Edinburgh by Train - 1 day tour
Edinburgh by Train
One day tour
Travel northwards from London by high-speed train. On arrival in Edinburgh, it’s just a short walk to your waiting open-top tour bus for a day of exploration. Visit fabled Edinburgh Castle (included), then tour the medieval Old Town to see the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Queen’s Park and the Scottish Parliament building. Enjoy some time for souvenir shopping before catching your express train back to London.
High Speed Train - travel from London to Edinburgh in just under 4.5 hours
Edinburgh Tour - your hop-on, hop-off tour features 14 convenient stops for easy sightseeing
Edinburgh Castle - see the Scottish Crown Jewels and admire the panorama from the battlements
Palace of Holyroodhouse - get a unique view of HM The King’s official residence in Scotland
Old Town - discover the city’s colourful history with a drive along the ancient Royal Mile
New Town - marvel at the classic Georgian architecture, grand squares and sweeping crescents
Movie locations - The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, Trainspotting and Outlander
Full Tour Itinerary
It’s hard to describe Edinburgh without using superlatives. When we say it’s the most romantic, charming, historic, atmospheric and enjoyable city you’ll ever visit, we’re just describing one of the World’s best-loved cities in the very same words you’ll be posting on Facebook or tweeting about.
Put it another way, can you really pass up the chance to explore a city that millions of people can only dream of visiting?
Edinburgh is only a short 4.5-hour journey by comfortable train from the heart of London. The journey will take you through historic cities like York, Newcastle and Berwick-upon-Tweed right into the centre of Edinburgh.
Your tour will give you time to discover the mysteries of the Royal Mile, the romance of the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and to take a stroll along famous Princes Street.
This convenient package includes an open-top bus tour of Edinburgh that will introduce you to the main sights the city has to offer.
Tour through the grand squares and sweeping crescents of the Georgian New Town, then take a drive down the historic Royal Mile.
Head into the historic Grassmarket to hear stories of executions and murders.
Say hello to little Greyfriar’s Bobby and visit the Elephant Café, where JK Rowling wrote the Harry Potter books. You could even explore the nearby Churchyard to spot the gravestones whose names gave her the inspiration for some of her characters.
A real highlight is our included visit to Edinburgh Castle to see the much-admired Honours of Scotland, Scotland’s Crown Jewels and the Stone of Scone on which the ancient Scottish Kings were crowned.
The views from the castle ramparts over the city are simply stunning!
Later there is time for shopping or enjoying a wee nip of whisky in one of Edinburgh’s Historic bars.
Later, head back to Waverley Station to catch the train southwards to London. On-board you will find a convenient buffet car serving tasty snacks, sandwiches and drinks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I expect on this Freestyle Train Tour?
This carefully planned semi-independent tour will stretch your holiday time to the max without making you feeling rushed.
A unique combination of travel by train and quality sightseeing will give you extra time to explore Edinburgh in greater detail.
All the documentation you need, including your rail tickets, will be emailed to you. Just show them on your smart device as you go, if required. Any questions or if you need your documents early - just email or call us. We’re here to help.
On tour, you’ll travel independently by train to and from London. We’ll make sure you have a reserved seat, and we’ll send you a comprehensive itinerary so you know what’s happening at any time during your tour, as well as helpful city guides for you to download to your smart device.
When you arrive in Edinburgh, it’s just a short walk to join your sightseeing tour - your itinerary will give you directions! The city tour of Edinburgh is by open-top double-deck bus and is hop-on, hop-off with 14 conveniently located stops, including mighty Edinburgh Castle.
Admission to the castle is included, and you can either explore on your own or join a guided tour hosted by a Castle Warder.
Will someone meet me in Scotland?
This is a semi-independent tour, so you will not be met on arrival in Edinburgh.
The hotels that are used in this package have been carefully selected to be not only a short walk from the railway station but also convenient for sightseeing and onward travel connections.
A comprehensive tour itinerary is included as part of your documentation. Each guide is personalised and provides easy to follow directions. You will also receive an Official City Guide which can be downloaded onto your smart device.
One of our travel experts is also available to offer assistance by telephone 7-days a week.
How and when will I get my train tickets?
All your documentation will be emailed to you approximately 7 days before your tour starts. If you require your documentation earlier, just let us know, and we’ll do our best to accommodate your request.
All the vouchers and tickets will be in electronic format, so all you need to do is download them onto your smart device, and you’re good to go.
If you don’t have a smartphone or prefer hard copies, the documents we send are printer-friendly.
Can I cancel or alter this tour?
We are sorry but once booked it is not possible to cancel or change this tour without incurring 100% cancellation charges.
We strongly recommend that you have travel insurance coverage in place.
What happens if I miss my train?
The tickets issued as part of this package are only valid on the train service shown on the ticket and in your itinerary.
If you miss the train, you will need to purchase new tickets at your own expense.
We recommend arriving at the railway stations at least 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time of your train so that you have time to locate the departure platform and board your train in good time.
Inclusions
- Return standard class train tickets between London and Edinburgh with seat reservations
- City tour of Edinburgh by open-top bus
- Admission to Edinburgh Castle
- Customised tour itinerary
- Service charges and taxes
Exclusions
- Admission charges unless stated above
- Meals, snacks or items of a personal nature
Departure information
From Kings Cross Railway Station
Euston Road
London N1 9AL
Check-in: 06:30 hrs
Tour Departs: 07:00 hrs
Tour Returns: 20:55 hrs
Child details
Child discount applies to children aged 5 to 15 years inclusive.
Children aged under 5 years travel free of charge, but no train seat is provided.
Photo-ID may be requested to confirm discount entitlement.
Price Notes
IMPORTANT: Once booked this tour cannot be changed or cancelled
Train Times
The times shown above are for guidance only. The train times for your journey will be shown on your tickets and itinerary.
FAQ's
Please see the FAQ section for more information on this tour.
Product code
RT 00179
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Customer Reviews Overall Rating:
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Rating: (4 /5) 03 Jun 2022
Good way to make a quick visit to Edinburgh. Everything was well arranged and I got the most out of my day. I recommend this trip.
Gaurav from Gurgaon Haryana , IN
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Rating: (5 /5) 10 Apr 2018
Everything was arranged nicely, however it would be nice if you let me indicate on the seats preference on the train..as a single rider, my seat was not as comfortable for this 4-hour ride each way for my pleasure unfortunately I guess that’s the only concern I have. I do understand that seat choices might not be met but at least give me a chance to indicate tho Everything else went well n I fell in love with Edinburg the min I got off the train... Thanks
Esthur from Guttenberg, United States
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Rating: (5 /5) 16 Sep 2017
Great tour, keep up the good job.
Edward from Rocklin, United States
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