How to get to Edinburgh from London

Traveling between two of the biggest cities in the UK is much easier than you think. London, with its bustling city center, beautiful view of the Thames, outdoor beer gardens, thousands of pubs, and thousands of ex-pats who flock here every year, is one of the cultural and business epicenters of the entire United Kingdom. 

However, Edinburgh is close behind the English metropolis. With stunning historical architecture, lovely (and hard to understand) Scottish accents, a few universities that make it ideal for international students, and a fun nightlife, Edinburgh is one of the busiest, most exciting, and aesthetic places to live or visit in the country.

So, if you are on your next holiday to the UK and you need to get to Edinburgh from London in just a few hours, how can it be done? Luckily for you, due to the popularity of both cities, there are a plethora of travel options available to tourists and natives alike who need to make the journey between Scotland and England. 

London to Edinburgh by plane!

London Heathrow tower and Virgin Atlantic Boeing 747 – By By Maarten Visser – London Heathrow tower and Virgin B747, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=26612378

The fastest way to get from London to Edinburgh is by flying. If you time the process right, it will be the quickest option between point A and point B, since the flight time is just 1 hour and 20 minutes. However, you have to consider the journey to the airport, the queue times, and the fact you need to get to the airport at least 45 minutes early to check in and make it through security.

The first decision you need to make before flying is which airport you will be flying out of. This can determine the length of your trip, as Luton airport is far outside the city center, and Heathrow is well-known worldwide for its long security lines. If you need to get to the airport from the center of London, head to Gatwick or Heathrow, since the trains run frequently and quickly to these airports. 

Bottom Line: The trip to the airport and the security hassle can lower the convenience factor of flying

Train 

Edinburgh Waverley Station – By By Geof Sheppard – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=82429663

If you want to take a scenic train ride from London to Edinburgh, go ahead! There are plenty of trains that run every day from multiple stations in London to Edinburgh in just around 4 hours and 20 minutes. We recommend starting at King’s Cross Station in the city center and taking the direct service to the central station in Edinburgh. 

If you buy your ticket in advance, purchase a round trip ticket, or have a special rail card, you can oftentimes find tickets for under  £25 one way. If you buy last minute, don’t worry – trains are typically between  £40 and  £50 for a one-way ticket – which is a great price considering local rail costs and the length of your journey.

Bottom Line: The most cost-effective and timely manner to get between the cities 

Bus

Bristol Coach Station – By By Geof Sheppard – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=63955047

If you love taking buses, you can hop on the National Express coach bus that brings you from London to Edinburgh in about 9 hours. The buses depart from the London Victoria coach station, which is easily accessible by various trains and underground lines across the city. If you are buying a ticket on the day of your travel, you can expect the price to be around £25- £30 for a one-way trip, whereas buying ahead of time will save you between £5 and £10 depending on the route. 

The positives about taking the bus is that you can change the time of your journey and the date of travel for free! That means if you end up staying an extra night in London at your AirBnB, you can just amend the travel time and date using your confirmation code. 

In addition, the buses stop at various spots along your travels to Edinburgh, such as Leeds, Newcastle upon Tyne, Morpeth, Alnwick, and Berwick upon Tweed. If you want to stop in a small town on your way to the Scottish big city, consider getting off at one of these coach bus station stops. 

Bottom Line: Good budget option that has consistently low prices 

Car

Motorway M1 Yorkshire – By By Klaus with K – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2594357

If you have your own car or you are renting one while in the country, you can take the long and scenic drive from London to Edinburgh. If you are in a hurry, hop on the M1 motorway and cruise to Scotland in about 7 hours. However, if you want to really enjoy the Scottish scenery and take a little bit longer, we recommend getting off the highway to break up the drive, cruise through the countryside, and enjoy a bit of the Scottish midlands before arriving in Edinburgh. You can stop in beautiful countryside towns like Stratford Upon Avon, or check out other big cities like Manchester along your way. 

Bottom Line: Only recommend if you are already renting a car for the duration of your vacation or want to explore the countryside on the way 

Ride Share

Clyde from M8 Dumbarton – By By User:Dave souza – Own work, CC BY-SA 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=968942

The final option to get from London to Edinburgh is a ride share service. You can either ask around to see if any of your friends are making the journey in the upcoming days and hitch a ride, or you can use an online app or rideshare service like BlaBlaCar or Liftshare. This optoin is a good choice for those who don’t enjoy taking public transportation and who are more flexible with their journey time and date.

The tyipical price of this “service” is between usually £7 and £30 per person, but can be nearly free if you hitch a ride with a friend! 

Bottom Line: Can be a fun and spontaneous alternative if going with friends or someone you know

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