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Edinburgh (Waverley) to Birmingham New Street train times and prices
* Note: Lowest prices are based on an analysis of recent historical pricing data. Live fares fluctuate based on demand and how far in advance you book.
7-day train ticket price trend
€32.63
On Fri 23
Live timetable and departures
The journey from Edinburgh (Waverley) to Birmingham New Street on the fastest train in 4h 14m, usually 5h 2m. Each day, 60 trains leave from Edinburgh (Waverley), starting at 05:37 and ending at 23:45. Get real-time updates on train schedules, delays, and cancellations. Save time, effort, and money with TrainPal.
| Departs | Arrives | Operator | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
11:07 Edinburgh (Waverley) | 6h 59m, 2 change | 18:06 Birmingham New Street | Avanti West Coast | Find tickets |
11:15 Edinburgh (Waverley) | 6h 51m, 2 change | 18:06 Birmingham New Street | Avanti West Coast | Find tickets |
11:30 Edinburgh (Waverley) | 4h 58m, 1 change | 16:28 Birmingham New Street | LNER | Find tickets |
12:00 Edinburgh (Waverley) | 4h 28m, 1 change | 16:28 Birmingham New Street | CrossCountry | Find tickets |
12:05 Edinburgh (Waverley) | 5h 1m, Direct | 17:06 Birmingham New Street | CrossCountry | Find tickets |
Compare train operators from Edinburgh (Waverley) to Birmingham New Street
- Avanti West Coast
- LNER
- ScotRail
Avanti West Coast will take you from London to Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh and more on its high-speed service connecting England, Wales and Scotland via the West Coast Main Line. Its First Class service is among the best out there, and passengers love the intermediate tier on offer, Standard Premium, for that added comfort.
First Class
Standard
TrainPal's Travel Expert Experience
"If you’re upgrading your seat for a weekend trip and travelling to/from stations without lounges, Standard Premium might be a better option than First Class: weekend services have a more restricted menu compared to weekdays. And as the seats are the same on Standard Premium and First Class, you may prefer to bring some snacks on board and save the few extra pounds."
"I always travel with my refillable water bottle on trains, which makes Avanti West Coast’s Water Refill Points especially handy for longer journeys. You’ll be able to top yours up at these stations, the onboard shop on Pendolino and Evero trains."
Essential onboard policies
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Luggage
- Most UK train operators allow passengers to bring a reasonable amount of luggage free of charge.
- This is commonly considered three items per passenger, typically 2 larger bags and 1 smaller bag. Larger items cover suitcases, backpacks, and other similarly-sized items.
- Bags go in overhead racks, under seats, or in designated floor-level luggage stacks.
- Occasionally, some providers have stricter policies, such as Lumo, which enforces a limit of 1 medium suitcase and 1 small under-seat bag per person.
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Bicycle
- Standard bicycles and folding bikes are generally allowed.
- Bike reservations are required on some services and are usually free.
- Some operators also permit tandems and e-bikes.
- Please note that e-scooters, motorcycles, tricycles, and bicycle trailers are not permitted.
- We strongly recommend checking the specific cycle policy on your train operator's website before you travel.
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Children
- Children under 5 usually travel free when accompanied by a fare-paying passenger.
- Children aged 5–15 get 50% off, and 16-year-olds can use the 16-17 Saver Railcard for 50% off.
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Pets
- Each provider generally allows up to two animals per passenger free of charge, but individual operators can have additional restrictions.
- Throughout the journey, dogs must be on a lead, and any other pets must remain in their carrier.
- Animals are not permitted on seats or in restaurant carriages.
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Passenger assistance
- Passengers with disabilities or additional needs can arrange free assistance with their train operator.
- This includes help at the station, boarding and leaving the train, and making connections. Assistance can also include ramps for wheelchair users and help finding accessible facilities or the correct platform.
- Wheelchair spaces and accessible toilets are available on many trains, although facilities vary by service.
- To ensure support is available for your journey, this service should be booked in advance.
Departing from Edinburgh (Waverley)
Address:
Princes Street, Edinburgh, Lothian, EH1 1BB, Scotland
Public Transport Links:
Tram: St Andrew Square is the nearest Edinburgh Trams stop to Edinburgh Waverley. The line runs to/from Edinburgh Airport and Newhaven.
Bus: Edinburgh bus station is around 0.1 miles (200 metres) from Waverley station. More Lothian bus routes stop along Princes Street and near other station entrances, including the 24-hour Airlink 100 to/from Edinburgh Airport.
