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Edinburgh is one of the UK’s most popular cities, and it’s really worth exploring if you have time.

From these wonderful free things to do in Edinburgh to the full list of what to do in Edinburgh with kids to things to do in Edinburgh indoors , I’ve got a wealth of experience in traveling to this Scottish city and it’s got to be on your bucketlist.

Expert tip for all types of public transportation in the UK : the best way to figure out your best options is to click here to use Omio (free), where it’ll show you the prices, options (including buses, trains, taxis, ferries, and even flights) and help you compare the cheapest and fastest routes.

Hey! Want more honest UK tips and planning advice? Click here to join my London and UK Travel Tips Facebook group , where I can answer more of your questions!

How to Get from London to Edinburgh by Car

The first option for getting to Edinburgh from London is to drive.

The drive takes about 8 hours, and we have done it multiple times.

If you don’t have a car in the UK, you’ll want to rent one using Discover Cars for the best comparison prices.

There’s something about driving in the UK that makes driving seem like it takes much longer, but an 8 hour drive is an 8 hour drive.

You can leave early in the morning and be there by early afternoon.

However, I would not recommend driving from London to Edinburgh.

There are much easier ways (and faster) for you to get to Edinburgh from London, and renting a car and driving in a foreign country is not an easy or recommended task.

IMPORTANT: are you coming to the UK from abroad?

In case you’re reading this from outside the UK and will be a foreign visitor here, you need to know these 2 things to stay safe and save money.

• Travel insurance – you need it when going overseas! I use this site to get the best quotes and purchase my packages from. Do not skip this – having medical coverage abroad as well as other coverage in case of missed flights, lost luggage, etc is essential. As I said, I have never gone wrong using this site .
• International debit cards without fees – do not get stuck paying extortionate foreign fees when using your card abroad (and the UK is almost all card these days). I use the Wise debit and travel card which you can apply and learn more about here .

Getting to Edinburgh from London by Public Transportation

The UK is well connected via public transportation, and that’s one of my top picks for how to get to Edinburgh from London.

Below, I’ll talk about the options you have when it comes to using public transportation to get to Edinburgh so you can make decisions based on timings, prices, and your preferred method of travel.

How to Get to Edinburgh from London by Bus

There are two bus options for getting to Edinburgh from London.

This is for the incredibly cost conscious, as tickets range from just about £12 and up for a one way ticket, but the ride will take you 10 to 11 hours depending on the route.

Also you’ll be on a bus so, there’s that.

The first option is to book with Megabus, who operate a London to Edinburgh route and are focused on “low cost” travel.

The buses depart from London Victoria Coach Station and have different stops on the way up depending on which route you take.

The second option is to book with National Express , who also operate a London to Edinburgh route that departs from Victoria Bus Station.

When it comes to choosing the route, I would go with whichever is cheaper as there’s not much difference ( compare options with Omio here ).

I wouldn’t recommend this route unless you desperately need the savings.

How to Get to Edinburgh from London by Train

The most popular way to get to Edinburgh from London is by train!

LNER runs the London to Edinburgh service, which usually departs from London St. Pancras Station and take around 4 hours.

Taking the train is the best way to get to Edinburgh from London for most people, as you don’t need to go through any security or bag checks so you can bring as much as you want.

You also can just sit on a train for four others rather than having to navigate airports or spend the entire day on a bus, and the view out the window can be pretty spectacular.

The caveat with this route is that the tickets do increase in price a lot the closer to the date of travel you are, and they can get expensive.

Try to book as soon as possible when you know your dates of travel to snag the best deals.

On average, tickets range from £30 one way to over £100 one way.

Should You Fly from London to Edinburgh?

When train prices get crazy, but you don’t want to spend 11 hours on a bus, what are you to do?

Look into flights, of course!

London and Edinburgh are well connected via a few different airports with multiple flights going out each day, and the flight itself only takes about an hour.

Sometimes, you can find flights for much cheaper than taking the train, and if you’re willing to navigate airports and you have the right baggage allowances, it’s worth looking into.

