If you’re heading north during your trip to the United Kingdom and are looking for information on how to get from London to Edinburgh, and have decided to go by rail, then I’m going to tell you all about the best train from London to Edinburgh.
What’s best depends on your preferred travel style and what you’re looking for on this popular route. I have done the trip many times when I lived in England and visited friends in Edinburgh, and tried all sorts of options.
Continue reading to discover how to get to Edinburgh from London, and for the various options for the train from London to Edinburgh.
Image Credit: Claudia Tavani.
Best Train From London To Edinburgh Overview
To summarize, here are the train companies that offer high-speed trains from London to Edinburgh.
CALEDONIAN SLEEPER – For the overnight service with either seats, twin room, twin ensuite or double ensuite.
AVANTI OR LNER – For high-speed service train from London to Edinburgh, with various classes from standard to first class
LUMO – For electric trains to Edinburgh from London that are gentle for the environment.
Image Credit: Claudia Tavani.
Basic Information
The train to Edinburgh from London a good choice to cover the 332 miles (534.3 km) between the two cities. It’s a long journey, and the train is a convenient way to go.
The flight time between London and Edinburgh is only about 1.5 hours, so the train ride might seem long in comparison, but it’s not really.
The train goes from Central London and takes you right into Edinburgh city center. So by the time you factor in getting to and from the airport and passing through security, the train journey isn’t really that much different to flying.
When everything’s running normally, there are 59 trains a day, and prices start from around £20 GBP – although you’ll need to book well in advance to get the best deals.
The first train to Edinburgh from London leaves at 04:42 am, and the last train leaves London at 11:50 pm.
So, here are the options for your journey by train from London to Edinburgh.
Image Credit: Claudia Tavani.
Best train from London to Edinburgh for sleeping your way there
The Caledonian Express Sleeper Train from London to Edinburgh is at the top of my list. The Caledonian Sleeper night train is not the best way for everyone, but it might be right for you.
I think it’s more pleasant than taking a National Express overnight bus, although it is more expensive.
The trains normally leave London Euston about 11:00 pm. Because of engineering works, we left earlier, at around 9:15 pm.
Although the arrival into Edinburgh was very early the train splits and only part goes onto Glasgow. So people like me who were stopping at Edinburgh could stay on the train until 7:30 am.
The most comfortable way to travel on the Caledonian Express is to book a double bed. However, the most budget-friendly way is to book a seat.
Here are the options:
Image Credit: Claudia Tavani.
Seats
You’re in a small-ish carriage with a seat facing either in or away from the direction of travel. You get internet access, a charging point, a reading light and a small overhead lockable locker.
One side of the carriage has single seats and on the other, the seats are in pairs. The seats are quite spacious and have headrest pillows. You get a little sleep pack with an eye mask and ear plugs.
Prices are from £50.
Image Credit: Claudia Tavani.
Classic Rooms
This is a private room with two single bunk beds. If you’re traveling solo, they clip the top bed up, so it’s a one-bed option.
The classic rooms have the option of an interconnecting door and an in-room sink, but there’s no toilet. There is a shared toilet at the end of each carriage.
Complimentary toiletries are included and you’re allowed to use the club room (dining carriage) if there’s space.
The carriage corridors are super narrow; I couldn’t even roll my cabin case through. But there are accessible rooms at the end of the corridors that you can access easily from the train doors.
Image Credit: Claudia Tavani.
Club Rooms
Like the classic rooms, the club rooms are set up with solo or twin bunks (depending on whether you’re traveling as one person or two).
These rooms have:
- an ensuite toilet/shower
- complimentary toiletries
- room service
- priority access to the club car
- access to the first-class lounge at Euston Station
- room service
- breakfast included (you have to make your choice within 30 minutes of departure)
Image Credit: Claudia Tavani.
Caledonian Double
These cabins are similar to the club rooms, except they have a double bed. The facilities available are the same as the ones in the list above. On top of those, you’re supposed to have priority boarding but that wasn’t my experience when I travelled.
In the room, there were two chocolate bars and two small bottles of water as well as toiletries and a sleep pack with eye mask and ear plugs. The dining/club room stays open all night for food and drink. I didn’t realize there was room service when I went, but it is available.
Image Credit: Claudia Tavani.
My Experience On The Caledonian Sleeper
I have to say I was a bit disappointed with this option for the train from London to Edinburgh, even if it was a bucket-list experience I really wanted to have. I also have going on the Orient Express on my list, and while I knew it wasn’t going to be that kind of decadent experience, I did expect a bit more.
Image Credit: Claudia Tavani.
Disappointing service
I think it was mainly the service aspect that was lacking. When I booked, I expected the whole thing to be quite an experience, but in the event, it just felt like a normal, mundane service. The team didn’t really seem to see it as an exciting or luxury thing for people to have spent money on.
Image Credit: Claudia Tavani.
Traveling further and in the daylight
One of the disadvantages of traveling at night is that you won’t see when the train crosses the stunning Royal Border Bridge or any of the other beautiful scenery along the way.
And because I was only traveling to Edinburgh, my view in the morning was of a train station platform. It would have been quite a different experience to travel further north and wake up to rolling hills passing by.
