Durham to Edinburgh (Waverley) Trains From €6.86*

Travel from Durham’s majestic cathedral to Edinburgh’s hilltop castle with a direct CrossCountry train from Durham to Edinburgh Waverley, and journey between two historic cities shaped by history and architecture, arriving in the Scottish capital in just under two hours.

Head north from Durham to Edinburgh Waverley and enjoy sweeping views of the North Sea and the rugged beauty of the Scottish borderlands as your journey unfolds through some of Britain’s most striking landscapes – from the wide, open fields of Northumberland to glimpses of ancient castles perched above the coast.

Covering the full stretch of Britain all the way from Penzance to Aberdeen, CrossCountry operates one of the nation’s most far-reaching rail networks. With its hub conveniently located at Birmingham, its routes connect major cities including Manchester, Bristol, Leeds, Newcastle and Edinburgh.

Departing from Durham

Blending Victorian architecture with scenic views from its iconic viaduct, Durham station is not just a point of departure, it’s one of the most picturesque railway approaches in Britain. Sitting high above the River Wear, Durham station is just a ten-minute walk from the historic city centre, and is easily accessible with bus stops, taxi ranks and drop-off and pick-up points right outside.

Managed by London North Eastern Railway, Durham station is a key stop on the East Coast Main Line, with regular services operated by Northern, LNER, CrossCountry and TransPennine Express. From here, you can travel north to Edinburgh or Newcastle, or head south to York, Leeds, London King’s Cross, Birmingham, Bristol or Penzance.

Main stops

Travelling from Durham to Edinburgh Waverley, the fastest option is with LNER, stopping only at Newcastle (and, on some services, Alnmouth) before reaching the Scottish capital. CrossCountry offers additional stops, calling at Newcastle, Alnmouth, Berwick-upon-Tweed, and Dunbar before rolling into Edinburgh Waverley.

Arriving at Edinburgh Waverley

Step off the train at Edinburgh Waverley and you’ll find yourself right in the heart of the capital, between the cobbled lanes of the Old Town and the grand avenues of the New Town. Exit onto Market Street and climb up Fleshmarket Close, and within just five minutes, you can be standing on Princes Street or walking the historic Royal Mile up to the castle.

Served by six major operators – London North Eastern Railway, Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, TransPennine Express, Lumo and ScotRail – Edinburgh Waverley connects travellers to destinations all across Scotland and the UK. From here, you can travel directly to London King’s Cross, London Euston, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Inverness, Manchester Airport, Birmingham, Bristol and Penzance, alongside frequent regional services to Dundee, Perth, Stirling and North Berwick.

Heading out of Edinburgh Waverley station, there’s plenty to explore – get a culture fix at the National Museum of Scotland, stroll the Meadows or the Royal Botanic Garden, or take in sweeping city views from Arthur’s Seat, a perfect spot to see the blend of nature and history that defines Edinburgh.

CrossCountry train classes 

• Standard Class: Settle in aboard your CrossCountry train with free Wi-Fi, at-seat power sockets and convenient luggage storage in spacious carriages.
• First Class: Travel Durham to Edinburgh Waverley First Class and enjoy larger reclining seats with extra legroom and at-seat tables. On most services, complimentary drinks and snacks are served directly to your table – the perfect way to relax.

CrossCountry train travel advice

If you’re planning a trip from Durham to Edinburgh Waverley with CrossCountry, here’s everything you need to know before you set off – from baggage and bikes to pets, family travel, and accessibility assistance.

• Luggage: With limited space onboard CrossCountry services, passengers are encouraged to travel light, with just one medium-sized bag per person. Larger items can be placed in luggage racks in coaches D and J on Voyager trains.
• Bicycles: Passengers can bring standard bikes and e-bikes on board CrossCountry services with a free reservation, subject to available space. Folding bikes do not require a reservation if folded and stowed as luggage, e-scooters are not permitted.
• Children: Under-fives travel free of charge, while children aged 5-15 are eligible to receive 50% off standard fares. Teens can also unlock half-price travel with a 16-17 Saver railcard, while families can benefit from a Family & Friends railcard, offering a third off adult fares and 60% off children’s tickets.
• Pets: Passengers travelling with pets can bring up to two small animals onboard CrossCountry services free of charge. Dogs must be kept on a lead or transported in a secure carrier, and pets are not allowed on seats.
• Passenger Assist: If you require extra help with boarding trains, transferring through stations or carrying luggage, Passenger Assist can be arranged in advance at the time of booking or requested from station staff on the day of travel.

Hop aboard a direct LNER Durham to Edinburgh Waverley train and travel between two cities steeped in history and heritage, from Durham’s riverside cathedral to Edinburgh’s castle-topped skyline, reaching the Scottish capital in just under two hours.

Travel from Durham to Edinburgh Waverley through Northumberland’s rolling countryside to sweeping coastal stretches dotted with castles and fishing villages, as your train runs close to the shore, offering dramatic views of the North Sea and the wild landscapes that mark the gateway to Scotland.

London North Eastern Railway (LNER) runs high-speed services along the East Coast Main Line, connecting London King’s Cross with key destinations including York, Leeds, Newcastle, Edinburgh and Peterborough.

LNER train classes

• Standard Class: Step aboard your LNER Azuma train from Durham to Edinburgh Waverley and travel in comfort with free Wi-Fi, at-seat power outlets and thoughtfully designed seating.
• First Class: Travel from Durham to Edinburgh Waverley first class and enjoy wider, reclining seats, extra legroom and a quieter atmosphere, as well as complimentary food and drink made from local produce delivered to your seat for the ultimate in train comfort.

LNER travel advice

Before you board your Durham to Edinburgh Waverley train with LNER, take a moment to read these handy travel tips, covering everything from travelling with luggage, bikes and children to pets and accessibility services.

• Luggage: LNER allows passengers to bring up to three items of luggage, from handbags to large suitcases, onboard free of charge. Larger bags should be stored in racks or luggage areas and smaller items should be stowed under your seat to avoid blocking aisles and doorways.
• Bicycles: Passengers can bring both standard bikes and e-bikes onboard free of charge with an advance reservation. Space, however, is limited, so booking early is recommended. Folding bikes can travel onboard all services anytime when folded and stored as regular luggage. E-scooters are not permitted.
• Children: Kids under five travel free of charge, while children aged 5-15 can enjoy 50% off standard fares. Teens aged 16-17 can also access half-price fares with a 16-17 Saver railcard.
• Pets: Passengers can bring up to two pets on board LNER services for free. Dogs must be kept on a lead and off seats; smaller pets should be transported in a carrier.
• Passenger Assist: Need help with boarding, carrying luggage or navigating stations? Passenger Assist can be booked in advance at the time of purchasing your ticket or via the app. Alternatively, you can also speak to staff at larger stations on the day of travel.