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Savvy Travel Advice

A Guide to How to Get From London to Edinburgh

Last updated: April 17, 2024 - Written by Jessica Norah 51 Comments

London and Edinburgh are two of the UK’s most popular cities, and many visitors to the UK want to travel from London to Edinburgh. These two amazing capitals are very different but both offers loads of interesting attractions and activities for visitors. If you are aiming to visit both cities on your UK trip, you may be wondering how to get from London, England to Edinburgh, Scotland?

To help answer that question, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide on how to get from London to Edinburgh or from Edinburgh to London. We’re going to list at all the options you have for getting from London to Edinburgh, as well as give you an idea how long each option takes, the cost associated with each method, the main companies and ways to book each route, and cost saving tips.

We also provide some advice on how to choose a method based on your budget, time, and travel style, and we also share our own preferred way to travel from London to Edinburgh—a trip we’ve taken ourselves many times!

Table of Contents:

How to Get From London to Edinburgh

Here are 10 different ways to get from London to Edinburgh or Edinburgh to London. We cover the most popular ways such as flying or taking a train or bus, less conventional ways such as walking or biking, as well as lesser known options such as ride sharing, taking an overnight sleeper train service, and private transfers. Here they are in no particular order:

The first option to consider is to fly. London and Edinburgh are 332 miles apart in a straight line and you’ll generally find that a plane is usually the quickest ways to get between the cities.

London has six main airports to choose from, and five of those airports offer direct flights to Edinburgh. See our guide to getting from London to all six of London airports  for information on London’s airports and options on traveling to each airport from London’s city centre.

Edinburgh has only one main airport , conveniently located with good public transport links about 8 miles from the city center. From the airport, you can take a cab, Uber, the tram , a pre-arranged  private transfer , or a city bus such as the AIRLINK bus to the city center. The least expensive options are the Airlink bus and the tram.

Which airlines fly between London and Edinburgh?

With five airports to choose from, as you might imagine, there is plenty of competition between the airlines on the London to Edinburgh route. The main airlines flying between London and Edinburgh are British Airways, easyJet, Ryanair, and Flybe.

How much does it cost to fly from London to Edinburgh?

Most of the flights from London to Edinburgh are with budget carriers so they are not usually very expensive. If you book well in advance and don’t need to check luggage, you can snatch a flight for as little as £15 one way with a budget airline!

However if you are not booking well in advance and/or have luggage, expect to pay in the region of £70 to £200 per person. You’ll also need to add in the cost of travel to and from the airports into your budget.

If you have a large budget you can also charter a private plane from London to Edinburgh. Private hire costs start around £4,200 (~ 4,800 euros) for a light jet. You can check prices here .

How long does it take to fly from London to Edinburgh?

Direct flight times from London to Edinburgh are usually between 60 minutes to 90 minutes. However, you mustn’t forget to factor in the time it takes to get to the airport in London, or the requirement to check-in at least an hour before your flight. You also have to get from Edinburgh airport to the city, which will take between 20 to 30 minutes.

Once you consider those factors, you’ll likely find that the total trip time will be between 3 hours to 4 hours in total from leaving London’s city center to arriving in Edinburgh’s city center.

Where to book flight tickets?

You can of course search all the individual operators for flight options (e.g., British Airways, Ryanair), but it is often faster to use a flight comparison tool if you are looking for the lowest priced flight. Two flight comparison tools we often use are Priceline.com and  Kiwi.com ,  these both include prices from the top airlines as well as smaller budget airlines.

2. Bus / Coach

A long distance bus, usually referred to as a coach in the UK, is another way to get from London to Edinburgh. Coaches run on a regular basis from a number of departure points in London, with the majority departing from London’s Victoria Coach Station . A coach is one of the least expensive options, although it takes longer than many of the other options.

Which bus companies operate between London and Edinburgh?

The two major long distance bus operators in the UK are National Express and Megabus , and they both operate routes from London to Edinburgh with multiple departures each day.

How much does the bus cost from London to Edinburgh?

Again, booking in advance will get you the best deals. We’ve seen fares as low as £3 one way if you book in advance and are flexible with your timings! Average prices however are in the region of £10 to £30 per person, making this one of the most cost-effective options. If you are booking last minute, a bus is likely your best option if you are on a tight budget.

If you have limited travel time, there are overnight buses from London to Edinburgh as well. If you are able to sleep on a bus, then you could save time and money on a hotel by booking an overnight bus.

How long does the bus take from London to Edinburgh?

The coach is going to be one of the slower options available. You’re looking at between 8.5 and 11 hours of travel, depending on the bus and route.

How to book a bus ticket?

The easiest way to book a bus ticket is directly via the operator’s websites, either  National Express or   Megabus .  But you can also buy bus tickets from National Express by phone or in person from the Victoria Coach Station. Megabus tickets can also be purchased in person from the Victoria Coach Station.

Generally our preferred way to get from London to Edinburgh is to take the train. The UK has a good high speed rail network that runs across the country, and there are numerous direct services running between London and Edinburgh on a daily basis. We recommend booking as far in advance as possible to get the best price and to be guaranteed an actual seat. 

Which train companies operate between London and Edinburgh?

The main train company is London North Eastern Railway (LNER; formerly Virgin Trains East Coast), which operates the fastest services up the east coast. The other major operators of trains between London and Edinburgh is Avanti West Coast (formerly Virgin Trains) and Lumo.

How much does the train cost from London to Edinburgh?

If you book far enough in advance, the cheapest ticket from London to Edinburgh will cost you in the region of £25 to £30 or a single standard class ticket. If you book closer to the time, you’re looking in the region of £50 to £150 for a single in standard class. First class tickets are generally about double the price of a standard class ticket.

Rates will vary and will be higher during busier times of year (holidays, festivals, weekends, summer). Generally, the further you book in advance, the less expensive the tickets will be.

Also note that the only way to guarantee a seat on the train is to book at least a couple of days in advance. If you buy a train ticket on the day, you usually aren’t guaranteed an actual seat on the train and may have to stand for segments of the journey. It definitely pays to book in advance!

If you plan to make multiple train journeys within the UK, you might consider getting a BritRail GB Pass  (includes train travel in England, Scotland, & Wales) which can save you money if you plan to travel around the UK by train. Includes some London airport transfers. These passes must be purchased in advance of your trip (must purchase from overseas before you enter the UK) and are NOT valid for UK residents.

How long does the train take from London to Edinburgh?

The fastest trains take slightly over four hours to get from London to Edinburgh, running up the east coast of the country. These are run by LNER as well as by Lumo (starting October 2021). There are also slightly slower direct services that take the west coast, which are a little under six hours in duration.

Where to buy train tickets?

