How much does it cost to travel from London to Edinburgh by train?

How much is the train ticket from London to Edinburgh? The cheapest tickets we've found for trains from London to Edinburgh are US$24.86. If you book 30 days in advance, tickets will cost around US$97, while the price is around US$81 if you book 7 days in advance.



In 2026, the cost of a train journey from London King's Cross to Edinburgh Waverley varies significantly based on how far in advance you book. Standard Advance single tickets typically start at approximately £41.40 when purchased three weeks or more before travel. If you wait until the day of departure, prices for a flexible "Anytime" or "Off-Peak" ticket can climb to over £150 to £200. First-class fares generally begin around £101 but can reach much higher levels. For 2026 travelers, utilizing an LNER or Avanti West Coast "Early Bird" alert is a high-value necessity for securing the lowest fares. Additionally, using a Railcard (like the 16-25 or Two Together) provides a high-fidelity 33% discount, making the 4.5-hour journey a high-value alternative to flying.

People Also Ask

If you live or are visiting nearby cities such as Glasgow, Liverpool, Newcastle or Manchester, the easiest and most comfortable way of getting to Edinburgh is by train. From further away destinations, flying is normally the cheapest and fastest option.

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Nationwide Amtrak Discounts Before you start clicking links, make sure to check Amtrak's Weekly Specials, on sale between Tuesday and Friday each week. These are deeply discounted fares (often up to 80% off) that can be for any train in the country. It's a grab bag, but you might get lucky.

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WHAT IS THE BEST TRAIN TO TAKE FROM LONDON TO EDINBURGH? There are many high-speed trains from London to Edinburgh; however, the cheapest and fastest trains are LNER (former Virgin trains) or Avanti West Coast. If you are eager to experience a comfortable night train, we recommend Caledonian Sleeper.

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Trains leaving London for Edinburgh depart from London Kings Cross Station on Euston Road. It's easy to get there by public transport as it is served by six underground (tube) lines and numerous bus routes.

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Yes, there are direct LNER trains from London King's Cross to Edinburgh with a journey that usually takes just over four and a half hours. During the week, trains run every half hour at peak times.

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How long should you spend in Edinburgh? Two days in Edinburgh is the ideal amount of time to see the main city highlights. If you want a more relaxed visit, that includes a few museums or specialty tours, then I would recommend at least three days or more.

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The distance between Edinburgh and London is 398 miles, but journey times can vary depending on the bus route you choose. Our fastest coach trips between Edinburgh and London take 8 hours 40 minutes.

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West End: the best area to stay in Edinburgh for the main attractions. The West End is a very popular and affluent area of the capital, located to the west of the city centre. It is home to many of the main tourist attractions from Edinburgh Castle and Princes Street Gardens to the Scottish National Gallery.

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