Train from London to Edinburgh

London City is linked to Edinburgh by LNER train. The train travels to Edinburgh from London every 30min at a speed of up to 125mph. It takes around 5h 20min to cover approximately 393 miles (632 km), with zero check-in. At least 42 trains operate from London to Edinburgh each day. There is an option to travel directly to Edinburgh from London without having to transfer from one train to another.

Travellers heading north between the English and Scottish capitals can take trains on the East Coast Main Line as a comfortable and scenic alternative to a flight. There are frequent direct departures from London King's Cross seven days a week, with journey times averaging around four hours and 30 minutes. Departure times range from early morning to early evening. A sleeper service to Edinburgh also operates, from London Euston Station.

London to Edinburgh Train Time: Daily Departures

There are at least 41 train trips to Edinburgh from London each day. A train ticket to Edinburgh from London can cost a few dollars if you book ahead of the departure date. The fastest train to Edinburgh Waverley from London Euston departs at around 08:00 a.m. and arrives at around 12:20 p.m. The latest train departs at around 11:50 p.m. and arrives at around 07:23 a.m. the next day.

How long is the journey by train from London to Edinburgh?

The fastest trains on the 390-mile route north on the East Coast Main Line are some LNER departures taking four hours and 18 minutes to reach the Scottish capital. Most LNER services take from five to 25 minutes longer. Virgin Trains services from London Euston take five hours and 39 minutes to reach Edinburgh. Overnight Caledonian Sleeper trains take seven hours and 33 minutes.

The average travel time from London to Edinburgh may vary depending on the waiting duration and number of stops. However, on average, it takes around 5h 20min to travel from London to Edinburgh by train. A direct high-speed train can take around 4h 30min to cover the 393 miles (632 km) distance from Avanti West Coast to the Central station in Edinburgh.

London Bridge Light. Source: Shutterstock

What are the departure and arrival stations from London to Edinburgh?

Departure train station: Location on Euston Road, London Kings Cross Station is the main station operating train trips from London to Edinburgh. Trains leave London every hour or every half-hour depending on the traffic condition and arrive right in the centre of Edinburgh Waverley. Facilities available at Kings Cross Station include shops and hotels perfect for last-minute treats and gifts. Pandora, Oliver Bonas, Isle of Flowers, and Rituals are all available at the station.

Passengers will depart from either London King's Cross or London Euston. King's Cross Station is located on the north side of central London, with Underground connections on six lines and bus links from stops on Euston Road. Euston is about ten minutes' walk west, served by city buses and three Underground lines. Both stations have numerous restaurants, food supermarkets, shops and taxi ranks.

Arrival train station: Your destination in Edinburgh will be Edinburgh Waverley Station. It is the main train station located on Princes Street in the heart of Edinburgh City, served by local bus and tram routes from nearby stops on Princes Street. The station facilities include a pub, newsagent, luggage storage and taxi ranks. The train stations sits on a parcel of land that once separated New and Old Town. The land was drained as part of redeveloping Edinburgh city. Visitors can find convenient rest rooms and lodgings within a walking distance from Edinburgh Waverley Station. Other amenities in the station include dining areas and shopping malls.

Which train companies travel from London to Edinburgh?

LNER Azuma is by far the fastest and best train that links London to Edinburgh. These modern trains offer transfer services from London to Edinburgh in comfort. LNER Azuma trains come with more seats in the standard class for great value fares. LNER Azuma also offers a great range of train tickets to Edinburgh from various destinations across London. LNER Azuma also operates trains from north of London to various parts of Scotland, including Edinburgh. The train has comfortable seats with ample leg room. Each seat is fitted with a power socket for on-board charging. You will also enjoy free Wi-Fi and quiet atmosphere if you choose to travel via LNER Azuma.

London North Eastern Railway (LNER) provides direct trains from London King's Cross to Edinburgh. Virgin Trains operates direct services to Edinburgh from London Euston, and the Caledonian Sleeper also departs from London Euston. Indirect services use some Cross Country Trains connections from York or Newcastle.

