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About Edinburgh
Edinburgh is an incredible historic city which is blessed with beautiful architecture, amazing food & drink and lots of fascinating festivals.
Travel with us and you’ll get there in no time at all. Trains to Edinburgh take just under 3 and a half hours from Manchester, arriving at Edinburgh Waverley station: your gateway to the unique city. We also offer trains to Edinburgh from a number of locations.
Cheap train tickets to Edinburgh from across the UK
Want to explore Scotland’s capital? Edinburgh is packed with history, culture and plenty of Scot’s spirit. Whether you’re visiting for the day, a weekend or a longer trip you can book cheap train tickets to Edinburgh with TransPennine Express.
Travel Links
Edinburgh is a compact walkable city but there are lots of transport options if you need them. For unlimited bus travel around the city, buy an Edinburgh Plusbus ticket with your train ticket, or catch one of Edinburgh’s open top bus tours or airport buses that all call at the train station. There are multiple train stations in Edinburgh. You can also travel around the city on Edinburgh Trams.
There’s 24-hour parking close by, and taxis are always waiting to greet new arrivals to the city. For the more active, bicycles can be hired in the city and are a great way to view all of Edinburgh's attractions.
Edinburgh Train Stations
There are two main train stations in Edinburgh. Edinburgh Waverley is right in the city centre and Haymarket station is in the West End.
All of our TransPennine Express trains to Edinburgh arrive into Edinburgh Waverley, but local services run between the two stations with a journey time of around five minutes.
So, whether you’re getting the train to Edinburgh from Manchester, Preston or Carlisle, you’ll arrive into Edinburgh Waverley and have the best of the city within walking distance.
First and Last Trains to Edinburgh
If you’re travelling to Edinburgh from Manchester Piccadilly, the first train leaves Manchester at around 08.20 whereas our last train sets off 12 hours later at 20.22 – this will have you in Scotland’s capital at around 23.40. From Preston the earliest train into Edinburgh is at 07.04 and the last runs at 21:05, which will get you into the city with 20 minutes to spare before midnight.
If you’re travelling to Manchester from Edinburgh Waverley station the first train leaves at around 06:12 and will have you in Manchester close to 09:30. The final train from Edinburgh to Manchester leaves at 20:11 arriving into Manchester at 23:25.
FAQs
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Things to do in Edinburgh
Arrive in the summer and you’ll be greeted by the world-famous Edinburgh festival and a city alive with culture. Climb Calton Hill or Arthur’s Seat for incredible views, or take one of the many city bus or walking tours to really learn more about Edinburgh. Edinburgh is packed with things to see including the giraffes and penguins at Edinburgh Zoo, the majestic Royal Yacht Britannia and the exotic Royal Botanic Garden.
The best restaurants in Edinburgh
For those who have worked up an appetite in the capital, The Witchery is an unrivalled dining experience. Beautifully designed spaces, impeccable food and a heady dose of history create something truly unique. Number One at The Balmoral Hotel is headed by a Michelin-starred chef, or try out Bonnie & Wild’s Scottish Marketplace, the flagship foodhall at St James Quarter.
Hotels - Where to stay in Edinburgh
Places to stay in Edinburgh cater to any style or budget. Leave the train and fall into the lap of luxury with the Balmoral Hotel, the ultimate in Edinburgh hospitality. Prefer to stay in the heart of history? Try The Glasshouse, a 160-year-old church converted into a timelessly chic boutique hotel. Do your bit for society at The Royal College of Surgeons-owned Ten Hill Place, where all profits help train the surgeons of tomorrow, or check-in at the Euro Hostel where rooms start from as little as £19.
Shopping in Edinburgh
Head over to New Town’s Princes Street and George Street where you can find all the big brands and designer shops plus explore St James Quarter, a new vibrant shopping destination. Don't forget to visit Edinburgh's farmers’ market every Saturday on Castle Terrace in the city centre, which boasts a fantastic mix of local produce, gifts and food to go.
For more ideas on what to do in Edinburgh, visit Forever Edinburgh.
Cheap train tickets from [departure_station] to [arrival_station]
Grab cheap train tickets from [departure_station] to [arrival_station] and save over 50% when you book in advance. Check out some of the best ways you can get your hands on cheap tickets from [departure_station] to [arrival_station] by train below. For more money-saving tips on train travel across the North and Scotland, read our cheap train tickets guide.
Buy cheap Advance tickets
Did you know you can book train tickets up to 24 weeks before you travel? Buying Advance tickets is one of the best ways to save on rail fares. Be the first to know when our Advance tickets are available by signing up for cheap ticket alerts. So, get ahead of the game for your next trip and you could save over 50%*!
Choose a season ticket
A season ticket is one of the best ways to secure over a third off train tickets if you regularly travel along the same route. Not only will you get the cheapest fares, but you’ll also save time by skipping the ticket queue. With annual, monthly and weekly options available, find out if a season ticket is right for you.
Get a Railcard
If a guaranteed third off train tickets sounds like music to your ears, a Railcard could be the perfect option. Whether you’re a student, senior, jobseeker, or just love to travel, there’s a Railcard for you. Available for one or three years, these cards help you explore the North and Scotland for less. Check out the different TransPennine Express Railcards.
Travel during Off-Peak times
Train ticket prices vary depending on the time of day. If you’re flexible with your travel times, you can bag the cheapest fares by choosing Off-Peak tickets. Check trains an hour or two before or after your ideal time to see if you can sneak some savings. Read about the different types of train tickets in our guide.
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