Looking For The Best Way To Get from London to Scotland by Train?
If your looking for a chance to see the United Kingdom beyond cities like London, Manchester, and Birmingham, you just might want to add a train ride to Scotland!
Scotland is a gorgeous country, where history, literature, and folklore come to life. We are so glad we added Scotland onto our UK itinerary and it’s definitely something you don’t want to miss.
But how do you get from London to Scotland? Best Answer: By Train!
Is There A Direct Train From London to Edinburgh?
Great news because the answer is…
🎉 YES! 🎉
And even better, you have many other cities in Scotland to choose from such as Glasgow, Perth, Dundee, Aberdeen, Inverness and more!
How long these train rides can take are entirely up to which city you would like to explore the most. For example, Edinburgh is roughly a little more then 4 hours while Inverness is 12 or more hours!
How Many Days Will You Need?
Depending on your time traveling in the United Kingdom, we recommend 2 – 3 days for travel time and to see the most well known places. There are ways to do a simple day trip if your goal is to only see 1 or 2 famous landmarks.
2-3 Days is good if your traveling to England for a week or so. If you are there for two weeks or more, we suggest adding a couple more days for Scotland. It is such a beautiful country with so much to see and do.
Rail Europe
We love using Rail Europe to get the best ticket deals on train tickets in Europe.
It’s a fantastic search engine that looks through the major train lines to find you the best seats at the best price!
It’s so simple to use!
⚠️ Travel Tip! ⚠️
For the best prices, try to book your tickets 30 days or more in advance. The closer to your travel date, the more expensive they will get!
Just enter the dates you need and the number of people in your travel party in the search box.
Select the times that work best for you, then enter your information for each traveler. You can select certain preferences such as a table seat, but it’s not guaranteed that you will get those preferences.
⚠️ Travel Tip with Kids! ⚠️
Children 4 and under can travel for FREE! but they will not be given their own seat. If you want your child to have their own seat, set their age to *6* regardless of their age.
Then, you add those tickets to your basket, and purchase. That’s it! Easy, simple, and your ready to go without worrying about snagging a ticket to your next destination early in the morning, avoiding those long ticket lines.
Caledonian Sleeper Train
The Caledonian Sleeper is a great option if you want to travel by train, but not give up precious travel time for the ride itself. Sleep the night away as the train coasts along and wake up at your next destination!
There are many cities to choose from so you’ll never have to worry about where you are in Scotland to make your journey back to London.
We were all the way up in Inverness and did not want to give away a whole day dedicated to travel, so a sleeper train was definitely the best option for us. Chris and I decided to splurge and got one of their double bed rooms for the night, and we are so happy we did!
We had an en suite bathroom which included a shower, breakfast and access to the Club Car on top of our extremely comfortable bed. There is space under the bed to store your luggage, and has a shelf right above the bed so you can charge your phone, hold a water bottle, and the a control panel on each side for adjusting lights.
The shower also doubles as a toilet and one nifty feature I liked was the large seat cover for the toilet. It covers the whole base so nothing gets wet and doubles as a shower seat!
Our dinner in the Club Room was one of the best meals we’ve ever had on a train. Since these are Scottish trains, you’ll get a taste of Scottish cuisine no matter the route.
I tried the Leek, Pea and Watercress soup as a starter, and we both had the Maple Glazed Scottish Pork Belly for dinner. Yum!!! is all we can say. We finished our meal with a Chocolate Tare and Lemon and Blueberry Cheesecake.
The Caledonian Sleeper also has Room Service, and I wanted to check out how that worked on a train. Just like a hotel, your food is brought right to your cabin. The Room Service menu doesn’t include everything from the main menu, but still plenty of good eats. They also have a nice selection of Beer, Wine, and of course Whisky!
We got some late night snacks, like the Cheese Board, Scotch Beef Sliders, and Pizza Twists to go with our night cap of Whisky. What better way to end the night!
Our little man wasn’t born yet when we rode the sleeper train, but we do know children can ride for free up to 4 years old. The rooms aren’t that big, and most travel cots and playpacks won’t fit inside the room.
There are smaller sized baby travel beds, like the Baby Delight Snuggle Nest or the Munchkin Brica Baby Travel Pod, but they are only good for babies up to 9 months. You will either be co sleeping in the double bed with you, your partner, and baby, or baby will be sleeping on the floor in one of the travel beds.