Also, because you get on the train late in the evening and have to be off the train by 7:30 am you really only have time to sleep. But I did sleep well with the white noise and movement of the train.
Image Credit: Claudia Tavani.
Best train from London to Edinburgh for speed
If you’re looking for a normal high-speed train to get you from London terminals to Edinburgh Waverley Station, then LNER and Avanti are the two companies to look at. They offer the fastest services, although the journey time can vary on the individual services.
Image Credit: Claudia Tavani.
London North Eastern Railway
LNER has taken over from Virgin Trains East Coast. They’re proud of their new LNER Azuma train, which has more seats in standard class and has comfortable first-class carriages.
There is a fair bit of storage space on the Azuma trains.
The average travel time for direct trains from London Kings Cross station to Edinburgh Waverley is 4 hours and 33 minutes so this is the fastest way to get between the two capitals by rail.
Your First Class seat could be airliner style or table.
I’ve found the LNER team to be consistently friendly in different stations and trains.
Image Credit: Claudia Tavani.
Avanti West Coast Trains
5 hours and 40 minutes is the fastest train service from London Euston to Edinburgh with Avanti. They’re generally pretty reliable and offer a good service.
The trains have first-class carriages as well as premier and standard seating. Here’s what you get with each:
STANDARD – Free WiFi, and power sockets at every table and window seat.
STANDARD PREMIUM – Roomier seating and a table guaranteed.
FIRST CLASS – Access to First Class Lounge at the station and complimentary on-board food and drink.
If you want to see the train seating layouts, you can find them for the various train types. It’s helpful if you need accessible seating or want to be near a luggage rack or bike storage. You can also see where to stand on the platform to get on the train near your seat.
Image Credit: Claudia Tavani.
Most environmentally friendly train from London to Edinburgh
LUMO’s intention is to make train travel greener for the environment. It’s a good idea, and they’re a new company running fully electric trains along the east coast between London and Edinburgh. The Lumo trains stop at limited stations from London, namely Stevenage, Newcastle and Morpeth.
One of the main aims for Lumo trains is to be an alternative for people to use instead of flying from Luton and Newcastle airports. Another is to improve connections between regions.
However, the person I spoke with at the Edinburgh ticket information center wasn’t too happy with the company. He says LUMO seem to have proportionately higher cancellations than other operators and they deal with a lot of unhappy customers.
The reason being, that most LUMO tickets can’t be used on other services, and people can’t seem to get refunds even if the train was cancelled by LUMO.
So if you book your train to Edinburgh from London on one of these electric trains, check the terms carefully. Make sure that if your train were to be cancelled, you’re happy with the alternative options.
Image Credit: Claudia Tavani.
Cheapest London to Edinburgh train tickets
Ticket prices skyrocket as the trains fill up. If you’re looking for a cheap ticket, then advance tickets are the way to go. I always use thetrainline.com because you can find the best price across the various journeys. You do pay a small booking fee, though.
Don’t assume that returns are the cheapest train tickets (if you’re traveling back the same way.) Often, it works out best to book a single journey each way, so double-check before you buy.
Use The Trainline to check for cheap train tickets across the various train operators
For the Caledonian Express, you can book tickets for seats through The Trainline.
I can’t see a way to book rooms, so you’ll have to go through the Sleeper.Scot site like I did. You can buy tickets up to 12 months in advance.
For accessible rooms and seats you need to book through the customer services center.
Image Credit: Claudia Tavani.
Rail Cards
Another great way to save money is with a railcard. If you’re 30 or under or 60+ years, you can get one of various railcards.
You’re also eligible if you’re disabled or a veteran. Additionally, if you’re traveling as a pair or as a family, there are options for you, too.
Currently, there are nine different types of railcards in the UK. The ones that could be relevant for your journey to Edinburgh are:
- 16-25 years old Railcard
- 26-30 years old Railcard
- Family & Friends Railcard – for anyone traveling with one or more children
- Two Together Railcard – two named adults traveling together
- Senior Railcard
- Disabled Persons Railcard
- Veterans Railcard
The last two can’t be bought through The Trainline but they are available digitally. (I’ve included links to where you can apply.)
If you can get a railcard digitally through The Trainline they’ll keep it in your app and apply savings when you buy train tickets.
Image Credit: Claudia Tavani.
Online tickets for the train from London to Edinburgh
As I just mentioned, The Trainline is a great option for buying tickets. You can do everything online and add your e-ticket to your phone’s wallet. I find that really useful and saves me having to keep bits of card safe.
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Getting tickets at the station
If you prefer, you can use The Trainline to buy tickets online and then collect the paper ticket from your nearest station. You do pay an extra fee to collect a physical train ticket, but you can choose that as an option.
Image Credit: Claudia Tavani.
London King’s Cross
You’ll hear the name King’s Cross St Pancras being used but don’t get confused. The combined name is for the Underground station. It serves the two different mainline stations of King’s Cross and St Pancras International.
The stations are opposite each other on Euston Road. St Pancras International is the terminus building for the Eurostar going to Paris. Other mainline services run from here, too, like the ones to St Albans and Canterbury.
