Fastest way from Glasgow to Edinburgh: Train, about 1h 1min (from €22). Cheapest: Coach, from €8 (about 1h 7min). Main companies selling this route on 12Go (checked on November 5, 2026): Scottish Citylink, Megabus, ScotRail; main departure point: Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station Stance 49.
There are 3 ways to get from Glasgow to Edinburgh
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 | Glasgow Central | €22 | 5 |
| Megabus | Bus | Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station Stance 49 | €8 | 14 |
| National Express | Bus | Glasgow Bus Station | €10 | 1 |
| Scottish Citylink | Bus | Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station Stance 49 | €13 | 86 |
| FlixBus | Bus | Glasgow Bus Station | €24 | 3 |
| National Transfer Services Edinburg | Van / transfer | €145 | 1 |
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Practical tips
Walk-up tickets at the station window, especially at peak hours, can cost more than the same seat bought online beforehand. As soon as your date is fixed, book online and keep the e-ticket on your phone.
Glasgow and Edinburgh each have more than one station. Confirm on your ticket whether you leave from Glasgow Queen Street and arrive at Edinburgh Waverley, so you don't head to the wrong platform or building.
If your budget matters more than comfort, the coach is normally the cheapest way across. Reserve early, since the lowest fares go first on busy weekends and bank holidays.
Airport transfers, security checks and the change of plane add up quickly. For a hop this short, the train or the coach is almost always the smarter and calmer choice for independent travellers.
Festival season in Edinburgh, summer weekends and bank holidays fill trains and coaches. Book earlier than usual, avoid the very last departure of the evening, and keep a backup option in mind.
The journey experience
Glasgow to Edinburgh is one of the easiest city-to-city hops in Britain, and you can sort out the best option quickly. The two cities are close, services are frequent, and you rarely need to plan far ahead just to get across the Central Belt. The comparison table on this page lays coach, train and flight side by side so you can see times and price ranges at a glance.
The train is the comfortable, central choice: it runs between the main city-centre stations, so you step off right in the middle of town with no transfer. The coach is usually the cheapest way across, with direct services run by operators such as Citylink and FlixBus, and it suits you if you are watching your budget and don't mind a seat on the motorway. A flight with a connection exists on paper, but once you add airport time and the change, it rarely makes sense for such a short hop.
The fare worry that applies elsewhere in Britain is much milder here, but timing still matters. Walk-up train tickets at peak hours can cost more than a ticket bought a little earlier, so book ahead online when you know your date. Coaches are also cheaper when reserved early. Check which city-centre station or stop your ticket leaves from, and you can travel with confidence.
Frequently asked questions — Glasgow → Edinburgh
The coach is the cheapest option, from €8 and typically up to €14. The train starts from €22 and is typically up to €23. A flight with a connection starts from €48. Booking online ahead of time is the best way to get the lowest fare.
The train takes about 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes. The coach takes roughly 1 hour 5 minutes to 1 hour 25 minutes, depending on traffic. A flight with a connection takes about 1 hour 40 minutes, and that does not include getting to and from the airport.
Both take a similar time, so it comes down to budget and comfort. The coach is cheaper, from €8, while the train, from €22, drops you at central stations with more space and flexibility. The flight with a connection is rarely worth it for such a short distance.
Trains to Edinburgh usually leave from Glasgow Queen Street, in the city centre, and arrive at Edinburgh Waverley. Always check the departure station shown on your ticket before you set off, as Glasgow also has other stations used for different routes.
It is wise to book ahead, especially for the coach, where early fares are the cheapest, and for busy periods such as festival season, summer weekends and bank holidays. Booking online also gives you an instant e-ticket, so you avoid queues at the station.
Why visit Edinburgh?
- ✓ Climb the Royal Mile from Edinburgh Castle to Holyroodhouse Palace, passing historic closes and whisky shops
- ✓ Hike up Arthur's Seat at sunrise for panoramic views over the Old Town and the Firth of Forth
- ✓ Explore the National Museum of Scotland, free to enter, from Dolly the Sheep to the rooftop terrace
- ✓ Wander the cobbled Victoria Street and Grassmarket, then descend into the haunted vaults beneath the Old Town
- ✓ Taste single malts at the Scotch Whisky Experience, then catch a show at the Fringe in August
When to visit Edinburgh?
TEMPERATE OCEANIC CLIMATE
May to September — longest days, mildest temperatures and the festival season, though rain is possible year-round
What to do in Edinburgh?
Local experiences, must-see sights and activities selected for you
How long to visit Edinburgh?
Allow 3 days to cover the essentials: Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, Holyrood Palace and a hike up Arthur's Seat. With 2 days you can see the Old Town and one major sight; with 4 or 5 days add a day trip to the Highlands, St Andrews or the Borders. Book Castle tickets in advance and pack waterproof layers, whatever the season.
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