- 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
£101
Average price
£176
Fastest journey
4 h 23 m
Average duration
5 h 1 m
Trains per day
5
Distance
392 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Leicester to Edinburgh is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Leicester to Edinburgh will cost around £176 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £101.
To travel from Leicester to Edinburgh you need to make at least one change.
G00955+
W33941
G00805+
G80211
G00738 · G66987+
W70945
G66987+
W70945
W84665+
G80211+
C21769
W84665+
G80211+
C21769
G00738 · G66987+
W70945
G66987+
W70945
G00805+
G80211
G00955+
W33941Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Leicester to Edinburgh among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £16. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 17m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.4kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £16, and a train costs an average of £44.
Distance: 392 km
Most popular Train | Coach | Flight |
|---|---|---|
£76 Average Price | £30 Average Price Cheapest | £41 Average Price |
5h 10m Average total duration 4h 40m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 8h 52m Average total duration 8h 22m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 17m Average total duration Fastest 1h 17m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
0.1 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.4 - 1.0kg CO2 emissions | 1.2 - 2.4kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
The table below shows live departures for Leicester to Edinburgh trains for today, Wednesday 26 August. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
W70945+ G66987 | On time 8:09 Leicester station (LEI) | 5h01 | 13:10 Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 1 change | |
G00805+ G80211 | On time 8:19 Leicester station (LEI) | 5h13 | 13:32 Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 1 change | |
C21769+ W84665+ G80211 | On time 9:09 Leicester station (LEI) | 4h23 | 13:32 Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2 changes | |
C21769+ G01060 | On time 9:09 Leicester station (LEI) | 5h01 | 14:10 Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 1 change | |
G00841+ G80216 | On time 9:14 Leicester station (LEI) | 5h13 | 14:27 Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 1 change | |
G66941+ W33941+ C17848 | On time 9:15 Leicester station (LEI) | 5h04 | 14:19 Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2 changes | |
C21649+ G80216+ G89691 | On time 9:40 Leicester station (LEI) | 4h47 | 14:27 Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2 changes | |
W70956+ G01062 | On time 10:10 Leicester station (LEI) | 5h00 | 15:10 Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 1 change | |
G00806+ G80224 | On time 10:15 Leicester station (LEI) | 5h19 | 15:34 Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 1 change | |
G66942+ W33935+ W85182+ C17878 | On time 10:16 Leicester station (LEI) | 5h20 | 15:36 Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 3 changes | |
W70961+ G01064 | On time 11:06 Leicester station (LEI) | 5h01 | 16:07 Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 1 change | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train, coach and flight 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 Leicester to Edinburgh run on average 6 times per day, taking around 4h 40m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £44 but you can travel from only £16 by coach.
The earliest train runs at 05:37, the last at 23:28. The fastest train covers the 392 km distance in 4h 55m.
Distance 392 km |
Average train duration 4h 40m |
Cheapest ticket price £44 |
Trains per day 6 |
Fastest train 4h 55m |
First train 5:37 |
Last train 23:28 |
Cheapest Month Jul |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Fri |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Best time to book 4 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
Although there are no direct trains from Leicester to Edinburgh, it is possible to make the journey with just one change. The first departure is a CrossCountry service leaving around 6:15 a.m. connecting with a Virgin East Coast Trains service at Peterborough. There are hourly East Midlands Trains departures from Leicester throughout the day, requiring a change to a CrossCountry train at Chesterfield. The final connection is around 18:00 p.m. Journey times are roughly 5 hours.
Departure Station: Leicester Leicester's main station is situated south-east of the city centre, about 10-minutes on foot from the main shopping streets. City buses stop outside on London Road, and there is a taxi rank on the northern side of the station concourse.
Arrival Station: Edinburgh Waverley Waverley station is located in the city centre, with tram and bus connections nearby on Princes Street. Night buses and airport shuttle buses depart from Waverley Bridge. The station taxi rank is located on the concourse close to the platforms.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Leicester 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 Leicester to Edinburgh trains use the Leicester to Edinburgh Waverley station pair, with some services arriving at Haymarket. Use this guide to compare Leicester and Edinburgh train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Leicester has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Leicester.
Wi-Fi is available at Leicester. ATMs are available at Leicester.
Ticket office support is available at Leicester. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from information point,Yes - from ticket office, Helpline Contact: 08000 11 33 23, Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements, Arrival screens.
Available at Leicester: Parking, WC.
Available at Leicester: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Leicester: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: This is a Category A access station. There is step free access to the main entrance and lifts to all platforms. Customers with wheelchairs who require assistance on graduated slopes should press the ticket gate 'assistance' button located at the bottom of the stairs near the self service ticket machines. To ensure availability of staff to assist, it is imperative that customers book assistance in advance. This station has tactile paving at the edge of all platforms and at the bottom of all staircases, 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: Yes.
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.
Edinburgh Gateway is 7 km from Edinburgh city centre. Public transport options include:
Edinburgh Gateway has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, Accessibility, WC, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Edinburgh Gateway.
Wi-Fi is available at Edinburgh Gateway.
Ticket office support is available at Edinburgh Gateway. 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: Announcements, Arrival screens.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Edinburgh Gateway: Parking, WC.
Available at Edinburgh Gateway: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Edinburgh Gateway: 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 both platforms. The Passenger Assist meeting point is at the Ticket Office Blue Badge parking bays: 4, 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: Yes.
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