LNER offers direct trains from London to Edinburgh roughly every half hour throughout the day from early morning to early evening, with the Sunday schedules providing a slightly reduced service. Virgin Trains offer trains to Edinburgh from London Euston every two hours. The Caledonian Sleeper service operates from London Euston from Sunday to Friday with departures just before midnight and an additional earlier train on Sundays.

LNER Azuma from London to Edinburgh

LNER Azuma run high speed trains from various parts of London to central Edinburgh. The trains are so comfortable, and are equipped with free Wi-Fi and power sockets on each seat. First class ticket travelers are provided with free meals. LNER Azuma leave London to Edinburgh every hour or every 30min depending on how busy a day is. The fastest Virgin train takes around 4h to cover the distance from London to Edinburgh.

London Carousel. Source: Shutterstock

Trains London to Edinburgh: Services on Board

One major difference between first and second class train tickets from London to Edinburgh is availability of meals. First class train tickets to Edinburgh from London offer both cold and hot meals, but this depends on the length of the journey and time of the day. Staff operating trains in this route will bring the price of your ticket and meals directly to your seat. Each passenger can only bring one baggage that can fit under their seat. However, a small handbag is also allowed into trains operating from London to Edinburgh.

Trains from London to Edinburgh offer assistance to disabled passengers. However, it might be necessary to contact the train company at least 6h ahead of the departure time to allow for the reservation of seats. Are you looking for a Scottish restaurant where you can indulge in local drinks and cuisine? Head to Halfway House for affordable and fantastic entertainment options.

How to find cheap train tickets from London to Edinburgh?

There are great deals on London to Edinburgh train fares. Train operators usually release cheap train deals ahead of the journey. The timetable for a specific trip from London to Edinburgh is normally confirmed at least 12 weeks earlier, so this is the best time to get train fare deals. Avoid booking a train at peak times as fares tend to be higher at this period. Instead, consider traveling via a train in the midday or late in the evening as train operators tend to reduce their train tickets. You can read more about how to get cheap train tickets here.

Traveling on Fridays and Sundays could also attract higher prices. Most people schedule their trips from London to Edinburgh between Friday and Sunday, pushing up the train tickets. Another way to save on London to Edinburgh train fare is checking for alternative routes. Train routes with high competition tend to charge lower rates than routes with minimal competition. You can check all routes operating from London to Edinburgh on the Omio website. Being flexible can also save you on a train from London to Edinburgh. Search for cheaper trains on different travel times and dates and check whether you can find a cheaper ticket.

To Edinburgh by train- travel tips

Edinburgh’s rich history dates back to before the Roman times. Edinburgh city was once a battlefield, and it is symbolized by armies, weapons, forts, and battles. Head to Edinburgh and have a chance to explore the Edinburgh castle. The Castle Rock sits on an old Volcano that has been an attraction for thousands of years. Edinburgh is a historic city. However, there is another side of Edinburgh city that comes to life at night. The city’s nightlife brims with traditional Scottish clubs, cool underground bars, and sophisticated whisky bars. Edinburgh city boasts incredible architecture. It is home to some of the world’s most beautiful structures.

For example, tour the narrow Old Town alleys and the Royal Mile and get to see the architectural design that makes up Edinburgh city. Head to St Giles Cathedral, admire the Gothic architecture, and visit the oldest part of Edinburgh Castle. Remember to order Sticky Toffe Pudding if you’re a dessert fan. Some of the favorite local foods to enjoy during your Edinburgh trip include mash, bangers, broths, mash potatoes, and heartwarming pies.

It is unfortunate that the Edinburgh food scene has remained underrated. However, visit Edinburgh and have a chance to enjoy plenty of worldwide cuisines and dine in countless Scottish restaurants and pubs. A trip to Edinburgh would be incomplete without touring the famous farmer’s markets, where you can grab your favorite groceries. You will also find some of the best and tasty wines in this city.

Sleeper Trains in the UK

Find out about night trains in the United Kingdom. With Omio, you can travel from London to Edinburgh on a night train.