- Must visit
Robert Burns Birthplace Museum
Birthplace museum dedicated to Robert Burns, with manuscripts, objects and family home interiors that bring the poet's life and work into focus.
Cheapest price on 06 Sept
£28
Average ticket price on 06 Sept
£28
Fastest journey on 06 Sept
2 h 20 m
Average journey duration on 06 Sept
2 h 21 m
Trains on 06 Sept
6
Distance
105 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Edinburgh to Ayr is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Edinburgh to Ayr will cost around £28 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £28.
To travel from Edinburgh to Ayr you need to make at least one change.
W84207 · L87460
L87804 · L87438
L87820 · W69580
L87851 · W69583+
Bus from Glasgow Queen Street to Glasgow Central
L87866 · L87454+
Bus from Glasgow Queen Street to Glasgow Central
L87804 · L87438
L87835 · L87443+
Bus from Glasgow Queen Street to Glasgow Central
L87866 · L87454+
Bus from Glasgow Queen Street to Glasgow Central
L87820 · W69580
L87851 · W69583+
Bus from Glasgow Queen Street to Glasgow CentralOmio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Edinburgh to Ayr among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £18 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 2h 28m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £18, while a train costs an average of £28.
Distance: 105 km
Most popular Train | Coach | Driving |
|---|---|---|
£28 Average Price | £18 Average Price Cheapest | £52 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 28m Average total duration Fastest 1h 58m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 7m Average total duration 2h 37m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 50m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Edinburgh to Ayr:
A coach is £10 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Edinburgh to Ayr costing on average £28.
Other travel options to Ayr take longer:
Coach takes on average 2h 37m.
Tickets start at around £28 compared to roughly £52 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £24. The journey takes 1h 58m versus 1h 50m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can work, read, or sleep along the way rather than spending the time behind the wheel. You'll also save the hassle of parking at the other end.
Driving is worth it if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group, or want to stop somewhere en route.
The table below shows live departures for Edinburgh to Ayr trains for today, Saturday 5 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
L87844 · M40657+ Bus from Glasgow Queen Street to Glasgow Central | Delayed 8:16 9:15Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2h25 | 11:40 Ayr station (AYR) | 2 changes | |
C14751 · M40681+ Bus from Glasgow Queen Street to Glasgow Central | Delayed 10:00 11:00Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2h23 | 13:23 Ayr station (AYR) | 2 changes | |
L87903 · M40655+ Bus from Glasgow Queen Street to Glasgow Central | Delayed 10:15 11:15Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2h28 | 13:43 Ayr station (AYR) | 2 changes | |
| Sunday 6 September | |||||
L87804 · L87438 | 8:00 Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2h20 | 10:20 Ayr station (AYR) | 1 change | |
L87820 · W69580 | 8:30 Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2h23 | 10:53 Ayr station (AYR) | 1 change | |
L87835 · L87443+ Bus from Glasgow Queen Street to Glasgow Central | 9:00 Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2h20 | 11:20 Ayr station (AYR) | 2 changes | |
L87851 · W69583+ Bus from Glasgow Queen Street to Glasgow Central | 9:30 Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2h23 | 11:53 Ayr station (AYR) | 2 changes | |
L87866 · L87454+ Bus from Glasgow Queen Street to Glasgow Central | 10:00 Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2h21 | 12:21 Ayr station (AYR) | 2 changes | |
W84207 · L87460 | 10:27 Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2h54 | 13:21 Ayr station (AYR) | 1 change | |
This is the last train 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.
Trains from Edinburgh to Ayr run on average 9 times per day, taking around 1h 58m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £27 but you can travel from only £14 by coach.
The earliest train runs at 05:15, the last at 22:27. The fastest train covers the 105 km distance in 2h 25m.
Distance 105 km |
Average train duration 1h 58m |
Cheapest ticket price £27 |
Trains per day 9 |
Fastest train 2h 25m |
First train 5:15 |
Last train 22:27 |
Cheapest Month Mar |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Fri |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Best time to book 1 day |
Discover the best of Ayr — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Ayr trip today.
