Leeds to Edinburgh (Waverley) Trains From £11.70*

Travel from Leeds’ grand Victorian arcades to Edinburgh’s elegant Georgian streets aboard a direct Leeds to Edinburgh Waverley train with CrossCountry in just over 3 hours, and enjoy a journey as memorable as the cities themselves.

Keep an eye out on board your Leeds to Edinburgh Waverley train for views of sandy beaches and the ruined castles of Dunstanburgh and Bamburgh, as your train heads north before passing cliffs near Berwick-upon-Tweed with sweeping views of North Sea bays, islands and headlands.

Stretching from Penzance in Cornwall to Aberdeen in Scotland, CrossCountry operates one of Britain’s widest-reaching long-distance rail networks. With Birmingham as its central hub, the network connects major cities including Manchester, Bristol, Newcastle, Edinburgh and Leeds.

Departing from Leeds

Located right in the city centre, Leeds Station is West Yorkshire’s busiest transport hub and an ideal starting point for your journey to the Scottish capital. Just a short walk from landmarks such as Kirkgate Market, the Victoria Quarter and City Square, Leeds station can be easily reached by bus, taxi, or on foot.

From Leeds station, trains run direct to major UK destinations including London King’s Cross, Manchester, York, Edinburgh and Liverpool. With services from LNER, Northern, CrossCountry and TransPennine Express, Leeds offers some excellent connections whether you’re travelling north, south or coastwards.

Main stops

Aboard your scenic Leeds to Edinburgh Waverley train, you’ll stop at York, Durham, Darlington, Newcastle, Morpeth, Berwick-upon-Tweed and Dunbar, with views of Durham Cathedral, the Tyne Bridge and the dramatic Northumberland coast before arriving into the Scottish capital.

Arriving at Edinburgh (Waverley)

Stepping off the train at Edinburgh (Waverley), you’ll arrive straight into the very heart of Scotland’s capital, set snugly between the historic Old Town and the graceful New Town. From the Market Street exit, it’s just a short climb up Fleshmarket Close to reach the Royal Mile, and you can be in central Edinburgh within just five minutes.

Waverley isn’t just a gateway to Edinburgh, it’s also a great starting point for further adventures all across Scotland, with direct trains to Stirling, Perth, Dundee, Aberdeen, Inverness and beyond.

In the city itself, you can stroll the Royal Mile to Edinburgh Castle, climb Calton Hill for sweeping views, or explore its darker side at the Edinburgh Dungeon or haunting Greyfriars Kirkyard. As the world’s first UNESCO City of Literature and the stage for the world-famous Edinburgh Festival, the city offers culture and creativity at every turn.

CrossCountry train classes

• Standard Class: Travel in comfort in CrossCountry’s Standard Class with accessible seating and catering on most services. Whether you’re travelling long-distance or locally, you can expect spacious carriages and welcoming service on both Voyager and Turbostar services.
• First Class: Travel from Leeds to Edinburgh Waverley First Class and enjoy wider reclining seats, generous legroom, and at-seat tables, ideal for working on the go or just relaxing on board. Many services also provide complimentary snacks and soft drinks.

CrossCountry train travel advice

Prepare for your Leeds to Edinburgh Waverley train journey with this handy guide detailing everything you need to know before you travel – from luggage and bikes to travelling with children, pets, and accessibility support.

• Luggage: Due to limited storage on board, CrossCountry advises travelling light, ideally with just one medium-sized bag. On long-distance Voyager trains, larger items can be stored in the designated racks in Coaches D and J.
• Bicycles: Standard and electric bikes are welcome on board CrossCountry services with a free reservation, while folding bikes can be brought on board at any time. Please note, e-scooters are not permitted.
• Children: Kids under five can travel for free, while children aged 5-15 are eligible to receive 50% off standard fares. Families can enjoy even greater savings with a Family & Friends railcard, which offers a third off adult fares and 60% off children’s tickets.
• Pets: Up to two pets can travel on board CrossCountry services at no extra charge. Dogs must be kept on a lead or in a secure carrier, and all animals must be kept off seats.
• Passenger Assist: If you need help boarding, navigating stations or reserving a wheelchair space, Passenger Assist can be booked in advance when purchasing your ticket, or requested on the day by speaking to staff at larger stations.

Travel from the Victorian splendour of Leeds to the Georgian elegance of Edinburgh with a direct LNER train, reaching the Scottish capital in just over 3 hours.

Climb aboard your Leeds to Edinburgh (Waverley) train and enjoy striking views at every turn – from the sweeping Vale of York and Durham’s soaring cathedral to Newcastle’s Tyne Bridge and the rugged Scottish coast.

London North Eastern Railway (LNER) runs high-speed services along the East Coast Main Line, connecting Leeds and Edinburgh directly with London King’s Cross as well as key destinations including York, Newcastle and Peterborough.

LNER train classes

• Standard Class: Enjoy a smooth journey aboard LNER’s modern Azuma trains, designed with ergonomic seats, extra luggage space and an extra 7cm of legroom. You can stay connected to, with free Wi-Fi and at-seat power, or make the most of the at-seat food and drink service, featuring locally sourced options.
• First Class: Travel Leeds to Edinburgh Waverley First Class and enjoy wider reclining seats, generous legroom, free high-speed Wi-Fi, and both USB and plug sockets at your seat. You’ll also enjoy a complimentary menu of locally sourced food and drink, served directly to your table.

LNER travel advice

Take the stress out of your Leeds to Edinburgh (Waverley) train journey with this quick guide to travelling with LNER, and find out everything you need to know about luggage, bikes, children, pets and accessibility support.

• Luggage: You may bring up to three items on board LNER trains – from handbags and carry-ons to large suitcases – with you free of charge. Space, however, is limited, so use overhead racks for bigger items and keep smaller bags under your seat.
• Bicycles: Standard bikes and e-bikes require a free reservation to travel. Booking in advance is strongly advised, particularly during peak times. Folding bikes are allowed on all services if kept folded, e-scooters are not permitted.
• Children: Under-fives can travel for free, while children aged 5-15 are eligible for 50% off Standard and First Class fares. Teens aged 16-17 can also get half-price fares when purchasing a 16-17 Saver railcard.
• Pets: You may travel with up to two pets on board LNER services at no extra cost. Dogs must be kept on a lead and off the seats, while smaller animals should be carried in a secure pet transporter.
• Passenger Assist: If you need help with boarding, luggage or navigating stations, Passenger Assist can be booked in advance at the time of purchasing your ticket, through the app, or arranged on the day at staffed stations.

*Information is subject to change. Please check the latest train timetable before your trip.