I use SkyScanne r to book my flights, by plugging in London and Edinburgh and seeing what’s available.

It will bring up every flight option in cost order if you want it too, which can easily show you how cheap you can go.

Two things to consider with this option are the time it will take to get to the airport in London and also the fact that you’ll need to get from Edinburgh Airport to Edinburgh City Center on the other end.

It’s not always time saving versus taking the train, but it can be cost saving.

A random search on a day a few weeks from now brings up many flights at around £23 to £26, so you can see that this is definitely an option in many people’s budgets!

My best advice is to compare the full cost of flying (including getting to and from airports) to the train before making your decision on which works best for you.

Getting to Edinburgh from London with a Guided Tour

If you’re unsure about getting to Edinburgh by yourself or want to make the most out of your time there, you can look into guided tours that will take the guesswork out of it and make sure you are escorted and understand where to be and where to go.

It is possible to take a simple overnight tour from London to Edinburgh – the day trips are few and far between as it takes too long on the train for just one day.

However, this overnight escorted tour to Edinbu rgh from London is an option for anyone who wants a taste of this Scottish city and the knowledge that all of your tours and accommodation are sorted.

If you’ve got longer, however, I would highly recommend this 8 day tour from London to Edinburgh using Rabbie’s.

We went on a 3 Day Welsh adventure with Rabbie’s and had a fabulous time.

They keep the tour groups small, the guides knowledgeable, and the buses comfortable, and they make sure to support local businesses along the way.

Want more UK travel help? Check out these guides!

• Exactly How to Get to Dover from London
• Exactly How to Get to Brighton from London
• Exactly How to Get to Disneyland Paris from London
• Exactly How to Get to Paris from London
• Exactly How to Get to Canterbury from London
• Exactly How to Get to Windsor from London
• Exactly How to Get to Hampton Court Palace from London
• Exactly How to Get to Stonehenge from London
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I managed to hit up several of the places you mentioned, but would love to check out the botanical gardens, castles and tea house!

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Cheap and Easy Ways to Travel from London to Edinburgh

When planning a trip to Edinburgh, one tip beats them all: buy your tickets in advance for the best prices. That advice stands all year round, but especially ahead of Edinburgh Festival which runs throughout August every year.

With an old town and a new town, winding historic streets and a castle presiding over it, Edinburgh is a beautiful city to visit at any time. It’s much smaller than London, so it’s perfect for a short break, once you’ve sorted your travel that its.

But we’re here to help with that. You can get from London to Edinburgh by road, air or rail.

Flying from London to Edinburgh

It’s worth starting with the fact that short-haul flights aren’t great for the environment . And although the flight time is only an hour, by the time you’ve factored in getting to the airport in London, and into the city at Edinburgh you’re not going to save much time versus catching a train.

But if you do need to fly, budget airlines like Ryan Air and easy Jet fly regularly from Gatwick, Luton and Stansted airports . Just be aware of extra charges like baggage. Carry-on only is your best bet.

Once you land, it takes around 25 minutes to get into the city centre , the cheapest of which is by taking the local bus services, Lothian, which costs £ 4.50 for a single fare and £ 7.00 for a return.

Average travel time : 2.5–3 hours (Depending on airport transfers) Typical costs : From £ 35.00 – £ 75.00

Getting to Edinburgh by train

Rail is by far the most direct route of all. Trains go from central London (King’s Cross) to the centre of Edinburgh at Waverley, although you can also get off just before at Haymarket depending on where you’re staying. The journey usually takes 4 hours and 20 minutes and stops at York, Newcastle and Carlisle along the way. Book a window seat if you can, it’s worth it for the views as you cross the English–Scottish border.

We’ve said this one but it bears repeating: buy train tickets well in advance otherwise, it can be prohibitively expensive (up to £ 250.00 ), which is why some last-minute and business travellers fly. In general, advance fares are available from 12 weeks before travel. However, in 2016 Virgin Trains announced advanced fare-finding as early as 24 weeks beforehand.