King’s Cross is the station we’re interested in since the trains here follow the east coast mainline to Scotland. And it’s where you’ll find platform 9¾ if you’re a Harry Potter fan.
King’s Cross has all the facilities you’ll need before getting on the train, like:
- food court
- toilets, including accessible toilets
- showers
- water fountain
- ATMs
- left luggage
- mini supermarket
- assisted travel lounge
- family lounge
- first-class lounge
To check up-to-date facilities and opening times for the lounges and assisted travel services, check the Network Rail’s site. Here’s a copy of King’s Cross station map if you’d like it, too.
If you’re coming to the station by subway, it’s served by the following lines as well as Thameslink:
- Northern
- Victoria
- Piccadilly
- Hammersmith and City
- Circle
- Metropolitan
Image Credit: Claudia Tavani.
London Euston
Euston station is a short walk from King’s Cross (about 12 minutes) and they both get absolutely mobbed at rush hour in the evening.
Euston’s a smaller station than King’s Cross but still has a variety of facilities like:
- places to buy food
- toilets
- accessible toilets and changing places facilities (you need a radar key to open the accessible toilets so speak to team members at the station if you don’t have one)
- seating areas
- left luggage
You can get the London Overground to Euston as well as the following Underground lines:
- Northern Line (both branches converge at Euston)
- Victoria Line
You can also get the Hammersmith and City, Circle and Metropolitan lines to Euston Square station. It’s only about a three-minute walk from Euston Station.
Image Credit: Claudia Tavani.
Edinburgh Waverley Station
Edinburgh Waverley is right in Edinburgh city center and steeped in history. You’ll come out on Princes Street, the city’s main shopping street or the opposite way heading towards the old town, just below the Royal Mile.
If you are staying in that area, don’t try and walk up from the station with luggage unless you want a SERIOUS workout.
You’ll be going uphill (steeply!). There are a few options for getting to the Royal Mile from the train station but they mostly involve steep upward slopes or several flights of stairs. (Like the beautiful marble Scotsman Steps.)
When I went last time, I’d forgotten since it’s such a long time since I’ve been there. By the time I realized what I’d let myself in for, I was part way up the hill and had to commit.
But it was a workout and a half, and I only had cabin luggage. So be warned! But once you’ve stashed your luggage it’s a good way to work off your haggis and tatties through your stay.
The station has facilities like:
- toilets and changing places room
- baby changing
- water fountain
- showers
- food outlets
- waiting room
- left luggage
There are taxis and buses around the station to take you on to where you’re going next. For full details see the Edinburgh Waverly station page on Network Rail’s site.
Image Credit: Claudia Tavani.
Anything Else I Need To Know About UK Train Travel?
If you’re over in the UK exploring from the US, you’re probably delighted to find that the United Kingdom has a dense rail network and that it’s one of the most popular ways of traveling the country. But you’re probably not too familiar with the whole process. So other things you might like to know are here.
Image Credit: Claudia Tavani.
Book your seat with your train ticket
You don’t have to book your seat in advance and there shouldn’t be more tickets sold than are seats on the train. But sometimes finding a seat at peak times (or days of the year) can be challenging and involve traipsing through the various carriages.
And if you’re traveling in a group there’s no guarantee, at certain times, you’ll find something together. So book in advance and choose a seat.
Although you don’t get to pick the exact seat from a seating plan (like you would if you were flying, for example), you can specify preferences. You’ll then be given a seat that matches as closely as possible.
The types of preference you can choose from vary a bit but are usually along the lines of:
- sitting in the direction of travel
- at a table or solo seat
- in a quiet carriage
- near a toilet
- near a luggage rack
- near bike storage
Image Credit: Claudia Tavani.
Getting onto the platform
Some platforms have barriers to access them, and others don’t. If the one you’re leaving from doesn’t, then there will be team members there to check your ticket.
If there is a barrier then how you get through it depends on the type of ticket you have. If you have an e-ticket, you need to turn your phone face down and scan the code on the glass. If you have a paper ticket you need to push it through the slot (and retrieve it) for the gates to open.
Image Credit: Claudia Tavani.
Rail strikes and other delays or cancellations
Like other services, you will encounter disruption from time to time. Trains being cancelled for leaves on the line is a bit of a running joke in the UK. So sometimes the weather will affect routes.
But rail strikes and industrial action can also play havoc with train services. Not to mention the dreaded weekend planned engineering works.
Usually, the dates of any strikes are advertised well in advance so you can plan. Same with planned maintenance. If you’re not in London, you can check on The Trainline as well as the individual rail company websites for information.
Sometimes strike action gets called off, and the websites will be updated if that’s the case. When there’s engineering work, rail replacement buses are usually added so that you can still travel. But be aware they can add time to the journey.
Image Credit: Claudia Tavani.
Enjoy Edinburgh!
Once you’ve decided which train you’re taking, make sure you take what you need to pass the time on the journey. And then, enjoy your adventure to this historic city. Have fun in Scotland.
This article originally appeared on myadventuresacrosstheworld.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.
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