Ditch dreary traffic jams, say goodbye to gruelling coach journeys, and travel by train from Scotland to London.
Whether you’re zipping from one capital city to another—for business or pleasure—you can do it comfortably and without stretching your budget. Give yourself the freedom to catch up on emails, binge a TV series, enjoy a good book, or just sit back and take in the scenery. Framed perfectly by the carriage window, admire lush rolling countryside, enchanting woodland, urban landscapes, and everything in between.
Hopping between two countries by rail doesn’t need to be difficult or expensive. With lots of trains leaving major Scottish cities every day, and railcards offering discounts to suit many travellers, you can get planning your trip to London with confidence.
If you’ve been wondering how to buy train tickets and plan your travel from Scotland to London with ease, all the answers are right here.
How to get cheap train tickets from Scotland to London
Saving money always feels brilliant, and finding the best deals and prices doesn’t have to mean hours of research and digging.
Here are some simple but effective ways you can save money on train tickets to England’s capital city.
Book in Advance
A little bit of planning can go a long way in making your train journey smoother and more affordable. One brilliant money-saving option is purchasing your ticket in advance.
You’ve probably already guessed it, but Advance tickets are train tickets you buy before the day of travel. Not only does this give you peace of mind - no last minute rushing about to get a ticket before your train departs - but Advance tickets often come with significant discounts compared to buying tickets on the day of travel. So, if your trip to London is definitely on the cards, see if you can secure affordable Advance tickets for the start of your journey.
It’s important to bear in mind that Advance tickets typically come with certain conditions. For example, they are usually non-refundable and non-transferable. Additionally, Advance tickets are only valid for the specific train service you book them for.
Be flexible where possible
One more way to make train travel more affordable is being flexible on when you can make your journey. This can be done by checking journey times and costs ahead of time, and purchasing an Advance ticket that is a great price but also aligns with your plans.
Get a Railcard
With a railcard you can save even more money and get an extra discount on Advance tickets. It may be that you make the journey from Scotland to London regularly, or you’re simply planning a one-off trip. Either way, there’s bound to be a suitable railcard for you.
- 16-25 and 26-30: Embark on budget-friendly adventures as you navigate through the vibrant years of your life. Whether it's catching up with university pals, reuniting with family, or managing everyday errands, the 16-25 or 26-30 railcards ensure a pocket-friendly journey with a generous ⅓ discount on rail fares for only £30 annually!
- Two Together Railcard: Regularly heading to work with your office buddy, or maybe you have a friend or partner you usually travel with? Any two named individuals aged 16 or older can enjoy a discount of a ⅓ off rail fares when travelling together. For just £30 per year, these designated passengers can purchase discounted tickets for off-peak journeys during the week or at any time over the weekends.
How to purchase train tickets from Scotland to London
There are multiple ways to buy train tickets for your journey from Scotland to London, with a method to suit every type of train passenger—whether you still like seeing a friendly face or prefer everything in your pocket and on the go.
From a ticket office
You can buy cheap train tickets with cash or a debit card at any station ticket office. Just make sure to give yourself enough time to get a ticket before your train leaves.
This doesn’t just apply to tickets for same-day travel. You can pop in whenever suits you best and buy Advance train tickets to get you on your way to London from Scotland, or anywhere else for that matter.
Online or via the ScotRail App
Pick the right ticket for your trip on the ScotRail website or app.
The ScotRail app is free and keeps you updated on the go. Stay in control of your trip right from your pocket, no stress! You can get Single and Return train tickets as mTickets via the app. mTickets can be downloaded instantly, and scanned at the gates directly from your phone. No more hanging around in queues.
Glasgow to London
If you’re travelling to London from Glasgow, we’ve gathered together some key information to make your journey a breeze.
How long does it take to get to London from Glasgow by train?
Taking the train from Glasgow to London takes approximately 5 hours and 35 minutes. The journey from Glasgow Central to London Euston covers a distance of approximately 343 miles (553 kilometres).
Are there direct trains to London from Glasgow?
You’ll be pleased to know that you can take a direct route, with 24 out of 32* daily trains requiring zero changes.
What time is the first train from Glasgow to London?
Mid-morning meetings to attend in England’s capital city? You can get the first train from Glasgow at 04:28*, pulling into London at around 09:15, making it a speedier trip of approximately 4 hours and 46 minutes.
How frequent are trains from Glasgow to London?
There are trains roughly every hour to London Euston, with others to King’s Cross, giving you some much-needed flexibility.
