- 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.
Omio recommends booking the flight as it is the most popular option from Thornaby to Edinburgh among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £20 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 2h 58m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £20, while a flight costs an average of £225.
Distance: 198 km
| Train | Most popular Flight | Coach | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
£50 Average Price | £225 Average Price | £20 Average Price Cheapest | £72 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 58m Average total duration Fastest 2h 28m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 46m Average total duration 2h 46m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 4h 19m Average total duration 3h 49m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 11m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Thornaby to Edinburgh:
A coach is £30 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Thornaby to Edinburgh costing on average £50.
A coach is £205 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Thornaby to Edinburgh costing on average £225.
Other travel options to Edinburgh take longer:
Flight takes on average 2h 46m.
Coach takes on average 3h 49m.
The journey is about 43m faster (2h 28m by train vs 3h 11m by car) and roughly £22 cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls (£50 vs £72). 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.
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 Thornaby to Edinburgh trains for today, Saturday 19 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 11:30 Thornaby | 2h40 | 14:10 Edinburgh | 0 changesdirect | |
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 Thornaby to Edinburgh run on average 13 times per day, taking around 2h 28m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £22 but you can travel from only £13 by coach.
The earliest train runs at 05:00, the last at 21:54. The fastest train covers the 198 km distance in 2h 18m.
Distance 198 km |
Average train duration 2h 28m |
Cheapest ticket price £22 |
Trains per day 13 |
Fastest train 2h 18m |
First train 5:00 |
Last train 21:54 |
Cheapest Month Aug |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Mon |
Best time to book 3 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 Thornaby 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 Thornaby to Edinburgh trains use the Thornaby to Edinburgh Waverley station pair. Use this guide to compare Thornaby and Edinburgh train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Thornaby is 2 km from Thornaby city centre. Public transport options include:
Thornaby has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Ticket Office and Bike Parking.
Food and drink options are available at Thornaby.
Wi-Fi is available at Thornaby.
Ticket office support is available at Thornaby.
Available at Thornaby: Parking, WC.
Available at Thornaby: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Thornaby: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Step free access is provided from the station entrance to the platform. This station is partially staffed. The station staffing hours are: Monday to Saturday: 05:45 - 19:45 Sunday: 08:45 - 17:30 This station is Category A. Station staff can provide assistance throughout the station, and with boarding and alighting the train. Customers requiring assistance should make themselves known to station staff no less than 20 minutes prior to the departure time of their train. Assistance can be requested in advance by contacting the TransPennine Express Assisted Travel Team on 0800 107 2149 (18001 prefix for TextRelay). Outside of staffed station hours, assistance to board and alight the train can be provided by the Conductor. The conductor is usually positioned at the rear of the train. Customers requiring assistance to navigate through the station when the station is unstaffed are requested to contact the TransPennine Express Assisted Travel Team on 0800 107 2149 (18001 prefix for TextRelay) to arrange alternative transport to the closest station where assistance can be provided, 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, Wheelchairs available open hours: During Staff Help times as shown above, 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.
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