Heading to Edinburgh festival? Keep a lookout for the Virgin Trains spring sale, when cheaper tickets for August travel go on sale, usually in April or May. You’ll need to commit to dates and times to get the best fares, and you’ll be competing with all the various performers but this cheapo has been successful in the past, so go get them.

Use ticketing sites like Trainline and redspottedhanky to check fares and book tickets, as well as fare splitting (buying separate tickets for individual legs of a journey) with sites Raileasy , Split My Fare , Split Your Ticket and Trainsplitting.co.uk .

Otherwise, you can book directly with Virgin Trains and East Coast .

Average time : 4.5 hrs Typical costs : From £ 35.00 return (in advance)

Coaches to Edinburgh from London

Coaches are operated by National Express and Megabus —and both go from Victoria Coach Station with regular services throughout the day. This can be a very cheap way to travel with fares as low as £ 14.20 , but it takes twice as long as the train at around 9 hours, and that’s not anticipating delays, so worth considering if you’re just going up for the weekend.

Average time : 9 hrs Typical costs : £ 14.00 – £ 30.00 return

Taking a road trip to Edinburgh

If you don’t drive, and you’re looking for a more spontaneous road trip without being stuck on a coach then consider a car share option. Drivers and passengers find each other and split the cost of petrol through sites like blahblahcar, GoCarShare, and liftshare.

All the sites have tcs and cs and codes of conduct to check over before your journey, but ridesharing is becoming more popular with people who want to travel cheaply, with a bit of company and reduce their carbon emissions at the same time.

Average time : 8–10 hours (depending on traffic and number of stops made) Typical costs : From £ 20.00 each (depending on the number of travelers)

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3 Best Trains from London to Edinburgh

If you’re looking for a convenient and comfortable way to travel from London to Edinburgh, then you should consider taking the train. There are many great options available, each offering their own unique benefits. In this blog post, we’ll explore four of the best trains from London to Edinburgh so you can decide which one is right for you. Whether you’re looking for speed, value, or something in between, you’ll find it here. So read on to learn more about the best trains from London to Edinburgh. And if you are looking for someplace to stay before or after your train trip, you can find the best place to stay with cozycozy .

1. The Caledonian Sleeper This iconic London to Edinburgh train is the only direct overnight service between the two cities. With its comfortable sleepers, there’s no need to worry about arriving exhausted at your destination! The London to Edinburgh train times are flexible with both daytime and overnight services running from Monday to Saturday. During the day, the Caledonian Sleeper runs from London Euston to Edinburgh Waverley in approximately 8 hours, while the overnight service takes approximately 7.5 hours. Enjoy the scenery and relax knowing you’ll arrive at your destination refreshed and ready for a new day.

2. Virgin Trains East Coast

This route from London to Edinburgh is a favorite for those who want an enjoyable and comfortable journey. Virgin Trains East Coast offers the fastest service, taking just over four hours to get from the capital to Scotland’s largest city. As an added bonus, the onboard facilities include free Wi-Fi and in-seat power sockets, allowing passengers to stay connected and productive throughout their journey. Plus, with all tickets including complimentary snacks and drinks, it’s not so difficult to stay refreshed while travelling.

Furthermore, Virgin Trains East Coast operates several services daily between London and Edinburgh, making it incredibly convenient to find a timetable that suits you. All Virgin Trains East Coast services also offer business-class seating for those who prefer extra space and comfort. The additional fare is well worth it, with passengers receiving access to exclusive lounges and complimentary meals, as well as priority seating reservations. Plus, with a range of discounts available on the Virgin Trains East Coast website, there’s always a way to save a little extra on your trip.

3. London North Eastern Railway For those looking to take a train from London to Edinburgh, the London North Eastern Railway (LNER) is an excellent option. This railway offers direct services between the two cities, which means that there is no need for transfers or layovers.

The journey usually takes around four and a half hours, which makes it one of the faster options for travel. On board, passengers can enjoy complimentary WiFi and access to power sockets, plus there are multiple refreshment carriages serving hot and cold drinks and snacks. LNER also offers Advance tickets, allowing you to book in advance and save money on the cost of your ticket. With so many great features, the London North Eastern Railway is one of the top trains from London to Edinburgh.