There are a number of website operators where you can book trains online. You can go directly to the train service website (LNER, Avanti, Lumo) or compare times and prices on a website like Trainline . 

You can also of course buy and book tickets in person at the actual train stations but we recommend booking in advance if you can.

4. Car / Driving 

If you’re planning on following one of our self-drive UK itineraries, such as our two week UK itinerary , then you’ll likely be thinking of getting a car. And of course, a car (or motorcycle or campervan) is a great way to get around the UK, giving you lots of flexibility in your schedule and meaning you can stop where you wish. Distances in the UK are not so great and the road network is fairly good. Read here for our  tips on driving in the UK if you are new to it.

Note that we don’t recommend driving in London or Edinburgh as both are busy cities and parking can be difficult and expensive. The best ways to explore both cities as a visitor is on foot, by public transit, or cab. So I would only recommend driving or renting a car if you plan to make other stops along the route or after your visit to Edinburgh. 

How Long Does it Take to Drive from London to Edinburgh

It is about a 400 mile drive from London to Edinburgh, and if the traffic conditions are good you’re looking at around a 7 hour drive from central London to central Edinburgh. The majority of the route will be on a fast motorway. The 7 hours is without accounting for any stops, so I’d estimate at least  8 to 9 hours for the total journey to take into account food and rest breaks. If you travel during rush hour, Edinburgh’s August festivals or Hogmanay festival season, or over a holiday weekend, the journey will likely take a little longer. 

Of course, if you are driving, you can make detours to visit some of England and Scotland’s other cities and attractions near the route. There is a lot to explore in between and even if you are stretched for time, I’d plan a couple of stops and perhaps overnight along the route to break up the long drive.

Fastest Driving Route from London to Edinburgh?

There are two main options for those looking for the quickest route between London and Edinburgh. The most direct way is to take the M1 to the A1. But you can also take the M1 to the M6 to the A702. Both options normally take a little over 7 hours without stops.

Before setting out on your long drive I’d check road conditions and any delays or scheduled construction before heading out to see which might be the best option for your trip. Two useful websites are Traffic England and Traffic Scotland which cover all the main motorways and roads in the UK, and reports live road conditions, delays, construction, traffic incidents, etc. UK radio stations normally report traffic conditions on a regular basis as well which can alert you to any major traffic incidents along the route as you are driving.

Where to Rent a Car in the UK?

If you need to hire a car, there are a number of rental car companies operating in the UK. Just note that if you are doing this as a one-way journey, that the majority of companies will charge extra for a one-way fee so do check before booking.

We definitely recommend checking around on a few sites to find the best deal on a rental car. We usually check a couple of price comparison sites, both Discover Cars  and AutoEurope . We also regularly use Enterprise as we often find their one-way fees are the lowest, so do check with them directly as well.

Cost of Driving from London to Edinburgh?

This is going to vary widely depending on whether you need to rent a car, your rental car category (e.g., economy vs. luxury), fuel prices, and your route (do you make a lot of detours or drive there directly?). Currently, the fuel cost for the drive would likely be between £55 to £80 depending on your car, speed, and route based on current fuel prices.

As an example for rental car cost, I checked for a 2 day rental in April 2024 on Discover Cars and found rates as low as £60 for a budget mini-sized car for pick-up in London and drop-off in Edinburgh. Add in fuel costs of £65 for a 2-day rental total as low as £125. So I would estimate costs between £125 to £250 for a 2-day rental. Just remember that will you will also need to factor in any needed insurance and one-way fees you may need to pay.

If you like cycling, then you may want to consider cycling from London to Edinburgh. The UK has a fairly comprehensive system of bike routes, known as the National Cycle Network .

Bike Route from London to Edinburgh?

One good option is   Route 1 , which is part of the National Cycle Network. This route links Dover on the coast of southern England with the Shetland Islands in the far north of Scotland. The 1,695 mile route runs through both London and Edinburgh. The section of the bike route from London to Edinburgh is 783 miles (1260 km) long. 

There are also other routes that follow a more direct path on or alongside more major highways, as well as less direct paths if you want to include other sites along the way. A more direct path, although less scenic route, will be about 450 miles.

How Long Does it Take to Cycle from London to Edinburgh?

If you taking a fairly direct route, the time can vary widely between 4 days and 3 weeks to complete the journey, depending on route, fitness, and speed. It can actually be done in as a little as 2 days if you are a pro athlete, but expect more around 2 weeks for the average person going at a good pace.

Estimate your days based on which route you plan to take and how much you think you can bike on average each day. Cycling the Route 1 the full way, it will take you 9 or 10 days at 80 miles per day, 13 days at 60 miles a day, or about 20 days at 40 miles a day. But if you take a more direct route using more highways, you could do it in 6 days at 80 miles per day, 8 days at 60 miles per day, or about 11 days at 40 miles per day.

Where to Rent a Bike in London?

If you are returning to London after your trip to Edinburgh, you have lots of bicycle hire companies with offices in London. However most don’t allow you to rent a bike in London and return it in Edinburgh. But we do think you can do this with British Bike Hire , as the company allows you to receive the bike by mail anywhere in the UK and then mail it back. But do check on the details before booking.

Another option is to purchase a used bike in London and then sell it once you are in Edinburgh.

6. Overnight Sleeper Train 

As well as the standard train services, there’s also an overnight sleeper train that runs from London to Edinburgh. Known as the Caledonian Sleeper , this is a specialist train service that offers comfortable sleeper accommodation and a service that runs more slowly than the standard trains, offering you the chance to get a proper nights sleep as you journey between the two cities.

You can read more about our own personal  experience riding the Caledonian Sleeper .

How Long Does the Overnight Train take from London to Edinburgh?

The total journey time is around 7.5 hours. On most days the train leaves London Euston station around midnight and arrive into Edinburgh around 7.30am. Similarly, you can also do the same journey from Edinburgh to London which has similar train times.

However, you can actually board the train in London an hour or so before the train leaves, giving you time to have a drink or meal on board and get to sleep earlier if you wish. We’d recommend boarding early to settle in and get ready for the night.

You can see the full train timetable and boarding times for London to Edinburgh here .

How much is the Overnight Sleeper Train from London to Edinburgh?

Prices vary depending on the type of accommodation you want, which ranges from a sleeper chair through to a private first class compartment. You also save money by booking a fixed date ticket in advance (dates are usually posted 12 months in advance). 

Normal advanced rates start at about £48 per person for a sleeper seat, £145 for a solo classic room, £175 for 2 people in classic twin room, £250 for a club room for 2 people (twin with en-suite), and £400 for a Caledonia superior double room for 2 persons. Note that prices will be higher on more popular dates and times of the year.

When considering the prices, don’t forget that you are also saving yourself the price of a hotel night, so it can be a pretty good value option for some travelers.

