How to get from Manchester to Edinburgh: Train, coach or drive?

Quickest way from Manchester to Edinburgh: Train

Cheapest way from Manchester to Edinburgh: Coach

Our recommendation: Taking the train from Manchester to Edinburgh is the ideal way to get to Scotland’s capital. Combining high speeds with low costs, the train is typically the fastest and cheapest way to make the journey from Manchester to Edinburgh. You’ll also arrive in the heart of the city centre without the hassle and cost of parking your car. 

Taking the train from Manchester to Edinburgh is generally the fastest way to reach this historic Scottish city. With great views, excellent onboard service, and affordable travel options, the train is an ideal choice to complete your journey north of the border.

Wherever you are starting in Manchester, and wherever you are heading in Edinburgh, various train operators run services between different stations.

Manchester Oxford Road to Edinburgh (Waverley)

A popular direct route between Manchester and Edinburgh is the TransPennine Express service from Manchester Oxford Road to Edinburgh (Waverley). With regular departures throughout the day, from the first train at 06:26 until the last train at 23:59, this convenient route takes passengers to the heart of Edinburgh in approximately 3 hours and 15 minutes.

Prices start from around £10.05 for Off-Peak advance fares, rising to about £23.00, depending on when you book. For extra savings, add a Railcard to your order, and look out for split ticket opportunities when you buy cheap train tickets with Trip.com.

TransPennine Express is a premium operator of trains around the west of the UK, offering a comfortable onboard experience for all passengers. Unwind in your reserved seat, connect to free Wi-Fi, and order snacks from the onboard shop.

Deansgate to Edinburgh (Waverley)

If you’re setting out from Deansgate, just north of Oxford Road Station, travel to Edinburgh (Waverley) with only one change on Northern and Avanti West Coast trains.

The journey from Deansgate to Edinburgh (Waverley) typically takes around 3 and a half hours, with advance fares starting from £14.00. Your journey will start on a Northern train from Deansgate to Preston, where you will change to an Avanti service to your destination.

Northern runs frequent services around the north of England, connecting major cities like Leeds, York, Sheffield, and Manchester with practical services. Avanti West Coast is a long-distance operator that offers passengers a superior experience, perfect for your journey to Edinburgh.

Manchester Victoria to Edinburgh (Waverley)

A slightly longer route from Manchester to Edinburgh involves combining a TransPennine Express train from Manchester Victoria with a CrossCountry train to your final destination.

For passengers setting out from Manchester Victoria to Edinburgh (Waverley), you can reach the Scottish capital in around 4 hours on comfortable trains. After travelling with TransPennine to Darlington, switch to a CrossCountry service to Edinburgh. Prices for the whole journey start from just £12.05, while split ticket savings may be available to help you travel for even less.

Make the most of travelling by train

Travelling from Manchester to Edinburgh by train has many advantages over other forms of transport. As well as offering a comfortable travel experience and central arrival location, you can save money on your trip, especially when you make the most of these train travel money-saving tips:

• Book in advance: Advance tickets from Manchester to Edinburgh are released 12 weeks before the date of travel in limited supply, so plan ahead and book your trip early to make the most of significant savings.
• Travel Off Peak: If you have flexibility over when you want to complete your journey, be sure to choose Off Peak tickets for cheaper fares and quieter carriages. Typically, off-peak hours are at any time on weekends or from 9:00 until 16:00 and after 19:00 from Monday to Friday. Check for your specific route and operator when booking.
• Add a Railcard: For a 1/3 discount on most fares, add a Railcard to your order. Depending on your eligibility, choose from various Railcard types, from 16-25 Railcards to Two Together Railcards.

Travelling from Manchester to Edinburgh by coach can be a convenient way to keep costs down, especially if you are booking at the last minute. Several operators run coaches between the two cities, including FlixBus, National Express, and MegaBus.

The main downside of the coach is the length of the journey takes too long. With FlixBus, the coach typically costs around £20 from Manchester to Edinburgh; however, it’ll take more than 9 hours to reach your destination. Your route will involve setting off from Shudehill Interchange in Manchester and arriving at St Andrew Square, Edinburgh.

Other routes include Manchester Coach Station to Edinburgh Central bus station with National Express. For seats starting from around £29, the journey takes an average of approximately 7 hours.

In short, if you have a bit more time to spare and want a cheaper last-minute ticket from Manchester to Edinburgh, the coach might be a good option for you. Compare prices here.

Top tips: Travelling by coach takes a lot longer than going by bus; therefore, it is important to prepare well for the journey. If possible, bring headphones and a neck pillow to increase your comfort levels, and think about the type of foods and drinks you might need to get you through the journey. For the best prices, book early with Trip.com.

The final option for completing your journey from Manchester to Edinburgh is to drive. 

Driving comes with greater flexibility, as you can choose when to start your journey, though your journey time will be much less predictable, depending on the traffic. It typically takes longer to drive from Manchester to Edinburgh than to take the train, though travelling by car will usually be faster than the coach.

The most direct route is via the M56 and M6 northbound, continuing on the M74 towards Glasgow before joining the A702 into Edinburgh. The total distance is roughly 215 miles (346 km), and under ideal conditions, the drive takes around 4.5 to 5 hours. However, this can easily extend during busy periods—especially near Preston, Carlisle, and on approach to Edinburgh.

Compared to cheap advance fares booked with Trip.com, the cost of driving from Manchester to Edinburgh is likely to be much higher. Based on a car with an average miles per gallon performance, driving 200 miles between Manchester and Edinburgh is likely to cost at least £40 in fuel costs, so cheaper train and coach tickets are generally available. Add on the cost of parking in Edinburgh city centre, and you could easily spend over £70 on a single trip.

Of course, the more passengers, the better value (and more environmentally friendly) the car becomes. If you are travelling as a family of four, it might be cheaper to drive than to buy multiple train tickets. However, many operators offer free tickets to children under 5 and half-price fares for older children.

If you are driving to Edinburgh, use the city’s Park & Ride service to avoid city-centre congestion. Drivers who choose this option can park for free at one of five sites outside Edinburgh city centre and simply pay for the bus fare.