- 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
£23
Average price
£41
Fastest journey
3 h 41 m
Average duration
4 h 10 m
Trains per day
2
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 £41 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £23.
Of the 2 trains that leave Edinburgh for Ambleside every day 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
These direct trains cover the 170 km distance in an average of 4 h 10 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 3 h 41 m .
The slowest trains will take 4 h 38 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.




Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Edinburgh to Ambleside among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £11. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 2h 11m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £11, and a train costs an average of £20.
Distance: 170 km
Most popular Train | Coach |
|---|---|
£23 Average Price | £12 Average Price Cheapest |
2h 41m Average total duration Fastest 2h 11m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 10m Average total duration 4h 40m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
The table below shows live departures for Edinburgh to Ambleside trains for today, Friday 21 August. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 20:12 Edinburgh | 2h18 | 22:30 Ambleside | 0 changesdirect | |
| Saturday 22 August | |||||
![]() | 10:05 Edinburgh | 4h38 | 14:43 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
Compare coach and train 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.
Trains from Edinburgh to Ambleside run on average 18 times per day, taking around 2h 11m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £20 but you can travel from only £11 by coach.
The earliest train runs at 06:12, the last at 20:52. The fastest train covers the 170 km distance in 2h 48m.
Distance 170 km |
Average train duration 2h 11m |
Cheapest ticket price £20 |
Trains per day 18 |
Fastest train 2h 48m |
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 |
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.
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.
Edinburgh Park is 7 km from Edinburgh city centre. Public transport options include:
Edinburgh Park has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, Accessibility, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Bike Parking, Car Rental and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Edinburgh Park.
Wi-Fi is available at Edinburgh Park.
Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from help point, Helpline Contact: Tel: 0800 046 1634 and 18001 0800 046 1634 (Deaf and customers who are hard of hearing), Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Edinburgh Park: Parking.
Available at Edinburgh Park: Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Edinburgh Park: Staff help available: No, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: This is a Category A station. This station has step-free access to both platforms, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Ramp for train access: No, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
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