Edinburgh to York Trains From £16.30*

It takes around two and a half hours to get from Edinburgh to York with either LNER or CrossCountry.

On your journey, you’ll leave the regal, striking Edinburgh Castle and the romantic coasts of the Scottish Borders behind. Afterwards, gliding down the East Coast Mainline past the English counties of Northumberland and County Durham, passing the city of Durham with its venerated cathedral, heading south all the way to North Yorkshire and the intrepid, medieval City of York.

LNER runs along the East Coast Mainline, linking cities in East Scotland and Northern England to London. Key stops on its route are Stevenage, Newcastle, and York.

Departing from Edinburgh Waverley

Edinburgh Waverley The station is sandwiched between the ‘old’ and ‘new’ towns in the centre of the Scottish capital, making it a straightforward station to reach for your trip to York. You really can’t miss it!

Taxis stop right outside the station, and to reach the station via public transport, you can get off the bus or tram on Princes Street. There are four pedestrian entrances on Princes Street, Market Street, Calton Road, and Waverley Bridge.

Main stops

With LNER, there are only two stops from Edinburgh to York: Newcastle and Darlington. However, with CrossCountry, there are five: Berwick-upon-Tweed, Morpeth, Newcastle, Durham, and Darlington.

This may change due to scheduling issues, signal changes, poor weather, or engineering works. It’s best to double-check before you travel to avoid disappointment.

If you want to buy cheap train tickets, follow these three rules: add a Railcard for an extra discount, book your tickets in advance, and use sites like TrainPal to find the cheapest fare.

Arriving at York

York stands as the busiest station in North Yorkshire and serves as a crucial hub for train connections across the North, East, South, and West. Due to its central location, UK operators such as TransPennine, LNER, CrossCountry, Grand Central, and Northern utilize this station.

York is a legendary station to arrive at and is frequently rated as one of the best stations in the UK. It’s conveniently just a short walk from the centre of York, with the city centre tucked neatly behind its 13th century medieval town walls.

If you need to use public transport, the station is connected by local bus routes and has a taxi rank immediately outside of it, too.

The city is teeming with things to see and do. It has restaurants and cosy pubs by the ton, not to mention a pub built on top of an ancient Roman bathhouse. It has the York Dungeons that’ll frighten the pants off you, the Jorvik Centre that celebrates the city’s sometimes dark yet intriguing Viking past, bookshops reminiscent of classic British icons like Harry Potter, and a blissful 12th-century cathedral to marvel at.

LNER train classes

• Standard Class: Comfortable seating and free Wi-Fi. There are also tables and power sockets for your devices.
• First Class: Complimentary food and drinks, larger seats and tables. First Class lounge access at certain stations on the East Coast Mainline.

LNER train travel advice

• Luggage: Passengers can bring up to three pieces of luggage.
• Pets: Pets travel free on LNER. Dogs must be on leads, and other animals in carriers. Maximum of two pets per passenger.
• Bicycles: Reservations are required. Folding bikes can be taken onboard as luggage.
• Children: Children receive cheaper tickets.The Family & Friends Railcard offers up to 1/3 off family ticket costs.
• Passenger Assist: Get travel advice for the station you wish to use, seat reservations, ticket assistance, and help with arrivals and transfers, plus discounts for disabled passengers.

CrossCountry offers a comprehensive network of train services connecting towns and cities across England, Scotland, and Wales. This network facilitates travel between major British cities, including Cardiff, Manchester, Edinburgh, and Birmingham, and contributes to an efficient and convenient means of commuting for work, education, or just exploring the country.

CrossCountry train classes

• Standard Class: Onboard Wi-Fi, charging points, and tables. Snacks and drinks are available from the onboard shop.
• First Class: An Edinburgh to York First Class ticket provides a more spacious and comfortable journey with larger seats and complimentary refreshments.

CrossCountry train travel advice

• Luggage: A maximum of three items: one small item, one medium-sized bag, and one large suitcase.
• Pets: Dogs, cats, and other small pets are free of charge. They must be well-behaved and do not disturb other passengers. Two pets per passenger.
• Bicycles: Bicycle reservations are required before traveling.
• Children: Children receive cheaper tickets. The Family & Friends Railcard offers up to 1/3 off family ticket costs.
• Passenger Assist: Provide assistance at stations and on trains, or during transfers, help with luggage, offer discounts for disabled passengers, and other services.

*Information is subject to change. Please check the latest train timetable before your trip.