- Must visit
Dove Cottage
Romantic-era writer's house museum in Grasmere with preserved rooms, manuscripts and guided access to Wordsworth's domestic world.
Cheapest price on 07 Oct
£20
Average ticket price on 07 Oct
£55
Fastest journey on 07 Oct
2 h 22 m
Average journey duration on 07 Oct
2 h 36 m
Trains on 07 Oct
12
Distance
170 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Edinburgh to Ambleside is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Edinburgh to Ambleside will cost around £55 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £20.
To travel from Edinburgh to Ambleside you need to make at least one change.
W33933+
G85365
W34124+
W84915+
G85394
W84907+
G85374
W84912+
G85384
W84901+
G89062
W84901+
G89062
W84901+
G89062
W84907+
G85374
W33933+
G85365
W84912+
G85384Trains from Edinburgh to Ambleside run on average 19 times per day, taking around 2h 9m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £21 but you can travel from only £12 by coach.
The earliest train runs at 06:12, the last at 20:52. The fastest train covers the 170 km distance in 1h 57m.
Distance 170 km |
Average train duration 2h 9m |
Cheapest ticket price £21 |
Trains per day 19 |
Fastest train 1h 57m |
First train 6:12 |
Last train 20:52 |
Cheapest Month Sept |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Jul - Sept |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Wed |
Best time to book 1 day |
The table below shows live departures for Edinburgh to Ambleside trains for today, Tuesday 6 October. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 7:52 Edinburgh | 2h48 | 10:40 Ambleside | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 10:15 Edinburgh | 3h41 | 13:56 Ambleside | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 11:15 Edinburgh | 3h41 | 14:56 Ambleside | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Discover the best of Ambleside — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Ambleside trip today.
Romantic-era writer's house museum in Grasmere with preserved rooms, manuscripts and guided access to Wordsworth's domestic world.
Local museum and gallery with Lakeland history, art, archaeology and Beatrix Potter material, suitable for a deeper understanding of the area.
House museum linked to Beatrix Potter and William Heelis, showing period rooms and personal collections in nearby Hawkshead.
Popular waterfall walk from the town centre through woodland and rocky scenery. It is short, accessible in parts and rewarding after rain.
Open hill above Ambleside with a clear path and wide views over Windermere, the town and surrounding fells. Popular at sunrise or sunset.
Large lakeside green with jetties, picnic space and mountain views. A practical base for walking, boating and relaxing by Windermere.
A Cumberland sausage served in a spiral coil, seasoned with pepper and herbs. A Lake District and Cumbria classic often seen on local pub menus.
Slow-cooked lamb or mutton with onions and sliced potatoes. Long linked to Cumbrian farming life and traditional fellside home cooking.
A rich fruitcake made with dried fruit, spice and tea, traditionally baked in Cumbria for fairs, holidays and family gatherings.
Smart yet welcoming dining room serving refined British cooking with seasonal produce in a historic Ambleside setting.
Established vegetarian restaurant with creative plant-based dishes and a relaxed, modern feel in the centre of Ambleside.
Popular old-town restaurant known for tapas-style small plates, local ingredients and a lively but cosy atmosphere.
Ambleside is pricier than many UK small towns, with higher hotel rates in peak season and dining aimed at visitors, though buses and casual cafés help keep daily costs manageable.
Tipping is modest. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is usual if service is not included. Round up taxi fares. Cafés do not require tips, but leaving small change is appreciated.
The most popular day trips by train from Ambleside are Windermere, Kendal, Lancaster and Oxenholme. Find out what you can do in these day trip destinations and how to book your train from Ambleside on Omio.

Windermere is best known as a base for exploring England’s largest lake and the wider Lake District. The town has a lively Victorian centre, while nearby Bowness-on-Windermere connects visitors with the water and fell views.

Kendal is a Cumbrian market town on the edge of the Lake District, known for Kendal Castle and Kendal Mint Cake. Its stone streets, River Kent setting and strong local identity make it feel more lived-in than purely touristic.

Lancaster is known for its castle, Georgian architecture and ties to the House of Lancaster. Its compact centre, River Lune setting and student energy give the city a historic yet easy-going feel.
The earliest train runs at 05:59, the last at 22:28.

Oxenholme is a small Cumbrian settlement best known for its station linking Kendal with the wider Lake District. Close to rolling countryside and the market town of Kendal, it feels quiet, practical and distinctly rural.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Edinburgh to Ambleside by train. 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 train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Ambleside, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Edinburgh to Ambleside trains use the Edinburgh Waverley to Windermere station pair. Use this guide to compare Edinburgh and Ambleside train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Edinburgh Waverley has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Car Rental and Information Desk.
Food options include: Bagel Factory, Burger King, Caffè Nero, Costa Coffee, JD Wetherspoon, The Pasty Shop, The Beer House, M&S, Pret a Manger
Free public Wi-Fi available. ATMs are there are a few ATM machines around the station.
The ticket office is open Mon - Sat: 05:00 - 23:59, Sun: 07:00 - 23:59. Information desks are information booths are located on the concourse. .
Luggage storage is you can leave luggage at Excessive Baggage Company on Platform 2. . Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Edinburgh Waverley: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Edinburgh Waverley: Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Edinburgh Waverley: Entrances are step free. Station is equipped with an elevator. Staffed with guide communicators for the deaf. Tactile warning strips are on the platform edges for the blind.
Nearby hotels include Old Waverley Hotel, Jurys Inn Edinburgh, The Scotsman Hotel.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need