How do I buy a Caledonian Sleeper ticket?

The best place to buy tickets is directly through the Caledonian Sleeper’s official website . Tickets can be purchased up to 12 months in advance of your travel date. 

7. Walk or Hike

Not many people are going to choose to walk or hike the 377 miles from London to Edinburgh, but it is another way (and the oldest way) to get between the two cities. If you are into really slow travel, this is your best bet and it is also a very healthy option!

Hiking Route from London to Edinburgh?

Unfortunately, there is no single walking or hiking route between the two cities, although you can join some of the England’s National Trails  and Scotland’s Great Trails   together. History fans may want to follow a famous old route like the Great North Road that dates back to Roman and stagecoach times (now A1 closely follows a large part of this route)..

Hiking will of course require you to do a fair bit of planning and be reasonably fit and resourceful, but if you have time and want an adventure, this is certainly an interesting way to get from London to Edinburgh!

How Long Would it Take to Walk from London to Edinburgh?

This will depend on your chosen route, level of fitness, planned stops, and how fast you want to move. A really fit person moving at a good pace could do the walk in about 1.5 to 2 weeks but it will take longer for the average person.

I’d estimate your time based on how many miles you think are doable per day on average. So for example if you think you can walk 30 miles a day you could reach Edinburgh in about 12 or 13 days, doing 20 miles per day you’d get there in about 19 days, and if you think 10 miles per day is more realistic it will take about 37 days.

8. Take a Guided Tour

If you aren’t in a rush, or want to see a bit of the UK as you go, then another option for getting from London to Edinburgh is to take a guided tour. This is a great way to see more of the UK in between these two great capitals. You can join an existing guided tour or arrange a private tour.

How Long is a Guided Tour from London to Edinburgh?

This really depends and tours may be as short as two days or as long as 10 days or more.

Most companies do not offer one-way tours, but a few do. For example, we know that Rabbie’s (one of our favorite tour companies in the UK) offers a guided  eight day tour that starts in London and finishes in Edinburgh! The Edinburgh-based tour company also offers the opportunity to build a customized private tour, so you can put together an itinerary that suits.

If you are looking to return to London, then you have a lot more options as there are a number of tours that visit Edinburgh and return to London, such as this 3 night long weekend tour and this   5 day tour.

How Much Does a Tour from London to Edinburgh Cost?

Tour prices will vary dramatically depending on the length of the tour, time of year, number of people and so on. As an example though, the Rabbie’s 8 day tour mentioned, which will be in a group of 15 people or less, costs around £474 per person, excluding accommodation, entrance fees, and most meals. The 8-day tour cost including B&B overnight accommodation and daily breakfast for this trip would be around £719 per person. Just be sure to take into account what each tour includes when comparing prices.

9. Ride share

Another option for getting from London to Edinburgh is to share a ride with someone who is already going there. There are a number of ride sharing websites that let you find rides going where you want to go, and you usually just have to contribute to the cost of the journey. This can be a great way to meet strangers and fellow travelers, but do use good judgement and caution in vetting opportunities.

Ride Sharing Services for a London to Edinburgh Trip?

We have not personally used these, but a couple of ones to check out include BlaBlaCar and Liftshare . You can join a carshare that someone else is offering or offer one to have others join if you are able to drive.

Other options include posting or checking ads online to find a travel buddy or ride sharing opportunity. Some places to try include online classifieds (e.g., Craigslist, Gumtree), online travel message boards, and physical classified and bulletin boards (if you live or already staying in the London area). 

Cost of Ride Sharing Services from London to Edinburgh?

It is usually very inexpensive as most drivers just want company and assistance covering their expenses such as the cost of fuel. Expect it to be a little less or similar to the cost of a budget long-distance bus. Costs might range from £8 to £35 per person for a direct drive from London to Edinburgh (and return back to London is usually an option as well).

10. Private Car Transfer or Cab

A final option is to hire a private car with driver or take a cab. These are good for those wanting to travel in comfort by road without having to worry about driving or renting a car. The driver will pick you up and drop you off at the address of your choice. Options can range from a standard cab to a luxury limo.

How to Book a Private Car Transfer or Cab from London to Edinburgh?

There are several cab and private transfer companies who will offer a car service between London and Edinburgh, but it is something you’ll need to arrange in advance. We recommend using a UK cab comparison website like minicabit to compare rates for cabs and private transfer options.

How Much is a Private Car Transfer or Cab from London to Edinburgh?

This is a premium option and rates are likely to range from about £400 to £600 for a private transfer in a standard sized car. However, if you have 3 or 4 people sharing the cost, it is not as expensive.

What is the Best Way to Get From London to Edinburgh?

There is no easy answer to this question as it is going to depend on factors such as your budget, time, and travel style. But the following information should help you find the best method for you and your travel plans.

Cheapest Way to Get from London to Edinburgh?

Those on a tight budget should check out the long distance buses, train, and ride sharing options. Booking in advance can save you a lot of money on both bus and train tickets which are likely to be the least expensive options. If you have a car in the UK, then driving may also be a good budget option, especially if you can split fuel and parking costs with travel companions.

If you need to book relatively last minute, then a long-distance bus ticket is likely going to be the least expensive option.

Quickest Way to Get from London to Edinburgh? 

The quickest way is to fly. But because of travel time to and from the airports and airport security, flying will only save you a little time (40 minutes to 1.5 hours) over taking a high-speed direct train. So those looking for fastest options should check out flying or taking a direct train.

Most Cost/Time Efficient Way to Get from London to Edinburgh?

The most efficient way based on both money and time depends on how much you value each, but we’d recommend taking a direct train or flying if you are able to book your tickets in advance. However, overnight buses and the overnight sleeper train can also be very time and budget efficient options as they don’t waste sightseeing time and save you the expense of paying for lodging for one night.

Most Luxurious Way to Get from London to Edinburgh?

If you have the money, you can charter a private plane which is probably the most luxurious option available. However, for those looking for the most comfortable way to get from London to Edinburgh on a tighter budget should consider first-class seats on commercial flights, first-class train seats, the private Caledonian Sleeper rooms, and private transfers. 

Best Way to Sightsee from London to Edinburgh? 

Those wanting to make some stops and sightsee should consider taking a guided tour, driving, or biking. You can also go by train and travel the route in sections, stopping in a number of towns and cities along the way. Check out our 10 day UK by public transport itinerary and 1 week UK by car itinerary for ideas. If you are considering joining a guided tour, we recommend checking out this one .

Most Leisurely Way to Get from London to Edinburgh? 

Walk or bike, which are also the most healthy ways! Driving is another good way to make the journey at your own pace and everyone loves a good road trip. 

Our Preferred Way to Get from London to Edinburgh?

