- 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
£93
Average price
£105
Fastest journey
4 h 5 m
Average duration
4 h 21 m
Trains per day
4
Distance
348 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Lincoln to Edinburgh is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Lincoln to Edinburgh will cost around £105 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £93.
To travel from Lincoln to Edinburgh you need to make at least one change.
C01971+
C88222
G89405+
G80171 · G80205
G08044 · G80211
G80205+
C21279
G89405+
G80171 · G80205
G08044 · G80211
C01971+
C88222
G80205+
C21279Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Lincoln to Edinburgh among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the flight with prices starting from £26. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 10m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.3kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a flight costs an average of £26, and a train costs an average of £46.
Distance: 348 km
Most popular Train | Flight |
|---|---|
£72 Average Price | £54 Average Price Cheapest |
4h 44m Average total duration 4h 14m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 10m Average total duration Fastest 1h 10m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 1.0 - 2.1kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
The table below shows live departures for Lincoln to Edinburgh trains for tomorrow, Friday 21 August. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
C88222+ C01971 | 6:00 Lincoln Central (LCN) | 4h28 | 10:28 Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 1 change | |
C21279+ G80205 | 7:50 Lincoln Central (LCN) | 4h40 | 12:30 Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 1 change | |
G89405+ G80171 · G80205 | 8:25 Lincoln Central (LCN) | 4h05 | 12:30 Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2 changes | |
G08044 · G80211 | 9:20 Lincoln Central (LCN) | 4h12 | 13:32 Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 1 change | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare flight 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 Lincoln to Edinburgh run on average 6 times per day, taking around 4h 14m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £46 but you can travel from only £26 by flight.
The earliest train runs at 05:16, the last at 19:37. The fastest train covers the 348 km distance in 3h 58m.
Distance 348 km |
Average train duration 4h 14m |
Cheapest ticket price £46 |
Trains per day 6 |
Fastest train 3h 58m |
First train 5:16 |
Last train 19:37 |
Cheapest Month Apr |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Fri |
Best time to book 7 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
Anyone travelling to Scotland's capital from Lincoln will find a range of rail options whenever they need to depart. While there are no direct services to Edinburgh, passengers can expect to choose from up to 20 indirect services, which can take as little as 4 hours to reach their destination.
Trains to Edinburgh from Lincoln are operated by CrossCountry and LNER. LNER's services tend to require a single change, while more stops may be involved with CrossCountry. However, total journey times can still be manageable, even with 2-3 changes.
LNER services from Lincoln to Edinburgh take between 4 hours and 4 hours 40 minutes to reach Waverley Station. CrossCountry services are generally slightly slower, although they can take 4 hours 30 minutes in some cases, so are worth taking into consideration.
Trains leave Lincoln for Edinburgh 7 days a week, with up to 20 services per day. Times are spread throughout the day from the early morning into the evening. Customers should note that there are no direct trains, and 1-2 changes will be required along the way.
Departure station: Trains from Lincoln to Edinburgh will depart from Lincoln Central. The station has strong bus links with the surrounding area, with connections to Branston, Welton, Waddington, and other towns and villages. The city centre is a 10-15 minute walk away, so reaching trains should be simple. At the station, expect simple cafe food, shops, and an ATM, along with baby changing facilities and accessible toilets. Waiting rooms are open 7 days a week, but will usually close around 8:00 p.m.
Arrival station: Trains to Edinburgh from Lincoln will terminate at Waverley Station, the city's major rail hub. Waverley is right next door to Princes Street and 5 minutes walk north of the Old Town, so it's ideally situated for sight-seeing. Passengers can take the 12, 26 or 31 buses to Edinburgh Zoo, and there's a direct tram connection to Edinburgh Airport (leave 35 minutes for the journey). There's also a taxi rank outside the entrance, putting all parts of Lothian within easy reach.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Lincoln 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 Lincoln to Edinburgh trains use the Lincoln Central to Edinburgh Waverley station pair, with some services arriving at Haymarket. Use this guide to compare Lincoln and Edinburgh train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Lincoln Central has practical services for this route, including Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking and Bike Rental.
Food and drink options are available at Lincoln Central.
ATMs are available at Lincoln Central.
Ticket office support is available at Lincoln Central.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Lincoln Central: Parking, WC.
Available at Lincoln Central: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Lincoln Central: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Category A station. This station has step free access to all platforms. This station doesn't have tactile paving at the edges of the platforms, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users can use car park equipment at this station unaided, Accessible taxis: all cabs on station rank are wheelchair accessible, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: Fastticket, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, 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.
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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