Trains to Edinburgh | Avanti West Coast

Edinburgh Castle is a historic landmark that people from around the world want to see in person. Make your trip to Edinburgh Castle unforgettable with a train journey on Avanti West Coast train.

How to get to Edinburgh Castle by train

Edinburgh Castle’s closest station is Waverley Station, right in the heart of the city. The Castle is visible once you leave the station up on the hill. From Waverley station, walk along Market Street until you reach Ramsey Lane. From there, you will approach Castlehill and walk up to the Castle.

What to do at Edinburgh Castle

There is plenty to do, whether you go independently or follow a set itinerary. Take a tour, find your way around the castle highlights, or have a meal. Whatever you choose to do, you’re sure to stay well entertained during your time at Edinburgh Castle.

Some highlights you may want to see at the Castle include the Great Hall, the Royal Palace, the Stone of Destiny, or the Queen’s Embroideries. The Great Hall was built in 1511 for King James IV. It is located in the Crown Square part of the Castle and has a history of banquets and events fit for royalty. Also in Crown Square, the Royal Palace was home to kings and queens for many years throughout Scotland’s turbulent history. Visitors can also see the royal apartments when visiting the Palace.

The Stone of Destiny was used for hundreds of years to inaugurate kings of Scotland. While its origins are a mystery, it is still sacred and is in the Crown Square with the Crown Jewels. The Queen’s Embroideries are a replica of embroideries that Mary Queen of Scots made when she got exiled in England. There are 37 needlework pictures displayed in the ante-chamber of the Royal apartments which are also worth a look.

You can get support on your journey through the Castle on a guided tour or with an itinerary, and learn about the different corners of the Castle as part of a one or two hour tour. On these guided tours, you can choose the route that stops at the attractions you are most interested in seeing, so you don’t have to worry about missing out. The Morning Route, Royal Route, and Military March are only some of the cultured experiences you can enjoy.

After exploring the Castle all day, you are sure to be hungry. Edinburgh Castle lets you choose between a light snack and a full meal during your time there. At the top of the Castle, the Tea Rooms provide an elegant space to enjoy afternoon tea. Have a snack that makes you feel like royalty, or enjoy craft beers, whiskies, wines, or spirits. At the Redcoat Café, you can have a hearty lunch or a quick snack. The seasonal menu offers soups, sandwiches, and other bites.

Getting to Edinburgh Castle

A train ride to Edinburgh is an amazing day out no matter where you head once you get off. From London Euston, Manchester or Birmingham you can get up to Edinburgh using Avanti West Coast trains.

The views from the trains are amazing and you'll be able to fully experience the magic of Edinburgh.

Getting to Edinburgh >

Edinburgh Station

Accessibility and mobility access
- Accessible Public Telephones
  
  Available in part on the main concourse during Station Opening times
- Accessible Taxis
  
  Taxi ranks are located on Waverley Bridge and also Market Street. Market Street can be accessed step free via available lifts.
- Accessible Ticket Machines
  
  All Virgin Trains East Coast machines are DDA compliant in the Travel Centre
- Customer Help Points
  
  There is a Customer Information Point in the Main Concourse opposite the main departure boards.
- Impaired Mobility Set Down
  
  A drop off area is located at Calton Road, an assistance call point is located beside the lift.
  Assistance is available to and from platforms, please call in advance to use this service. Please contact customer services of the relevant train operator:
  - LNER - 03457 225 333
  - Avanti West Coast - 03453280253
  - ScotRail - 0845 6015 929
- Induction Loop
  Yes
- National Key Toilets
  
  At entrance to Public Toilets
- Ramp For Train Access
  Yes
- Staff Help Available
  
  Monday to Friday – 04:00 to 00:45
  Saturday – 04:00 to 00:45
  Sunday – 06:00 to 00:45
  
  Assistance is available from welcome hosts, the travel centre, and the mobility assistance office as well as the customer information point in the main concourse.
  The Mobility Assistance Room is located opposite platform 4.
- Step Free Access
  
  There is step free access to all parts of the station with lifts and escalators giving access to the platforms
- Wheelchairs Available
  Yes
- This station does not offer
  
  Height Adjusted Ticket Office Counter
Buying / collecting tickets
- Penalty Fares
  NR
- Prepurchase Collection
  Yes
- Smartcards issued at this station
  No
- Smartcard validators
  No
- Staffing Level
  Fulltime
- Ticket Machine
  Yes
- Ticket Office
  
  Monday to Friday – 06:00 to 22:00
  Saturday – 06:00 to 22:00
  Sunday – 07:00 to 22:00
  
  In the Travel Centre
- This station does not offer
  
  Smartcard notes, Smartcard tickets
Getting to / from the station
- Car Park
  
  New Street: Long Stay - 617 spaces
  Accessible spaces: 16
  
  Monday to Friday – 04:00 to 00:45
  Weekend – 06:00 to 00:45
  
  Telephone Number: 0345 077 4224
  
  Url: https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/
- Cycle Storage Availability
  
  Storage Space: 223
  Storage Shelter: Yes
  Cctv: true
  Note:
  Please do not leave panniers, bags or trailers attached to bicycles or racks. Panniers, bags or trailers attached to bicycles will be removed and deposited in lost property, a fee may be charged for their return.
  