Coach: The bus station also connects the city to destinations like Glasgow, Dundee, Aberdeen and cities in England and Wales via several coach services.
Taxi pick-up and drop-off: You can catch a cab or have the driver drop you off at the main official station taxi rank on Market Street, or at the Calton Road drop-off area.
Platforms:
20 platforms in total, numbered clockwise from the northeast. Platforms 1 and 20, 2 and 19, and 7 and 11 share the same track. Bay platforms 3-6 facing east are used by terminating local and regional trains. ScotRail’s local and regional services to Glasgow, Fife and other destinations use bay platforms 12-18. Long-distance CrossCountry, LNER and Avanti West Coast trains depart from the through platforms (1, 2, 7-9, 11, 19 and 20).
TrainPal's Travel Expert Experience
"When moving through the Princes Street side of the station, use the footbridge to access platforms 1, 20, or 8-10 to bypass the busy main concourse. Edinburgh Waverley has unusually long platforms and a unique layout, so allow extra time to navigate through the station. Speaking to station staff is always the best way to find the quickest route to a specific platform or exit."
FAQs about Edinburgh (Waverley) Station
Is there parking at Edinburgh Waverley station?
Yes, the station car park is open 04:00–00:45, Monday to Friday and 06:00–00:45 on weekends. There are 617 spaces and 11 bays for Blue Badge holders.
When does Waverley station close?
Edinburgh Waverley generally closes around 00:45 every day.
Are there lifts at Edinburgh Waverley station?
Yes, several lifts are available at Edinburgh Waverley station. They offer step-free access to all platforms, the overbridge, the First Class lounge and other areas.
What shops are in Edinburgh Waverley station?
Shops at Edinburgh Waverley include M&S, Boots and WHSmith. There are also more takeaway food outlets such as Bagel Factory and Pret.
Does Edinburgh Waverley have luggage storage?
Yes, the left luggage office is near platform 2 and the Calton Road entrance. You can leave and pick up your bags from 07:00 to 23:00.
Arriving at Birmingham New Street
Address:
Station Street, Birmingham, West Midlands, B2 4QA, United Kingdom
Onward Transit Options:
Tram: Grand Central is on Line 1 of the West Midlands Metro, running between Edgbaston Village and Wolverhampton St George’s or Wolverhampton.
Bus: Local routes stop on Smallbrook Queensway and Station Street in front of the Southside entrance. Destinations include Yardley, Birmingham University and Perry Barr.
Taxi pick-up and drop-off: The official taxi rank is located on Navigation Street (accessed via the Stephenson Street exit). Dedicated passenger drop-offs (Drop & Go) take place at the Hill Street entrance.
Top Things to Do & Nearby Attractions:
Bullring Bull Sculpture (3-min walk)
The Alexandra Theatre (4-min walk)
Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery (7-min walk)
Library of Birmingham (11-min walk)
Custard Factory (16-min walk)
Airport Transfers:
Frequent direct trains (Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, TfW, and London Northwestern Railway) connect Birmingham New Street to Birmingham International in 10–15 minutes, where a free 2-minute Air-Rail Link takes you straight to the airport terminal. Direct hourly CrossCountry services also run straight to Stansted Airport in around 3 hours and 15 minutes.
TrainPal's Travel Expert Experience
"Navigating Birmingham New Street is easiest via section B on platforms 1-12. Using these stairs or lifts leads straight to the Red Lounge and footbridge concourse, which allows direct transfers between all platforms without passing back through the main ticket barriers. The station layout can be confusing, so checking the colour-coded zone signs (Red, Yellow, and Blue) helps you find exits and connections faster."
FAQs: Birmingham New Street Station
Does Birmingham New Street station have a car park?
There is a short-stay car park at the station, but spaces are limited (38 spaces and four Blue Badge spaces).
Is Birmingham New Street step-free?
Yes, Birmingham New Street station has lifts and ramps to provide step-free access to all platforms and trains.
What shops are in Birmingham New Street station?
Birmingham New Street has a range of convenience and food shops, including WHSmith, Costa, Leon and Boots.
Can you leave luggage at Birmingham New Street station?
Yes, passengers can drop off a bag or suitcase at Birmingham New Street’s left luggage office opposite the entrance to platforms 10A and 11A. The office is open 07:00–23:00 from Monday to Saturday and 08:00–23:00 on Sundays.
Where are the toilets in Birmingham New Street station?
Birmingham New Street has toilets in each zone near the lounges past the ticket barriers. In the Blue Zone, the toilets are near platform 1A. The Green Zone loos are by platform 12A, and the toilets in the Red Zone are near platform 12B. Accessible toilets and baby changing facilities are available.
