London to Edinburgh Train Ticket Cost 2026
LNER, Lumo, Caledonian Sleeper, and train vs plane. Complete fare breakdown from GBP 14.90.
London to Edinburgh Train Prices
| Ticket Type | Single | Return | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lumo Advance (budget) | from £14.90 | 2x singles | Open-access operator, no booking fee |
| LNER Advance Single | from £41.40 | 2x singles | King's Cross direct, 4h20m |
| LNER Off-Peak Single | £120 | £168 | Flexible, after 09:30 weekdays |
| LNER Anytime Single | from £280 | from £392 | Full flexibility |
| LNER First Class Advance | from £55 | 2x singles | Sometimes less than standard off-peak |
| Caledonian Sleeper (seated) | from £55 | 2x singles | Overnight, arrive 07:30am |
| Caledonian Sleeper (cabin) | from £200 | 2x singles | Private cabin, includes breakfast option |
Operator Comparison
| Operator | London Station | Duration | Services/Day | Advance From |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LNER | King's Cross | 4h 20m | 29 daily | from £41.40 |
| Lumo | King's Cross | 4h 35m | 5 daily | from £14.90 |
| Avanti + TransPennine | Euston/various | 5h+ | limited | from £30 |
| Caledonian Sleeper | Euston | overnight | nightly | from £55 |
Train vs Plane: London to Edinburgh
Flights look cheaper on the headline but the total door-to-door picture is different. Include getting to the airport (45-90 minutes each end), security queues, and Edinburgh airport bus/tram into the city (35 minutes, GBP 8).
| Mode | Ticket Cost | Extras | Total D2D Time | Door-to-Door Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LNER train (advance) | from £41.40 | Tube to King's Cross | ~5h 30m | from £45 |
| Lumo train (advance) | from £14.90 | Tube to King's Cross | ~5h 45m | from £20 |
| EasyJet flight | from £30 | Airport transfers ~GBP 25-40 | ~5h 30m | from £55-70 |
| British Airways flight | from £60 | Airport transfers ~GBP 30-40 | ~5h 30m | from £90+ |
The verdict: Door-to-door, the train is competitive with flying when you include airport transfers, security queues, and baggage. Lumo advance fares beat EasyJet on total cost. The train wins on convenience - city centre to city centre.
Best Days to Travel
Tuesday/Wednesday
Cheapest advance fares
Monday/Thursday
Moderate - still reasonable
Friday/Sunday
Most expensive - avoid if flexible
Saturday morning
Expensive for leisure travel
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a train from London to Edinburgh?
London to Edinburgh by LNER (King's Cross to Waverley) costs from GBP 41.40 advance single, GBP 120 off-peak single, or GBP 280+ anytime. Lumo, a budget open-access operator, offers advance fares from GBP 14.90 on the same route. The journey takes 4 hours 20 minutes direct on LNER. Book as early as possible - the cheapest fares sell out within hours of going on sale.
Is it cheaper to fly or take the train from London to Edinburgh?
On door-to-door total cost, the train is often competitive or cheaper. Flights start from GBP 30 advance, but add airport transfers (GBP 25-40 each end), potential baggage fees, and 2+ hours transit time at each airport. A Lumo advance train at GBP 14.90 beats EasyJet on both cost and total journey time. LNER advance from GBP 41.40 is also competitive once all costs are included.
What is the Caledonian Sleeper?
The Caledonian Sleeper is an overnight train from London Euston to Edinburgh (and other Scottish cities), departing around 21:00-23:00 and arriving in Edinburgh around 07:00-07:30. Seated accommodation starts from GBP 55. Private cabins (Caledonian Berths) start from around GBP 200. It is operated by Caledonian Sleeper and gives you a free night's sleep while travelling - a genuine alternative to flying for those who dislike airports.