We’ve traveled from London to Edinburgh and from Edinburgh to London more times than we can count and have made the journey using a variety of transportation types. Our preferred method for traveling between London and Edinburgh is to take the train. If you book the train in advance it can be very competitively priced compared to other options such as a long-distance bus. While traveling by train might take slightly longer than flying, the advantages are that it is more convenient, normally less expensive, and you are able to watch the scenery go by outside. The overnight sleeper train option is also recommended for those wanting to travel without losing precious sightseeing time.

But we can also recommend checking out flying, long-distance buses, driving, and taking a guided tour. All of these are also good options that we have used. It really just depends on your budget, time, and travel style.

Can you Take a Day Trip from London To Edinburgh?

It is possible to visit Edinburgh as a day trip from London, but honestly, we would advise against this. It’s going to involve at least eight hours of travel, meaning an early start, a late finish, and limited time to actually sightsee in Edinburgh.

If you want to visit Edinburgh from London, we would highly recommend staying at least one night in Edinburgh, and ideally two. This self-guided tour for example includes round trip transfers, an overnight stay in Edinburgh, Edinburgh Castle entry and a hop on hop off bus ticket whilst this is a similar 3 day tour .

Of course, you can visit Edinburgh as a day trip from London if you really want to. We would recommend taking the train as it will take you directly from city centre to city centre. Alternatively, there are tours available, such as this one .

So that summarizes our guide to getting from London to Edinburgh! If you are planning your trip to the UK, here is a guide to public transit in London as well as a 3 day London itinerary and a  6 day London itinerary to get you ready for your time in London.

To give you some ideas for what to do when you arrive in Edinburgh, take a look at our guide to the must-see things to do in Edinburgh  as well as our tips for getting off the beaten path in Edinburgh .

We hope this helps you figure out how to get from London to Edinburgh, or vice versa! If you have any questions about traveling between these two cities or travel within either one, just let us know by leaving a Comment below. Also, if you have any of your own tips or advice about travel between London and Edinburgh, feel free to share below!

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ivan Post author

June 16, 2024 at 11:56 pm

thanks for this guide so helpful for those coming from another country! do you have any thoughts on how far in advance we should book trains as we know that sometimes it is booked out in advance, the london to edibnburgh route?

Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author

June 18, 2024 at 7:03 am

Happy to hear that our guide is helping you plan your trip in the UK.

So to make sure you have a reserved seat on the train between London and Edinburgh, you need to book at least 24 hours or 48 hours before your trip departs on most trains. Otherwise you are not guaranteed a reserved seat (often not a big deal as there are unreserved seats). But you are right in that trains can also be sold out, especially during peak times and dates. The bigger issue though is often that there are seats left but they are the most expensive seats and prices are higher.

I would definitely book it at least a couple of weeks in advance if you can so you can ensure you get seats for the train at the time and category of seat you want. But booking even earlier is better in terms of prices, as booking when seats are releseased will generally get you the cheapest tickets – we generally try to book around 90 days out if we have a trip planned but the sooner the better once you know your dates.

Best, Jessica

Darlene Post author

January 13, 2024 at 10:49 am

Wow I am so thankful I found your blog. I am going to do my first solo adventure and I have been having a hard time deciding how to get from Southampton to Edinburgh after a cruise. I will definitely be taking a train from London ( think it was Kings Cross station) to Edinburgh. Now I just need to decide how I am getting from Southampton to London. I truly appreciate the valuable information you put in this post.

From a very grateful first time solo traveler from Maine.

January 13, 2024 at 5:53 pm

Hi Darlene,

So happy to hear you have found our travel blog helpful in planning your trip to Scotland, and on how to get between London and Edinburgh.

We’ve done cruises to and from Southampton so have done those connections. So to get from Southampton to London, you have two real options, either take a bus/coach (National Express is the one we have used) or the train to London. First, to get from the cruise port, you’ll need to make your way to the bus or train station. It is a short taxi ride to either from any of the cruise terminals (there are several within the port) to either the central coachstation or train station. It is even possible to walk to the bus station – 15-30 minutes depending on the arrival terminal but probably not the best idea if you have luggage. There is also a local bus you can take but you’d need to check the schedule for that so again a taxi is probably easiest.

Both the bus or train work well. If you can get a direct train that will be a bit faster, but a bus is often a bit cheaper – we’ve done both. Bus is great backup also if there are any railway strikes going on. Neither the train or bus go directly to Kings Cross station though (trains normally end at Waterloo station or Paddington, and buses normally terminate at Victoria Station in London) so you’ll want to take the Underground (Tube) or a taxi probably once you get to London if you need to then head directly to Kings Cross for a train.

No matter which option, just be sure to allow for possible delays and travel time so you are not rushing. You can almost always count on at least a small delay somewhere with so many connections in your journey. Being able to do it at a more relaxed pace is always nice, particularly if it is your first time.

Hope that helps, and wishing you a wonderful trip. If you have any further questions as you plan your trip, just let us know!

Pedro Post author

January 1, 2023 at 2:52 pm

This information has been very useful. I have a couple of questions that hopefuly you can help provide guidance to. Here´s a little context that might help set the stage. We are planning on UK (London)- Scotland-Ireland for our Honey Moon and are flying in from Mexico City. From the total of 17 days (+2 for the international flights), we´ve decided on 3 days in London to then go to Edinburgh. This is were we are having a hard time pinning down an itinerary beggining with how to get to Scotland, how to move around Scotland and what to prioritize for scenery, towns, castles, etc.

1. We are planning to spend aproximately 1 week in scotland getting to Edinburgh from London. We haven´t decided if a day (7.5 hr), a speed train (4 hr), a night train or flight is best. If we want to also go sight seeing in Scotland, is it worth it to take the train? If so, which train would you take to get there? Would the 4 hr spreed train be good enough to check the sight seeing box? 2. While in Scotland, would you recommend to move between towns or pivot back and forth from Edinburgh? If moving from town to town is recommended, would you recommend renting a campervan for the experience/cost/flexibility? If not, how would you recommend to move between towns? 3. To move around Scotland, is it better to join tours privoting from Edinburgh (or Glasgow), to rent a car, to move around by bus or move by train? 4. How many days would you recommend for Glasgow (considering a samewhat fast paced trip and that we will most likely want to spend more time in Edinburgh)? 5. Considering the time restriction, what would you list as must see places, towns and visits?

Any recommendations for Ireland along the previous travel plan style would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks in advance for the help.

Best, Pedro

January 2, 2023 at 8:19 am

Happy to try to help you plan your trip to the UK and Ireland.

First, I would suggest considering 4 nights in London if that is your first stop. You’ll likely be very tired the first day and with potential flight delays, it might be good to have an extra night here. Also, out of all the cities in the UK (and Ireland), London has some of the top museums, attractions, and nightlife. So it is a good city to spend a little extra time so you don’t feel too rushed.

