- Must visit
National Museum of Scotland
National museum covering science, design, world cultures and Scottish history. Excellent for varied collections and a dramatic central hall.
Cheapest price on 05 Sept
£15
Average ticket price on 05 Sept
£21
Fastest journey on 05 Sept
3 h 40 m
Average journey duration on 05 Sept
4 h 18 m
Buses on 05 Sept
2
Distance
190 km
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Darlington to Edinburgh is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Darlington to Edinburgh will cost around £21 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £15.
On Sat 05 Sept, we found 2 buses from Darlington to Edinburgh, including 1 direct services.
These direct buses cover the 190 km distance in an average of 4 h 18 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 3 h 40 m .
The slowest buses will take 4 h 55 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.
FlixBus · FlixBus
NX591
NX591
FlixBus · FlixBusOmio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Darlington to Edinburgh among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £15 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 2h 43m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.2kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £15, while a flight costs an average of £235.
Distance: 190 km
| Coach | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
£15 Average Price Cheapest | £34 Average Price | £235 Average Price | £68 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 25m Average total duration 3h 55m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 43m Average total duration Fastest 2h 13m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 9h 0m Average total duration 7h 0m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 3h 16m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.2 - 0.5kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Darlington to Edinburgh:
A coach is £19 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Darlington to Edinburgh costing on average £34.
A coach is £221 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Darlington to Edinburgh costing on average £235.
Other travel options to Edinburgh take longer:
Coach takes on average 3h 55m.
Flight takes on average 7h 0m.
Tickets start at around £15 compared to roughly £68 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £54. The journey takes 3h 55m versus 3h 16m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can use the time productively rather than spending it behind the wheel. No parking to sort, no fuel stops, and most coaches have Wi-Fi and power outlets.
Direct services are operated by National Express.
Driving is worth considering if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), or want the flexibility to stop along the way.
The table below shows live departures for Darlington to Edinburgh coaches for tomorrow, Saturday 5 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NX591 | 14:55 Darlington, Feethams (Dolphin Centre) | 3h40 | 18:35 Edinburgh, Bus Station | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 15:55 Darlington, Feethams (Dolphin Centre) | 4h55 | 20:50 Edinburgh, Bus Station | 1 change | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train, coach and flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Buses from Darlington to Edinburgh run on average 2 times per day, taking around 3h 55m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £10 if you book in advance.
There are 2 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 02:30, the last at 23:40. The fastest coach covers the 190 km distance in 3h 40m.
Distance 190 km |
Average bus duration 3h 55m |
Cheapest ticket price £10 |
Buses per day 2 |
Direct buses 2 |
Fastest bus 3h 40m |
First bus 2:30 |
Last bus 23:40 |
Cheapest Month Jan |
Cheapest Day Thu |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Sun |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Best time to book 56 days |
Discover the best of Edinburgh — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Edinburgh trip today.
National museum covering science, design, world cultures and Scottish history. Excellent for varied collections and a dramatic central hall.
Major art gallery with Scottish and international works from the Renaissance to the late nineteenth century, beside Princes Street Gardens.
Contemporary art gallery in a converted schoolhouse, known for thoughtful exhibitions by Scottish and international artists near the Royal Mile.
Historic street linking the castle and Holyroodhouse, lined with closes, shops and public buildings. Ideal for first-time visitors on foot.
Extinct volcano with popular walking routes and broad views over the city and coast. A rewarding outdoor escape close to the centre.
Large public gardens below the castle, good for a break between Old and New Town sights, with monuments, lawns and seasonal planting.
A rich Scottish soup of smoked haddock, potatoes and onions, closely associated with east coast cooking and widely enjoyed in Edinburgh.
Scotland’s iconic savoury pudding of sheep’s offal, oats and spices, traditionally served with neeps and tatties at Burns suppers.
A classic Scottish dessert of raspberries, whipped cream, honey and toasted oats, often linked with soft fruit from eastern Scotland.
Elegant dining room serving refined Scottish tasting menus focused on seasonal produce in a calm central setting.
Popular traditional restaurant near the Castle, specialising in haggis, game and hearty Scottish comfort food.
Stylish brasserie and oyster bar with Scottish seafood, shellfish and classic dishes in a grand city-centre space.
Moderate for the UK. Rooms and dining are pricier in peak season, but buses are affordable and budget eats are easy to find.
Tipping is optional. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is common if service is not included. Round up taxi fares. Cafés and pubs usually do not expect tips.
Official public transport app
Edinburgh Bus Station -> Princes Street, Edinburgh
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Darlington to Edinburgh by coach. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest coach, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Edinburgh, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Darlington to Edinburgh buses use the Darlington, Feethams (Dolphin Centre) to Edinburgh, Bus Station station pair, with some services arriving at Ingliston, Airport (Stance C). Use this guide to compare Darlington and Edinburgh bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Darlington, Feethams (Dolphin Centre) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Restaurants available nearby.
Available at the station. ATMs are available within walking distance.
Ticket office support is available at Darlington, Feethams (Dolphin Centre).
Available at Darlington, Feethams (Dolphin Centre): Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Darlington, Feethams (Dolphin Centre): Wheelchair accessible.
Edinburgh, Bus Station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Café at the Station (in the station), Sandwich Shop (in the station).
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the main entrance.
Ticket office support is available at Edinburgh, Bus Station.
Available at Edinburgh, Bus Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Edinburgh, Bus Station: Elevators, ramps.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need