How Long from London to Edinburgh?
Compare all ways to travel: fly (1 hours 20 minutes), train (4 hours 15 minutes), drive (7 hours), bus (9 hours)
Time Comparison
Train is the sweet spot — 4.5 hours from city center to city center with views of the English countryside and Scottish Borders.
Flight
LHR → EDI
1h 20m
EDI → LHR
1h 25m
Distance
332 mi
Time Zone Diff
0h
Quick flight but factor in airport time. Domestic UK flights may face carbon surcharges.
Arrival Time Planner
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Drive
M1/A1(M) via East Coast
7hThe fastest route. Motorway most of the way. Passes through Yorkshire.
M6/M74 via West Coast
7h 15mThrough the Lake District and Scottish Borders. More scenic, slightly longer.
Fuel Cost Estimator
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Train
Duration
4h 15m
Frequency
Every 30 minutes (LNER)
Price Range
£30–£200
LNER / Avanti West Coast
LNER from King's Cross: 4h 15m via East Coast Main Line. Avanti from Euston: 4h 30m via West Coast. Both scenic.
Bus
Duration
9h
Frequency
Multiple daily
Price Range
£10–£40
National Express / Megabus
9 hours with stops. Overnight services available. Extremely cheap if booked early.
Should You Fly or Drive?
✈️ Fly if...
- • You're traveling solo (no car rental savings to split)
- • Time is more valuable than money
- • The drive is 6+ hours
- • You don't need a car at your destination
🚗 Drive if...
- • You have 2+ passengers (split gas costs)
- • You need a car at your destination
- • You have lots of luggage
- • The journey itself is part of the fun
That Travel Time Is Equivalent To...
- ✈️ Flight: Watching 1 movie · Listening to 23 songs
- 🚗 Drive: 9 podcast episodes · 7 audiobook chapters
- 🚂 Train: Reading 9 chapters of a novel · 10 email replies