First train | 05:04 | |
---|---|---|
Last train | 23:32 | |
Departure station | Luton | |
Arrival station | Edinburgh (Waverley) | |
Journey time | From 5h 57m | |
Distance | 303 miles (488 km) | |
Frequency | 3 trains per day | |
Changes | 2 changes | |
Price | From £62.30 | |
Train operators | CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway, London North Eastern Railway, Lumo, ScotRail, Thameslink, TransPennine Express |
There are no direct trains from Luton to Edinburgh Waverley, but the journey is both scenic and convenient if you change in London and take a direct train to Edinburgh. Take a Thameslink service from Luton to London St. Pancras, then make the short three-minute walk over to King's Cross station. Once there, you can take a London North Eastern Railway (LNER) service to Edinburgh Waverley. Once there, you can take an LNER service to Edinburgh Waverley. On LNER services you’ll find power sockets at every table, luggage racks at the end of each carriage and free WiFi in both Standard and First Class, you just need to register with your email address if it’s your first time connecting.
With scenic views of the British East Coast, taking in sights across Yorkshire and Cumbria, the journey from Luton to Edinburgh Waverley with Thameslink and London North Eastern Railway (LNER) certainly is a lovely one. A few minutes after leaving London King's Cross, look to the right for the Emirates Stadium and shortly after that, Alexandra Palace.
Once you leave the London suburbs behind, the beautiful open countryside will take over, lasting right up until you reach the city of Peterborough and cross the River Nene, where you'll be able to see the squat towers of Peterborough's Cathedral. Fun fact: on 3 July 1938 a steam locomotive called "Mallard" set the world speed record for a steam train at 125 miles per hour. A commemorative sign acknowledging the feat can be seen on the right-hand side a few miles after leaving Peterborough.
The next stop is York – almost 200 miles north of London, followed by Durham, where the train passes over a viaduct from which you can see Durham's city centre and its castle. On the way to Newcastle, you'll be able to see the 66 ft tall sculpture called "Angel of the North". You'll then pass over the River Tyne, moving up the East coast of Northern England and passing through Berwick soon after, a medieval town at the Scottish-English border. After some more breathtaking views around the Scottish coast, you'll arrive at Edinburgh Waverley.
For more money-saving tips on UK and European train travel, read our cheap train tickets guide.