Galashiels to Edinburgh Trains From €16.09*

ScotRail is the sole operator on the Borders Railway, running direct services from Galashiels to Edinburgh Waverley in around an hour. Reopened in 2015 after more than four decades without a rail link, the route reconnects the Scottish Borders with the capital through some of the country's most scenic countryside.

What amenities are there in ScotRail Standard Class?

Standard Class on ScotRail's Borders Railway services offers comfortable seating with free Wi-Fi and power sockets at selected seats. Trains include accessible toilets and dedicated wheelchair spaces throughout.

Is there a ScotRail First Class option?

There is no First Class service available on this route, with Standard Class the only travel option on Borders Railway services between Galashiels and Edinburgh Waverley.

How much luggage space is there on ScotRail trains?

There is ample room for luggage on ScotRail services. Bags can be stored in overhead racks, beneath seats or in the dedicated luggage areas within each carriage.

Is there food and drink on ScotRail trains?

There is no catering service on Borders Railway services between Galashiels and Edinburgh, so it's best to pick up any drinks or snacks for the journey before boarding at Galashiels, or at Edinburgh Waverley on arrival.

At around 35 miles, the journey from Galashiels to Edinburgh Waverley follows the Borders Railway north through rolling hill country before arriving in the heart of the capital in just under an hour. To make sure your trip goes just as smoothly at either end, here are a few station tips and platform shortcuts.

Galashiels: Getting to the Platform

Opened in 2015 as part of the reopened Borders Railway, Galashiels station sits on Ladhope Vale on the edge of the town centre, with platforms reached via a ramp from the main entrance below. The station is unstaffed but has all the essentials for boarding: ticket machines, live departure screens, a covered waiting area, bicycle storage, and a drop-off point directly outside.

• The Platform Tip: Services for Edinburgh depart from the platform above the main entrance level. The station is compact and easy to navigate, but do check the live departure screens before heading up.
• Pre-Departure: There are no refreshment outlets or stores at the station, so it's worth grabbing a coffee or picking up any snacks in Galashiels before making your way to the station.

Onboard trains from Galashiels to Edinburgh

The journey north from Galashiels follows the Gala Water valley before climbing into the Moorfoot Hills and descending into Midlothian on the approach to Edinburgh.

• The View Alert: Sit on the right-hand side heading north for the best views of the Borders, as the route passes through wide hill country with moorland and river views.
• Key Landmarks: The Moorfoot Hills dominate the horizon through the middle section of the route, their open ridgelines giving the Borders Railway some of the most expansive views of any Scottish commuter line. On the final approach into Edinburgh, Arthur's Seat rises dramatically above the city skyline.

Arriving at Edinburgh Waverley

There are few more dramatic train arrivals in Britain than Edinburgh Waverley station. Set into the valley between the Old Town and the New Town, it sits right below the castle rock, with the city's most iconic streets just minutes away in either direction.

• The Princes Street Exit: Use this exit for Princes Street, the New Town and St Andrew's Square. The Edinburgh Tram stop is close by for direct services to Edinburgh Airport, and the main bus stops along Princes Street are within easy reach for journeys across the city.
• The Market Street Exit: Head to this exit for the Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle and the university quarter. The taxi rank is on Market Street, and the short climb up into the Old Town begins just outside.
• Onward Travel: Much of central Edinburgh can be easily reached on foot from Waverley, though the Old Town involves some uphill walking. Taxis depart from Market Street, and buses run frequently along Princes Street if you’re travelling further or carrying heavy luggage.