York to Edinburgh Trains From £20.30*

Getting from York to Edinburgh takes under three hours with LNER. The first train from York leaves at 1:35 AM, and the last leaves at 9:53 PM. No matter your schedule, you can travel up to the Scottish capital at your own pace.

On your journey, you’ll leave the beautiful medieval city of York with its enchanting cathedral and town walls, heading through the vernal countryside of North Yorkshire, County Durham, and Northumberland, before arriving at the Scottish Borders. From there, you’ll head along the majestic East Coast toward the cosy, romantic city of Edinburgh.

LNER operates on the East Coast Mainline, connecting cities on the East Coast of Scotland and the North of England with London. Its major stops on its route include Stevenage, Newcastle, and York.

Departing from York

York station is one of the most beautiful stations in the UK. It’s conveniently placed just outside York city centre, along Station Road, near its Medieval city walls that date back to the 13th century!

The station is connected by a bus route and a taxi rank. However, you can walk straight from the train station into the city centre if you’d like. Just be mindful that the streets of York can sometimes be narrow and cobblestoned, so think twice before walking with heavy luggage.

York is the busiest station in North Yorkshire and is a vital node on the network for connecting trains across the North, East, South, and West. Because of its centrality, UK operators TransPennine, LNER, CrossCountry, Grand Central, and Northern also use this station.

Main stops

If you are travelling with CrossCountry, there are five stations from York to Edinburgh: Darlington, Durham, Newcastle, Alnmouth, and Berwick-Upon-Tweed.

However, if you’re travelling from York to Edinburgh with LNER, your route will be slightly different. You’ll stop at Northallerton, Darlington, Durham, and Newcastle.

Both of these services sometimes stop at Chester-Le-Street, too. That’s why it’s always best to check before you travel, as sometimes scheduling or engineering works or faults can lead to route changes.

It’s also best to book your tickets early for cheaper fare. Sites like TrainPal can also help you buy cheap train tickets. If you add a Railcard, you’ll net yourself an even larger discount.

Arriving at Edinburgh Waverley

Edinburgh Waverley is sandwiched between the ‘old’ and ‘new’ towns in the centre of the Scottish capital, making it an excellent location to begin your trip.

Taxis are available outside the station, and Princes Street in the new town has public buses and trams that can take you around the city or to the airport.

The ‘old’ town in Edinburgh has its old-world charm, but its cavernous alleyways housing pubs, restaurants and whisky bars, whilst the new town is replete with swanky cafes, shops, and restaurants in its 18th century Georgian townhouses and neoclassical facades.

Edinburgh Waverley is also great for making onward connections to the rest of Scotland, including Inverness, Aberdeen, and Glasgow.

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. Booking in advance using TrainPal helps ensure families can sit together.
• 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.

CrossCountry provides an extensive network of train services linking towns and cities throughout England, Scotland, and Wales. Simplifying travel between key British cities, such as Cardiff, Manchester, Edinburgh, and Birmingham, and helping to ensure a swift and convenient way to get to work, school, or discover the country.

CrossCountry train classes

• Standard Class: Onboard Wi-Fi, charging points, and tables. Snacks and drinks are available from the onboard shop.
• First Class: A York 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 traveling.
• 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.

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