- Must visit
National Museum of Scotland
National museum covering science, design, world cultures and Scottish history. Excellent for varied collections and a dramatic central hall.
Cheapest price on 18 Sept
£29
Average ticket price on 18 Sept
£53
Fastest journey on 18 Sept
1 h 56 m
Average journey duration on 18 Sept
2 h 1 m
Trains on 18 Sept
7
Distance
149 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Gateshead to Edinburgh is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Gateshead to Edinburgh will cost around £53 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £29.
To travel from Gateshead to Edinburgh you need to make at least one change.
C31797+
G25677
C32722+
G80199
C32698+
G66980
C31904+
W85164
C32704+
G80193
C32722+
G80199
C31797+
G25677
C32698+
G66980
C32711+
C01971
C32704+
G80193Omio recommends booking the coach as it is the most popular option from Gateshead to Edinburgh among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £9 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 2h 8m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £9, while a train costs an average of £29.
Distance: 149 km
| Train | Most popular Coach | Driving |
|---|---|---|
£29 Average Price | £9 Average Price Cheapest | £29 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 8m Average total duration Fastest 1h 38m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 11m Average total duration 2h 41m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 37m 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 Gateshead to Edinburgh:
A coach is £20 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Gateshead to Edinburgh costing on average £29.
Other travel options to Edinburgh take longer:
Coach takes on average 2h 41m.
You'll arrive about 59m sooner (1h 38m by train vs 2h 37m by car). Tickets start at around £29 compared to roughly £29 in fuel and tolls — so you're paying a bit more, but getting hours of your day back, a city-centre arrival, and the freedom to work or relax instead of drive.
Direct services run with London North Eastern Railway Limited (LNER), Cross Country, Lumo, TransPennine Express.
Driving makes more sense if you're travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), want to stop along the way, or need a car once you arrive.
The table below shows live departures for Gateshead to Edinburgh trains for today, Thursday 17 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
C31904+ W85164 | On time 5:49 Metro Centre (MCE) | 3h52 | 9:41 Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 1 change | |
C33286+ W85808 | On time 6:41 Dunston (DOT) | 2h20 | 9:01 Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 1 change | |
C32698+ G66980 | On time 7:10 Dunston (DOT) | 2h00 | 9:10 Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 1 change | |
G80193+ C32704 | Delayed 7:05 7:27Dunston (DOT) | 2h11 | 9:38 Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 1 change | |
G25677+ C31797 | Delayed 7:31 7:59Dunston (DOT) | 1h58 | 9:57 Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 1 change | |
C01971+ C32711 | Delayed 8:03 8:27Dunston (DOT) | 2h01 | 10:28 Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 1 change | |
G80199+ C32722 | Delayed 9:04 9:37Dunston (DOT) | 1h56 | 11:33 Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 1 change | |
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 Gateshead to Edinburgh run on average 6 times per day, taking around 1h 38m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £18 but you can travel from only £7 by coach.
The earliest train runs at 05:00, the last at 22:34. The fastest train covers the 149 km distance in 1h 45m.
Distance 149 km |
Average train duration 1h 38m |
Cheapest ticket price £18 |
Trains per day 6 |
Fastest train 1h 45m |
First train 5:00 |
Last train 22:34 |
Cheapest Month May |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Best time to book 28 days |
Discover the best of Edinburgh — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Edinburgh trip today.
National museum covering science, design, world cultures and Scottish history. Excellent for varied collections and a dramatic central hall.
Major art gallery with Scottish and international works from the Renaissance to the late nineteenth century, beside Princes Street Gardens.
Contemporary art gallery in a converted schoolhouse, known for thoughtful exhibitions by Scottish and international artists near the Royal Mile.
Historic street linking the castle and Holyroodhouse, lined with closes, shops and public buildings. Ideal for first-time visitors on foot.
Extinct volcano with popular walking routes and broad views over the city and coast. A rewarding outdoor escape close to the centre.
Large public gardens below the castle, good for a break between Old and New Town sights, with monuments, lawns and seasonal planting.
A rich Scottish soup of smoked haddock, potatoes and onions, closely associated with east coast cooking and widely enjoyed in Edinburgh.
Scotland’s iconic savoury pudding of sheep’s offal, oats and spices, traditionally served with neeps and tatties at Burns suppers.
A classic Scottish dessert of raspberries, whipped cream, honey and toasted oats, often linked with soft fruit from eastern Scotland.
Elegant dining room serving refined Scottish tasting menus focused on seasonal produce in a calm central setting.
Popular traditional restaurant near the Castle, specialising in haggis, game and hearty Scottish comfort food.
Stylish brasserie and oyster bar with Scottish seafood, shellfish and classic dishes in a grand city-centre space.
Moderate for the UK. Rooms and dining are pricier in peak season, but buses are affordable and budget eats are easy to find.
Tipping is optional. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is common if service is not included. Round up taxi fares. Cafés and pubs usually do not expect tips.
Official public transport app
Edinburgh Waverley -> Princes Street, Edinburgh
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Gateshead to Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Gateshead to Edinburgh trains use the Dunston to Edinburgh Waverley station pair. Use this guide to compare Gateshead and Edinburgh train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Dunston is 2 km from Gateshead city centre. Public transport options include:
Dunston has practical services for this route, including Parking, Accessibility, Lost and Found Office and Bike Parking.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Dunston: Parking.
Available at Dunston: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Dunston: Staff help available: No, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Category A station, please note there are no tactile pavings at this station There is ramped access to both platforms which wheelchair users can easily use, 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.
Metro Centre is 4 km from Gateshead city centre. Public transport options include:
Metro Centre has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Taxis, Accessibility, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Bike Parking and Car Rental.
Food and drink options are available at Metro Centre.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Metro Centre: Parking, Taxis.
Available at Metro Centre: Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Metro Centre: Staff help available: No, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Category A station, Access via lifts that operate whilst ever services are operating through the 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.
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