How to get from London to Glasgow: Train, coach, drive or flight?

Planning a trip from London to Glasgow? Whether you’re heading north for a weekend break, catching a gig at the OVO Hydro, or setting off to explore the Scottish Highlands, travelling between the UK capital and Scotland’s largest city offers a variety of options. The journey covers just over 400 miles, and while it may sound long, there are fast and comfortable ways to do it—by train, coach, car, or air. In this guide, we break down each method of travel to help you choose the best one based on time, budget, convenience, and style.

Photo by Roman Akash on Unsplash

What is the best method of travel?

All figures are estimates as of August 2025 and are subject to change based on season, booking time, and time of day.

Quickest way from London to Glasgow: Plane
Cheapest way from London to Glasgow: Coach
Our recommended way to travel: Train

Why? If you're weighing all factors—speed, comfort, cost, and ease—the train is the winner. Trains offer the ideal balance between speed, comfort, and central-to-central convenience. Flights are technically faster in the air, but longer when airport transfers and check-ins are taken into account. Coaches are inexpensive, but time-consuming, while driving offers flexibility—if you can cope with the traffic and fuel costs.

London to Glasgow by train

Taking the train is one of the most popular ways to travel from London to Glasgow. It’s a direct, comfortable, and scenic route that takes you through the heart of England and southern Scotland. Services are run primarily by Avanti West Coast, with some LNER options (via Edinburgh) available as well.

Key facts:

• Journey time: ~4h 32m to 6h
• Departure station: London Euston
• Arrival station: Glasgow Central
• Train operator: Avanti West Coast
• Frequency: Every 30–60 minutes
• Price: £36.50–£60 (Advance), up to £180+ last minute

Avanti’s high-speed Pendolino trains are well-equipped with Wi-Fi, power sockets, First Class carriages, and onboard food and drink services. First Class upgrades offer wider seats, quiet carriages, and lounge access at London Euston.

Booking tips:

• Book at least 3–4 weeks in advance for the lowest fares.
• Use a Railcard to get 1/3 off tickets.
• Look into Split Tickets to save money without changing trains.

Best for: Travellers who want a hassle-free journey with great views and fast travel from city centre to city centre.

London to Glasgow by coach

Coaches offer a highly affordable alternative, especially for students or budget travellers. The journey is long—up to 12 hours—but the price can be impressively low, especially if you book early.

Coach providers:

• National Express
• megabus
• FlixBus

Key facts:

• Journey time: 8h 00m – 12h 00m
• Departures: From London Victoria Coach Station
• Arrivals: Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station (central)
• Frequency: Hourly or better
• Price: £22 – £40, depending on when you book

Coaches are generally equipped with toilets, Wi-Fi, USB ports, reclining seats, and air conditioning. Some overnight services are available, helping you save on accommodation.

Best for: Travellers who prioritise saving money and don’t mind a longer ride.

Photo by Giorgio Trovato on Unsplash

London to Glasgow by car

The greatest benefit of driving is that it gives you flexibility—especially if you’re travelling in a group or planning to explore parts of Scotland by road. However, it’s a long trip and traffic, fuel prices, and potential detours can quickly add time and cost.

Recommended route:

• Via M6: Take the M1 or M40 from London, then merge onto the M6 northbound. Follow signs to Glasgow, eventually joining the M74 into the city.

Key facts:

• Journey time: 6h 30m – 9h 00m, depending on traffic
• Distance: ~400 miles
• Fuel & tolls cost: Approx. £60 – £120 round-trip, depending on fuel efficiency
• Toll roads? No mandatory tolls, but congestion charges may apply when leaving London.

Parking in Glasgow can be tricky during peak times. Look for multi-storey options such as:

• Buchanan Galleries Car Park
• NCP Glasgow George Street
• Q-Park Sauchiehall Street

Best for: Road trippers, families with lots of luggage, or those planning onward travel to the Highlands.

London to Glasgow by plane

Flying is technically the fastest method in terms of flight duration—but when you factor in airport transfers, security, check-in, and delays, the overall travel time becomes comparable to the train.

Key facts:

• Flight time: ~1h 20m
• Total journey time: 3h – 5h door to door
• Airports:
• • London: Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, London City
  • Glasgow: Glasgow International (GLA)
• Airlines: British Airways, easyJet, Ryanair (limited), Loganair
• Price: £40–£180+, especially during weekends or holiday seasons
• Frequency: Hourly flights from multiple London airports

Getting to/from the airport:

• London Heathrow: 15–30 mins via Heathrow Express or Underground
• Glasgow Airport: 25 mins via Glasgow Airport Express to the city centre

Flying may be ideal if you're already near the airport or have connecting international flights. But for most people, the time spent navigating multiple transfers makes the train a smarter, more relaxing choice.

Best for: Long-distance travellers connecting to/from other flights, or those who value speed above all else.