Cambridge to Edinburgh train with LNER

Fri, 18 Jul
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The cheapest and fastest trains from Cambridge to Edinburgh

Showing times and prices for 18 Jul

Cheapest price

£115

Average price

£142

Fastest journey

4 h 59 m

Average duration

5 h 22 m

Trains per day

5

Distance

470 km

Cheap tickets

The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Cambridge to Edinburgh is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.

The average ticket from Cambridge to Edinburgh will cost around £142 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £115.

Fast trains

To travel from Cambridge to Edinburgh you need to make at least one change.

CrossCountryC23506+LNERY23418
08:005h10
Cambridge station (CBG)
13:10Edinburgh Waverley (EDB)
£1151One-way
1 change
Abellio Greater AngliaY09218+East Midlands TrainsY07553+LNERY23197+CrossCountryC23206
09:175h44
Cambridge North (CMB)
15:01Edinburgh Waverley (EDB)
£1161One-way
4 changes
Great NorthernY31118+LNERY23151 · Y23428
09:265h42
Cambridge station (CBG)
15:08Edinburgh Waverley (EDB)
£1161One-way
2 changes
CrossCountryC23508+LNERY23424
09:005h15
Cambridge station (CBG)
14:15Edinburgh Waverley (EDB)
£1331One-way
1 change
Abellio Greater AngliaY10188+East Midlands TrainsY07550+LNERY23421
08:234h59
Cambridge North (CMB)
13:22Edinburgh Waverley (EDB)
£2301One-way
2 changes

Travel Information

Compare train and coach for Cambridge to Edinburgh

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cambridge to Edinburgh among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £23. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 5h 31m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.4kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £23, and a train costs an average of £54.

Distance: 469 km

Compare train with

Most popular
Train
Coach

£101

Average Price

£55

Average Price

Cheapest

6h 1m

Average total duration

Fastest

5h 31m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

12h 0m

Average total duration

11h 30m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

0.1 - 0.4kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest

0.5 - 1.2kg

CO2 emissions

LNER

Most popular train company

FlixBus

Most popular bus company

Direct Options

Direct Options

Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.

Live departures

Cambridge to Edinburgh train times

Showing trains for tomorrow, Friday 18 July
Last updated at 14:53
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesChanges
Tickets
cross_countryC23506+london_north_eastern_railwayY23418
On time
07:00 Cambridge station (CBG)
5h10
12:10 Edinburgh Waverley (EDB)
1 change
greater_angliaY10188+east_midlands_railwayY07550+london_north_eastern_railwayY23421
On time
07:23 Cambridge North (CMB)
4h59
12:22 Edinburgh Waverley (EDB)
2 changes
cross_countryC23508+london_north_eastern_railwayY23424
On time
08:00 Cambridge station (CBG)
5h15
13:15 Edinburgh Waverley (EDB)
1 change
greater_angliaY09218+east_midlands_railwayY07553+london_north_eastern_railwayY23197+cross_countryC23206
On time
08:17 Cambridge North (CMB)
5h44
14:01 Edinburgh Waverley (EDB)
4 changes
great_northernY31118+london_north_eastern_railwayY23151 · Y23428
On time
08:26 Cambridge station (CBG)
5h42
14:08 Edinburgh Waverley (EDB)
2 changes

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Cambridge to Edinburgh by train or coach

Fri
18 Jul
Sat
19 Jul
Sun
20 Jul
Mon
21 Jul
Tue
22 Jul
Wed
23 Jul
Thu
24 Jul
Fri
25 Jul
Sat
26 Jul
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27 Jul
Mon
28 Jul
Tue
29 Jul
Wed
30 Jul
Thu
31 Jul
Fri
01 Aug
Sat
02 Aug
Sun
03 Aug
Mon
04 Aug
Tue
05 Aug
Wed
06 Aug
Thu
07 Aug

How far in advance should I book train tickets from Cambridge to Edinburgh?

The best time to book your train from Cambridge to Edinburgh is 63 days before departure. See how prices for trains change on the Cambridge to Edinburgh route.
Prices are for one-way tickets for one passenger from Cambridge to Edinburgh per month. Insights are sourced from fares found by Omio users in the last 12 months. Current prices may differ as prices vary depending on the time of day, class or how far in advance you book your train from Cambridge to Edinburgh.

