Durham to Edinburgh (Waverley) Trains From €4.72*

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.