How to get to Edinburgh from Prestonpans

How to Travel from Prestonpans to Edinburgh?

If you're looking at ways to travel from Prestonpans to Edinburgh, thanks to the distance you'll have access to two modes of transport. The first, and usually the fastest way to travel between the two, is to take a train from Prestonpans train station to Edinburgh Waverley Station in around 15min. Thanks to the popularity of this trip, you won't have a shortage of train options for getting to Edinburgh from Prestonpans. The second option is to take a bus from Prestonpans, Ayres Wynd towards Edinburgh. This bus makes numerous stops along the way, so you can expect your travel time to be anywhere from 35min to 55min but typically less than an hour. There are upwards of 50 buses travelling this route daily though, so you'll find a way to get to Edinburgh regardless of your schedule.

What is the Cheapest Way To Get from Prestonpans to Edinburgh?

If you're looking for the cheapest way to travel from Prestonpans to Edinburgh, taking a bus is usually the most affordable option. There are several other ways to ensure you pick up the best deal available including booking through Omio.

Omio offers the unique opportunity to receive consolidated information from a variety of online sources and have them displayed on a scannable results page that gives you the option of filtering the results according to the cheapest option. These tickets also tend to go on sale a few months in advance and booking them as early as possible will save you in the long run. The closer you get to the departure date, the pricier the tickets get. Travelling over a weekend is more than likely more expensive than travelling during the week, especially early on in the week. Lastly, consider searching with flexible dates if possible. Many train companies offer different deals on different days and having a flexible schedule increases your chances of finding these deals.

What is the Fastest Way to Travel from Prestonpans to Edinburgh?

When considering the quickest way to travel between these two destinations, taking a train is by far the best option for passengers. Thanks to the short distance covered, all of these trains are direct trains, eliminating the unnecessary wait times that come with changeovers along the way. Keep in mind that you'll need to be at the train station at least 30min before your departure to make sure you have time to check in. Your journey to Edinburgh via train will be roughly 15min, coupled with a 30min check-in time, you can expect a total time of around 45min. In contrast, taking a bus will likely take roughly 40min depending on the number of stops along the way and you'll need to be present 30min to an hour before departure.

Edinburgh Castle Tourist Photo. Source: Shutterstock

Find the best tickets from Prestonpans to Edinburgh and book with Omio

Omio offers a unique booking experience for all travellers with a platform designed to make the whole process as easy as possible. The platform consolidates information for you from numerous online sources and offers the information on a single results page that takes a moment to scan through.

You'll also have the chance to filter your results according to your preference, such as cheapest, fastest, best, and duration. Not only that, but you can also view the results in the language of your choice without having to go to several different sites. The availability of mobile tickets eliminates the need to carry documents around with you, instead, you'll have all of the information available to you on your phone. Lastly, the Omio Magazine offers useful tips to travellers and helps you discover the best way to travel.

Trains from Prestonpans to Edinburgh

Travellng by train is one of the top choices when heading from Prestonpans to Edinburgh. Not only is it the fastest way to travel between these two destinations, it's one of the cheapest, and also one of the most eco-friendly ways to travel. The train also offers plenty of legroom and the chance to get up and move around more than taking a bus or being on a plane would offer.

Thanks to the popularity of this route and the short distance covered, you'll have access to numerous train trips throughout the day, starting as early as 6:25 a.m. and running throughout the day, a couple of times an hour, until around 11:00 p.m. every evening. Every train travelling this route will depart from Prestonpans train station close to the city centre and travel to Edinburgh Waverley station in Edinburgh. Edinburgh Waverley is less than a 5min walk from the centre of Edinburgh

Train travel from Prestonpans to Edinburgh with Scotrail

If you're travelling via train from Prestonpans to Edinburgh, your train will be operated by Scotrail. Scotrail offers train services throughout Northern England that includes areas such as Carlisle, London, and Newcastle, as well as services between major cities in Scotland including Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Aberdeen. Edinburgh Waverley station is one of the two main hubs for Scotrail along the Scottish rail network. Scotrail provides numerous trains per hour operating this route and because of the short distance covered, all of these trips are direct trains that'll get you there in under 20min.

Buses from Prestonpans to Edinburgh

If you're travelling via bus from Prestonpans to Edinburgh, your trip will likely be operated by either Lothian Buses or East Coast Buses. Lothian typically provides the more frequent options along this route, with East Coast Buses only offering a few trips per day. There are, however, no shortage of buses travelling between these destinations. Your first trip is likely to start around 04:39 a.m., with a couple of trips per hour running all the way through till around 11:30 p.m. every evening. bear in mind that there are multiple stops along this route and depending on how long the stops are, you can expect your travel time to be between 40min and 55min. Your bus will depart from Prestonpans, Ayres Wynd, which is a short taxi ride from the city centre, and will arrive at North St David Street in Edinburgh, a short walk away from the centre of Edinburgh.

Traveling by bus from Prestonpans to Edinburgh with Lothian Buses

The most frequent provider when travelling by bus from Prestonpans to Edinburgh is Lothian Buses. Lothian Buses offer upwards of 50 bus journeys a day between these destinations with multiple stops along the way, including numerous stops throughout Edinburgh. Lothian Buses is the largest municipal bus company in the UK and helps millions of passengers each year reach their destinations for work, education, and leisure purposes.

Edinburgh Dean Village. Source: Shutterstock

To Edinburgh by train/ bus—travel tips

Edinburgh currently stands as the hilly capital of Scotland and sits amid a sweeping landscape and castles, neoclassical buildings, and monuments atop the hills. Head out to explore the Scottish crown jewels and the Stone of Destiny at Edinburgh Castle or make your way to Princes Street, which offers many local historical landmarks and some high-end shopping opportunities.

If you're interested in the Monarchy, visit the home of the British Monarchy, Holyrood Palace near Edinburgh Castle. This palace was built in 1687. Camera Obscura stands as one of the country's oldest tourist attractions and offers guests a variety of interactive activities and optical illusions to thrill and satisfy. If you're more the outdoorsy type, head on out to Arthur's Seat and explore the dormant volcano and one of the highest points close to the city, which offers panoramic views of the endless countryside.

Mary Kings Close is a must-see in the Old Town of Edinburgh, as well as the underground passages and streets clad with a long and involved history to discover. For a little more time in the sun, take a stroll through the Edinburgh Royal Botanic Garden, one of the most popular tourist attractions that serve as a conservation study garden with countless plant species.

As an art enthusiast, Scottish National Gallery is a must-see and stands as Scotland’s national art gallery with neoclassical architecture and a host of fine art displays. Edinburgh’s Royal Botanic Garden is a popular tourist attraction that serves as a conservation study garden with thousands of plant species.