The Best Way to Get from Glasgow to Edinburgh

If you’re coming to visit Scotland, of course, you’ll want to visit the two largest cities! Glasgow is a cultural gem, with lots of museums and beautiful architecture, especially the University. While Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital city, has historic landmarks, great vibes, and is bustling with people. They’re both in the Southern end of Scotland, and only about 45 miles, or 75 km, away from each other. The cities are extremely close to each other, so much so that you don’t even need a plane to get there. In fact, there are multiple non-air options to get from Glasgow to Edinburgh, and vice versa. It’s cost-effective, fast, and convenient. So, let’s dive into the best ways to get from city to city so you can have a smooth and fun trip in Scotland.

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Glasgow to Edinburgh Train Journey

The train is the best way to get from Glasgow to Edinburgh and vice versa. Scotland’s iconic railway system, ScotRail, offers a convenient and scenic route between Glasgow and Edinburgh, two of its most vibrant cities. It’s the main train company that connects all of Scotland. It’s really simple and easy to navigate their scheduler and ticket buying page. So, here’s everything you need to know about embarking on this classic journey.

How Long is the Train Ride from Glasgow to Edinburgh?

The average travel time between Glasgow and Edinburgh by train is approximately 50-60 minutes, making it one of the fastest ways to commute between the two cities. There are trains running numerous departures throughout the day, which you can see here. There are up to 101 trains running everyday on this route, so you have plenty of options to choose from.

From Glasgow to Edinburgh, the first train leaves at 5:45 AM and the last train departs at 4:26 AM the next day.

How Much is the Train Ride from Glasgow to Edinburgh?

There are multiple ticket options available, including standard, first-class, and discounted fares for students or seniors. A ticket from Glasgow to Edinburgh will cost around 10-15 Euro (that’s how much I paid), but can be cheaper or more expensive depending on if you’re traveling during a busy season or time. The cheapest is 6.20 Euros, but they are usually really early morning trains around 6 – 7 AM departure time.

It’s a good idea to book your tickets in advance through the official ScotRail website or other authorized platforms to secure the best deals and ensure availability.

Book Your Tickets on ScotRail Here

Train Amenities

All Scotrail trains offer free wifi, have bathrooms, comfy seats, and an in-cart snack and bar service where you can purchase snacks and drinks. The wifi, I will say, is a bit slow. I wanted to finish some work on the train but it was incredibly slow, I only got a little done. It’s great for messaging and things that don’t need a lot of time to load. It’s quiet, clean, and efficient. I traveled in a standard car and it was great! The views were also stunning—you travel through meadows and more rural areas of Scotland that you’d only get to see on the road. Look out for patches of cute white and black sheep!

How to Take the Train

First, book your ticket ahead of time using the Scotrail app or the official website. The app makes it convenient to access your ticket, but you can also just use email as well. Make sure the date, time, and your information is correct before buying. However, if you make a mistake, you can easily change the departure time. From Glasgow, you’re most likely going to be traveling from Glasgow Central or Queen Street Station, two of Glasgow’s main train stations. You’ll most likely end up at Edinburgh’s Waverly Station, one of its main train stations.

Depending on where you are staying, traveling to the central stations may take an extra 10 to 15 minutes or more. Account for this time when you are looking to book train tickets so you don’t end up missing your train! Also include the time to get ready, pack, etc., more time is better than less! Once you arrive at the station, head to the boarding platform billboard with information on your train.

At most U.K. train stations, there is a gate at every platform and a huge billboard with train destinations, departure times, and platform numbers. Like an airport, you’ll see which train you are on and when you are leaving, but the platform number won’t appear until 10-15 minutes before train departure. Because of that, it’s good to arrive 15-20 minutes before departure time. Some of the platforms are quite far from the central boarding area, so you want to give yourself enough time to see where your train is, make your way to the right platform, and find a good seat. You don’t want to almost miss your train and arrive sweaty and out of breath!

Glasgow to Edinburgh Bus

If you’re not a fan of taking trains, or just want a cheaper option, there are also buses running between Glasgow and Edinburgh. There are multiple bus companies that service this route, the main three being Citylink, Megabus, and Flixbus. Each offers varying levels of comfort, amenities, and travel times. The bus is by far the cheapest way to get from Glasgow to Edinburgh.

To get from Glasgow to Edinburgh by bus, it takes about an hour and a half. Each service runs about 60 buses for this route daily, so there are plenty of time options. Of the three bus companies, the cheapest is Flixbus, then Megabus, and then Citylink.

Here are the price differences for all three companies going from Glasgow Bus Station to Edinburgh Bus Station:

	Cheapest Glasgow to Edinburgh Bus Fares
FlixBus	£3.49
Megabus	£5.40
Citylink	£9.90

As you can see, the Flixbus price is cheapest. However, the difference between these companies is that Flixbus offers that price twice a day, once in the morning and once at night. That bus is also direct; all the other times have transfers which makes it inconvenient if you can’t depart at those two times.