If you are traveling with a toddler, and it’s not just the two of you, it might be best to get a double room for one parent and the toddler to share the bed together, and the other parent to sleep in their own room.
Any child under 12 years old must stay with a traveling adult, while children 12-15 are allowed to stay in their own room as long as it’s next to a traveling adult’s room.
Whether traveling alone, with a partner or family, we definitely recommend the Caledonian Sleeper train for a luxurious, yet afford train ride experience!
The Royal Scotsman
Looking for more luxurious accommodations? Then you might want to check out taking a ride on the Royal Scotsman.
This beautiful old style train brings back the luxury of train travel during the early 1900s. Now add in a fine dining experience, a massage, and amazing excursions, this is more than a simple train ride.
Unlike the other trains, this Royal Scotsman is basically your hotel on wheels. You’ll have room and board, your meals, and activities all planned out for you. These adventures can last from 2-8 day trips, having different stops and excursions depending on the journey you pick.
Their single, twin, and double bed cabins all have their own bathrooms, writing desks, ceiling fans, and heaters for those cold Scottish nights. The Grand Suites give you the ultimate experience with a private sitting room, personal butler, private dining on request, and one spa treatment per person.
While these rooms are on the more luxurious side, they are train cabins with limited space. The twin cabins do have space to put your luggage under the bed. It’s recommend that you only bring one suitcase and a personal bag per person. If you plan on taking one of their trains during a trip and don’t want to bring all your luggage, they can make accommodations for you.
What should you bring on such a fancy train? You could very well need formal dinner wear depending on the journey you pick. You will need a suit and tie, cocktail dresses, and smart casual clothing.
Interested in going from London to Scotland by train, and want it all done for you? Why not book a tour?
Why Go On A Tour?
With its rugged coastlines, historic castles, and vibrant cities, Scotland is a must-visit destination. And by taking a tour, you’ll be able to sit back and relax knowing everything you need has been taken care of for you.
Tour companies will make sure you have your transportation tickets, hotels booked, and any attractions scheduled for you. Some companies can even get you front of the line access, VIP access to usually closed off areas, have tour guides that know the area well, giving you those insider tips.
London to Scotland Train Tours
1. Edinburgh by Rail Day Trip from London with Castle Entry and Hop-on Hop-off Bus
This day excursion from London will let you visit Edinburgh’s top attractions on a self guided tour. You’ll take a train to the Scottish city, then take the free Edinburgh hop-on hop-off bus tour to customize your sightseeing itinerary.
Visit Edinburgh Old Town, stroll down the Royal Mile and decide whether to go to St. Giles Cathedral, the National Museum of Scotland, or any number of other great sights. Edinburgh Castle admission is also included.
2. 3-Day Rail Trip to Edinburgh, Loch Ness and the Highlands from London
On this 3-day trip to Edinburgh, Loch Ness, and the Highlands, you can visit some of Scotland’s most significant cultural institutions in the country’s stunning capital city of Edinburgh.
Take a guided tour to admire the alluring beauty of Loch Ness and the Great Glen, and journey through the Scottish highlands while learning about the area’s rich historical past.
This tour allows you to enjoy two nights in a cozy B&B and a pleasant, picturesque train ride from London to Edinburgh.
🚉 London to Scotland by Train FAQ 🛤️
Is There A High Speed Train from London to Scotland?
There are many high speed trains from London to Scotland, with many major cities having many departure times throughout the day.
How Far is London to Scotland by Train?
By High Speed Train:
London to Edinburgh: 4 Hours
London to Glasgow: 4 Hours and 30 Minutes
Perth: Almost 6 Hours
Dundee: Almost 8 Hours
Inverness: 8 Hours
Is the Train Ride from London to Scotland Scenic?
The ride from London to where ever your destination is in Scotland is one of the most breathtaking with the most scenic views!
Conclusion: How to Get from London to Scotland for 2024
In conclusion, going from London to Scotland by train is a journey that will leave you enchanted and rejuvenated. From Edinburgh Castle, to Loch Lomond, the Isle of Skye, and finally Stirling Castle, you’ll discover Scotland’s charm and magical allure.
Whether you’re a history buff, an art lover, or an adventure seeker, Scotland has something for everyone. You’ll definitely want to add this amazing country to your next UK trip!
