• Home >
• Tours >
• Day Trips from London by Train >
• Edinburgh Tour from London

Edinburgh Tour from London

Discover the beauty, history and atmosphere of Scotland’s capital on our Edinburgh Tour from London. Travel by fast train from London King’s Cross to the heart of Edinburgh and enjoy a full day

Available On Selected Dates from £239 per Person

A great value way to see the capital of Scotland

Discover the beauty, history and atmosphere of Scotland’s capital on our Edinburgh Tour from London. Travel by fast train from London King’s Cross to the heart of Edinburgh and enjoy a full day exploring one of Britain’s most spectacular cities.

Your package includes return train travel with reserved seats, a Hop-On Hop-Off sightseeing bus ticket and entry to Edinburgh Castle, Scotland’s most famous visitor attraction.

From the historic Royal Mile to the impressive Edinburgh Castle and the elegant streets of the New Town, you’ll have plenty of time to experience the highlights of Edinburgh before returning to London the same evening.

Everything is arranged for you in advance, so all you need to do is board the train and enjoy your day in Edinburgh.

Whether it’s your first visit to Scotland or you’ve always wanted to explore Edinburgh, this is one of the easiest and most enjoyable day trips from London.

Why Choose Our Edinburgh Tour from London?

Edinburgh is widely regarded as one of Europe’s most beautiful capital cities, combining medieval streets, grand Georgian architecture and centuries of fascinating Scottish history.

Travelling by train allows you to sit back, relax and enjoy one of Britain’s most scenic rail journeys as you travel through the English and Scottish countryside.

With everything organised in advance, there’s no need to worry about booking train tickets or attraction entry. Simply board your train in London and enjoy a memorable day exploring Edinburgh at your own pace.

Travel from London to Edinburgh by Train

Your day begins at London King’s Cross Station, where you’ll board a direct train to Edinburgh. Reserved seats are included as standard.

If you upgrade to First Class, you’ll enjoy extra legroom and a light meal served directly to your seat, making the journey even more comfortable.

Travelling in Standard Class? A catering trolley regularly passes through the train where you can purchase sandwiches, snacks, hot drinks and cold refreshments during the journey.

Arriving at Edinburgh Waverley Station, you’ll find yourself right in the heart of the city, ready to begin exploring.

Explore Edinburgh with the Hop-On Hop-Off Bus

One of the easiest ways to discover Edinburgh is aboard the included Hop-On Hop-Off sightseeing bus.

The open-top double-decker buses provide panoramic views as they travel between Edinburgh’s major attractions, with informative audio commentary available in nine languages.

The first stop is just a 5 to 10-minute walk from Edinburgh Waverley Station, making it easy to begin sightseeing as soon as you arrive. Full details are provided in your information pack.

The bus stops close to Edinburgh Castle, although if you prefer, you can enjoy the 25-minute uphill walk through the historic Old Town to the castle entrance. It’s a lovely route that follows part of the famous Royal Mile, allowing you to soak up the atmosphere of Edinburgh’s oldest streets.

With buses running throughout the day, you can hop off whenever something catches your eye before continuing your journey later. The full round-trip takes approximately 70 minutes.

Edinburgh Castle

Perched high on the ancient volcanic Castle Rock, Edinburgh Castle is Scotland’s most iconic landmark.

Your admission ticket is included, allowing you to explore the castle’s impressive collection of historic buildings, including St Margaret’s Chapel, the Great Hall, the Royal Palace and the Scottish Crown Jewels.

Don’t miss the famous One O’Clock Gun, fired every Monday to Saturday at 1pm, a tradition that’s continued for more than 160 years.

When you arrive, it’s well worth asking at the visitor information desk if there are any free guided talks taking place during your visit. They’re an excellent way to learn more about the castle’s remarkable history and are often considered one of the highlights of a visit.

Before you leave, be sure to spend a few moments enjoying the spectacular panoramic views across Edinburgh from the castle walls.

Stroll Along the Royal Mile

Stretching from Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Royal Mile is the historic heart of the city.

As you wander its cobbled streets you’ll discover centuries-old buildings, hidden alleyways, traditional pubs, whisky shops, street performers and some of Edinburgh’s most famous landmarks.

Be sure to step inside St Giles’ Cathedral, admire the historic Grassmarket beneath the castle and explore the charming closes branching off the Royal Mile, each with its own fascinating history.

Visit the Palace of Holyroodhouse

At the opposite end of the Royal Mile stands the magnificent Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official Scottish residence of His Majesty King Charles III.

If time allows, it’s well worth visiting the State Apartments, the historic rooms of Mary, Queen of Scots and the beautiful palace gardens.

Please note that admission to the Palace of Holyroodhouse is not included in this tour. The Palace is generally open Thursday to Monday throughout most of the year and daily during the summer season.

Enjoy Edinburgh at Your Own Pace

One of the best parts of this Edinburgh Tour from London is having the freedom to explore independently.

Stop for lunch in a traditional Scottish pub, sample local specialities or, if you’d like to experience a true taste of Scotland, why not finish your meal with a wee dram of whisky?

Edinburgh’s compact city centre makes it easy to explore on foot and by Hop-On Hop-Off bus, and you’ll find plenty of independent shops, museums and hidden corners waiting to be discovered between the city’s famous attractions. A complimentary city map and information booklet are included to help you make the most of your time in Edinburgh.

Harry Potter fans will also enjoy exploring Edinburgh’s atmospheric Old Town, where J.K. Rowling found inspiration while writing the famous books. Be sure to wander along Victoria Street, widely believed to have inspired Diagon Alley.

Looking to Stay Longer?

If one day isn’t enough, we also offer 2-day and 3-day Edinburgh tours from London, giving you extra time to explore attractions such as Arthur’s Seat, the Royal Yacht Britannia, Dean Village and Edinburgh’s lively evening atmosphere.

Tour Timings

7:00am – Depart London King’s Cross Station.

11:20am – Arrive at Edinburgh Waverley Station.

5:30pm – Depart Edinburgh Waverley Station.

10:10pm – Arrive back at London King’s Cross Station.

Please check your e-ticket for your exact train times, as these can  vary slightly.

What’s Included

✅ Return train travel from London with reserved seats
✅ Entry to Edinburgh Castle
✅ Hop-On Hop-Off sightseeing tour
✅ Free city map and information booklet
✅ Information pack before you travel

Optional Extras

✅ First Class return train travel
✅ Stay overnight in a centrally located 3-star hotel with bed and breakfast
✅ Stay two nights in a centrally located 3-star hotel with bed and breakfast, plus a day tour to Loch Ness & the Highlands

Before You Travel

Your e-tickets will be emailed one week before your scheduled departure date. If you book within one week of departure, you’ll receive your e-tickets within 24 hours of booking.

Bookings cancelled up to seven days before departure receive a full refund. Cancellations within seven days of departure are non-refundable.

We’ll always do our best to accommodate any seating requests on the train. However, as seating is allocated by the train operator, specific requests cannot be guaranteed.

 

terms and conditions