- 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 18 Sept
£45
Average ticket price on 18 Sept
£51
Fastest journey on 18 Sept
15 h 55 m
Average journey duration on 18 Sept
16 h 35 m
Buses on 18 Sept
2
Distance
534 km
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Ilford to Edinburgh is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Ilford to Edinburgh will cost around £51 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £45.
To travel from Ilford to Edinburgh you need to make at least 2 changes.
FlixBus · FlixBus · FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBus · FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBus · FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBus · FlixBusOmio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Ilford to Edinburgh among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £62 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 3h 20m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £62, while a train costs an average of £94.
Distance: 534 km
| Coach | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
£62 Average Price Cheapest | £94 Average Price | £75 Average Price | £103 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
9h 44m Average total duration 9h 14m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 32m Average total duration 5h 2m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 20m Average total duration Fastest 1h 20m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 6h 46m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Ilford to Edinburgh:
A coach is £13 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Ilford to Edinburgh costing on average £75.
A coach is £32 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Ilford to Edinburgh costing on average £94.
Other travel options to Edinburgh take longer:
Train takes on average 5h 2m.
Coach takes on average 9h 14m.
Tickets start at around £62 compared to roughly £103 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £40. The journey takes 9h 14m versus 6h 46m 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 Megabus.
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 Ilford to Edinburgh coaches for today, Thursday 17 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus · FlixBus · FlixBus | 14:30 London, Stratford City Bus Station | 17h15 | 7:45 Edinburgh, Bus Station | 2 changes | |
| Friday 18 September | |||||
FlixBus · FlixBus · FlixBus | 4:55 London, Stratford City Bus Station | 15h55 | 20:50 Edinburgh, Bus Station | 2 changes | |
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 Ilford to Edinburgh run on average 16 times per day, taking around 9h 14m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £55 but you can travel from only £42 by flight.
There are 7 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 00:25, the last at 23:40. The fastest coach covers the 534 km distance in 15h 55m.
Distance 534 km |
Average bus duration 9h 14m |
Cheapest ticket price £55 |
Buses per day 16 |
Direct buses 7 |
Fastest bus 15h 55m |
First bus 0:25 |
Last bus 23:40 |
Cheapest Month Feb |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Best time to book 1 day |
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 Ilford 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 Ilford to Edinburgh buses use the London, Stratford City Bus Station to Edinburgh, Bus Station station pair. Use this guide to compare Ilford and Edinburgh bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
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