London to Edinburgh Train Prices
| Ticket Type | Single | Return | Notes |
|---|
| Lumo Advance (budget) | from £31.90 | 2x singles | Open-access operator, no booking fee |
| LNER Advance Single | from £41.40 | 2x singles | King's Cross direct, 4h20m |
| LNER Anytime Single | £204.80 | 2x singles | Fully flexible (cheapest walk-up since Off-Peak withdrawn) |
| LNER First Class Advance | from £84.40 | 2x singles | Catering included on most services |
| Caledonian Sleeper (seated) | from £54 | 2x singles | Overnight, arrive ~07:30am |
| Caledonian Sleeper (Classic Room) | from £135 | 2x singles | Private cabin (solo); from £195 shared |
Note: LNER removed Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak singles between London and the Newcastle to Edinburgh stations on 5 February 2024, under the Simpler Fares pilot it announced that January, so the traditional mid-priced flexible walk-up no longer exists on this route. Its replacement is the 70min Flex semi-flexible fare, which sits between Advance and Anytime. Book an Advance fare for the lowest price, or an Anytime single for full flexibility. LNER does not publish the Anytime price as a fixed figure: its own booking system quoted £204.80, valid via York, when we checked in September 2026. Lumo and the Caledonian Sleeper sell their own Advance fares. Lumo's published London to Edinburgh floor of £31.90 and LNER's £41.40, which requires booking three weeks ahead, were both taken from the operators' own sites in September 2026.
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, £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 £31.90 | Tube to King's Cross | ~5h 45m | from £20 |
| EasyJet flight | from £30 | Airport transfers ~£25-40 | ~5h 30m | from £55-70 |
| British Airways flight | from £60 | Airport transfers ~£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.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a train from London to Edinburgh?
London to Edinburgh by LNER (King's Cross to Waverley) costs from £41.40 for an advance single booked three weeks ahead, or £204.80 for a fully flexible Anytime single as quoted by LNER's booking system in September 2026. LNER removed Off-Peak singles on this route in February 2024 under its Simpler Fares pilot, so the options are Advance, the 70min Flex semi-flexible fare, and the Anytime single. Lumo, a budget open-access operator, publishes advance fares from £31.90 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, though it depends entirely on what the airlines are charging that day. Airline fares on this route are dynamic and no carrier publishes a fixed floor, so treat any headline air fare as a starting point and add what the airlines charge you for bags, plus the cost of getting to and from both airports and the time spent there. The train's advantage is structural rather than purely financial: Lumo from £31.90 and LNER from £41.40 run city centre to city centre in about 4h 20m, with no airport transfer at either end and no security queue.
How much is a first class train ticket from London to Edinburgh?
LNER First Class from London King's Cross to Edinburgh costs from £84.40 for an Advance single (booked ahead for a fixed train). First Class includes complimentary food and drink served at your seat - tea, coffee, sandwiches, bacon rolls, and hot dishes on some services - with complimentary wine and beer after 11:00, plus access to LNER's First Class lounges at King's Cross and Edinburgh Waverley. A fully flexible First Class Anytime ticket is sold at a premium over the £204.80 standard Anytime single and can be used on any LNER train. Advance First Class fares sell out fast, so book as far ahead as possible. Fares verified July 2026 against LNER and seat61.
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 £54. Private cabins (Classic Rooms) start from around £135 for solo travellers, or £195 sharing. 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.
Who are Lumo, and can I book both directions in advance?
Lumo is a budget train company running between London King's Cross and Edinburgh on the same line as LNER, and its tickets are only valid on Lumo trains. You can book both directions now as two separate Advance singles, before you travel; there is no need to wait until you are in Edinburgh to book the way back. Each single is priced on its own, by train and demand, so the lowest advertised fare is not guaranteed for both legs, and Fridays and Sundays tend to cost more. Lumo charges no booking fee when you book direct, and it accepts railcards. (Answer added after a reader question, October 2026.)