London Train Break to Edinburgh
A two day, one night city break in Edinburgh
Updated July 2010
Edinburgh has enough attractions to keep you busy for at least a few days but this type of rail break is ideal for those looking to cover many UK cities in a very short time, specifically in 2 days. This type of short break is best suited for those who have never been to Edinburgh before. Being a very compact city, it allows you to experience many of the city's attractions and its incredible views.
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In terms of comfort and convenience you cannot beat the ready-packaged 2-Day Rail Trip from London to Edinburgh (available to visitors of all nationalities; prices in US dollars) which includes return train ticket to London, one night bed and breakfast accommodation in Edinburgh, admission to Edinburgh Castle and an open top bus tour.
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Other options are listed below.
For UK and European visitors | For US and Canada visitors
Edinburgh 2-Day Break from London for UK and European visitors
First, book your train and hotel in Edinburgh. Try to get the first morning train to Edinburgh which departs from London King's Cross at 6:15am. The last train back to London departs Edinburgh Waverley every day at 7:00pm. With a night's accommodation this gives you roughly a day and a half in Edinburgh. To make the most of your 2-day break in Edinburgh, choose the overnight sleeper train which gets you into Edinburgh at 7:00am approx. This gives you almost 2 full days to experience Scotland's Capital.
Get instant fares for cheap flights from London to Edinburgh and Edinburgh to London.
Tickets for Activities in Edinburgh
- Go on the fabulous Edinburgh City Hop-on, Hop-off tour by open top bus. The tour departs Waverley Bridge (as you come out from the train station) every 15-30 minutes (depending on season) and lasts approx 1 hour.
- Visit Edinburgh Castle, Scotland's number one attraction (buy a Edinburgh Castle fast track entry ticket to avoid queues). A complete tour of Edinburgh Castle can last anywhere between 1-3 hours, depending on how leisurely you like your tour to be.
- Go on a fascinating guided walking tour of the Royal Mile and learn stories from medieval Edinburgh.
- Tour the Royal Yacht Britannia in Leith, one of the most popular attractions in Edinburgh.
- Try something unusual yet exciting and do an evening ghost walking tour around Edinburgh Old Town.
Edinburgh 2-Day Rail Trip from London for US and Canada visitors
This 2-day city break in Edinburgh is arranged by Rail Europe, the specialized website on train travel in Europe. It includes a return train ticket on the National Express East Coast high speed train (which replaced GNER), overnight stay at a central 3 star hotel, entrance to Edinburgh Castle and a pass for the open top bus tour of the City Centre.
The break to Edinburgh starts with the train journey from London Kings Cross at 6:30am -- 8:30 am on Sundays. The high speed train covers more than 390 miles in just under 4 and a half hours arriving in Edinburgh at 11:26am -- 1:26pm on Sundays.
You can spend the first day of your short break having lunch at one of the great pubs and restaurants in the Old Town.
- Use your bus pass for the open top bus tour around Edinburgh's City Centre. The tour covers most attractions including Holyrood Palace and Greyfriars Bobby. This tour is included in the trip price and the pass is valid for 24 hours. It's also a good way to figure out what to explore in detail on the second day of your short break.
- Take a tour of Edinburgh Castle, the most popular attraction in Edinburgh thanks to its history, the One o'Clock Gun and, most of all, the views of the city. The entrance to the castle is also included in the break price.
In the afternoon and on the second day of your short break go to Calton Hill for amazing views of Edinburgh's City Centre and explore the Georgian New Town.
The train back to London departs from Waverley train station at 5:30pm arriving in London at 10:17pm.
You can choose between a first class and second class train ticket for this trip. You can also choose to extend your short break by an extra night at the same hotel.
Book the Rail Europe Day Trip to Edinburgh from London now!.
>> Back to Edinburgh Day Trips and Tours guide index
All Edinburgh day trips and tours articles:
Photography walking tour A tour around Edinburgh's most impressive attractions any tourist should capture on camera.
Edinburgh Castle tour Best things to see when doing a tour of Edinburgh Castle.
North Berwick trip from Edinburgh A short 30 minute train journey from Edinburgh lies North Berwick, the ideal destination for a family day out.
Edinburgh day trip from London A quick day trip from London by train to see Edinburgh's most famous attractions.
London train break to Edinburgh Two days and one night short break by train from London to Edinburgh.
Train and hotel breaks to Edinburgh Book return rail travel and hotel accommodation to Edinburgh at the same time.
Orient Express Day Trips in the UK (to or from Scotland)
Orient Express day trips to Edinburgh A luxury one day train trip to Edinburgh with the Northern Belle, the Orient Express of the North.
Orient Express Edinburgh Tattoo Break - A luxury Orient Express weekend trip to Edinburgh to experience the world-famous Military Tattoo.
Trips on the Orient Express from Edinburgh - Choice of day trips and weekend trips from Edinburgh to experience the luxury of the Northern Belle train.
Also see:
Edinburgh tours and trips Different tours and trips available in and around Edinburgh.
