Get between the Scottish and English capitals in 4 hours and 30 minutes with London North Eastern Railway (LNER). Trains leave Edinburgh Waverley and arrive in London Kings Cross, two centrally located stations 331 miles (533 kilometres) apart.
The scenic journey is worth taking your eyes away from your book or screen. Sit on the left side for the best views along the East Lothian and Northumberland coasts, through the countryside and past York Minster and Digswell Viaduct.
LNER operates long-distance intercity trains on the East Coast Main Line to/from London. The company’s main destinations are Edinburgh, Leeds, York and Newcastle.
Departing from Edinburgh (Waverley)
Located on Princes Street in the city centre, Edinburgh Waverley station has convenient transport links, including several Lothian buses stopping at Exit 1 of the station. There are many taxi ranks, with the ones on Market Street and Waverley Bridge being the closest.
Trains from Edinburgh Waverley provide direct connections to Bristol, Stirling, Dundee, Leeds, and other destinations. The main train-operating companies are LNER, ScotRail, CrossCountry and Caledonian Sleeper.
Main stops
Depending on the time, route and operator, trains from Edinburgh (Waverley) to London Kings Cross may also stop at Newcastle, Durham, Darlington, York and Peterborough.
Arriving at London Kings Cross
The Edinburgh to London train terminates at London Kings Cross. The station is on the edge of central London and is one of the UK’s busiest railway stations. It has direct links to the Tube (Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan, Northern, Piccadilly and Victoria lines). There are also many buses, a taxi rank, and trains to continental Europe from the adjacent St Pancras International station.
Trains include intercity routes to Yorkshire, the East of England and North East England. The main operators are LNER, Thameslink and Great Northern, which connect passengers to major cities and towns like York, Leeds, Cambridge and Nottingham.
Kings Cross is full of cultural destinations, from the Kings Place arts centre to the British Library. Explore the Regent’s Canal and the many shops, bars and restaurants in Coal Drops Yard. Harry Potter fans can buy wands, robes and more from the Harry Potter Shop at Platform 9 ¾ and take a photo with the famous trolley.
LNER train classes
- Standard Class: The Standard Class carriages on LNER trains include a reserved seat with 7 centimetres of legroom, a table, free WiFi, plug sockets and dedicated luggage storage. Refreshments are available for purchase from the café or to order to your seat.
- First Class: First Class services feature wider reclining seats, larger tables, individual sockets, USB ports, a variety of hot and cold food and drinks, and access to exclusive First Class lounges.
LNER train travel advice
- Luggage: Each passenger can bring one small item (e.g., a handbag), a carry-on and one large suitcase.
- Bicycles: You must reserve a bike space (free and limited to one per customer; excludes folding bikes). E-bikes can’t be charged on board.
- Children: Two under-5s travel free with a fare-paying adult. Additional kids need a Child ticket. Groups of two adults and two to four children, 5–15-year-olds, and 16–17 Saver Railcard holders get discounted fares.
- Pets: Bring up to two dogs or other small pets for free. They must stay out of the aisles and off the seats.
- Passenger Assist: Get travel advice for the station you wish to use, seat reservations, ticket assistance, and help with arrivals and transfers, plus discounts for disabled passengers.
Enjoy affordable trips from Edinburgh Waverley to London Kings Cross in only 4.5 hours with Lumo. Take in extraordinary views of the clifftops near Berwick-upon-Tweed, the Northumberland coast and the Tyne Bridge. Be sure to sit on the left in the direction of travel.
Lumo operates Edinburgh to London trains and vice versa. Trains typically call at Morpeth and Newcastle between the termini.
Lumo train classes
- Standard Class: All carriages have free WiFi connectivity, two-by-two seating arrangements and a pair of table seating. Seats also have individual lighting, fold-down tables and electric sockets. The sooner you book, the more likely you are to buy cheap train tickets.
Lumo train travel advice
- Luggage: Passengers can bring one small bag or holdall and one medium-sized suitcase (not exceeding 63 x 41 x 27 centimetres).
- Bicycles: Only foldable bikes and e-bikes with a maximum 20-inch wheel are allowed. Bicycles and e-scooters are not permitted.
- Children: Up to two kids under 5 travel free with an adult, but they won’t have a seat. A Child ticket for 5–15-year-olds is half the standard fare. 16–25 Railcard holders get 1/3 off.
- Pets: Dogs and small pets must be on a lead or in an enclosed basket. Seat reservations are for assistance dogs only.
- Passenger Assist: Help for your entire journey, including boarding and alighting the train, can be booked online or by phone two hours before departure. You can also turn up and request assistance on the day.
*Information is subject to change. Please check the latest train timetable before your trip.