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.

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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.

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.

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>> Back to Edinburgh Day Trips and Tours guide index

All Edinburgh day trips and tours articles:

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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.

Plan the Best Edinburgh Holiday:

Edinburgh Travel Essentials

Coach Tickets to Edinburgh from £15. Guaranteed seats, overnight or daytime journeys. Coach & Buses

Beautiful Photos from Edinburgh

Anchor Close, Royal Mile, EdinburghView of Anchor Close, one of the long, narrow streets breaking off the Royal Mile and leading into Cockburn Street. Photo #3839

Calton Hill panorama of Edinburgh City Centre and CastleEdinburgh panorama from Calton Hill with the Dugald Stewart Monument in the foreground and the castle, Balmoral Hotel and Scott Monument in the background. Photo #G3557

Calton Hill panorama of Edinburgh City Centre and CastlePhoto of Edinburgh City Centre from the base of Nelson's Monument on Calton Hill. From left to right, the Old Town, the Castle, the Balmoral and Princes Street. Photo #G3607

Origin of 'Edinburgh'

Tourists have problems with the name of Edinburgh. There are hundreds of ways people write it and the most common writings include 'edinburg', 'edinborough', 'edimburgh', 'edinbourgh', 'ediburgh', 'edinbugh', 'edinboro', 'edingburgh', 'edinbrugh', 'edimburg', 'edinburugh', 'edingurgh', 'edinbrough', etc.

According to the Scottish Place Names dictionary, the name Edinburgh means 'Fort of the Rock Face'. The 'edin' part comes from Scottish Gaelic and means 'rock face', while 'burgh' comes from Old English meaning stronghold.

Some more obscure (and quite funny) ways of writing Edinburgh include: edinburough, edingburg, edinbourg, edinburh, edinurgh, edenburg, edinbough, edinbourough, edinbrgh, edingborough, edenburgh, edinberg, edinborgh, edinborugh, edinburge, edinburhg, edingbourgh, etc.

Edinburgh is spelt Edimburgo in Spanish and Italian and Édimbourg in French.

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