Avanti West Coast vs CrossCountry: Which should you choose?
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.
Train operators | Avg. duration | Departure station *Optional | Best for | Feature services |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Avanti West Coast | 4h 15m | Edinburgh Waverley | Fastest journey & First Class comfort | Pendolino trains, free Wi-Fi, First Class with complimentary refreshments |
CrossCountry | 5h | Edinburgh Waverley | Most frequent departures & flexible travel | Voyager trains, free Wi-Fi, and most services throughout the day |
- 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.
Train travel from Edinburgh Waverley to Birmingham New Street
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.
Delay Repay & Refund Policies from Edinburgh (Waverley) to Birmingham New Street
Apply for Avanti West Coast Delay Repay
If your Avanti West Coast train is delayed, you can claim compensation depending on the length of your delay:
15-29 minutes: 25% of a single ticket, 12.5% of a return ticket and 25% of a Season ticket.
30-59 minutes: 50% of a single ticket, 25% of a return ticket or 50% of a season ticket.
60-119 minutes: 100% of a single ticket, 50% of a return ticket or 100% of a season ticket.
120 minutes or more: 100% of a single, return or Season ticket (Note: Two separate Advance Single tickets do not count as a return; you can only claim for the specific delayed ticket).
Apply for LNER Delay Repay
If your LNER train is delayed or cancelled, you can claim compensation based on your arrival time:
30 to 59 minutes: 50% of a single ticket, or 50% of the delayed portion of a return ticket.
60 to 119 minutes: 100% of a single ticket, or 100% of the delayed portion of a return ticket.
120+ minutes: 100% of a single or return ticket. (Note: Two separate Advance Single tickets do not count as a return; you can only claim for the specific delayed ticket).
FAQ
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How much is a train from Edinburgh (Waverley) to Birmingham New Street?
Tickets from Edinburgh (Waverley) to Birmingham New Street typically cost €152.20, but can be as cheap as €32.63 when booked in advance. Other factors that may affect the ticket price include time of day and ticket type, so be sure to research before purchasing.
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How long is the train from Edinburgh (Waverley) to Birmingham New Street?
The journey should take, on average, 5h 2m, though it can be as quick as 4h 14m when booking specific services. Be sure to click the "Fastest" tab when searching your route to find out.
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Is there a direct train from Edinburgh (Waverley) to Birmingham New Street?
Yes, there is a direct train between Edinburgh (Waverley) and Birmingham New Street. However, you will find indirect services listed too, including where you will have to make a changeover. Check each listing for either ‘direct’ or how many stops are required when purchasing your ticket.
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How far in advance can I book my train from Edinburgh (Waverley) to Birmingham New Street?
You can typically book tickets from Edinburgh (Waverley) to Birmingham New Street up to 12 weeks before departure.
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Do Edinburgh (Waverley) to Birmingham New Street trains offer Wi-Fi?
Yes, most trains on the route from Edinburgh (Waverley) to Birmingham New Street are equipped with Wi-Fi, as well as power sockets at your seat. However, please note that the availability of these services can vary depending on the train compan.
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How far is Edinburgh (Waverley) from Birmingham New Street?
The distance between Edinburgh (Waverley) and Birmingham New Street is approximately 246 miles (395km), depending on the specific stations you travel between.
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How frequent are trains from Edinburgh (Waverley) to Birmingham New Street?
There is 60 train running from Edinburgh (Waverley) to Birmingham New Street per day. Please note that trains run more regularly during peak hours.
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How can I buy the cheapest tickets from Edinburgh (Waverley) to Birmingham New Street?
To get the cheapest ticket, we recommend buying in advance, as early as 12 weeks before departure. We'd also strongly suggest travelling during off-peak hours where possible and getting a Railcard, which typically offers ⅓ off your ticket cost and is available to most travellers!
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How do I check if my train is delayed or cancelled?
Keep a close eye on your journey via the TrainPal app, which offers real-time information on train status and notifications of any train strikes that will impact you.
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Can my tickets be refunded or changed?
In the UK, refund and change policies for train tickets vary by type. Advance tickets are generally non-refundable but may be changeable for a fee. Flexible tickets, like Anytime and Off-Peak tickets, offer more options for refunds and changes. Review the specific terms and conditions of your ticket or refer to UK train ticket types for precise details.
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* Prices are dynamic and subject to change. Ticket prices vary based on time of day, route, and class. This pricing does not apply to discounted Split tickets and Railcards.
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