Best option from Edinburgh to Glasgow: Coach — both the fastest and the cheapest, about 1h 8min, from €4. Main companies selling this route on 12Go (checked on November 5, 2026): FlixBus, Scottish Citylink, Megabus; main departure point: Edinburgh Regent Road St Andrew House.
There are 3 ways to get from Edinburgh to Glasgow
Select an option below to see the route details and compare prices. Secure booking via our partner 12go.asia.
Companies selling this route on 12Go
Offers listed on 12Go on November 5, 2026 for a departure on November 26, 2026. Timetables and prices change with the date: check them before booking.
| Company | Mode | Departs from | From | Offers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ScotRail | Train | Edinburgh Waverley | €22 | 3 |
| FlixBus | Bus | Edinburgh Regent Road St Andrew House | €4 | 77 |
| Megabus | Bus | Edinburgh Bus Station Gate A Stance 1 | €8 | 15 |
| National Express | Bus | Edinburgh Bus Station | €10 | 1 |
| Scottish Citylink | Bus | Edinburgh Bus Station Gate A Stance 1 | €13 | 29 |
| National Transfer Services Edinburg | Van / transfer | €145 | 1 |
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Practical tips
Buying a train ticket on the day at the station is where travellers overpay. Book online ahead of time, choose a specific departure and keep the e-ticket on your phone. Advance fares are limited, so don't wait too long.
The coach is usually the cheapest way between the two cities, while the train is a little more comfortable. Check the table on this page, then pick based on your budget, luggage and whether you travel at a busy time.
Edinburgh has more than one railway station, and coaches leave from a different place than trains. Read your e-ticket carefully before heading out so you don't end up at the wrong station with a departure about to leave.
For such a short trip between two Scottish cities, a flight with a stopover adds airport transfers, security checks and waiting. Unless it's part of a longer itinerary, the coach or the train will almost always be simpler.
Weekends, bank holidays and festival periods in Edinburgh fill up coaches and trains quickly. Book early, arrive at the station with some margin, and keep a later departure in mind in case you miss yours.
The journey experience
Edinburgh to Glasgow is one of the easiest city-to-city hops in the UK, and you have three options on the table: coach, train or a flight with a connection. For almost every independent traveller, the choice comes down to coach versus train. The comparison table on this page shows durations, price ranges and frequency side by side, so you can see at a glance which one fits your budget and your day.
The train is the comfortable, no-fuss option: it runs between the two city centres, with seats you can book, space for luggage, a toilet on board and the freedom to walk around. The coach is the budget favourite, with frequent departures, reclining seats and usually free wifi on the main operators, and it drops you close to the centre of Glasgow. A flight with a connection exists on paper, but once you count airport time and the stopover, it rarely makes sense for a trip this short.
The real risk here is fare timing. Walk-up train tickets can cost noticeably more than advance ones, and the ticket types can be confusing. Coach seats are usually cheapest when booked early, and they are easy to compare online. Book your seat ahead, check the departure station on your e-ticket, and you can travel with confidence, even on busy weekends or bank holidays.
Frequently asked questions — Edinburgh → Glasgow
Both take about the same time, so it comes down to budget and comfort. The coach is the cheapest option, with fares from €4, while the train, from €22, offers more space and the freedom to move around. For most budget travellers the coach wins; choose the train for comfort.
By coach, tickets start from €4 and typically go up to €5. By train, fares start from €22 and are typically up to €23. A flight with a connection starts from €52 but is rarely worth it for this short trip. Prices vary with timing, so booking ahead is wise.
The train takes about 1 h 15 to 1 h 25, and the coach about 1 h 10 to 1 h 25, so the two are very close. A flight with a connection takes around 2 h 45 in total, which makes it much slower than the ground options.
Trains usually leave from Edinburgh Waverley, in the city centre, while coaches leave from the bus station near St Andrew Square. The two are a short walk apart. Always confirm the exact departure point on your e-ticket before you travel.
Generally no. The flight with a connection starts from €52 and takes around 2 h 45, which is slower and more expensive than the coach or the train once airport time is counted. It only makes sense if it is part of a longer journey with the same ticket.
Why visit Glasgow?
- ✓ Admire the Art Nouveau genius of Charles Rennie Mackintosh at the Glasgow School of Art and The Mackintosh House
- ✓ Explore the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, with its Dalí masterpiece and free entry
- ✓ Wander the Victorian Necropolis and Glasgow Cathedral for striking views over the city
- ✓ Catch live music at legendary venues like King Tut's Wah Wah Hut and the Barrowland Ballroom
- ✓ Discover the West End's independent cafés, Ashton Lane and the Botanic Gardens' Kibble Palace
When to visit Glasgow?
TEMPERATE OCEANIC CLIMATE
May to September — longest days and mildest temperatures, though rain remains possible year-round
What to do in Glasgow?
Local experiences, must-see sights and activities selected for you
How long to visit Glasgow?
Allow 2 to 3 days to cover Glasgow properly. In 2 days, focus on Kelvingrove Art Gallery, the Cathedral and Necropolis, the West End and the Merchant City, with an evening in a live-music pub. A third day lets you add the Riverside Museum, Mackintosh sites and a visit to the Clyde waterfront. Glasgow is also an excellent base for day trips to Loch Lomond or Edinburgh, so add 1 to 2 days if you want them.
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