The Flying Scotsman is an express passenger train service that operates between Edinburgh and London, the capitals respectively of Scotland and England, via the East Coast Main Line. The service began in 1862 as the Special Scotch Express until it was officially adopted in 1924.

The most famous train service between London and Scotland is historically the Flying Scotsman, an express passenger service that has operated between London King's Cross and Edinburgh Waverley since 1862. While the "Flying Scotsman" name is most legendary for the 1920s steam locomotive of the same name, the daily service continues today under the London North Eastern Railway (LNER), typically departing at 10:00 AM and completing the journey in about four hours. For those seeking a more experiential or luxury journey, the Caledonian Sleeper is equally famous. This overnight "hotel on wheels" departs from London Euston and travels through the night, splitting into various sections to reach Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Aberdeen, and Fort William. It is renowned for its private cabins, en-suite showers, and the "Club Car" where passengers can enjoy Scottish single malts and traditional cuisine while watching the Highland scenery at dawn. Whether you choose the high-speed daytime efficiency of the LNER or the nostalgic, romantic atmosphere of the Sleeper, these trains represent the gold standard of British rail travel, offering a scenic and comfortable alternative to the short-hop flights that dominate the route.