It takes approximately one and a half hours to travel from Newcastle to Edinburgh with Lumo, LNER, CrossCountry, or TransPennine Express.
As you travel towards Edinburgh, you’ll head north through the charming county of Northumberland and the dreamy and romantic Scottish Borders before pulling in at Edinburgh Waverley, one of the UK’s most beautiful railway stations.
Lumo runs services between Edinburgh Waverley and London Kings Cross that operates on the East Coast Mainline.
Newcastle Station is a lovely railway station located on Neville Street in the southern part of the city centre.
It runs along the East Coast Mainline, heading south to York and London Kings Cross and north to Edinburgh. It also operates on the Durham Coast Line, connecting Gateshead, Sunderland, Hartlepool, Stockton, and Darlington. Newcastle Station is also an interchange for the local light rail service, the Tyne & Wear Metro.
It’s also the busiest station in North East England, meaning it’s highly accessible by local buses, taxis, and the Tyne & Wear Metro.
LNER, Lumo, Northern, CrossCountry, and TransPennine Express all run through Newcastle.
Main stops
If you travel with Lumo there is only one stop at Morpeth. When travelling with LNER, there are no stops from Newcastle to Edinburgh. With CrossCountry, there is one stop at Berwick-upon-Tweed.
When travelling with TransPennine Express, there are six stations: Morpeth, Alnmouth, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Reston, Dunbar, and East Linton.
It’s worth considering that these stops may alternate due to scheduling changes, train faults, construction work, or poor weather. It’s recommended that you check before you travel to avoid disappointment.
Arriving at Edinburgh Waverley
Edinburgh Waverley is one of the best stations in the UK. It is gorgeous and recalls its 19th-century heritage while still being modern and convenient. Plus, it’s connected to excellent public transportation, helping you explore the Scottish capital better.
The station sits between the ‘old’ and ‘new’ towns in the heart of the city. You can explore the city on foot or, if you like, there are public buses and trams on Princes Street that can help you explore the city faster.
Edinburgh has a fascinating history, but it isn’t stuck in the past, far from it. This isn’t the kind of city that’s become a walking, talking museum. It’s still a living, breathing place that enjoys the finer things in life. Yes, you can explore Edinburgh’s history at St Giles, Edinburgh Castle, and The Georgian House, but you can also shop at St James Quarter or George Street and wash it all down at The Dome, The World’s End, or Café Royal if that’s more your thing. What’s more, you can do both if you like. Edinburgh has so much to choose from.
Many UK rail operators run from this station, including LNER, CrossCountry, Lumo, Avanti West Coast, ScotRail, Caledonian Sleeper, and TransPennine Express.
Lumo train classes
- Standard Class: Lumo offers comfortable seating, free Wi-Fi, and non-complementary catering facilities.
- First Class: Lumo does not offer First Class services.
Lumo train travel advice
- Luggage: Travellers with Lumo can only bring one small bag or one medium suitcase. There are no luggage racks on any of their trains.
- Pet: 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. It’s not possible to reserve a seat for pets.
- Bicycles: Lumo does not allow non-foldable bikes on their trains.
- Children: Children under five can travel for free. Using a family Railcard can net you a 33% discount for an adult and a 60% discount for a child when all travelling together.
- Passenger Assist: Helps with journey planning, ticketing, seat and wheelchair space booking, boarding and alighting with ramps, station navigation, and luggage handling. Advance booking is recommended.
LNER offers a high-speed service from Newcastle to Edinburgh, taking about one and a half hours. The route takes you through the charming landscapes of Northumberland and the Scottish Borders, arriving at Edinburgh Waverley.
Operating on the East Coast Mainline, LNER connects major destinations such as London, York, Newcastle, and Edinburgh, providing a fast and comfortable travel experience.
LNER train classes
- Standard Class: Comfortable seating and free Wi-Fi. There are also tables and power sockets for your devices.
- First Class: Complimentary food and drinks, larger seats and tables. First Class lounge access at certain stations on the East Coast Mainline.
LNER train travel advice
- Luggage: Passengers can bring up to three pieces of luggage.
- Pets: Pets travel free on LNER. Dogs must be on leads, and other animals in carriers. Maximum of two pets per passenger.
- Bicycles: Reservations are required. Folding bikes can be taken onboard as luggage.
- Children: Children receive cheaper tickets. The Family & Friends Railcard offers up to 1/3 off family ticket costs.
- 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.
Traveling from Newcastle to Edinburgh with CrossCountry takes approximately one and a half hours. This journey offers a scenic route through Northumberland and the Scottish Borders, ending at the beautiful Edinburgh Waverley station.
CrossCountry provides a comprehensive network connecting major cities across the UK, ensuring reliable and efficient travel for both regional and long-distance journeys.
CrossCountry train classes
- Standard Class: Onboard Wi-Fi, charging points, and tables. Snacks and drinks are available from the onboard shop.
- First Class: A CrossCountry Newcastle to Edinburgh First Class ticket provides a more spacious and comfortable journey with larger seats and complimentary refreshments.
CrossCountry train travel advice
- Luggage: A maximum of three items: one small item, one medium-sized bag, and one large suitcase.
- Pets: Dogs, cats, and other small pets are free of charge. They must be well-behaved and do not disturb other passengers. Two pets per passenger.
- Bicycles: Bicycle reservations are required before travelling.
- Children: Children receive cheaper tickets. The Family & Friends Railcard offers up to 1/3 off family ticket costs.
- Passenger Assist: Provide assistance at stations and on trains, or during transfers, help with luggage, offer discounts for disabled passengers, and other services.
TransPennine Express provides a service from Newcastle to Edinburgh that also takes around one and a half hours. The journey features the picturesque scenery of Northumberland and the Scottish Borders, concluding at Edinburgh Waverley.
Known for connecting key cities across Northern England and into Scotland, TransPennine Express ensures efficient and comfortable travel between Newcastle and Edinburgh.
TransPennine Express train classes
- Standard Class: TransPennine Express Standard Class offers walk-through carriages, air-conditioning, and charging plugs for your devices.
- First Class: A Newcastle to Edinburgh First Class ticket with TransPennine Express will give you access to more legroom, reclining seats, free Wi-Fi and complimentary food and drink.
TransPennine Express 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: Bikes can be stored free of charge, but space is limited. You must book a space for your bike before you travel.
- Children: Under 5’s can travel for free. Children aged 5 to 15 can save 50% on their tickets. The Family & Friends Railcard offers up to 1/3 off family ticket costs.
- Passenger Assist: Providing ramps for entering and exiting trains, luggage support, and station guidance, with help for stairs and provision of wheelchairs or buggies for covering greater distances.
*Information is subject to change. Please check the latest train timetable before your trip.