Trains to Scotland

Journey times to Scotland by train

Scotland and the UK are well connected by rail — check out our Scotland rail map to view the most popular routes. It can take can little as 4h 16m to travel from London to Edinburgh by train, or 4h 29m to travel from London to Glasgow.

Journey times are shorter if you’re travelling from Manchester (3h 2m), York (2h 24m) or Newcastle (1h 22m), and it takes around 6h from Cardiff.

Heading further North? Allow another 2h 38m to reach Aberdeen or 3h 19m to reach Inverness.

Getting to Scotland by train

Catching the train to Scotland puts epic castles, stunning architecture and some of the UK’s best natural scenery right at your fingertips. Throw in the fantastic golf courses, whisky distilleries and cities full of culture, and you have a destination that offers an endless number of ways to pass the time.

If travelling from the South of England, the most common services for Scotland include trains ran by CrossCountry, Avanti West Coast and London North Eastern Railway (LNER). Please note that it’s often best to get to Scotland by train from London if you’re in the south since the majority of high-speed services depart from there.

If you are starting your journey from anywhere below London, you’ll usually have to catch a connecting train and then switch to one of the previously mentioned train operators. From the English capital, the journey is incredibly straightforward and quick, with LNER offering direct high-speed services from London King's Cross railway station. Avanti West Coast also provide relatively fast services from London Euston station. Most trains can get you there within 4-5 hours, so it’s an excellent alternative to flying.

From London, you essentially have a choice of two scenic train routes to Scotland. If you’re travelling from Euston to Edinburgh Waverly with Avanti West Coast, then you can look forward to some impressive sights as you pass through the Lake District on the latter part of your journey. The King’s Cross to Edinburgh Waverly route ran by LNER, on the other hand, is slightly quicker on average and offers lovely views of York and the coastline after Newcastle. Fancy travelling there in style? Check out our guide to London to Edinburgh First Class train travel. 

Last but certainly not least, the Caledonian Sleeper can get you to Scotland overnight — Perfect for those who prefer to travel under cover of darkness! The train starts at Euston station and has services for Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Fort William, Glasgow and Inverness. Getting a sleeper train to Edinburgh is certainly an experience, and a hell of a way to kick off your journey. Visit our help page for more information, start a search for sleeper tickets. Just be sure to choose London Euston as your departure station, and select 21:00 or later for Caledonian Sleeper services.

Since 25th October 2021, a brand-new train operator called Lumo has been running between London Kings Cross and Edinburgh via the East Coast Main Line. Learn more about Lumo trains.

If you’re starting your journey from somewhere else, make sure to use our handy Journey Planner to find train routes, times and tickets. Please bear in mind that we'll show you the cheapest fares available for your route, which may not necessarily be the fastest trains, so it’s up to you to weigh up cost versus speed.

Things to do in Scotland

No trip to Scotland is complete without visiting Edinburgh Castle, so you may as well start with it! Majestically rising above the city from its base on Castle Rock, it is at least nine centuries old and has stood the test of time. From the top of the castle, you’ll be able to see for miles around, with some gobsmacking views of Edinburgh’s old town, the rest of the city and beyond. So make sure to have the camera ready for some fantastic shots (weather permitting). After that, make sure to take in the atmosphere at one of the city’s many historic pubs.

Home to Scotland’s best-known legend and perhaps its biggest claim to fame, Loch Ness should be on everyone’s itinerary during a visit to the north. A popular route, why not take the train from London to Inverness and hop on a connecting bus from the city centre before boarding a Jacobite cruise along the loch? Aside from hunting for old Nessie, the surrounding Highlands offer so many glorious sights that are well worth visiting in their own right. From beautiful waterfalls like the Falls of Foyers to the remains of once strong-standing fortresses such as Urquhart Castle, there’s plenty to see for a successful trip (even if you don’t spot the mythical lake beast)!

Close to Glasgow, the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is a welcome change of pace and a chance to take in some brilliant 20th-century art. There are famous pieces by artists like Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Van Gogh, and it couldn’t be easier to get there from Glasgow Central station. Simply hop on the subway to Kelvinbridge station and walk from there. After that, be sure to check out Glasgow’s Style Mile for some excellent shopping opportunities.

Scenic train routes in Scotland

Connecting Edinburgh with Dunfermline and the Kingdom of Fife, be sure to take a train trip across the majestic Forth Bridge. A feat of British engineering, the bridge holds UNESCO World Heritage Site status and has been voted as the greatest man-made wonder ever built in Scotland. Simply board any ScotRail train in Edinburgh headed towards Dunfermline or Dundee (for example), then sit back, relax and enjoy some splendid views of the Firth of Forth estuary.

