Getting from Edinburgh to Liverpool with TransPennine Express takes around five hours. Making it one of the longer UK rail journeys.
On your trip to Liverpool, you’ll first head south through the Scottish Borders, Northumberland and County Durham. You’ll then head west through North and West Yorkshire before travelling towards Manchester and then, shortly after, reaching Liverpool in Merseyside.
TransPennine Express operates regional and long-distance intercity routes connecting important cities across Northern England and Scotland, including Newcastle, Leeds, Manchester, Liverpool, Edinburgh, and Glasgow.
Departing from Edinburgh Waverley
Edinburgh Waverley is an excellently placed station from which to depart. It’s between the ‘old’ town and the ‘new’ town of Edinburgh, across the street from the Walter Scott Monument and near The National Gallery of Scotland.
Its prime location serves as a fantastic departure point, with buses and Edinburgh’s tram network providing access close to the station on Princes Street. Taxis can also deliver you straight to the station entrance.
If you’ve arrived from Edinburgh Airport, you can take a tram from Edinburgh Park station directly to Princes Street.
LNER, CrossCountry, Avanti West Coast, TransPennine Express, Caledonian Sleeper, ScotRail and Lumo run from Edinburgh Waverley.
Main stops
There are nineteen stops from Edinburgh Waverley to Liverpool Lime Street:
- East Linton
- Dunbar
- Reston
- Berwick-upon-Tweed
- Alnmouth
- Morpeth
- Newcastle
- Chester-le-Street
- Durham
- Darlington
- Northallerton
- York
- Leeds
- Dewsbury
- Huddersfield
- Stalybridge
- Manchester Victoria
- Newton-Le-Willows
- Lea Green
These stops may change due to engineering works, poor weather, train faults, or scheduling alterations. So, it’s best to check before you leave.
Liverpool Lime Street Station is an integral UK rail hub, serving many destinations in England, Scotland, and Wales, such as London Euston, Edinburgh Waverley, and Cardiff. Opening in 1836, it is the world’s oldest mainline station.
It has excellent public transport links to the rest of Liverpool and wider Merseyside. For instance, the main terminal building provides direct access to the underground Lime Street Wirral Line station on the city’s Merseyrail network. Liverpool’s central bus station on Roe Street is only about four minutes from Lime Street Station.
As a major UK city, Liverpool offers plenty, including excellent shopping, nightlife, history, and cultural activities, from the Royal Albert Dock to The Beatles Museum to the city’s fabulous art galleries. Hop on a ferry tour if you’d like to see more of the River Mersey or catch a bus tour to get a comprehensive tour of the city.
TransPennine Express train classes
- Standard Class: TransPennine Express Standard Class offers walk-through carriages, air-conditioning, and charging plugs for your devices.
- First Class: An Edinburgh to Liverpool First Class ticket with TransPennine Express will give you access to more legroom, reclining seats, free Wi-Fi and complimentary food and drink.
TransPennine Express train travel advice
- Luggage: Maximum of three items of luggage. This goes up to two larger items and one smaller bag.
- Pets: Dogs, cats, and other small animals can travel for free. Dogs must be on a lead. Other animals must travel in carriers. There is a maximum of two pets per passenger.
- Bicycles: Bikes can be stored free of charge, but space is limited. You must book a space for your bike before you travel.
- Children: Under 5’s can travel for free. Children aged 5 to 15 can save 50% on their tickets. Booking in advance using TrainPal helps ensure families can sit together. The Family & Friends Railcard offers up to 1/3 off family ticket costs.
- Passenger Assist: Providing ramps for entering and exiting trains, luggage support, and station guidance, with help for stairs and provision of wheelchairs or buggies for covering greater distances.
*Information is subject to change. Please check the latest train timetable before your trip.