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Edinburgh is one of the most popular day trips from London. The Scottish capital is a wonderful destination that spoils visitors with its century-old landmarks, like Edinburgh Castle, a well-preserved Old Town, and world-class museums that’ll take you on a journey back in time.
Glasgow and Edinburgh are located just 42 miles apart from each other, so you won’t have any trouble reaching your destination.
Also, if you want to travel from Glasgow to Edinburgh there are several options available to you.
Travelers can take the train, or drive in case they want to explore the charming cities of the Scottish countryside.
There are a lot of factors to take into consideration when deciding how to travel from Glasgow to Edinburgh, including price, journey time, and more.
To help you enjoy a memorable trip, we’ve covered the best ways of going from Glasgow to Edinburgh — including all the transportation options available. Have a look!
Known for being reliable, comfortable, and clean, the UK trains are the fastest way of traveling from Glasgow to Edinburgh.
There are over 100 trains per day departing from Glasgow Queen Street (aka Glasgow Central Station) to Edinburgh Waverley train station, in the heart of Edinburgh.
On weekdays, the first train leaving Glasgow is scheduled to depart at around 06:00, and the last departure is usually at around 23:30. On weekends, trains leave Glasgow at around 06:00, with the last train leaving at around 00:06.
The average journey time from Glasgow Queen Street to Edinburgh (Waverley) is 1h12. However, there are also direct trains available, which will take you from Glasgow to Edinburgh in just 45 minutes.
There are around 180 direct services available, and the best part is that don't need to worry about changing trains along the way. On this route, you'll board a train at Glasgow Queen Street station operated by ScotRail, London North Eastern Railway (LNER), or Avanti West Coast.
The direct trains from Glasgow to Edinburgh depart every 5-10 minutes throughout the day.
Once you've boarded the train, you can sit back and enjoy the onboard amenities, including free WiFi and comfortable seating.
Plus, the Glasgow to Edinburgh train journey will take you through Great Britain's most beautiful landscapes.
Average journey time: 1h12
Train Operators: ScotRail, London North Eastern Railway (LNER), Avanti West Coast
Where To Buy Train Glasgow To Edinburgh Tickets: There are several website operators where you can book London to Edinburgh trains online. You can go directly to the train service websites.
It’s also possible to buy your train ticket in person at the ticket machines at the train stations but it’s recommended to book an advance ticket.
Average Costs: There are cheap train tickets from Glasgow to Edinburgh starting at €6.00 one way.
Glasgow to Edinburgh By Car
Alternatively, you can also cover the Glasgow-Edinburgh route by car. The distance on the drive from Glasgow to Edinburgh is approximately 46.6 mi and should take around 1 hour in normal traffic (via M8 or M9, M8).
Driving is a great option for travelers that have more time up their sleeve, and want to slowly explore quaint British towns along the way. Must-visit destinations along the route include Stirling, Perth, Falkirk, Linlithgow, and Dunfermline.
Travel Time: Around 1 hour
Distance Covered: 46.6 miles
Average Costs: Depends on fuel prices
Glasgow to Edinburgh By Bus
The cheapest way to get from Glasgow to Edinburgh is by bus (or “coach”). On average, the bus travel from Glasgow to Edinburgh takes approximately 1h10, but it may vary depending on traffic conditions along the route.
Whatever bus company you choose, you’ll catch the bus at the Glasgow Buchanan Station and arrive in Edinburgh, Elder Street.
The earliest bus from Glasgow to Edinburgh leaves at around 01:00, and the latest bus from Glasgow to Edinburgh leaves at 23:59.
On-board amenities depend on the bus but usually include power sockets, WiFi, air conditioning, luggage storage, and toilets.
Average Travel Time: 1h10
Average Costs: There are cheap bus tickets starting at $1.99 one-way
Bus Operators: Megabus, Flixbus, Scottish Citylink
Where To Buy Train Glasgow To Edinburgh Bus Tickets: There are several website operators where you can book London to Edinburgh bus online. You can go directly to the bus service websites.
It’s also possible to buy your bus ticket in person at the ticket machines at the train stations but it’s recommended to book an advance ticket.
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