Birthplace museum dedicated to Robert Burns, with manuscripts, objects and family home interiors that bring the poet's life and work into focus.
Purpose-built gallery and museum with changing exhibitions, local history displays and family-friendly interpretation in Ayr's cultural quarter.
Country house galleries within Culzean Country Park, showing art, furnished rooms and estate history in an impressive clifftop setting.
Long sandy beach and promenade popular for walks, sunsets and sea air. It is a classic Ayr outing close to the town centre.
Large public park with gardens, woodland paths, a café area and access to museums. It is ideal for a quieter stroll away from the seafront.
Broad riverside green space and harbour-side walking area where the River Ayr meets the sea. Good for local views, fresh air and a quieter stroll.
A rich beef mince stew topped with mashed potatoes and baked until golden. A long-standing Ayrshire and Scottish comfort dish found in homes and pubs.
Smoked haddock poached in milk, often served with poached egg and buttery bread. A classic west coast breakfast dish tied to Scottish fishing traditions.
Oats mixed with suet, onion and seasoning, traditionally cooked in a sheep’s stomach. Scotland’s signature savoury dish with a strong Burns Night link in Ayrshire.
Well-known Indian restaurant in Ayr offering classic curries, tandoori dishes and warm service in a comfortable dining room.
Stylish seafront restaurant in the Marine Troon hotel, known for Scottish produce, seafood and grill dishes in a polished setting.
Established harbour-side venue in nearby Troon with seafood, steaks and Scottish dishes, plus marina views and a smart casual atmosphere.
Ayr is moderate by UK standards, with fairly priced hotels, casual dining, and local transport. Costs are usually lower than in Glasgow or Edinburgh.
Tipping is optional. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is usual for good service if not already added. Round up for taxis. Cafes do not expect tips, but small change is appreciated.
Official public transport app
Ayr railway station -> Ayr Bus Station
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Edinburgh to Ayr 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 Ayr, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Edinburgh to Ayr trains use the Edinburgh Waverley to Ayr station pair, with some services arriving at Newton-on-Ayr. Use this guide to compare Edinburgh and Ayr 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.
Haymarket is 1 km from Edinburgh city centre. Public transport options include:
Haymarket has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Haymarket.
Wi-Fi is available at Haymarket. ATMs are available at Haymarket.
Ticket office support is available at Haymarket. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from help point,Yes - from ticket office, 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, Arrival screens.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Haymarket: Parking, WC.
Available at Haymarket: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Haymarket: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: This is a Category A station. This station has step-free access to all platforms. The Passenger Assist meeting point is at the automatic ticket gates Blue Badge parking bays: 2, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
Wester Hailes is 6 km from Edinburgh city centre. Public transport options include:
Wester Hailes has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, Bike Parking and Car Rental.
Food and drink options are available at Wester Hailes.
ATMs are available at Wester Hailes.
Available at Wester Hailes: Parking, Taxis.
Available at Wester Hailes: Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Wester Hailes.
Ayr has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Ayr.
Wi-Fi is available at Ayr. ATMs are available at Ayr.
Ticket office support is available at Ayr. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from help point,Yes - from ticket office, 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 Ayr: Parking, WC.
Available at Ayr: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Ayr: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: No, Step free access note: This is a Category B station. Level to platforms 1,2 & 3 - connecting footbridge with stairs or access from street to platform 4. Alternative route is available by going outside the station over the roadbridge Blue Badge parking bays: 7, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users may require assistance using car park equipment at this station, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
Newton-on-Ayr is 1 km from Ayr city centre. Public transport options include:
Newton-on-Ayr has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Bike Parking and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Newton-on-Ayr.
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 Newton-on-Ayr: Parking.
Available at Newton-on-Ayr: Bike Parking.
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