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Three ways to get to London from Edinburgh, Scotland

Here’s how to make the journey between two of the u.k.’s most popular cities by air, rail, or road..

The capital cities of Edinburgh, Scotland , and London are both must-visit locales on a trip to the U.K. Despite the 650-kilometer driving distance (around 400 miles) that separates them, moving between the two destinations is relatively easy, with options available for every kind of budget, schedule, and travel personality. Whether you prioritize speed or scenery, we have the information you need to make your trip full of adventure, beauty, and ease.

Edinburgh to London by plane

A plane ride is the quickest way to journey between Edinburgh and London. London has six airports to choose from, and five offer direct flights from Edinburgh Airport, located about six miles from the city center.

While multiple airlines offer service between the two cities, the main players are British Airways, EasyJet, and Ryanair. Since the latter two are budget options, you can expect to find one-way fares for less than $100. Flight times range from 60 to around 95 minutes, though you should estimate a total travel time of around three to four hours, including the trip to and from the airports.

Upon arrival, your journey into London will depend on the airport where you landed. Heathrow , London’s busiest airport, which handles half of London air passengers, is approximately 14 miles from the city and an easy 15-minute ride to London’s Paddington Station via the Heathrow Express train. Or, take the Tube , London’s underground train system. The Piccadilly Line runs from three locations in Heathrow Airport, services all the major terminals, and is by far the cheapest option.

Alternatively, if Gatwick , the second-busiest London airport, is your arrival destination, the Gatwick Express takes visitors to London’s Victoria Station in about 30 minutes. Taxis and rideshare services like Lyft and Uber are also options if you don’t mind spending the extra cash.

Edinburgh to London by train

Numerous direct, high-speed train routes run between London and Edinburgh on a daily basis, though booking well in advance is recommended to ensure you’ll find the best price and be guaranteed a seat. London North Eastern Railway operates the fastest route up the east coast, though Avanti West Coast and Lumo also offer service between the two cities.

Depending on how far in advance you can book, whether you choose a high-speed or conventional train, and the class of your ticket, fares can range from around $100 to well over $400 for a one-way trip. Rates vary throughout the day and will be higher during holidays and weekends and for special events. Another note: the only way to guarantee a seat on the train is to book at least a couple of days in advance. Same-day tickets often aren’t guaranteed an actual seat, meaning you may have to stand for segments of the lengthy ride.

The speediest trains take a little more than four hours to travel from Edinburgh to London, and the most scenic part of the trip is early into the journey, just north of the Scotland-England border, as the train winds around the rocky cliffs hugging the coastline.

Edinburgh to London by car

While driving within both Edinburgh and London can be difficult and expensive, due to urban traffic and limited parking, driving between the two cities, most of which is on a fast-moving motorway, is an utter delight, full of much to see, do, eat, and explore. (Note: American citizens are allowed to drive in the U.K. for up to 12 months with a valid U.S. driver’s license.)

The most direct driving route is the M1 to the A1, or alternatively you can also take the M1 to the M6 to the A702. Both take a little more than seven hours without stops, but you should budget extra time to make detours.

Speaking of pit stops, make your first 2.5 hours from Edinburgh in England’s Lake District , home to the country’s largest natural lake and The Lakes Distillery , a popular spot that offers gin, vodka, and whiskey made from local produce—just be sure to have a designated driver. (Equally enticing are the distillery’s on-site alpacas!)

Next, head to Liverpool , the home of the Beatles, to check out some of the historic areas granted World Heritage Status by UNESCO, including the Royal Albert Dock and William Brown Street . Then head to Stratford-upon-Avon to visit Shakespeare’s birthplace and try some quintessential British fish and chips at a Gordon Ramsay favorite, Barnaby’s Fish Restaurant , located a minute away from the Royal Shakespeare Theatre . Before make the final drive into London, stop an hour west of the city in Oxford , home to the second-oldest university in the world and many Harry Potter filming locations. (You might recognize Oxford’s famous Christ Church College as the inspiration for the Hogwarts dining hall.)