- 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 17 Sept
£39
Average ticket price on 17 Sept
£50
Fastest journey on 17 Sept
8 h 33 m
Average journey duration on 17 Sept
8 h 51 m
Buses on 17 Sept
13
Distance
283 km
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Liverpool to Edinburgh is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Liverpool to Edinburgh will cost around £50 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £39.
To travel from Liverpool to Edinburgh you need to make at least one change.
NX170 · NX172 · NX598
NX170 · NX172 · NX598
NX170 · NX172 · NX598
FlixBus · FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBus
NX170 · NX591
NX170 · NX591
NX170 · NX591
NX170 · NX183
NX170 · NX183Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Liverpool to Edinburgh among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £42 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 5h 27m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.3kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £42, while a train costs an average of £53.
Distance: 283 km
| Coach | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
£42 Average Price Cheapest | £53 Average Price | £90 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
7h 25m Average total duration 6h 55m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 27m Average total duration Fastest 4h 57m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 28m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.3 - 0.7kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
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 Liverpool to Edinburgh:
A coach is £11 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Liverpool to Edinburgh costing on average £53.
Other travel options to Edinburgh take longer:
Train takes on average 4h 57m.
Coach takes on average 6h 55m.
Tickets start at around £42 compared to roughly £90 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £48. The journey takes 6h 55m versus 4h 28m 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.
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 Liverpool to Edinburgh coaches for today, Wednesday 16 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NX170 · NX172 · NX598 | 19:30 Liverpool, One Bus Station, Canning Place | 12h10 | 7:40 Edinburgh, Bus Station | 2 changes | |
NX170 · NX172 · NX598 | 19:38 Liverpool, University | 12h02 | 7:40 Edinburgh, Bus Station | 2 changes | |
NX170 · NX172 · NX598 | 19:42 Liverpool, Botanic Park | 11h58 | 7:40 Edinburgh, Bus Station | 2 changes | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 21:50 Liverpool, Liverpool One | 9h55 | 7:45 Edinburgh, Bus Station | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 22:00 Liverpool, Wavertree Shopping Centre | 9h45 | 7:45 Edinburgh, Bus Station | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 6:30 Liverpool, Liverpool One | 11h05 | 17:35 Edinburgh, Bus Station | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 6:40 Liverpool, Wavertree Shopping Centre | 10h55 | 17:35 Edinburgh, Bus Station | 1 change | |
NX170 · NX183 | 7:55 Liverpool, One Bus Station, Canning Place | 9h20 | 17:15 Edinburgh, Bus Station | 1 change | |
NX170 · NX183 | 8:03 Liverpool, University | 9h12 | 17:15 Edinburgh, Bus Station | 1 change | |
NX170 · NX183 | 8:07 Liverpool, Botanic Park | 9h08 | 17:15 Edinburgh, Bus Station | 1 change | |
NX170 · NX591 | 9:50 Liverpool, One Bus Station, Canning Place | 8h45 | 18:35 Edinburgh, Bus Station | 1 change | |
NX170 · NX591 | 9:58 Liverpool, University | 8h37 | 18:35 Edinburgh, Bus Station | 1 change | |
NX170 · NX591 | 10:02 Liverpool, Botanic Park | 8h33 | 18:35 Edinburgh, Bus Station | 1 change | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train and coach 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 Liverpool to Edinburgh run on average 15 times per day, taking around 6h 55m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £27 if you book in advance.
The earliest coach runs at 00:17, the last at 23:45. The fastest coach covers the 283 km distance in 9h 10m.
Distance 283 km |
Average bus duration 6h 55m |
Cheapest ticket price £27 |
Buses per day 15 |
Fastest bus 9h 10m |
First bus 0:17 |
Last bus 23:45 |
Cheapest Month Oct |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 35 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
Edinburgh lies around 280 kilometres north east of Liverpool and buses provide a fast and comfortable way to travel between the two cities. National Express offers 6 daily departures with the first at 6:15 a.m. and the last at 10:30 p.m. Most services require coach changes at Manchester and Glasgow with one involving a change at Manchester only. Travel time ranges from 8 to 9 hours.
National Express Buses From Liverpool to Edinburgh depart from the Coach Station on Norton Street close to the city centre. The station is open around the clock and the ticket office operates from 8:45 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Outside, these hours, tickets at can be bought at machines. Passengers can travel to the station by local buses that stop on nearby London Road or by taxi. Lime Street Train Station is around 800 metres away. For travellers arriving in Liverpool by boat, the cruise terminal is around 1.4 kilometres from the coach station.
As Scotland’s capital city, Edinburgh features all the stately grandeur a capital needs but it also exudes a more relaxed Celtic mood that makes for a fine holiday destination. Visitors can enjoy browsing the old city, exploring museums and galleries, and partake in an unparalleled host of wining and dining options. Monuments abound including an imposing castle that looms over the city. Buses From Liverpool to Edinburgh arrive at Edinburgh Bus Station. Centrally located, it features entrances on Elder Street, and St Andrew Square from which passengers can take buses or trams to their final destination. Waverley Train Station is also close by. Services arriving outside the coach station’s opening hours (between 00:45 a.m. and 4:45 a.m. stop at North St David Street.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Liverpool 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 Liverpool to Edinburgh buses use the Liverpool, One Bus Station, Canning Place to Edinburgh, Bus Station station pair, with some services arriving at Edinburgh, St Andrew's House. Use this guide to compare Liverpool and Edinburgh bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Liverpool, One Bus Station, Canning Place is 1 km from Liverpool city centre. Public transport options include:
Liverpool, One Bus Station, Canning Place has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Café in the Station (in the station), Fast Food Outlet (in the station).
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the entrance.
Ticket office support is available at Liverpool, One Bus Station, Canning Place.
Available at Liverpool, One Bus Station, Canning Place: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Liverpool, One Bus Station, Canning Place: Elevators, ramps.
Liverpool, University is 1 km from Liverpool city centre. Public transport options include:
Liverpool, University has practical services for this route, including Taxis.
Available at Liverpool, University: Taxis.
Liverpool, Botanic Park is 2 km from Liverpool city centre. Public transport options include:
Liverpool, Botanic Park has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.
Wi-Fi is available at Liverpool, Botanic Park. ATMs are available at Liverpool, Botanic Park.
Ticket office support is available at Liverpool, Botanic Park.
Available at Liverpool, Botanic Park: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Liverpool, Botanic Park: Station is accessible for those with reduced mobility.
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.
Edinburgh, St Andrew's House has practical services for this route, including Accessibility.
Accessibility facilities are available at Edinburgh, St Andrew's House: The place has an entrance that is wheelchair-accessible.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need