Trains from London to Edinburgh from £49.17

Edinburgh, Scotland's vibrant capital, offers a captivating blend of atmosphere and attractions. Combining the historic Old Town – with its iconic landmarks like Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile – with the contemporary buzz of the stylish New Town, known for its elegant Georgian architecture and bustling Princes Street, Edinburgh is definitely worth visiting. Our handy guide below gives you all the information you’ll need about travelling from London to Edinburgh by train.

Setting off from London by train

The route from London to Edinburgh is covered by multiple direct options, including LNER (London North Eastern Railway), Avanti West Coast, and occasionally, Lumo services. Typically, LNER offers the fastest and most frequent services, departing from London King’s Cross and arriving at Edinburgh (Waverley). This journey spans approximately 331 miles. While the fastest journey can take as little as 4h 16m, the average travel time is 4h 32m.

London King’s Cross is one of the English capital’s most famous and well-connected stations. Inside, passengers can enjoy an array of facilities, including high-street shops, cafes, and ticketing services. With step-free access, waiting lounges, and excellent transport links to the Underground (Circle, Piccadilly, Hammersmith & City, Northern, Metropolitan, and Victoria), it’s a convenient departure point for all types of travellers. If you’re looking for a last-minute gift or a bite to eat before you get on your train, there is a vast range of shopping, food, and drink options available at the station for your convenience. This includes Boots, WHSmith, Prezzo, M&S, Starbucks, Costa, Greggs, Oliver Bonas, Leon, Upper Crust and Pret.

Passengers travelling in First Class also have complimentary access to the LNER First Class lounge, offering a quiet space to relax, complimentary light refreshments, power sockets and charging, Wi-Fi, and dedicated staff for a premium experience. There’s also a family lounge, which includes a play area, slide, beach huts, Hornby model railway and cab riding films on the East Coast Main Line. It’s available to all customers with the aim of providing families the opportunity to enjoy travelling by rail.

Another option when travelling from London to Scotland by train is to set off from London Euston station and take an Avanti West Coast service to Edinburgh (Waverley). The journey time takes around 5h 40m. London Euston railway station, located on Euston Road in central London, was opened in 1837 and is the first intercity station built in London. It is connected to the London Underground's Northern Line and Victoria Line, offering passengers convenient travel options across the capital city. The station offers a vast range of shopping, food, and drink options, including WHSmith, Starbucks, Sainsbury’s Local, The Pasty Shop, Oliver Bonas, Burger King, Upper Crust, and Pret.

For passengers travelling in First Class, the Avanti West Coast’s First Class Lounge, located on the mezzanine level above the main concourse, offers a range of complimentary snacks and refreshments, as well as free Wi-Fi, comfy seats, and dedicated charging points. First Class ticket holders are welcome in the lounge up to two hours before their departure time, so it’s worth arriving early at the station to enjoy a first-class experience before you board the train.

What to expect on board your London to Edinburgh train

If you’re travelling on an LNER service from London King’s Cross to Edinburgh (Waverley), you can enjoy free Wi-Fi throughout your journey. Electronic seat reservations are made to make it easier to find a free seat. Travelling Standard Class? You can order a range of food, snacks, and refreshments directly from your seat from the onboard café bar. This includes everything from porridge and pizza to bacon rolls and curry nansters.

Every seat has its own power socket, so you don’t need to worry about running out of charge. First Class travellers can benefit from wider, reclining seats, generous legroom, and a complimentary food and drink service, comprising food and drinks – including alcoholic beverages – that are locally sourced along the LNER route. Passengers will be served from the Dine, Dish, Deli, or Brunch menu depending on the time of day.  You can upgrade your ticket to First Class in advance, or, subject to availability, you can upgrade onboard through the Train Manager on off-peak services for a set price of £35 or £45.

If you’re travelling on an Avanti West Coast service from London Euston to Edinburgh (Waverley), you can enjoy completely free Wi-Fi for your entire journey, so you can relax and watch a film or catch up on some work to pass the time. Whichever class you choose, you can also order a range of food, snacks, and refreshments from your seat. For a little luxury, subject to availability, you can upgrade your standard ticket to Standard Premium for extra space and added comfort. You’ll get bigger seats with extra leg room, a guaranteed table, and plug sockets at every window seat. First Class travellers get an even bigger seat with extra legroom, a guaranteed table, and a dedicated member of staff to take care of them and serve them complimentary food and drinks during the journey.

London to Edinburgh Sleeper Train

For a unique way to travel between London to Edinburgh, treat yourself to an overnight Caledonian Sleeper train ticket. You can enjoy your own private room, save time by travelling while you sleep, and wake up in the heart of Edinburgh ready for a day of exploring the city’s sites. These luxurious Caledonian Sleeper trains feature a Club Car, where guests staying in one of their rooms can unwind ahead of a busy day at their destination. It’s the perfect spot to either relax with a late-night drink, enjoy some fresh Scottish produce, or make use of the free onboard Wi-Fi. We recommend checking out the swivel seats by the window, which are perfect for taking in the breathtaking views at sunset or sunrise.

How much does it cost from London to Scotland by train?

Trip.com offers train tickets from London to Edinburgh starting from as low as £24.90, though the average fare is around £60-£120. Note that the final price can vary based on factors such as booking in advance, travelling during off-peak times, or utilising available discounts, such as a Railcard, if applicable. To ensure you get the most affordable fares, we suggest exploring alternatives like split tickets.

Arriving at Edinburgh

Edinburgh (Waverley) Station is the second busiest train station in Scotland and is well connected for travel across the Scottish capital. It has a designated car park, pick-up, and drop-off point. Regular airport buses and city tours leave from Waverley Bridge, while local buses leave from Princes Street and North Bridge. Taxi ranks are located on Market Street and on the lower level of the car park. Within a 10-minute walk of the railway station, you can access iconic attractions like Princes Street Gardens, an oasis with landscaped gardens and views of Edinburgh Castle, and the Scott Monument, a striking Gothic tower honouring Sir Walter Scott, offering panoramic city views.

Can I do a day trip from London to Scotland?

The distance from London to Edinburgh is around 331 miles by train. Even the high-speed train takes well over four hours, so a trip to Edinburgh from London is probably best as an overnight stay rather than a day trip. Another option would be to fly from London to Edinburgh, which takes between 1h 15m and 1h 25m.

*Information is subject to change. Please check the latest train timetable before your trip.