  Type: Stands
  Type: Racks
  Storage location:
  Cycle storage can be found in the station: by the lift at Platform 2 (37 spaces) Platform 3 (68 Spaces) and adjacent to Platform 19 (86 Spaces). Additional cycle spaces are available in New Street car park (32 spaces).
- Onward Travel
  
  Buses can be found on Princess Street exit 1. Lothian Buses provide a network of daily and frequent bus services around the city. For details please visit: www.lothianbuses.com
  All Lothian buses are accessible and can be lowered to give step free access and have a dedicated mobility space.
  Buy an Edinburgh PLUSBUS ticket with you train ticket, for unlimited bus travel around the whole of Edinburgh. For details please visit: www.plusbus.info
  Edinburgh Tram stop can be found just outside the station entrance. The tram route runs from Edinburgh Airport to York Place in the City Centre. For full details please visit: www.edinburghtrams.com
- Rail Replacement Services
  
  Buses pick up from Market Street, which is a right turn out of the station.
  Buses drop off at the bus stop on Jeffrey Street, close to the Leonardo Hotel.
  ScotRail bus replacements:
  Pre-planned: Pick up on Market Street opposite The Doric
  Emergency: Jeffrey Street outside Leonardo Hotel
- Taxi Rank
  
  Nearest Taxi Ranks are on Market St and Waverley Bridge outside the station.
Station Facilities
- Customer Service
  
  Please ask a welcome host or at the travel centre / mobility assistance room or at the customer information point in the centre of the main concourse.
- Left Luggage
  
  Operator Name: Excess Baggage Company
  Telephone Number: 0131 516 9834
  Url: https://www.left-baggage.co.uk/index/locations
- Lost Property
  
  Monday to Friday – 09:00 to 17:30
  
  Operator Name: Excess Baggage Company
  Telephone Number: 0330 024 0215
  Url: https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/
- Refreshment Facilities
  
  Coffee shop Public House/Bar Food outlet (Seating available)
- Toilets
  Yes
- Waiting Room
  
  Yes
- WiFi
  Yes

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About Edinburgh Castle

Here are a couple of amazing facts about Edinburgh Castle that we thought you might enjoy reading whilst on your train journey.

Edinburgh Castle has a long, rich history of royal and military life. The Castle’s origins go back to prehistoric times when people from the Iron Age built a fortress on the rock.
Sieges and warfare are part of the history of this historic landmark.
It was also home to several kings and queens, including Queen Margaret, who died in the Castle in 1093 and her son King David I. King James IV, King Henry VIII, and Mary Queen of Scots were also residents of the Castle over the years.
In the 1650s, the Castle grew as a military base and became home to about 600 troops.
Between 1757 and 1814, the Castle was used as a prison, with hundreds of prisoners being locked away in the vaults.

Ways to save on your train ticket to Edinburgh Castle

Travelling to Edinburgh Castle is extra enjoyable if you go by train. Take in the views of the British countryside as you whizz your way to Edinburgh.

Book directly and in advance to save on your train tickets. When you book directly, you can avoid fees on your ticket purchase and have access to exclusive Avanti West Coast discounts. Save even more money when you book in advance. The farther in advance you book, the more you save - Advance booking is available for Standard, Standard Premium, and First Class tickets.

You can also save by purchasing a Railcard which provides a discounted rate of over 1/3 off when you purchase your train tickets. The price may vary depending on age, but the savings are always valuable. You may also be able to use a digital or family Railcard – check the different types to see if you qualify. A digital Railcard makes using your Railcard convenient as you always have it ready to use on your device. A family Railcard offers savings of up to 60% for children and can be used by families of two to five people when riding together.

Off-season tickets can also help you save by offering a discount to ride when fewer people are using the trains. Off-peak hours typically start after the morning rush hour, and begin again in mid to late afternoon. Peak hours are triggered at different times for different services so check your times and prices when you’re buying your ticket. Choosing these times can mean savings on your commute with Avanti West Coast.