4.9
4.6
Omio recommends booking the flight as it is the most popular option from Birmingham to Edinburgh among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £34 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 3h 6m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.4kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £34, while a train costs an average of £93.
Distance: 395 km
Most popular Flight | Train | Coach | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
£57 Average Price | £93 Average Price | £34 Average Price Cheapest | £116 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 6m Average total duration Fastest 1h 6m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 5h 6m Average total duration 4h 36m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 9h 23m Average total duration 8h 53m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 27m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
1.2 - 2.4kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.4 - 1.0kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
 Most popular airline |  Most popular train company |  Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Birmingham to Edinburgh:
A coach is £23 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Birmingham to Edinburgh costing on average £57.
A coach is £59 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Birmingham to Edinburgh costing on average £93.
Other travel options to Edinburgh take longer:
Train takes on average 5h 6m.
Coach takes on average 9h 23m.
You'll arrive about 4h 21m sooner (1h 6m by flight vs 5h 27m by car) and save roughly £59 compared to fuel and tolls (£57 vs £116). You also avoid a long drive, giving you more time to relax or get on with your plans.
Driving is still worth considering if you want to stop along the way, are travelling with bulky luggage, or need a car at your destination.
How to get to Edinburgh from Birmingham by train, bus, flight or ferry.
The best way to travel from Birmingham to Edinburgh is by taking a coach because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
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W34286W34144W34213NX183FlixBus · FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBusU2332
LH955 · LH962LH959 · LH962Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .
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.
The most popular day trips by train from Edinburgh are Glasgow, St Andrews, Stirling, Perth and Dundee. Find out what you can do in these day trip destinations and how to book your train from Edinburgh on Omio.
Glasgow is Scotland’s largest city, known for grand architecture, a strong music scene and a friendly, direct character. Its industrial past on the Clyde still shapes a city that now balances major museums, lively neighbourhoods and a clear cultural confidence.
St Andrews is a small coastal town in Fife known worldwide as the home of golf and for the University of St Andrews. Medieval streets, castle and cathedral ruins, and broad beaches give it a historic yet lively character.
Stirling is known for royal history, Stirling Castle and the story of William Wallace. Its compact old town and setting by the River Forth give it a lively Scottish character.
Perth is a small Scottish city on the River Tay with strong royal and civic history. Known for its elegant centre and nearby Scone Palace, it feels calm, compact and well placed for exploring central and northern Scotland.
Dundee is a compact Scottish city on the River Tay, known for design, digital creativity and a maritime past. The waterfront and V&A Dundee give it a modern feel, while old streets and university life keep its character grounded.
Birmingham and Edinburgh are about 300 km apart and it’s possible to get direct trains, buses and flights between the two cities. Trains and flights obviously are the quickest option but buses offer some significant savings. Look below for a lowdown on the best way for you to travel from Birmingham to Edinburgh.
Buses from Birmingham to Edinburgh | Trains from Birmingham to Edinburgh | Flights from Birmingham to Edinburgh
Average Price |
Travel Time |
Cheapest Time to Book |
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
£27 |
4:07 h |
1 Month Before |
|
£14 |
7:35 h |
1 Week Before |
|
£56 |
1:10 h |
2 Months Before |
The cheapest way to get from Birmingham to Edinburgh is by bus, with fares available for under 20 pounds even in the days running up to travel. National Express offer 4 direct services per day from Birmingham coach station which arrive at Edinburgh Elder Street. The journey takes between 7 and a half and 9 hours.
In terms of pure journey time, flying is the fastest way to travel from Birmingham to Edinburgh. However, once you take into account waiting times and journeys to and from the airport, the train proves to be quicker, taking just over 4 hours, as opposed to 4 and a half. Trains are operated by Virgin Trains and run from Birmingham New Street to Edinburgh Waverley and depart every 2 hours.
The most popular option on this route is to take the train. Depending on when you book your ticket, the price should be less than a flight and still take around the same time as one. Taking the bus is still a viable choice if you want the very cheapest option.
Not the information you were looking for? Here are some pages that might be more in line with the information you need:
Travel to Edinburgh easily. Whether you want fast, cheap or something entirely different, our travel experts have collected everything you need to know so you can find the best option from Birmingham to Edinburgh.
This is compared to other travel options from Birmingham to Edinburgh:
A coach is £23 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Birmingham to Edinburgh costing on average £57.
A coach is £59 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Birmingham to Edinburgh costing on average £93.
Other travel options to Edinburgh take longer:
Train takes on average 5h 6m.
Coach takes on average 9h 23m.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Birmingham and Edinburgh as scheduled services by train, coach and flight can vary by season or day of the week.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
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