To get from London to Edinburgh, I’d probably suggest just taking the high-speed day train. In terms of time X cost, it is probably the best bet (although you can compare them to a flight, but flights are more a hassle with security/screening, etc.). There is some nice scenery from the train, particularly as it gets further north but it is certainly not a panoramic sort of train ride (the best scenery in Scotland from a train is north of Edinburgh and Glasgow). But the night train can also be a good option as it does save you the money of a hotel that night but is not always a restful experience depending on how you sleep on trains and normally it arrives very early in the morning.

If Edinburgh and Glasgow are places you plan to go already, then getting around by train probably makes a lot of sense. You don’t need a car to get around either city if you stay near the city center, lots of stuff is walkable or you can take the public transit (or a taxi).

I would say maybe 3 nights Edinburgh, 2 nights Glasgow, and 2 night up in Inverness. Both Glasgow and Inverness are very easy to reach by train from Edinburgh. From Glasgow, you can also easy day trip to Loch Lomond. Inverness, the capital of the Highlands, makes a good base to explore Loch Ness, Cairngorms, and/or Isle of Skye.

Across our two travel blogs Independent Travel Cats and Finding the Universe, we have lots of articles on Scotland (and London and Ireland) that I think cover all or most of these places and top things to see. If you have any questions, just ask!

For tours in Scotland, we recommend checking out Rabbie’s which is based in Edinburgh and offers both day tours and multi-day tours from Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Inverness.

I am not sure what your plans are for Ireland. But you can take a ferry from Scotland to Northern Ireland for example (or catch a short flight), and then head to Belfast. In Northern Ireland. Top sights here would probably be Belfast (particularly the Titanic Belfast ) and the Giant’s Causeway (you can drive or take a day tour along the Causeway Coastal Highway ).

Then you could take the train down to Dublin and spend a couple days exploring the sights around Dublin. You can also do day tours from Dublin to places like the Cliffs of Moher, Kilkenny, and Blarney Castle. I would also recommend seeing a bit of the countryside, so depending on how much time you have left, you could either take rent a car or join a tour to explore a scenic more rural area such as the Ring of Kerry or Dingle Peninsula.

So your trip itinerary might look something like this: 4 nights London, 7 nights Scotland (split between Edinburgh/Glasgow/Inverness), 2-3 nights Belfast, 3-4 nights Dublin (maybe 1-2 nights in rural area instead?) – flying into London and out of Dublin.

Anyway, hope that helps, and just let us know if you have further questions as you plan your trip.

Happy travels, Jessica

Rindy Post author

September 3, 2022 at 10:13 am

My flight from London to Edinburgh was canceled and our optional flight gets us into Edinburgh after midnight and we still have to drive to Glasgow. We decided to take the train, but noticed the Lumo wont allow luggage, is that correct? We are open for any advice on how get to our destination.

Jessica Post author

September 3, 2022 at 11:58 am

I am not sure if you are asking about going from London to Glasgow by train or how to get from Edinburgh airport to Glasgow after midnight. So I will try to answer both questions.

Yes, it looks like from their policy that the Lumo train service only allows one medium suitcase and hand luggage so that would probably not be a good fit (although they have a luggage courier service you can pay extra for). The last non Lumo train is also at 11.45pm so that would probably not work in terms of timing if your flight doesn’t get into Edinburgh until midnight or later.

If you need to get from Edinburgh to Glasgow late at night, I’d recommend looking at the Megabus bus service . They currently offer through-the-night direct services from Edinburgh airport. So that should work if you take the midnight flight, just be sure to check the bus schedule for your specific date.

If you are asking about best way to get from London to Glasgow, you have a few options: train (Avanti West Coast has probably the most direct trains), sleeper train (Caledonian Sleeper service at night), or a long-distance bus (such as by Megabus or National Express).

Note that if planning to take the train, you’ll want to check in advance for rail stike dates as industrial actions in the UK has made some of the companies limit selling tickets on some dates because of planned or potential strikes. I think the dates for September have been announced.

Hope that helps, and feel free to follow up if you have further questions as you plan your trip to Scotland.

Noelle Post author

July 25, 2022 at 6:16 pm

Thanks for this informative article. I am planning to take the train from London to Edinburgh in mid August right after I land from the US. My flight from the US gets into Heathrow at 1:15PM and I don’t plan on checking a bag. I’m trying to figure out if I should buy: 1. an advanced single train ticket (£71.50) or 2. an anytime ticket (£173) or 3. just show up at the train station and buy a ticket day of (not sure how much more $$ this will be)

With air travel the way it is in the UK right now, I’m worried if my flight will get delayed. Also I have no idea how long it will take to get through customs, etc. What are my options if I miss a train or can I take an earlier one if I show up way before my scheduled train? Thanks for your help!

July 26, 2022 at 9:45 am

This is a great question. There is no real right answer to this, it really depends on balancing money with risk.

So most advance single tickets can only be exchanged fee free up to 6pm the day before you travel. Changes made after this will depend on the train company, for the London to Edinburgh route that is operated by LNER and they currently charge £10 for a change. However you have to make the change prior to the timetabled departure.

LNER currently also allows you to book an advance ticket up to 5 minutes before departure however this will be subject to availability. You can see more here .

To answer your questions:

– Baggage/security/customs can take a while! Recently we’ve gotten through in as little as half an hour, but it can take much longer depending on how many flights are coming in and staffing. You also have to factor in the time to get from Heathrow to London Kings Cross. It’s about an hour direct by Picadilly Line.

– If you miss a train you are normally out of luck, unless you have requested to change it before it leaves (for advance and saver tickets). For anytime tickets, you can travel any time, but they are more expensive.

– If you show up early, you can pay the small fee to change to an earlier train, subject to availability.

If it was me, I would likely book a train at around 4.30pm with an advance single. That should be enough time to get through customs and across London. I’d book an advance single directly with LNER, you can download and use their app. If your flight arrives late, unless it is really late then you should be able to change it when you land. If it is looking like it is going to depart very late, then you can change your train before the flight takes off.

Of course, this is down to your own personal approach to risk. You could opt to try for an advance single on the day, but they are not always available. If you are arriving on a Thursday or Friday for example these might have less availability than earlier in the week.

If you don’t want to worry about delayed flights and timing that day, you could also just plan to spend the first night of your trip in London near the train station so you are more relaxed and just book a morning train to Edinburgh from London. So the only thing you need to do is to get from the airport to you hotel and then you can just choose one within walking distance to the train station.

Anyway, hope all the above helps in making a decision. If you have any further questions, just ask! Fingers crossed for a smooth and on-time flight.

