Edinburgh (Waverley) to Birmingham New Street Trains From €32.09*

Whether you're looking for the fastest journey or the best value fares, take a look at our comparison table below to find the right operator for this long-distance journey from Edinburgh Waverley to Birmingham New Street.

• Avanti West Coast: The fastest option on the route at around 4 hours 15 minutes via the West Coast Main Line, advance fares start from £37, making it ever so slightly cheaper. First Class is available on board, with complimentary refreshments and free Wi-Fi throughout.
• CrossCountry: Offering a longer journey at around 5 hours via the East Coast Main Line through the north-east of England, CrossCountry runs the most frequent departures on the route with greater flexibility on timing. Advance fares start from £37.90, and all Voyager trains include free Wi-Fi on board.

At around 280 miles, the journey from Edinburgh Waverley to Birmingham New Street is one of the longer direct rail routes in Britain, crossing the border into England before passing through the north-east, Yorkshire and the Midlands. So, here are a few station tips and platform shortcuts to help the trip go smoothly at both ends.

Edinburgh Waverley: Getting to the Platform

Straddling the valley between Edinburgh's Old Town and New Town, Edinburgh Waverley station sits at the very heart of the city centre with entrances on Princes Street, Waverley Bridge and Market Street. It’s one of the most dramatic locations for a railway station in Britain, its platforms running below street level beneath a grand Victorian train shed. Some bus routes also stop outside Princes Street, the taxi rank is located outside Market Street, and the tram also serves Edinburgh Waverley station.

• The Platform Tip: Services to Birmingham New Street depart from the eastern platforms. Do check the departure boards on the main concourse before heading down, however, as platform allocations can vary. 
• Pre-Departure: The concourse has a good range of cafés, shops and food outlets for anything you might need before embarking on a longer journey. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the station, and there is step-free access to all platforms via lifts and ramps.

Onboard trains from Edinburgh Waverley to Birmingham New Street

One of the longest direct rail journeys in Britain, the route south from Edinburgh passes through some of the most varied scenery on the network, from the open countryside of the Scottish Borders and Northumberland through the heart of northeast England before cutting south through Yorkshire and the English Midlands.

• The View Alert: Sit on the right-hand side heading south for the best views along the route, taking in the Northumberland countryside, the Tyne Valley and the rolling hills of County Durham and North Yorkshire.
• Key Landmarks: Look out for the Angel of the North on the way out of Newcastle, Anthony Gormley's steel sculpture standing 20 metres tall on a hillside close to the railway line. Further south, Durham Cathedral and Castle rise dramatically above the River Wear, one of the most celebrated views on the entire East Coast Main Line.

Arriving at Birmingham New Street

• The Stephenson Street Exit: The main exit for Grand Central and the city's shopping and dining district. The West Midlands Metro stop is immediately outside, with services running across Birmingham and west towards Wolverhampton.
• The Navigation Street Exit: Take this exit for Birmingham's canal quarter, a network of historic waterways lined with bars, restaurants and modern office buildings.
• Onward Travel: The city centre is compact and easy to navigate on foot, with most of Birmingham's central attractions just a few minutes' walk from the station. Taxis and buses are available outside the main exits, and both Birmingham Moor Street and Snow Hill stations are within easy walking distance.