Another train route in Scotland that’s worth taking is the spectacular Kyle Line. A breathtaking ride from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh, the service is run by ScotRail and gives passengers the chance to take in both wildlife and nature in equal measure. Keep an eye out for otters as you pass by North-Scottish beaches and seaside towns, or for eagles swooping around the lochs and highland hillsides dotted along the route.

Last but certainly not least, fans of a certain J.K. Rowling story should consider a trip along the West Highland Line... Sprawling from Glasgow to Mallaig, this railway route takes in gorgeous highland views and even crosses the iconic Glenfinnan Viaduct. (For those who don’t know, the Glenfinnan Viaduct is the bridge that Harry Potter crosses in a steam train en route to Hogwarts) To make the trip even more special, you can take the same steam train in Scotland as Harry Potter himself! That’s right — you can catch the train known as The Jacobite at Fort William, and enjoy a very nostalgic trip to Mallaig and back.

Check out our trains in Scotland page for more info on scenic train routes.

Scottish train companies

Abellio ScotRail is responsible for the majority of train journies for destinations within Scotland. For cross-border journeys into England and for the rest of the UK, you can expect to use services such as TransPennine Express, Avanti West Coast, LNER, CrossCountry and the Caledonian Sleeper.

Train stations in Scotland

If you need to find stations in Scotland or you’re just curious about possible routes, you can use our interactive station map. Simply scroll and zoom for Scottish train stations or search alphabetically in the listings below the map. It can be a great help when planning your day trips, and you might even discover a few new and exciting locations to visit while you're at it!

Trains to Scotland map

Our handy trains to Scotland map should help you to visualise your journeys even further.

Which types of train tickets are available in Scotland?

For those travelling from other parts of the UK to Scotland, the ticket types available are largely the same as usual. If you’re moving to Scotland however, there may be certain tickets and Railcards available for you to purchase. These are usually available through ScotRail, so make sure to do some research if you’re moving.

When are Off-Peak train times in Scotland?

For travel with ScotRail, Off-Peak tickets are generally available after 09:15 on weekdays and all day during the weekends. Please note that there are restrictions on travel during evening peak periods and on specific routes, so it’s always best to check your route and station before travelling.

How to get cheap train tickets to Scotland

Buying your train tickets to Scotland in advance is the easiest and fastest way to find cheap fares. To make your life a bit easier, sign up for our Advance ticket alerts and receive handy emails as soon as tickets become available for your favourite routes. Don’t forget to apply your National Railcard to any tickets you buy, as you’ll be able to save 1/3 of the fare. Please note that Railcard discounts can’t be applied to Season tickets.

Travelling en masse? Be sure to apply a GroupSave discount if your group is between three and nine people in number. Bear in mind that GroupSave savings only apply to certain train operating companies and can't be used with children, but if you're eligible, what are you waiting for?

Another tried and tested method of getting cheaper train tickets to Scotland is to buy Return train tickets instead of shelling out for two single journeys. The savings you make depend on the type of journey and how quickly you book but it's also worth comparing these two options.

Ready to book your train ticket to Scotland? Use our Journey Planner at the top of this page to search for your preferred route. Alternatively, if you’d like to take the coach to Scotland or use one to get around once you’re there, you can now book those tickets with us. Simply start a search for train tickets, and, if there’s a coach available, we’ll suggest the best tickets for you.

Frequently asked questions

Where do trains to Scotland arrive and depart?

There are a few main stations that trains to Scotland arrive into and depart from. Edinburgh Waverley, Glasgow Central and Inverness are some of the biggest stations in Scotland, so depending on where you’re travelling from you’re likely to arrive into one of these stations.

Which train companies run trains to Scotland?

There are a number of trains companies in the UK that operate trains to Scotland, including CrossCountry, Avanti West Coast and LNER .

How can I get cheap train tickets to Scotland?

It’s easy to grab yourself cheap train tickets to Scotland. We’d recommend using a Railcard, buying your ticket in advance or travelling during Off-Peak hours if you can. Read our cheap train tickets guide to find out more.

Are trains running to Scotland?

Trains run frequently almost every day to Scotland, although there may be less services during the weekends and bank holidays. Check our live train times for up-to-date information on trains to Scotland.

Can I use my Railcard to save up to 1/3 on my trip to Scotland?

Yes, there are several types of Railcards you can use to save up to 1/3 on your trip to Scotland, these include:

• Two-Together Railcard (Great for couples and friends who always travel together)
• 16-17 Saver (You can save up to 50% with this one)
• 16-25 Railcard (Ideal for students)
• 26-30 Railcard (Also known as the Millennial Railcard)
• Senior Railcard (For those aged 60 and over)
• Friends & Family Railcard (Great for families of up to 4 adults with up to 4 kids)
• Disabled Railcard (If travelling with another adult they can save too)

Having a Railcard means you can use it whenever you want outside of Peak times for a whole year too.