July 26, 2022 at 2:50 pm

Thank you so much for this detailed response. I have been trying to research this for days and figuring out the train system has been confusing for me. This is SO helpful for me and I will take your advice and book the advanced single for 4:30pm. I’m assuming that if I download the LNER app I can make changes to the train (if needed) right on the app? Also if I make any changes and there is a change in fare (like if it’s more $), do I need to pay the difference plus the fare change fee or just the change fare fee?

July 28, 2022 at 3:03 am

You’re very welcome, happy to try to help.

Yes, you should be able to make changes (e.g., times) via the LNER app once you sign up and have a ticket booked in your account. If there is a price difference between the train tickets, you would normally need to pay the price difference plus the admin change fee.

Yes, we have been having a lot of train/airline staff strikes in the UK and the rest of Europe. A good thing is that they are normally announced publically about 2 weeks in advance. So I would check for updates before you head out.

Also note if you have travel insurance, you might want to check to see if that would cover you if you needed to cancel your tickets or miss your train due to a flight or travel issue. Travel insurance will often cover things booked according to their policy due to travel delays/cancellations/interruptions. Although hopefully you will not need to use it!

Tiffany K Post author

June 29, 2022 at 6:42 am

A note for Americans who may be looking to rent a car: Car Hire is our equivalent of rental cars and you may see them advertised either way. We were a bit confused as “car hire” over here typically means someone else is driving (like a limo or a taxi). Also, most UK cars have manual transmissions and you’ll need to specify if you want an automatic. I highly recommend it; even if you CAN drive stick, doing so on the opposite side of the road and shifting with your left hand adds a whole new level of distraction to an already somewhat stressful activity. Thanks for your article–we’re about to go visit Edi again (to watch our daughter graduate this time!) and I just can’t get enough of the city. Always love to spend a few days in London first, then take the train up to Scotland and enjoy the countryside. Your information is very helpful!

June 29, 2022 at 8:24 am

Hi Tiffany,

You are very welcome! And thanks for sharing some comments about what you have found confusing about the way that rental cars are advertised and rented in the UK as an American.

Yes, the Brits normally use “car hire” versus the term “rental car” that is often used in the United States but they mean the same thing. But in the UK, if you say you want to rent a car, they understand what that means and it means the same thing. Americans generally only refer to hiring when it means hiring an actual person, such as a driver.

Yes, there are definitely more cars with manual transmission available to rent/hire in the UK. There is definitely a shift though to more automatic cars on the road here. More than 50% of new cars sold in the UK are automatic and this keeps rising and it also means more and more rental cars are also automatic. But if you are someone who is good at driving a manual car, they are usually less expensive, so a good way to save money. But if you are not used to manual gears, I would definitely not recommend it for tourists, especially for those coming from countries used to driving on the right side of the road.

A note on trains. The UK is experiencing a number of strikes (including rail strikes) and transport staffing issues. This means that lots of trains have not been running on certain days, this is particularly the case in Scotland. So just be sure to check this close to your trip. For strikes, they normally give about a 2 week notice. Hopefully all the strikes will be ended by the time of your trip but they have been causing a lot of travel chaos affecting the rails, Underground in London, trams, and airports. So always good to have an alternative travel plan just in case.

That sounds like a lovely trip, and I hope you have a great time in Edinburgh to visit your daughter and see her graduate!

Christine Post author

November 23, 2021 at 9:31 am

Thank you for making my travel planning a lot easier and more efficient. I normally do all my own research and would have spent so many hours pulling together all the information that is in one article. Plus, I have never been to Scotland so my understanding of how it all works would have taken much longer to process and I still might not have felt 100% confident with my information. Your wonderful article laid out everything beautifully. So organized and answered all the questions I had about costs, names of vendors, and pros/cons of choices. I am done with this portion of my trip and have decided to book a day train ticket from London to Edinburgh so I can see the scenery. Many thanks!

November 24, 2021 at 1:48 pm

Hi Christine,

I am so glad that our traveling planning guide for getting from London to Edinburgh was helpful to you. A day train is a great choice and I hope you enjoy the train and your time in Scotland!

We used to live in Edinburgh and have written several Edinburgh articles across our two travel blogs that may be useful, but just let us know if you have any questions about your trip.

Rachel Post author

November 4, 2021 at 8:17 pm

Thank you so much for this article! So much information that I needed when trying to decide how best to plan. Really appreciate the details!!

November 5, 2021 at 8:52 am

Glad to hear and wishing you a great trip in the UK. Just let us know if you have any questions about planning travel between London and Edinburgh!

Jack Post author

October 14, 2021 at 6:14 am

Hey, very helpful article, all you need to know to find the best way to get from Edinburgh to London!

October 17, 2021 at 6:13 am

Thanks Jack, glad you enjoyed it and just let us know if you have any questions!

Wishing you safe & happy travels, Jessica

Rose Post author

October 1, 2020 at 6:33 pm

Oh dear I’m a bit confused…hasn’t Virgin trains lost the contract to Avanti? A while ago so it’s not a new thing? Thanks, great post otherwise.

October 2, 2020 at 4:05 am

Glad you found our article helpful in planning your journey between London and Edinburgh!

Yes, you are (sort of) correct. As noted, London North Eastern Railway (LNER) is the main operator of trains from London to Edinburgh (formerly Virgin Trains East Coast) and the one we mainly recommend as it operates the fastest service. This has not changed since we wrote the post. However, more recently another route between Edinburgh and London was operated by Virgin Trains and this changed to Avanti West Coast in December 2019.

The operators of various trains and routes, particularly during our time in Scotland, have changed fairly frequently but the routes themselves have generally remained the same, which of course is the important thing!

Wishing you safe & happy train travels, Jessica

Swati Post author

August 22, 2020 at 5:02 pm

Hi! Great info in your post! I am travelling next week Wednesday evening from London to Edinburgh. We are driving down (3 couples and 4 kids in two cars ). We intend to leave around 3-4 pm and reach by 11-12 at night. Could you provide some insight on how the drive is – single/double lane road ? Well lit or no street lights? Is it recommended to drive during the night ? Safe/risky? Thanks!

August 23, 2020 at 6:48 am

Yes, if you follow the most direct route (and fastest route) north from London to Edinburgh, you’ll mainly be on the A1 and the M1 motorway – this is a major highway in the UK and a busy one. The A1 is mostly 2 lanes, but the number of lanes does of course vary over the course and it gains lanes in different sections of the route, from one lane each way to several. You can see all the lane changes here . The road is well signed, easy to follow, there are many exits, and it is a popular route.

If you are not used to driving very much, it may be easier to drive it during daylight than at night. So you may consider leaving earlier to arrive before dark.

