It takes fifty-five minutes to get from Galashiels to Edinburgh with ScotRail. You’ll head north from the Scottish Borders towards the Scottish capital.
ScotRail runs most, but not all, rail services in Scotland. It connects major cities like Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, Aberdeen, and Inverness. It also links these urban hubs with smaller towns such as Bathgate and offers cross-border services to several locations in Northern England.
Departing from Galashiels
Galashiels Station is located on Ladhope Vale in the centre of the town, near The Great Tapestry of Scotland, a tapestry that celebrates Scottish history.
Local taxi services can drop you off at the station’s entrance, and local bus services can also take you to the station. Plus, you could walk from the town centre if you'd like.
ScotRail is the sole operator of this station, providing services from Galashiels to Edinburgh and Tweedbank.
Main stops
There are seven stations from Galashiels to Edinburgh Waverley:
- Stow
- Gorebridge
- Newtongrange
- Eskbank
- Shawfair
- Newcraighall
- Brunstane
These stops can change due to poor weather, engineering works, train faults, or simply scheduling changes. So, it’s best to check before you travel to avoid disappointment.
Arriving at Edinburgh Waverley
Edinburgh Waverley boasts many public transport options to get you around the rest of the city. It’s a beautiful and varied city, so you’ll want to make the most of it and explore as much as you can.
The station sits between the ‘old’ and ‘new’ towns in the heart of the Scottish capital. You can explore the rest of the city on foot or take a tram or one of the public buses on Princes Street to go a little further afield, like to Edinburgh Zoo. A shuttle is available just outside the station’s entrance if you need to reach the airport. There’s a taxi rank right outside the station, too.
With such a dramatic history and its regal and romantic charms, there’s tons to do around Edinburgh. From exploring the Edinburgh Dungeons, visiting Edinburgh Castle, or going on a ghost tour in the ‘old’ town to living it up in the ‘new’ town’s posh eateries and bougie shops, Edinburgh has tons of options.
It’s no wonder many UK train franchises make stops at Edinburgh. This station links various cities throughout Scotland, including Glasgow, Inverness, and Aberdeen, with routes to York, Newcastle and London Kings Cross. Services at this station include LNER, CrossCountry, Lumo, Avanti West Coast, ScotRail, Caledonian Sleeper, and TransPennine Express.
ScotRail train classes
- Standard Class: Passengers benefit from complimentary Wi-Fi and convenient plug sockets for all devices.
- First Class: ScotRail does not offer a First Class ticket from Galashiels to Edinburgh Waverley.
ScotRail train travel advice
- Luggage: Maximum of three items of luggage. This goes up to two larger items and one smaller bag.
- Pets: Dogs, cats, and other small animals can travel for free. Dogs must be on a lead. Other animals must travel in carriers. There is a maximum of two pets per passenger.
- Bicycles: Reservations are highly recommended, as each train has only two cycle spaces. To avoid disappointment, it’s best to book early.
- Children: Offer allows children aged 5 to 15 to travel for £1 each when accompanied by an adult. Children under five can travel for free.
- Passenger Assist: Boarding and alighting assistance, luggage carrying, and support for station issues ensure a smooth and successful trip.
*Information is subject to change. Please check the latest train timetable before your trip.