London to Edinburgh (Waverley) Trains From £44.50*

The journey from London to Edinburgh(Waverley) takes around four and a half hours, if you travel directly with Lumo or LNER from London Kings Cross, or it can take up to five hours and forty minutes with Avanti West Coast from London Euston. Making these journeys some of the longest in the UK by rail.

On your journey with either LNER or Lumo, you’ll dart along the East Coast Mainline, passing commuter towns like Stevenage and historic cities such as York. You’ll travel through numerous regions in the North of East of England: from North Yorkshire and County Durham to Northumberland, before arriving at the Scottish Borders and pressing on towards the Scottish capital, Edinburgh.

Lumo is a recent addition to UK rail operators. It runs a single service along the East Coast Mainline, connecting London Kings Cross to Edinburgh Waverley. It stops at a limited number of stations in between, like Stevenage, Newcastle, and Morpeth.

Departing from London Kings Cross

London Kings Cross is the end of the East Coast Mainline in the south of England. It’s a highly convenient train station to depart from as it has a London Underground station that is one of the most visited in the city.

For instance, if you arrive from Heathrow Airport, you can take the Piccadilly line directly to King’s Cross. The station connects multiple tube lines, including the Circle, Piccadilly, Hammersmith & City, Northern, Metropolitan, and Victoria lines. It is also served by several bus routes, too.

Being one of the busiest stations in the UK, London Kings Cross serves many train operators. Ranging from Hull Trains, Lumo, and LNER, to Grand Central, Thameslink, and Great Northern.

Main stops

If you’re travelling with Lumo from London Kings Cross to Edinburgh Waverley, then there are only two stops between the two capitals. Newcastle and Morpeth. However, if you’re travelling with LNER there are eight stations: Peterborough, Newark Northgate, Doncaster, York, Northallerton, Darlington, Durham, and Newcastle.

It's worth considering that these stops may change due to scheduling changes or unforeseen events like poor weather or train faults. Before you travel, it’s best to check which stations you’ll be stopping at to avoid disappointment.

Do you want to buy cheap train tickets? If so, it’s best to book early, use sites like TrainPal to find the best deal, and use a Railcard for an extra discount.

Arriving at Edinburgh Waverley

Edinburgh Waverley is an incredibly convenient station to arrive at. Located right in the centre of Edinburgh – between the ‘old’ and ‘new’ towns, it’s serviced by taxis, buses and trams on nearby Princes Street, and even an airport shuttle. Pedestrian access is possible from Princes Street, Market Street, Calton Road and Waverley Bridge.

There’s so much to do in Edinburgh, too. In the ‘old’ town you can find a slice of traditional Scotland and its tumultuous past. From ghost tours, the terrifying Edinburgh Dungeon, to the regal Edinburgh Castle and St Giles’. To the resplendently dazzling Georgian architecture in the ‘new’ town with its trendy bars, restaurants and cool shops.

Edinburgh Waverley marks the end of the electrified East Coast Mainline and acts as a central hub for North-South rail links in the UK. Many rail companies operate from it, including Avanti West Coast, ScotRail, Lumo, TransPennine Express, LNER, CrossCountry, and the Caledonian Sleeper.

Lumo train classes

• Standard Class: Lumo offers comfortable seating, free Wi-Fi, and non-complementary catering facilities.
• First Class: Lumo does not offer First Class services.

Lumo train travel advice

• Luggage: Travellers with Lumo can only bring one small bag or one medium suitcase. There are no luggage racks on any of their trains.
• Pet: 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. It’s not possible to reserve a seat for pets.
• Bicycles: Lumo does not allow non-foldable bikes on their trains.
• Children: Children under five can travel for free. Using a family Railcard can net you a 33% discount for an adult and a 60% discount for a child when all travelling together.
• Passenger Assist: Helps with journey planning, ticketing, seat and wheelchair space booking, boarding and alighting with ramps, station navigation, and luggage handling. Advance booking is recommended.

Avanti West Coast operates services primarily serving the West Coast Mainline. It reliably connects the major cities across England, Scotland, and Wales including Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow and Liverpool. It runs a service from London Euston to Edinburgh Waverley, too.

If you travel with Avanti West Coast from London Euston, you’ll travel up the West Coast Mainline towards Edinburgh. On your journey, you’ll pass through the Cotswolds and the Midlands, up past the Lake District, and into Scotland. Once you’ve passed the Scottish border, you’ll carry on to Lockerbie before turning East to Edinburgh Waverley.

Departing from London Euston

London Euston lies between Cardington Street and Eversholt Street in Camden. It’s connected by an extensive London Underground station that offers access to the Northern and Victoria lines, making it very easy to get to. Not to mention, it is connected by local bus routes and taxis, too.

Four train operators serve this station, from Avanti West Coast and the Caledonian Sleeper to London Northwestern Railway and the London Overground.

Main stops

If your journey is with Avanti West Coast, you’ll take the West Coast Mainline route. There are fifteen stops separating London Euston and Edinburgh Waverley: Coventry, Birmingham International, Birmingham New Street, Sandwell & Dudley, Wolverhampton, Stafford, Crewe, Warrington Bank Quay, Wigan North Western, Preston, Lancaster, Oxenholme Lake District, Penrith, Carlisle, and Haymarket.

Arriving at Edinburgh Waverley

Edinburgh Waverley is centrally located between the 'old' and 'new' towns, with easy access to taxis, buses, trams, and an airport shuttle. It serves as a key hub for North-South rail links, with services from Avanti West Coast, ScotRail, Lumo, TransPennine Express, LNER, CrossCountry, and the Caledonian Sleeper.

Avanti West Coast train classes

• Standard Class: Avanti West Coast’s Standard Class offers walk-through carriages, air-conditioning, and charging plugs for your devices.
• First Class: The London to Edinburgh First Class ticket with Avanti West Coast gives you access to more legroom, reclining seats, free Wi-Fi, complimentary food and drink, and First Class lounge access.

Avanti West Coast 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 benefit from discounted 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: Assist with boarding and alighting trains, book wheelchair space and seating, offer comprehensive rail information, and help with animals or pets.

LNER operates high-speed train services between London and Edinburgh, providing a vital link between these two major cities. The journey typically takes around 4.5 hours, with stops at key locations like York and Newcastle, enhancing regional connectivity.

Known for its reliable service and frequent schedules, LNER is a popular choice for both business and leisure travelers seeking to explore the vibrant destinations along the East Coast Main Line.

LNER train classes

• Standard Class: Comfortable seating and free Wi-Fi. There are also tables and power sockets for your devices.
• First Class: Complimentary food and drinks, larger seats and tables. First Class lounge access at certain stations on the East Coast Main line.

LNER train travel advice

• Luggage: Passengers can bring up to three pieces of luggage.
• Pets: Pets travel free on LNER. Dogs must be on leads, and other animals in carriers. Maximum of two pets per passenger.
• Bicycles: Reservations are required. Folding bikes can be taken onboard as luggage.
• Children: Children receive cheaper tickets. The Family & Friends Railcard offers up to 1/3 off family ticket costs.
• Passenger Assist: Get travel advice for the station you wish to use, seat reservations, ticket assistance, and help with arrivals and transfers, plus discounts for disabled passengers.

*Information is subject to change. Please check the latest train timetable before your trip.