The drive between London and Edinburgh takes about 7 to 8 hours, but of course you’ll want to leave time for stops for food, fuel, etc. so I think leaving 9 to 10 hours, especially with kids, would be a good idea to ensure plenty of time. Road construction can add time to the journey as well.

Enjoy your trip! Jessica

Elizabeth Noble Post author

March 10, 2020 at 11:36 am

Hi. We are headed to Edinburgh in August and may head to Ireland. What is the best way to travel across that won’t break the bank? Also once there the best way to get around if we don’t feel confident driving to see the sights. Thank you.

March 10, 2020 at 12:26 pm

Hi Elizabeth,

You, of course, need to cross a body of water to get from Scotland to Ireland so you will need to either take a ferry or fly as part of your journey. The larger airports are in Dublin and Belfast.

If you want to take a ferry, you’ll need to get a coach or train to reach the ferry ports. It depends where in Ireland you want to go as well as they will determine some of your travel options and companies that run that route. So I’d probably compare prices and time between flying from Edinburgh or doing a ferry route.

The quickest option is to fly but it can often be less expensive to take a coach & ferry trip.

Probably the least expensive way to get from Edinburgh to either Belfast or Dublin is to book a coach and sail package with Stena Line as they often offer rates as low as £29 per person. They also offer rail & sail packages as well. It is probably too early to book for August so you’ll need to wait until closer to your trip to book these.

There are regular ferries from Cairnryan, Scotland to Larne / Belfast in Northern Ireland. You can go by foot passenger, car, or via a bus (all the regular passenger buses and tour buses must cross by ferry obviously). The two main ferry companies are Stena Line and P&O Ferries .

Once in Ireland, you can travel between cities and towns pretty easily by train or bus, for train Irish Rail is the main provider. For day trips, if you want to see several sites in one day, I’d recommend taking a bus tour. For example you can see our recommendations for day tours from Belfast .

If you are looking for longer trips around Ireland to explore various areas, you might consider checking out the tours from Dublin offered by Rabbie’s Travel .

BTW, Edinburgh is easy to see on foot and via public transit. There are also a lot of day tour possibilities from the city. You probably are well aware, but August is a VERY busy time in August so I’d book your accommodation as soon as you know your dates, especially if you are on a budget, as it is the most expensive time for lodging in the city given all the August Edinburgh festivals .

Hope that helps you get started. Let us know if you have further question as you continue with your planning.

Pat Post author

November 12, 2019 at 5:07 pm

Excellent information for someone who had never traveled from London to Scotland. Appreciate all the options, tips, etc. We will have about 5 days to visit Scotland/Ireland in May 2020. I wish we had more time. Any suggestions are welcome.

November 13, 2019 at 9:26 pm

I would suggest spending all 5 days in Scotland if you can. If you try to also visit Ireland it will mean a lot more rushing around and you won’t get to see much in either country. If you have 5 days in Scotland, I’d recommend 2 days in Edinburgh and then the next 3 exploring the Highlands (Glencoe, Loch Ness, Cairngorms, castles, whisky distilleries, etc.) and maybe a visit to Glasgow if you enjoy cities. You can either move around or just base in Edinburgh and take day trips from Edinburgh , depending on how you want to get around. It depends a lot on your interests. Are there different sorts of things you really want to do/see in Scotland?

If you do split the 5 days between Scotland and Ireland, it will depend on how you plan to get around (car, public transit, tour). You can also do a flight from Edinburgh to Dublin. But I’d probably recommend 3 nights Edinburgh (2 days exploring city, 1 day trip) and then 2 nights in Dublin (I’d recommend flying from Edinburgh to Dublin). Alternatively, you could choose Belfast instead of Dublin. I’d recommend flying to Ireland, but you can also get from Scotland to Ireland by ferry but this will take up more time.

Hope that helps, and just let us know if you have further questions as you plan your trip to the UK.

Ashley Post author

June 18, 2019 at 4:47 am

Which is the best train station in London to go into?

June 19, 2019 at 8:39 pm

There are a lot of train stations in London and they are well-connected. If you are trying to get to Edinburgh, I’d purchase your ticket and that will tell you which station to go – most trains from London to Edinburgh leave from Kings Cross. Let us know if you have further questions.

Gail Dundas Post author

March 25, 2019 at 2:34 pm

How much luggage can you take with you on the train from London to Edinburgh?

March 25, 2019 at 4:03 pm

Hi Gail, You’ll need to check with the specific train company operating the route you book (e.g., Caledonian Sleeper, LNER, etc.) as it is different for every transport service. But normally you are allowed 2-3 pieces of luggage per person that fit comfortably in the train, don’t block passage, and you can handle yourself. Extra luggage can often be taken but will need to be put in bulk storage (if available) and may incur an extra fee. For example here is the baggage policy for LNER . Hope that helps, Jessica

December 31, 2018 at 1:25 am

Great and helpful information, exactly what I needed. Think I am going to take a bus or train, just need to check on prices 😉

January 1, 2019 at 11:17 am

Hi Rachel, Glad this was helpful, and enjoy your trip from London to Edinburgh!! Best, Jessica

VIKKI WANG Post author

December 26, 2018 at 10:44 pm

Hi! I just would like to clarify : London to Scotland Caledonian sleeper New train has been started running? I am travelling around 06 Feb 2019. is it possible to book for new sleeper. Can you please reply to my email? Thank you!

Regards Vikki

December 27, 2018 at 3:23 am

The new Caledonian sleeper trains are still being tested. They were supposed to begin running the London to Edinburgh route in October 2018, but the start date has been delayed. They are now planned to start all services with the new trains in Spring 2019. So you cannot book the new trains, but you can still book a journey between London and Edinburgh on the old trains as they will continue to operate until the new ones are ready.

Kim Post author

November 8, 2018 at 11:59 am

Great information, thank you! Just booked a trsin trip for my family from London-Edinburgh. Allow me to share the difficulty I had, and how it was solved. For some reason, the LNER website refused to take either of our credit cards (Visas issued on an American bank). I sent two emails to the company (different offices) and received automatic notifications that it could take up to 20 days to respond. (Who has 20 days when their booking an overseas trip??) I tried again today with the same results. Picked up the landline to call them, and received a message that “this number cannot accept incoming calls from your location.” Tried from my cell phone, same response. So I went to Facebook and messaged LNER from their FB page … aha! Got someone. They recommended I try PayPal (but had no explanation as to why my credit cards wouldn’t work). Tried PayPal, it worked. THEN I get a notification from LNER that my transaction is being investigated for fraud. I”M JUST TRYING TO BUY TRAIN TICKETS FOR MY FAMILY! Current situation: waiting to see if my purchase will go through. Bottom line: use social media to reach them if there’s a problem.

