Southampton Central to Gatwick Airport Trains From £15.40*

Travelling the East Coast Main Line? Choose between premium comfort and speed, or a smarter, budget-friendly way to travel with a lighter carbon footprint.

• LNER is the East Coast Main Line flagship operator, running frequent long-distance services from London King’s Cross with some of the fastest journey times. It’s the best choice if you want a full First Class experience, with complimentary dining, quiet coaches and strong onboard Wi-Fi.
• CrossCountry connects cities across Britain without requiring a change in London, making it useful for cross-country journeys and regional connections. Services typically run via Birmingham, with onboard Wi-Fi and a trolley service for drinks and snacks.
• TransPennine Express focuses on linking major cities in the North of England, including Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds, with onward connections towards Scotland. Its modern trains offer comfortable seating, Wi-Fi and power sockets, making it a great choice for journeys around the region.
• Low-cost operator Lumo offers a no-frills, single-class service between London and Scotland designed to compete with budget airlines. It’s often the cheapest option on the route, running modern all-electric trains with Wi-Fi and a café bar, though luggage allowances are a little stricter.

One of the most scenic stretches of the East Coast Main Line, the journey from Newcastle to Edinburgh takes around 1 hour 30 minutes, crossing the border into Scotland while hugging dramatic sections of the Northumberland coastline.

Newcastle: Getting to the Platform

Newcastle Central station sits right in the heart of the city, and is just a short walk from Grainger Town and the Quayside. The station is well connected by the Tyne & Wear Metro, which stops at Central Station just beside the main concourse and has direct links to the Newcastle International Airport, Gateshead and Sunderland.

• The Platform Tip: Most trains heading north to Edinburgh depart from Platform 2 – the main through platform for LNER and CrossCountry services on the East Coast Main Line. Platforms are usually announced shortly before departure, so keep an eye on the departure boards in the main concourse.
• Pre-Departure: If you have time before boarding, the station concourse has coffee shops, convenience stores and takeaway options for snacks to take onboard. Just outside the historic portico you’ll also find The Centurion, one of Britain’s most famous railway pubs, and a great spot for a coffee or a pint beneath the station’s grand Victorian arches.

Onboard trains from Newcastle to Edinburgh

Once onboard, the short 110-mile run from Newcastle to Edinburgh delivers one of the most scenic stretches of railway in the UK, following the dramatic Northumberland coastline for much of the journey.

• The View Alert: For the best sea views, try to sit on the right-hand side of the train as you head north. This side offers sweeping panoramas of the North Sea, sandy beaches and rugged coastal cliffs.
• Key Landmarks: Keep an eye out as you pass Alnmouth, where the railway runs close to the shoreline with wide views of the coast. Further north, the train crosses the spectacular Royal Border Bridge at Berwick-upon-Tweed, a huge stone viaduct with stunning views of the estuary and the North Sea beyond.

Arriving at Edinburgh Waverley

Edinburgh Waverley station sits right in the centre of the city in a dramatic valley between the medieval Old Town and the elegant Georgian New Town. With platforms spread across a large island layout, choosing the right exit makes arriving much easier.

• The Princes Street Exit: Head this way for the quickest access to Princes Street shopping, St Andrew Square and the New Town. It’s also the most convenient route for buses and the Edinburgh Tram link to the airport, with the nearest tram stop at St Andrew Square just a short walk away.
• The Market Street Exit: Use the southern exit if you’re heading to the Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle or the University of Edinburgh. This side brings you directly into the historic Old Town and is where you'll also find the station’s main taxi rank.
• Onward Travel: Taxis can be found on Market Street, while buses run along Princes Street just above the station. If you’re travelling light, most of central Edinburgh is easily walkable from Waverley –  just be prepared for some of the city’s famously steep streets.