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Set in over 70 acres of stunning landscape, the world-famous Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is a simply breathtaking tourist attraction.
This national treasure of Scotland is worth a visit at any time of year. This is true, whether you’re spending a relaxing day alone or enjoying a romantic date amongst the flowers.
If you’re heading to Edinburgh via train for another purpose, you must make time for a visit to the Garden. Plus, journeying with Avanti West Coast trains makes getting to Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh effortless, affordable, and fun.
How to get to Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh by train
The easiest way to get to Edinburgh’s Royal Botanic Garden is via train to Edinburgh Waverley Station. This is the closest station to the Garden, just 1.5 miles away. It’s also accessible from most major rail stations around the UK.
The walk from the station to Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh should take about 25 minutes. However, there are usually taxis or buses available outside Waverley Station.
If you’re walking, here’s the best route:
- Once you arrive at Waverley Station, head for Princes Street
- Take a left and walk to Hanover Street - the first street on your right
- Walk up Hanover Street before crossing George Street and Queen Street
- Walk down Dundas Street and follow the road to Canon Mills
- At the traffic lights, turn left on Inverleith Row
- As you continue up, you will see the Gardens
The Gardens have two entrances; the West Gate on Arboretum Place and the East Gate on Inverleith Row. If you’re walking, you’ll likely enter the Gardens via the East Gate.
What to do at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh?
The Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh is a diverse collection of exquisite flora, with a rich history dating back to the 17th century. It is home to a number of plant collections, each offering a unique experience and an opportunity for education.
There are several tours that can be booked. These include daily guided walks, afternoon tea tours, and group tours. Take a walk through the gardens with a knowledgeable guide. Learn more about the Garden’s diversity and the importance of plants.
Some of the highlights of a visit to the Royal Botanic Garden include the Woodland Garden, the Chinese Hillside, and the Rock Garden. These are all sights you won’t want to miss as you wander around.
The Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh offers educational resources for scholars, students, and artists. If research is your thing, the research glasshouses are home to around a third of the plant types grown here.
Visitors can also book an appointment in the library and archives. Here, you can study the books and research documents available.
About the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is one of the best and most diverse collections of living plants in the world.
Established in 1670, the Garden houses over 13,500 plant species from over 157 countries. This makes it unsurprising that Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and the three regional Gardens in Benmore, Dawyck, and Logan welcome over one million visitors every year.
The Edinburgh Garden is on a mission to ‘explore, conserve and explain the world of plants for a better future’. It has become a hub of innovation, continuing to offer world-leading plant science alongside conservation and education programmes that aim to meet this mission.
Ways to save on your train ticket to the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Travelling via train to Botanic Gardens Edinburgh is convenient.
You can take in the sights of Scotland on the way and enjoy onboard entertainment. Booking with Avanti West Coast ensures your journey is affordable too.
When you book with Avanti West Coast trains, you can save money on your rail tickets by booking in advance or using Railcards.
Booking in advance means you can secure your ticket at a low price. You might even be able to save further by travelling during off-peak times.
If you’re not sure whether you can book your tickets early, set up an Avanti advance ticket alert. This way, you will be notified when tickets for your journey are ready to buy.
Using a Railcard is a great way to save on train travel, especially if you’re a frequent rail user. Simply pay a one-off fee to receive your Railcard and start saving.
You can save up to a third of your fare with a Railcard that costs as little as £30 per year. If you’re travelling with the family, there are deals for you too.
With the Family and Friends Railcard, you can save a third of the price of adult fares and 60% on kids' fares. These savings are available for up to four adults and four children aged between five and 15 who are all travelling together.
Get the app
When you’re ready to book your train tickets to Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh, download the Avanti West Coast app for the lowest price and no booking fees.
Pick your seat, track your train, and pay your preferred way all within the app. Save your e-tickets to your digital wallet, and you’ll be on your way in no time.