Megabus offers that cheap price multiple times a day for direct routes. Citylink is the “premier” bus option, with nice coaches that have tables, wireless and USB chargers, and more. The price is always a flat 9.90 pounds, but it’s clean and reliable. They all service the same route, so to be honest, picking between the three really comes down to convenience, budget, and comfort.

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Glasgow to Edinburgh Car

While public transportation offers convenience and affordability, some travelers may prefer the freedom and flexibility of driving between Glasgow and Edinburgh. Driving is by far the easiest way to get from Glasgow to Edinburgh, as you have the luxury of your own car and having the shortest distance to travel as well.

The M8 motorway connects the two cities, and you drive on the motorway the entire time. While it may not be the most scenic, it gets you from point A to B efficiently. But there are several things to think about before you decide to drive:

Does your budget allow for a rental car (if you don’t already have one)? Also gas?
Do you have parking at your destination?
What times are you traveling during the day? And if so, is it during rush hour?
Are you comfortable driving in Scotland (if you don’t have experience driving in countries that drive on the opposite side)?
Do you have a valid license in Scotland?

The plus side of driving is you can also stop along the way for food, breaks, towns that you want to visit, etc. While it is the easiest, it’s also the most expensive.

Understanding Travel Time: Glasgow to Edinburgh

Different means of transportation means different travel times. Here are all the travel times of the three methods listed together below:

By train: The average travel time between Glasgow and Edinburgh by train is approximately 50-60 minutes, offering a quick and convenient transportation option for commuters and tourists alike.

By car: Driving between Glasgow and Edinburgh via the M8 motorway typically takes around 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on traffic and road conditions.

By bus: Bus journeys between the two cities typically take around 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on factors such as traffic conditions and weather.

How to Choose How to Get from Glasgow to Edinburgh?

Personally, the train is the best option to get from Glasgow to Edinburgh and vice versa. It’s convenient, fast, and comfortable. It gets you from central train station to central train station, and is probably the most value you get compared to the other methods. I think it offers the most versatility for a wide variety of travelers, as well. However, consider factors such as budget, time constraints, and personal preferences when deciding on the most suitable mode of transportation for you.

Buses are the best for budget travelers looking to spend less on transportation. You can get direct routes for a cheap price, but you’ll have to work around more extreme times (early morning or evening). It takes the longest compared to the other methods, as well. But if you have the time to kill, why not?

Driving is perfect for travelers wanting to take a road trip around Scotland or drive majority of their trip. I would not recommend renting a car just to get from Glasgow to Edinburgh—it doesn’t make sense. But if you’re driving to the Scottish Highlands or other nature locations in Scotland, this is definitely a good option.

But regardless of how you travel, make sure to check the latest travel updates and plan your route accordingly to minimize potential delays and disappointments.

Exploring Glasgow and Edinburgh

Both Glasgow and Edinburgh are large cities with tons, and tons of things to experience and do. They both have rich culture and history, but in their own unique ways. There are museums, historic monuments, university campuses, parks, and more in both cities. Glasgow is more of the sleepy city between the two, as the lifestyle pace is a bit slower in my opinion. Edinburgh has a more “city-like” feel, and has more historic attractions and landmarks since the medieval architecture is throughout the entire city center. Glasgow is more oriented for students, families, and living rather than a lively tourist hub. But both are worth visiting, especially since they are so close to each other.

Here are the best things to do in Edinburgh that you can’t miss!

Love Harry Potter? Here are the Harry Potter sites in Edinburgh. And don’t forget to visit the University of Glasgow for a real school that looks like Hogwarts!

Tips on Planning Glasgow to Edinburgh

While planning your journey between Glasgow and Edinburgh, here are some helpful tips:

Check the weather: Scotland has a reputation for having temperamental and unpredictable weather. Especially for rain! Dress and pack accordingly; you don’t want to be soaked and have wet baggage on the train or bus!
Research public transportation: Figure out how to use public transport before you get off the train or bus. That way, you can easily get to your destination and smoothly. You have time on the train, too!
Add extra time to your journey: Like stated previously, account for the time it takes to get to the stations. Depending on where your accommodation is, it can add anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes.
Avoid rush hour: Tourists aren’t the only ones traveling between the two cities! Weekdays in the mornings from 8 to 9 AM and 4 – 6 PM are generally extremely busy. And weekends in general will be more crowded.
Check official transportation websites for updates: You never know if something gets cancelled, closed, etc.
Buy ticket ahead of time: Especially during summertime! There are more people due to summer holidays, so secure your seat!
Bring a snack or meal: If you’re traveling near meal times, it’s a good idea to pack a snack. There are snack carts on the train, but they will be more expensive than if you bought it from the store. Buses don’t provide any snacks, and cars, well, you can stop at any rest stop!

Have a Smooth Transit Between Glasgow and Edinburgh

Now that you know the multiple ways to get from Glasgow to Edinburgh, hopefully you pick the method best for you! From the train, to the bus, to driving, there’s a way for everyone. You’ll be in one city to the next so fast, it’s great for people with limited time who want to see what the two largest cities in Scotland have to offer. Make sure you plan ahead, and you’re already setting your trip up for success. Happy travels!