Travel from Edinburgh Waverley to York in approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes with LNER
Travelling with LNER from Edinburgh Waverley to York provides scenic views of the East Coast, including stretches of dramatic coastline, countryside and historic market towns.
London North Eastern Railway (LNER) operates long-distance services on the East Coast Main Line, connecting major cities such as London, York, Leeds, Newcastle, and Edinburgh. Known for its modern Azuma trains, LNER offers frequent services, onboard Wi-Fi, and a choice of both Standard Class or First Class seating.
Departing from Edinburgh Waverley
Edinburgh Waverley Station is located in the centre of the city, between the Old Town and New Town. There’s entrances to the station on Princes Street, Market Street and Waverley Bridge.
Waverley offers direct train services to major UK cities including London, Glasgow, York, Leeds, Newcastle and Inverness. It's a key starting point for both long-distance and regional travel.
The main train operators serving Edinburgh Waverley include LNER, CrossCountry, ScotRail, TransPennine Express and Avanti West Coast, providing passengers with a wide range of routes and service options.
Main stops
When you’re travelling from Edinburgh Waverley to York with LNER, you’ll stop at Dunbar, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Alnmouth, Morpeth, Newcastle, Durham and Darlington.
With CrossCountry, you’ll stop at Berwick-upon-Tweed, Alnmouth, Newcastle, Durham and Darlington.
Arriving at York
York Station is located just outside the city walls on Station Road, a short walk from York city centre, making it easy to explore within minutes of you arriving. The station offers regular services to major destinations including London King’s Cross, Edinburgh, Leeds, Newcastle, and Manchester.
There are various York landmarks nearby, including the stunning York Minster, the National Railway Museum and the Shambles, one of the UK's best preserved medieval streets. You can start sightseeing right after you step off the train.
LNER train classes
- Standard Class: Travelling from Edinburgh Waverley to York in Standard Class offers a comfortable option with LNER, and you can buy cheap train tickets to ensure it’s as affordable as possible. LNER’s Standard Class, especially on Azuma trains, features fold-down or full-size tables, Wi-Fi and a trolley or cafe service depending on your train.
- First Class: If you’re after a more relaxed journey, Edinburgh to York First Class offers added space and amenities. LNER First Class offers spacious reclining seats, complimentary food and drinks served at your seat, charging points and Wi-Fi.
LNER train travel advice
LNER offers a fully equipped service from Edinburgh Waverley to York, including:
- Luggage - LNER allows up to three items of luggage per passenger.
- Bicycles - LNER allows bikes, but space is limited and reservations are required, especially for full-sized bikes that don’t fold down.
- Children - Kids under 5 travel free on LNER services, and children aged 5–15 enjoy significant fare discounts. Family railcards offer further savings.
- Pets - You can bring up to two pets for free on LNER trains. Dogs must be on a lead and small animals must be secured in a carrier.
- Passenger Assistance - LNER supports bookable passenger assistance, offering help with boarding, luggage and accessibility needs.
Travelling from Edinburgh Waverley to York with CrossCountry is also an option, and the route offers similar views of hills, towns and rural landscapes as the train travels from one end of England to the other. It’s a relaxing way to see parts of the countryside.
CrossCountry is one of the UK’s main long-distance train operators, running services covering from Scotland to the South West, even the South Coast of England. It connects cities like Edinburgh, Newcastle, Leeds, Birmingham and Bristol, offering Standard Class and First Class seating, free Wi-Fi on most trains and some onboard catering options.
CrossCountry train classes
- Standard Class: CrossCountry Standard Class provides cushioned seating, luggage space, and access to Wi-Fi and power sockets on most services between Edinburgh Waverley and York. With a railcard, you can buy cheap train tickets and travel without breaking the bank.
- First Class: With CrossCountry, Edinburgh Waverley to York First Class includes wider seats, extra legroom, and a quieter atmosphere. Many services offer complimentary light snacks and non-alcoholic drinks, depending on the time and route.
CrossCountry train travel advice
CrossCountry services between Edinburgh Waverley and York have a lot to offer, including:
- Luggage - CrossCountry advises one medium case plus a small bag due to limited space on Edinburgh to York trains.
- Bicycles - You can take bikes on CrossCountry, but space is limited and reservations are required.
- Children - Kids under 5 travel free on CrossCountry trains, and children aged 5–15 enjoy fare discounts, sometimes up to 50% off. Family railcards offer even more savings.
- Pets - You can bring up to two pets for free on CrossCountry services, but dogs must be on a lead and small pets must be kept in a carrier.
- Passenger Assistance - You can book passenger assistance with CrossCountry, which offers help with boarding, luggage and accessibility needs.
*Information is subject to change. Please check the latest train timetable before your trip.