London Train to Edinburgh

Edinburgh - London train travel information

Travelling by train from London to Edinburgh has advantages that other means of transport like coaches and flights simply can't compete with:

• You can buy your train ticket online at TheTrainLine and have it delivered to you the next day or ready for collection at the station.
• The train takes you from the heart of London to the heart of Edinburgh which is extremely convenient. Getting to and from the airports in London and Edinburgh takes time and is probably too much hassle.
• All GNER London trains to Edinburgh have a buffet and restaurant service from Monday to Friday and, although expensive, it is very good. Finding available space in the restaurant might prove difficult on early morning trains and some evening peak departures from London.
• It is more comfortable to spend the 4 and a half hour London to Edinburgh or Edinburgh to London journey on a train because you can stand up and walk around to stretch your legs which is not always possible on coaches or planes.

London to Edinburgh train travel options

The train operator of choice when travelling from London to Edinburgh is GNER. The service runs on the East Coast mainline and has great coastal views as you approach the Scottish Borders. The London train leaves from King's Cross rail station.

The GNER train from London King's Cross leaving at 10:00 am every morning is called the Flying Scotsman. This is the fastest Intercity train in the UK and covers the journey of 393 miles in just over 4 and a half hours. The Flying Scotsman used to be a luxury express train running from London to Edinburgh and GNER now named one of their trains after it to keep its name alive.

Virgin Trains are the other train operator you can take from London to Edinburgh. The rail service leaves from London Euston. The train runs along the West Coast mainline. One thing to remember when travelling with Virgin Trains is not to get off at Haymarket, Edinburgh's other train station but at Waverley Station, which is the final stop.

Another option to get to Edinburgh from London is the overnight sleeper train also known as the Caledonian Sleeper and is run by First Scotrail. Sleeper tickets are more expensive than Virgin or GNER but if you book well in advance you can get APEX tickets at reasonable prices. The Caledonian Sleeper leaves from London Euston and journeys take about 7 and a half hours.

The overnight sleeper train leaves Edinburgh and London at approx 11:40pm and arrive at their destination at 7:00am. You can buy your train tickets at the very last minute but I recommend that you book them well in advance to secure a cabin.

Tickets for trains to Edinburgh from London

Online train tickets - Web links

Buy Edinburgh train tickets from TheTrainLine
Online train ticket booking with next day delivery.

You should not book your London Edinburgh train tickets through a foreign agent because that pushes the price up quite a bit. You can book online or via the phone and collect your tickets before departure at London King's Cross or London Euston.

Scenic views from the London train

While the route from London to Edinburgh is not particularly scenic, there is a section around the Scottish Borders where it passes near the coast and it has some spectacular views. But the beauty of train travel from London to Edinburgh means you also get a glimpse of great places on the way like Peterborough, York, Durham, Newcastle and Berwick.

When to look out the window - Approximate times after train departs London

• Peterborough Cathedral - 50 minutes
• York Minster - 2 hours
• Durham Cathedral and Castle - 2 hours and 45 minutes
• Newcastle and the Tyne Bridge - 3 hours
• Alnmouth, the town and bay - 3 hours and 30 mins
• Berwick upon Tweed - 4 hours
• Coastal scenery after Berwick - 4 hours and a bit, just after Berwick

Tip

When you book your train ticket for Edinburgh, remember to ask for a seat on the right side for the great coastal views. Sit on the left side when taking the train in the opposite direction, from Edinburgh to London.

Short Breaks by Train from London to Edinburgh

• Day trip from London to Edinburgh by train - A quick day trip 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.

Edinburgh London train - Web links

About the Caledonian Sleeper
First Scotrail information and train times for the overnight London sleeper.

Online train ticket booking at TheTrainLine
Buy tickets and make reservations online for the London train to Edinburgh.

>> Back to Edinburgh Train Travel guide index