Quick Answer
Edinburgh Waverley — quick reference: LNER to London King’s Cross: 4h20, from £30 advance. Lumo (low-cost) to London: 4h25, from £14.90. ScotRail to Glasgow Queen Street: 50 min, £14 off-peak. ScotRail to Aberdeen: 2h25, from £23 advance. ScotRail to Inverness: 3h30, from £40 advance. Edinburgh Trams to EDI airport: 30 min, £6.50 single. Airlink 100 bus to EDI: 30 min, £4.50. Walking: 5 min to Royal Mile (Princes Street level). 2 platforms levels: low (rail) + high (street). Sits in valley: glass-roof iconic — between Old Town + New Town. Operators: LNER, ScotRail, CrossCountry, Lumo, Caledonian Sleeper, TransPennine Express. Caledonian Sleeper: overnight to London Euston (£60+ seat / £150+ bed).
LNER + Lumo to London + East Coast
- LNER to London King’s Cross: 4h20 fastest, from £30 advance (book 11 weeks).
- LNER to Newcastle: 1h28, from £18 advance.
- LNER to York: 2h20, from £22.
- LNER to Leeds: 2h45, from £24.
- LNER to Doncaster: 2h40.
- Lumo (low-cost): Edinburgh-London 4h25 from £14.90 advance.
- Lumo to Newcastle: 1h28 from £14.
- Standard vs First: LNER First includes meals + lounge access.
- Advance fares: book 11 weeks ahead for cheapest.
- Travelcards: day return London £35 saver (Off-peak day return).
- Booking: LNER.co.uk, Trainline, Lumo Trains.
- Eurostar from Edinburgh: NOT direct — change at London King’s Cross (St Pancras 2-min walk).
ScotRail — Scotland network
- ScotRail to Glasgow Queen Street: 50 min, every 15 min, £14 off-peak.
- ScotRail to Aberdeen: 2h25, from £23 advance.
- ScotRail to Inverness: 3h30, from £40 advance.
- ScotRail to Stirling: 50 min, £10.
- ScotRail to Perth: 1h05.
- ScotRail to Dundee: 1h15, from £12.
- ScotRail to Fife (across Forth): from £4.
- ScotRail to St Andrews (golf town): Leuchars station + bus, 1h15.
- ScotRail to Linlithgow + Falkirk: commuter belt, frequent.
- ScotRail to North Berwick: 35 min seaside town.
- Highland Mainline to Glenfinnan: 5h via Glasgow + Fort William.
- Cheaper off-peak: after 9:15am weekdays + all weekend.
- Smartcard: rechargeable ScotRail card, online.
- Apps: ScotRail, Trainline, LNER.
EDI airport — tram + Airlink 100 bus
- Edinburgh Trams to EDI: 30 min direct, every 7-8 min during day.
- Tram stops at Waverley: St Andrew Square / Princes Street.
- From Waverley: 3-min walk up the steps + cross Princes Street → St Andrew Square tram stop.
- Tram price: £6.50 single to airport.
- Tram hours: 5:30am-12:30am.
- Airlink 100 bus: 30 min, every 10 min. £4.50 single.
- Airlink 100 boards: Waverley Bridge — 1-min walk from Waverley.
- 24h Bus + Tram Day: £8 — covers tram + Airlink + city buses.
- Taxi EDI to Waverley: £25-30, 20-25 min.
- Uber: £20-30.
- Late-night arrivals: Airlink + Skylink night buses + taxi.
Caledonian Sleeper — overnight to London
- Caledonian Sleeper (Lowlander): Edinburgh to London Euston, 7h45 overnight.
- Frequency: Sunday-Friday (no Saturday).
- Times: ~11:40pm departure, ~7am arrival London Euston.
- Classes: Reclining Seat from £60, Comfort Lounge from £100, Caledonian Double from £170 (1-person sleeper), Caledonian Twin from £190 (2-person).
- Club Car restaurant onboard: Scottish gin + whiskies + breakfast.
- Includes: shower facilities, complimentary haggis breakfast in Sleeper class.
- Booking: SleeperTrain.com, 13 months ahead.
- Bike transport: available (£5).
- Other Caledonian Sleeper routes: Highlander to Inverness, Aberdeen, Fort William.
Services, walking, safety
- Iconic glass-roof valley setting: Waverley sits in the valley between Old Town + New Town.
- Walking to Royal Mile (Old Town): 5 min up Cockburn Street.
- Walking to Princes Street (New Town): 1 min — exits onto Waverley Bridge.
- Walking to Edinburgh Castle: 8-12 min uphill.
- Walking to Royal Holyrood Palace: 15 min down Royal Mile.
- Walking to Arthur’s Seat (hill): 25 min plus hike.
- Left luggage: Excess Baggage Company at Waverley, £7-12 per 24h.
- WiFi free: on all platforms.
- LNER First Class Lounge: for LNER First passengers + Avanti rewards.
- Food: Pret a Manger, Costa, Greggs, Caffè Nero, Subway, Wagamama.
- Marks & Spencer Food: at station.
- ATMs: Bank of Scotland, Royal Bank of Scotland.
- Tourist info: Princes Mall (Princes Street) — 1-min walk.
- Currency exchange: Travelex + bureaux around Princes Street.
- Accessibility: step-free via lifts.
- Safety: very safe, well-policed. British Transport Police visible.
- Festival season (August): Edinburgh Fringe Festival = Waverley extremely crowded.
- Hogmanay (Dec 31-Jan 1): additional security + crowds for New Year street parties.
Frequently Asked Questions
LNER Edinburgh to London?
4h20 LNER, from £30 advance (book 11 weeks). Lumo competitor 4h25 from £14.90. Or Caledonian Sleeper overnight from £60 seat.
Edinburgh Waverley to EDI airport?
Edinburgh Trams 30 min £6.50 single — every 7-8 min from St Andrew Square (3-min walk from Waverley). Or Airlink 100 bus £4.50 from Waverley Bridge.
ScotRail to Glasgow?
50 min Edinburgh Waverley to Glasgow Queen Street, every 15 min, £14 off-peak (after 9:15am weekdays + weekends). Most frequent UK intercity route.
Caledonian Sleeper to London?
Lowlander overnight 7h45, £60 seat / £100 Comfort Lounge / £170 sleeper. Club Car restaurant + haggis breakfast. Sun-Fri (no Sat).
Walking from Waverley to Royal Mile?
5 min up Cockburn Street steps to Royal Mile. Edinburgh Castle 8-12 min uphill. Holyrood Palace 15 min down Royal Mile.
Waverley Festival crowds?
August Fringe Festival = peak crowds. Book accommodation 6+ months ahead. Plan extra time at Waverley for trains in/out during festival weekends.
Recommended on Amazon
grandgo.com is an Amazon Associate and earns from qualifying purchases. Links open your local Amazon store.
- Travel adapter Europe — multi-country plug.
- Compact travel backpack — cabin-friendly carry-on.
- Travel insurance Europe — rail-delay coverage.