Journey information

Overview: Train from Cambridge to Edinburgh

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of train
Trains from Cambridge to Edinburgh run on average 6 times per day, taking around 5h 31m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £54 but you can travel from only £23 by coach.
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Coach from £23
Distance
469 km
Average train duration
5h 31m
Cheapest ticket price
£54
Trains per day
6
Fastest train
4h 44m
First train
03:10
Last train
22:00
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Coach from £23

Train companies: East Coast, Lumo and CrossCountry trains Cambridge to Edinburgh

Buy your official East Coast, Lumo and CrossCountry train tickets between Cambridge and Edinburgh from £64 with Omio. Find train times and tickets for over 1000 travel companies to compare and book the most affordable journey.

LNER is a train company based in the United Kingdom. It operates a wide range of services, from high-speed intercity trains to local services. Its most popular routes include London to Edinburgh, London to Leeds, and London to York. LNER offers a variety of train types, including the Azuma, InterCity 225, and HST. The Azuma is a modern, high-speed train that offers comfortable seating and onboard Wi-Fi. The InterCity 225 is a classic train that offers a more traditional experience. The HST is a high-speed train that offers a smooth ride and plenty of legroom. LNER offers a variety of ticket types, including Advance, Anytime, and Off-Peak. Advance tickets are the cheapest option and must be booked in advance. Anytime tickets are more expensive but can be used at any time. Off-Peak tickets are the most affordable option for travelling during off-peak times. Onboard facilities include comfortable seating, Wi-Fi, power sockets, and a range of food and drink options. LNER also offers a range of discounts and special offers, making it an affordable and convenient way to travel.

Train information from Cambridge to Edinburgh with East Coast:

  • Average Duration: 4 h 44 min
  • Cheapest Price: £64

Trains from Cambridge to Edinburgh

Trains from Cambridge to Edinburgh leave regularly throughout the day, and generally there is not a great difference between their total travel times. The average duration is about 5h 15min. There are currently no direct trains to Edinburgh from Cambridge, and they all require at least one or two changes, normally at Ely or Peterborough. There are no night trains at the moment, with the last train leaving at 18:00 and the first train leaving early morning, at about 06:00. The trains leave regularly through the day, usually with about 30-40min between each departure. There are two train stations that they depart from: Cambridge railway station and Cambridge North. They both run to Edinburgh Waverley.

Cambridge to Edinburgh Train Time: Daily Departures

There are plenty of trains to choose from when travelling from Cambridge to Edinburgh. The trains depart throughout the day, with the first one usually leaving just before 06:00 from Cambridge station. It is operated, like all of the trains on this route, by London North Eastern Railway. The last train leaves at about 18:00 and generally arrives just after 23:00, as it takes over 5 hours and requires a couple of changes, at Ely and Peterborough. The trains depart from both Cambridge and Cambridge North, and they all arrive at Edinburgh Waverley station.

How long is the journey by train from Cambridge to Edinburgh?

The train from Cambridge to Edinburgh is quite long, and it will give you time to check out our online magazine. The fastest train from Cambridge to Edinburgh usually takes just under 5 hours, and it requires one change. It is operated by London North Eastern Railway (LNER ). The slowest train available on this route generally takes just short of 6 hours in total and requires two changes, in Ely and Peterborough. It is also run by LNER. On average, the train from Cambridge to Edinburgh will take you about 5h 20min, with very little difference between the fastest and the slowest trains.

Trains from Cambridge to Edinburgh: river and the University of Cambridge. Source: Shutterstock

What are the departure and arrival stations for trains from Cambridge to Edinburgh?

Departure train station: There are two departure stations in Cambridge to choose from when planning your journey from Cambridge to Edinburgh. Cambridge North station is operated by Greater Anglia, and it has a waiting room and toilets. It also has baby-changing facilities, free WiFi and plenty of features to make it more accessible for passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility. It has induction loops, ramps for boarding the trains and the station is step free. Cambridge Central railway station has similar facilities. It has cashpoints, where you can withdraw cash, and a shop, where you can buy food and drinks, plus a coffee shop, waiting rooms, toilets and baby-changing facilities. There’s ramps and wheelchairs available, to help with boarding trains, and there are lifts to help cross the land bridge as well. Cambridge station is within a roughly 15min walk from the city centre, and there are plenty of taxis available.

