- Recommended
Summerlee Museum of Scottish Industrial Life
Industrial heritage museum with Scottish locomotives, engineering displays and station buildings. A strong choice for families and transport enthusiasts.
Cheapest price on 05 Sept
£14
Average ticket price on 05 Sept
£14
Fastest journey on 05 Sept
1 h 54 m
Average journey duration on 05 Sept
1 h 59 m
Trains on 05 Sept
2
Distance
53 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Edinburgh to Motherwell is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Edinburgh to Motherwell will cost around £14 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £14.
To travel from Edinburgh to Motherwell you need to make at least one change.
W83043 · W69453 · W68482
W84223 · L88544
W84223 · L88544
W83043 · W69453 · W68482Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Edinburgh to Motherwell among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £5 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 1h 19m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £5, while a train costs an average of £14.
Distance: 53 km
Most popular Train | Coach | Driving |
|---|---|---|
£14 Average Price | £5 Average Price Cheapest | £41 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
1h 19m Average total duration Fastest 49m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 45m Average total duration 1h 15m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 1m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Edinburgh to Motherwell:
A coach is £10 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Edinburgh to Motherwell costing on average £14.
Other travel options to Motherwell take longer:
Coach takes on average 1h 15m.
The journey is about 12m faster (49m by train vs 1h 1m by car) and roughly £27 cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls (£14 vs £41). You'll also arrive in the city centre rather than hunting for parking, and you can work, read, or watch the landscape go by instead of concentrating on the road.
Direct services run with Scotrail, CrossCountry, Transpennine Express, London North Eastern Railway, Cross Country, ScotRail.
Driving is still worth considering if you want to stop along the way or need a car once you arrive.
The table below shows live departures for Edinburgh to Motherwell trains for today, Friday 4 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G00694 | On time 6:25 Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 0h38 | 7:03 Motherwell station (MTH) | 0 changesdirect | |
L88231 · L88545 | On time 6:28 Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 1h18 | 7:46 Motherwell station (MTH) | 1 change | |
W68264 | On time 7:41 Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 0h52 | 8:33 Motherwell station (MTH) | 0 changesdirect | |
L88233 · L88599 | On time 7:58 Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 1h20 | 9:18 Motherwell station (MTH) | 1 change | |
W84197 · L88619 | On time 8:28 Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 1h18 | 9:46 Motherwell station (MTH) | 1 change |
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 Motherwell run on average 7 times per day, taking around 49m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £14 but you can travel from only £4 by coach.
There are 1 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 05:33, the last at 23:49. The fastest train covers the 53 km distance in 41m.
Distance 53 km |
Average train duration 49m |
Cheapest ticket price £14 |
Trains per day 7 |
Direct trains 1 |
Fastest train 41m |
First train 5:33 |
Last train 23:49 |
Cheapest Month Jun |
Cheapest Day Thu |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Sun |
Least Busy Day Thu |
Best time to book 1 day |
Discover the best of Motherwell — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Motherwell trip today.
Industrial heritage museum with Scottish locomotives, engineering displays and station buildings. A strong choice for families and transport enthusiasts.
Museum set in grand country-house rooms with collections on local history, decorative arts and the people of North Lanarkshire.
Museum and visitor centre at New Lanark exploring cotton-mill life, social reform and village history. It makes an excellent heritage day trip from Motherwell.
Large country park with woodland walks, wildlife, formal grounds and a Japanese garden. It is one of the area’s best places for a relaxed outdoor visit.
Historic estate park with riverside paths, ornamental gardens and woodland. It offers peaceful walks and easy access to Dalzell House.
Lochside park with walking routes, birdlife and broad views. It is a local favourite for a gentle stroll close to the town centre.
A hearty Scottish soup of lentils, root vegetables and usually ham or mutton. It is a staple home-cooked dish across Lanarkshire and the wider Central Belt.
Minced beef in rich gravy topped with mashed potatoes and baked until golden. A familiar comfort dish in Scottish homes and traditional pubs.
Savoury minced offal, oats, suet and spices cooked in a casing. Scotland’s national dish is widely eaten on Burns Night and year-round.
Traditional Italian restaurant known for pasta, pizza and classic mains in a relaxed family setting popular with locals.
Modern bar and grill at Dakota Eurocentral with polished interiors, steaks and classic Scottish-influenced dishes in a smart atmosphere.
Well-known local Indian restaurant serving curries, tandoori dishes and takeaway favourites in an unfussy setting.
Moderate for the UK. Meals and coffee are reasonable, while hotels often cost less than in Glasgow or Edinburgh. Local rail and bus costs are manageable for visitors.
Restaurants often add no service charge, so 10-12.5% is polite for good service. Taxis are usually rounded up. Tipping in cafés is optional.
CrossCountry Trains and ScotRail offer direct trains from Edinburgh to Motherwell. Daily schedules begin with an early morning departure, and continue with hourly services throughout the day, until the final train from the capital leaves in late evening. Additional indirect services require a change at Bellshill. Journey times range from 40 minutes for the fastest direct trains to around an hour and 30 minutes for indirect routes. Sunday trains from Edinburgh to Motherwell are less frequent, with the first direct service leaving just after 10:00 a.m. Departures are from Edinburgh Waverley Station in the city centre, arriving at Motherwell Station, just north of the town centre.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Edinburgh to Motherwell 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 Motherwell, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Edinburgh to Motherwell trains use the Edinburgh Waverley to Motherwell station pair, with some services arriving at Airbles. Use this guide to compare Edinburgh and Motherwell 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.
South Gyle is 6 km from Edinburgh city centre. Public transport options include:
South Gyle has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Accessibility, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Bike Parking and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at South Gyle.
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 South Gyle: Parking.
Available at South Gyle: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at South Gyle: Staff help available: No, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: This is a Category B station. Ramps to both platforms and roadbridge connecting both platforms Blue Badge parking bays: 1, 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, Ramp for train access: No, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
Motherwell has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, Accessibility, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Motherwell.
Wi-Fi is available at Motherwell.
Ticket office support is available at Motherwell. 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 Motherwell: Parking.
Available at Motherwell: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Motherwell: 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 Ticket Office Blue Badge parking bays: 3, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
Airbles has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Accessibility, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Bike Parking and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Airbles.
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 Airbles: Parking.
Available at Airbles: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Airbles: Staff help available: No, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: This is a Category B station. Accessible to all platforms - ramps to both platforms and connecting roadbridge between platforms, 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, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
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