November 9, 2018 at 1:30 am

Hi Kim, Sorry to hear that about LNER and your difficulties booking a ticket on their website. That railroad was recently taken over by LNER (Virgin used to run it). We had not had any issues with Virgin, but have also had a small issue with LNER but nothing like in your case. I hope you are able to get the issue sorted out. Thanks for sharing your experience as it may help future readers.

If you are not able to purchase them from LNER, I’d recommend using Trainline . They charge a small commission fee (usually around £1 per ticket or transaction) but we’ve found them very easy to use. In fact, we just purchased our most recent UK train tickets through them from London.

Tiffany K. Post author

June 29, 2022 at 6:36 am

This sounds like it was flagged by your credit card company, as often happens with overseas transactions. It probably wasn’t on LNER’s end. If anyone is reading this and finding the same issue, call your card company first and see if they will allow the charge. We’ve had issues with one large bank (not sure if I’m allowed to say the name?) where they’ve even denied charges after we informed them of our travel. It’s not as much of an issue anymore because tracking is so much better, but can still pop up occasionally.

Akash Greene Post author

August 29, 2018 at 6:47 am

Where to Rent a Bike in London? Having problem answering this question! Thanks a lot for this post!

August 29, 2018 at 8:06 am

Hi Akash, There are a number of places where you can rent a bike in London if you just want to cycle around London and surrounds, including road bikes, e-bikes, hybrids, mountain bikes, etc. These include typical bike shops, bike share programs, and docked city bikes (Santander Cycle docking program). A few places where you can rent a variety of bikes for more than a day include On your Bike and The London Bicycle Tour Company .

But if you are planning to rent a bike in London and cycle to Edinburgh (and not return to London), then you’ll need to find a place that will let you return it there which can be more difficult. I’d call and check in advance with companies. If the above aren’t won’t let you do this, I’d check out British Bike Hire ‘s bike through post program as that may be an option.

Hope that helps! Jessica

Richard Post author

July 19, 2018 at 2:53 pm

Wow, such awesome info about getting from London to Edinburgh! We will be in GB and Ireland next year, 2019, for about 30 days to celebrate both of our retirements. There is just so much to take in and it can all be overwhelming when looking at all the beauty, history, and art that can be explored. We will be flying into London so finding ways to get to Edinburg for the Fringe is great information. I would love to keep in touch and pick your brains about sites and ideas to explore while we are there.

July 22, 2018 at 5:55 am

Hi Richard,

Glad you found it helpful! Yes, if you are traveling in August, you will be traveling in high season and particularly in Edinburgh (and surrounds) things can be a bit crazy. I’d book any train tickets and hotels well in advance (~ 3 months) if you can for Edinburgh as prices go sky high for the entire time of the festivals. Even 1 hour away in Glasgow lodging prices are currently double normal rates.

Since you are planning to visit Fringe, you might find our Edinburgh summer festivals guide helpful. We have been going every year for the past few years so do let us know if you need any planning tips.

One article that may help is our 2 week UK itinerary which might help give you an outline, but since you have double the time, you can stay longer in any location and add in many more stops! If you are thinking of going by train or bus, we also have a 10 day itinerary that may give you some initial ideas.

Yes, very happy to provide advice as you plan your big trip – just ask! Sounds like a very wonderful retirement trip to look forward to next year.

Jully Jeams Post author

April 21, 2018 at 9:43 pm

In this post, there is much informative information to get from London to Edinburgh. I think the airport is the best because there has been much security available so so less likely for security problems to occur. Now Airport system takes much security.

April 22, 2018 at 12:27 am

Hi Jully, Glad you found this information helpful and thanks for sharing your opinion! Taking a plane is definitely a fast way to get from London to Edinburgh (or Edinburgh to London) and as you point out it is definitely option that has the most security. So if you want to feel the safest, it may be the best bet! However, the downside to the security is the need to get the airport at least 1 hour in advance to get through security and this takes up a lot of the time that could be saved by flying and of course many people find the security scanning a bit of a hassle. So it is definitely a matter of personal preference in the best option to get between London and Edinburgh!! Best, Jessica

Shikha Singh Post author

April 2, 2018 at 5:41 am

Yes, the cities are both popular and beautiful as well. Thanks for guiding through these famous locations in England. The pictures are really heart winning.

April 2, 2018 at 6:06 am

Hi Shikha, Glad you found it helpful, do let us know if you have any questions about your UK holiday! Best Jessica

Lolo Post author

March 28, 2018 at 7:33 am

I literally just discovered the Caledonian Sleeper Train yesterday while flying home from London! That seems like it could be pretty cool, although while sleeping you’d obviously miss the beautiful countryside views! Although taking a normal train would be fun between London and Edinburgh! Would love to do that as we definitely don’t like driving in London and I can imagine how terrible it is in Edinburgh! But we do like to road trip and stopping at multiple locations! Ah I’m torn! Definitely saving this for next time!

March 28, 2018 at 8:05 am

Hi Lolo, Yes, the Caledonian Sleeper is one of those “greatest train journeys” that shows up in a lot of rankings. The routes date back to the 19th century but they have kept updating the services and trains, and are actually getting completely new carriages this year. So we are excited to do it again and check out the new sleeper rooms and dining/lounge cars! If you take the overnight train from London to Edinburgh, you only get a couple of hours of time in the morning to see the countryside depending on the time of year, but if you continue on to Inverness, that can be a really scenic journey and gives you a much more leisurely time on the train. A regular train is probably a better way if you want to see more scenery.

Driving between Edinburgh and London is just long and while most is fast (if boring) driving along the motorway, it definitely takes most of the day. Although you can of course make stops and overnight along the way to make a fun mini road trip. We often do this if we have time to break up the journey. Edinburgh is not as bad as London in terms of driving/parking but we don’t recommend a car in either city and most people we know living in Edinburgh bike, walk, or take public transit within the city center. London now charges extra congestion fees to drive in certain parts of the city. So we recommend dropping off a rental car before exploring either city, leaving the car in long-term overnight parking (a few hotels offer free parking although most charge a lot for it), or parking at a friend’s house if you know someone in London or Edinburgh.

Anisa Post author

March 26, 2018 at 7:14 am

So many options to get from London to Edinburgh! From Norwich to Edinburgh, where we live, I think the easiest way is to just fly. If I was coming from London I would love to do that overnight train. Thanks for sharing!

March 26, 2018 at 9:48 am

Hi Anisa, Yes there are a lot of options and the overnight train is a great way to get to Edinburgh if you are in London. If you have the chance, it is a great train journey, and going further to Inverness is an even better experience as it gives you more time to relax.

Unfortunately from Norwich it takes about the same time to reach Edinburgh by car but the train connections are much worse from there and add a couple of hours onto the journey. But at least you can get flights from Norwich to Edinburgh which is super convenient!

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