How much does the train from Glasgow to London cost?
To get the best fare when travelling from Glasgow to London, book directly with us and choose from a number of cheap ticket options. Get organised and plan ahead by purchasing an Advance ticket, starting from just £35.
You can also save a ⅓ on rail fares with a handy railcard. Check if you’re eligible and see which one suits you best, from a 16-25 railcard, to a Friends & Family railcard, and plenty more options.
Edinburgh to London
Here’s everything you need to know about making the journey from Edinburgh to London by train.
How long does it take to get to London from Edinburgh by train?
The average journey time from Edinburgh (Waverley) to London is 5 hours and 11 minutes covering a distance of approximately 332 miles (534 km).
The fastest train journey takes 4 hours. Of course, these journey times can vary, and be longer during weekends and Bank Holidays.
Are there direct trains from Edinburgh to London?
Yes! You can truly kick back and relax when you travel to London from Edinburgh by train as there is no need to change. Whether you’re heading to Kings Cross or Euston, 42 out of 45 daily trains from Edinburgh are direct.
What time is the first train from Edinburgh to London?
For early birds, the first train to take you to London leaves Edinburgh (Waverley) at 05:40 in the morning. This train will get you to King’s Cross at around 09:40, so plenty of time to grab a big city brunch before seeing the sights.
How frequent are trains from Edinburgh to London?
There are up to 45 trains a day from Edinburgh to London, with the last train leaving Edinburgh for London at 23:40.
How much does the train from Edinburgh to London cost?
We said before and we’ll say it again: plan ahead and book in advance with us for the best rail fares. You can travel from Edinburgh to London from just £35 by purchasing your ticket well ahead of your trip.
As mentioned previously, there are numerous railcards that will reduce ticket cost – so don’t forget to take advantage of these.
Save time, experience more with the Caledonian Sleeper
Embarking on a journey from Scotland to London aboard the Caledonian Sleeper is about so much more than getting from point A to B. Turn your travels into an adventure in their own right, and experience a little luxury whilst maximising your time away.
Pull away from the scenic locales of Scotland, and get snuggled up in the comfort of your own cabin, or sample the fine onboard dining options. Arrive the following morning feeling refreshed and raring to go. You’ll have plenty of time to make morning meetings or big city breakfast plans.
What’s more, we’ve partnered with Caledonian Sleeper, helping to make the start and end of customers’ journeys a true dream. Caledonian Sleeper passengers can benefit from a 20% discount on ScotRail tickets, available to customers holding a valid Caledonian Sleeper ticket. To claim the discount, simply visit a ScotRail booking office and show your Caledonian Sleeper paper or e-ticket.
Scotland to London travel advice
No matter where you’re travelling to, we aim to ensure your journey involves minimal disruptions and to keep customers updated at all times.
There are a few ways you can stay in the loop with train services and make your journey smoother:
- Plan your journey ahead of time on our website
- Keep an eye on live train times and download the ScotRail app
Get familiar with the facilities
Whether you need to park your car, have additional access needs, or need to pop into a staffed booking office before you travel, you can find out all this information on our website.
Having a clearer picture of your upcoming journey can take the stress out of things, leaving you free to relax and take in the views. Read all about ScotRail’s stations and facilities to help plan your journey better.
Why travel from Scotland to London by train
In case you need convincing as to why taking the train from Scotland to London is the best option, here are some key reasons.
Fast & affordable
Having access to your own vehicle might seem like an attractive option, but there are two major benefits to taking the train instead.
Firstly, it’s quick and easy. Attempting to battle through rush hour traffic in London is nobody’s ideal way to start the day. How about you simply step off onto the platform and stroll to your destination, having had a relaxing or productive journey.
With options for discounts on train tickets from Scotland to London, you can say goodbye to hefty fuel costs. Less miles on your car also means less likelihood you’ll be paying an expensive visit to the mechanics any time soon too!
Environmentally friendly
If you’re looking to reduce your CO2 impact, then taking the train instead of driving is the way to do it.
No baggage fees
Unlike air travel, there are no additional costs for luggage or bags when you take the train. This means, no tough decisions about which jackets to bring, or whose Christmas presents to leave behind. Travelling by train is, again, a convenient and cost-effective option.
Other popular routes
While Glasgow and Edinburgh are major cities, there are plenty of other starting points for journeys from Scotland to London.
*Timetable and pricing information correct at the time of publishing (May 2024)