Arrival train station:Edinburgh Waverley station is the main station in Edinburgh city, and it is located within a roughly 5min walk from Princes Street. It has ticket machines and ticket offices, and there are toilets with showers installed, should you wish to freshen up after your journey. There is free WiFi, and there are car hire kiosks, baby-changing facilities and water fountains located throughout the station. You can request wheelchairs for use within the station, and there are ramps throughout and to help you board the trains. Induction loops can be provided from the assistance desks, and there are easy-access toilets available for passengers with reduced mobility or disabilities.

Which train companies travel from Cambridge to Edinburgh?

There is currently only one company that provides trains from Cambridge to Edinburgh, and it is London North Eastern Railways, or LNER when abbreviated. LNER provides frequent, regular trains every day of the week, and although there are no direct trains, they tend to take 5-6h to complete the journey.

Night trains Cambridge

At the moment, there are no night trains offered on the Cambridge to Edinburgh line. The last train that departs is generally at 18:00 and usually takes over 5h to arrive, meaning that you should get to Edinburgh just after 23:00. This train departs Cambridge station, requires one or two changes and is operated by LNER. Another option is to take the early-morning train, departing about 5min before 06:00 and arriving in roughly 5h.

London North Eastern Railway trains from Cambridge to Edinburgh

LNER trains depart throughout the day, and they tend to leave every 30-40min during the day, with the first train leaving at about 06:00 and the last one departing around 18:00. The average travel time is about 5h 15min, and the difference between the fastest train (about 5 hours) and the slowest train (about 6 hours) is not that big. There are no direct trains on this route from Cambridge to Edinburgh, and they require either one or two stops, usually at Ely or Peterborough.

Trains from Cambridge to Edinburgh: Sustainability travel

Travelling by train has been proven to be a more sustainable method of public transport, especially when compared to using vehicles such as cars or buses. By reducing traffic, not only do trains reduce emissions, but they have also shown to cause less sound pollution and be more efficient with space. LNER is dedicated to reducing emissions further and providing a greener alternative for public transport.

Train Cambridge to Edinburgh: Services on Board

LNER trains offer both standard and first-class tickets for their trains. There are food-&-drinks trolleys as well as free WiFi, to keep you entertained during the long journey. You can reserve a space for your bike when purchasing your ticket in advance, and there is not a lot of storage space on board the trains, so make sure you stick to the company’s luggage policies. You may bring three items on board, including a large suitcase plus a smaller carry-on bag and a hand bag. Pets are allowed on board; you can bring up to two domestic pets with you. The Azuma trains that operate under LNER offer faster, more comfortable travel as well, so keep an eye out for them.

How to find cheap train tickets from Cambridge to Edinburgh

When trying to find cheap train tickets from Cambridge to Edinburgh, we recommend you try to reserve your tickets in advance, as they tend to be cheaper than buying your tickets on the day. Another option is to try and be flexible with your departure times, both the time of day and the day of the week, as this will give you a greater chance of finding good deals. Finally, if you can find trains that require more changes and take a little longer, then these are a good option, as they tend to be cheaper than the more direct, faster options.

Trains from Cambridge to Edinburgh: cityscape of Edinburgh at night. Source: Shutterstock

To Edinburgh by train—travel tips

Edinburgh is a wonderful city that blends modernism with history and offers plenty of ways to keep yourself entertained. If you would like to go for a walk and explore the historical city, then we recommend taking a stroll around Arthur’s Seat, which is located beside Holyrood, Scotland’s parliament building. Holyrood is at the base of the Royal Mile, a hill that runs up through the old town and culminates at Edinburgh Castle, one of the famous landmarks in the city. If you would prefer to go shopping, then you will find that Princes Street is close by and offers lots of shops and places to eat or drink, as well as the Botanical Gardens, which offer a great view of the castle. For sports fans, you can find the Edinburgh rugby team at Murrayfield, also where the national team play. There are also two top-tier football teams in the city, Hearts and Hibernian, so there is plenty to keep the sports fan entertained.

  • National Museum Scotland
  • Scott Monument
  • Calton Hill and the National Monument
  • Lauriston Castle and Gardens
  • The Royal Mile

FAQs: Cambridge to Edinburgh train

FAQs: Travel by train from Cambridge to Edinburgh easily. Whether you want fast, cheap or something entirely different, our travel experts have collected everything you need to know so you can find the best option from Cambridge to Edinburgh.
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