Glasgow Central station is located in the city centre of Glasgow, Scotland. It provides around 74 regular trains per day to Edinburgh (Waverley). The station is served by ScotRail, Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, TransPennine Express, London North Eastern Railway, and Caledonian Sleeper.
There is also Glasgow Queen Street, a major transport hub, offering excellent connectivity to various destinations within Scotland and beyond, where passengers can access a wide range of train services operated by ScotRail. There are around 41 trains to Edinburgh Park per day. The station also serves as the terminus for journeys north through the stunning Scottish Highlands, with trains bound for destinations like Inverness, Oban, and Aberdeen.
For these journeys, you have the option of choosing trains served by ScotRail, offering routes with varying amounts of stops, ranging between 5-17. Despite the difference in the number of stops, the train duration for both routes takes about the same amount of time - between 50 minutes and an hour.
During the journey, you can typically disembark at Wester Hailes, Shotts and Bellshill. To save on your journey, consider booking in advance or purchasing a Railcard, which can save you up to 1/3 on eligible journeys for a whole year.
Edinburgh Waverley station is the second busiest station in Scotland, which is situated in a valley between the mediaeval Old Town and the 18th century New Town. The station is served by London North Eastern Railway, CrossCountry, Avanti West Coast, TransPennine Express, Lumo, Caledonian Sleeper, and ScotRail. It's well connected to various destinations including London, Newcastle, York, Leeds and Bristol.
There is also Edinburgh Park. ScotRail operates frequent services here, making a swift transition to central Edinburgh a breeze. For example, the journey to Edinburgh Waverley takes a mere 10 minutes on average. However, if your explorations extend beyond Edinburgh, direct services also depart from Edinburgh Park to destinations like Stirling, providing further options within Scotland's central belt.
First-class tickets
You can travel from Glasgow to Edinburgh in even greater comfort with First Class Tickets.
As this route is covered by multiple providers, it's best to check whether this is applicable for your specific journey when booking and what is included with the ticket. Depending on provider, this ticket may include:
- Access to the Glasgow Central station First Class lounge (only for applicable tickets)
- Wider seats with extra legroom for greater comfort onboard
- Tables with plug and USB sockets – perfect for those using laptops
- Enhanced Wi-Fi onboard for those working, streaming or browsing
- A range of drinks and snacks, including teas, coffees, juices, sodas, biscuits, cakes and crisps.
For more details about First Class Tickets, please check our Change, Refund, and Delay Repay Policy.
How much does it cost to take the train from Glasgow to Edinburgh?
The cost of a train ticket from Glasgow to Edinburgh varies depending on factors such as the time of booking, type of ticket (peak or Off-Peak), and train operator. Generally, prices start from around $8.05 for an advance single ticket, though often average around $16.87.
What is the best way to travel from Glasgow to Edinburgh?
The best way to travel from Glasgow to Edinburgh is usually by train. Trains are frequent, fast (typically taking around 50 minutes to 1 hour), and convenient, with direct services operated by ScotRail between Glasgow Queen Street and Edinburgh Waverley stations. Alternatively, buses are also available and are a budget-friendly option, though the travel time is longer.
Is Glasgow to Edinburgh train scenic?
Yes. The train journey between Glasgow and Edinburgh offers some scenic views, but it is not typically considered one of Scotland's most scenic rail routes. The journey traverses a mix of urban and rural landscapes, including views of the Scottish countryside, small towns, and farmlands. While the scenery is pleasant and enjoyable, it doesn't feature the dramatic landscapes found on some other Scottish train routes, such as the West Highland Line. Nevertheless, passengers can still appreciate the charm of the central Scottish landscape during their journey.
How do you get free train travel in Scotland?
Free train travel in Scotland is available for certain groups of people, such as those with a National Entitlement Card (NEC), which includes disabled people, elderly residents, and young people under certain conditions. To apply for a National Entitlement Card, eligible individuals should contact their local council or visit the Transport Scotland website for more information.
*Prices are dynamic and subject to change. Ticket prices vary based on time of day, route, and class. Prices shown do not include split ticket and Railcard discounts.