Travel from London to Scotland

Catching a train from London to Scotland allows you to sit back and soak up the scenery in comfort. Why not start your holiday the moment you get on the train with a Scottish book or movie?

Or you might want to take the Caledonian Sleeper train which departs every night from London Euston (not Sat). Book your tickets far in advance for the cheapest fares.

Read Hannah and Charlie’s blog – better known as @thattravelcouple – as they share their ultimate six-day island-hopping adventure across Scotland, beginning with the Caledonian Sleeper and exploring the Hebrides by CalMac ferries.

Trains to Edinburgh

• From London Kings Cross in 4 hours 30 minutes
• From London Euston in 6 hours

Trains will arrive at Edinburgh Waverley, though many services also stop first at Edinburgh Haymarket. Both of these stations are central with Waverley on the east side of the city centre and Haymarket on the west side - they are around 25 minutes walk apart. 

Find trains to Edinburgh

Trains to Glasgow

• London Euston in 4 hours 30 minutes

The train from London runs in Glasgow Central, Scotland's biggest railway station.

See trains to Glasgow

Trains to Inverness

• London Kings Cross in 8 hours

Your train will arrive at Inverness Station in the heart of Inverness.

Take a look at trains to Inverness

Trains to Aberdeen

• London Kings Cross in 7 hours

Your train will arrive at Aberdeen Rail Station which gives you easy access to the city centre.

Take a look at trains to Aberdeen

Trains to Dundee

• London Kings Cross in 6 hours

You will arrive at Dundee Railway Station which is around five minutes from the city centre.

Browse trains to Dundee

Trains to the rest of Scotland

Scotland's well-connected rail network means that you can get to many other destinations such as Perth, Stirling and Fort William quickly and easily. 

Learn more about how you can travel from London to Lewis via the Caledonian Sleeper and CalMac Ferries in this handy itinerary.

There are frequent bus services from London to Scotland, often with cheap ticket prices.

How often are buses?

There are buses travelling to Edinburgh or Glasgow from London throughout the day, including overnight services. You can check the latest bus routes and timetables on the Traveline website.

Which bus service?

Bus services to Scotland are operated by National Express, Megabus and FlixBus including routes to Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, Inverness and Perth.

How long do buses take?

• London to Edinburgh - 9 hours
• London to Glasgow - 8.5 hours
• London to Dundee - 11.5 hours
• London to Aberdeen - 12.5 hours
• London to Inverness - 15 hours

Coach tours

You might also consider a coach tour of Scotland, beginning in London. Check out these Scotland tours & trips from London.

How long does it take to get from London to Scotland?

Your travel time will depend on how you get here (and where you're going). Catch a train in less than 5 hours, or sit back on a coach for around 8 hours. Flying will take up to 4 hours if you factor in your time at the airport checking in.

But there's so much more to explore beyond the central belt, so allow a couple of hours once you're in Scotland to head north, east or west and uncover some alternative historic towns or charming villages.

What is the quickest way from London to Scotland?

The quickest way is to take the train from London to either Edinburgh or Glasgow in around 4 hours. A direct flight from London to Scotland is likely to take the same amount of time due to check in and hold luggage.

Do I need a passport to travel to Scotland?

No. If you are travelling within the UK you will not need a passport.

If you are flying from London to Scotland, then you will need to carry photographic identification; this may not need to be a passport, but you should check with your airline.

Which is the cheapest way to get to Scotland from London?

The cheapest way to get to Scotland from London is to book your travel in advance.

The earlier you book, the cheaper it will be to travel from London to Scotland. Generally, booking a flight with a budget airline or booking a seat on a coach will be your cheapest options.

What's the most sustainable way to travel to Scotland?

The most sustainable way to travel is by train. Trains emit around 70% less emissions than other forms of travel, including electric vehicles.

Budget airlines put on regular flights from a variety of London airports, including London Gatwick, London Stansted and London Luton.

Check a price comparison site to find flight options.

• SkyScanner
• Expedia

London to Edinburgh flights

Direct flights from London to Edinburgh take between 60 and 90 minutes. You will arrive at Edinburgh Airport and you can take a short tram, bus or taxi ride into the city centre.

Flights to Glasgow

Flights to Glasgow from London take between 60 and 90 minutes. Your flight will arrive at Glasgow Airport and it is just a short bus, train or taxi ride into the city centre or beyond. 

Flights to Inverness

Your flight to Inverness will take just over 90 minutes. Inverness Airport is accessible by bus, train or taxi.

It is around a 400-mile drive between the two capital cities, London and Edinburgh. The trip is likely to take 8-10 hours on average including rest stops and any traffic issues.

Check out the AA's handy route planner and the Traffic Scotland website for real time and future information on roadworks, traffic incidents and more.

Find practical information on driving in Scotland

Quickest route

There are 2 main routes into Scotland - the A1 up the east coast, or the M6 up the west coast. Both routes are straightforward and will take you across the border and to one of Scotland's two biggest cities. If you are driving to Scotland, make sure to check traffic reports before setting off.

Electric cars and charging points

Why not hire an electric car? There are EV charging points right across Scotland and the UK.

Find out about electric vehicles in Scotland