edinburgh tourist information centre waverley

Edinburgh Waverley Visitor Guide 2024: Everything you need to know

Located right in the heart of the Scottish capital of Edinburgh, Waverley Station is one of the biggest in the nation. It’s also the only railway station in the world named after a novel. First opened in 1846, Waverley has been a vital part of Edinburgh’s transportation infrastructure for well over a century. And it remains a key part of the city today.

Thanks to a central location, Waverley is close to all the many attractions the Scottish capital has to offer. All you need to do is take a few steps out of the station to immerse yourself in Scottish culture and history. But you’ll have a much easier time if you leave your unneeded bags behind at a luggage storage near Edinburgh Waverley station . The lighter you travel, the easier it will be to get around and see as much of the city as possible.

Edinburgh Waverley bag policy

Waverly has no explicit rules against bags. You can bring as many bags to the station as you can carry. You will find luggage carts that will make it easier to carry your belongings through the station. You’ll also find a baggage storage facility, or left luggage as it’s called in the UK. This can be handy, but given how busy the station gets, it can be tricky to find an available locker. Plus, storing your bags at the station itself isn’t always the best idea. It may be more convenient while you explore the city to have your belongings stored at a suitcase storage near Edinburgh Waverly but not actually inside the station. Luckily, there are plenty to choose from.

Edinburgh Waverley food policy

You can bring just about any food you like to Waverley station. There are no rules against having a picnic on one of the benches in the station or bringing food onto a train. You can even have open containers of alcohol, but know your limits. Public intoxication will not be tolerated.

If you didn’t bring food with you, there’s no need to worry. You’ll find plenty of places to eat and drink nearby. The station itself has grab-and-go food outlets like WH Smith and Pret a Manger . If you’re looking to kill a little more time, there’s also a Wetherspoon’s pub in Waverley station. And thanks to the station’s central location in the heart of Edinburgh, some of the best restaurants in the city, if not the country, are only steps away.

Edinburgh Waverley camera policy

Cameras are allowed at Edinburgh Waverley station, and you’re welcome to take photos of this historic site. However, there are some rules regarding photography in the station. Flash photography is not allowed as it can distract train drivers. Commercial photography is prohibited, and that includes professional lighting rigs. Tripods are allowed but are discouraged, and if you use one for a long time, you may be asked to put it away.

You can make things easier on yourself by dropping off bulky camera equipment at a luggage locker near Edinburgh Waverley. That way, your belongings will be safe while you travel, ready to be picked up.

Edinburgh Waverley rules

For security reasons, don’t leave bags unattended. Any unattended bags may be destroyed by security staff.
Don’t take photos of secure areas of the station, security staff, or security equipment such as CCTV cameras. This can arouse suspicion.
Smoking is not allowed anywhere inside Waverley station. To smoke, you’ll need to go outside and maintain a good distance from doorways.

Edinburgh Waverley lockers

Edinburgh Waverly’s central location makes it easy to explore. And from the moment you arrive, you’ll probably be itching to do just that. Edinburgh is a city rich in history and culture, and has plenty to offer visitors. So it’s tempting to plunge right into the city and see what it has to offer.

You can do yourself a favor by tracking down a luggage storage service near Edinburgh Waverley station. Traveling light means you can cover more ground and see more of the city’s numerous attractions. Knowing your bags are being safely looked after while you explore will be a weight off your mind as well as a load off your back. So drop off anything you don’t need and get ready to encounter Edinburgh.

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Edinburgh Waverley Station: A Complete Guide

Scotland brings visions of rolling boggy hills, craggy sea-swept cliffs and scenes of border collies herding their flock across the landscape as they have done for half a millennium. It is beautiful, romantic and jammed packed with intriguing and exciting history. One visit and you will have yourself planning another trip instantly.

Edinburgh is a great place to start your European travels, as it is the farthest northern country in Great Britain. Tour around Scotland and then head south hitting stops like Ireland, Wales and England. The best mode of travel you’ll find will be by train. There’s nothing better than seeing the countryside from cushy and comfortable seating, enjoying a cup of tea or coffee as the stunning views appear before you. With the Caledonian Sleeper you can ride in comfort in an overnight sleeper train. Check out Edinburgh Waverley Station as your first stop or as part of your tour of the fabulous tour of Great Britain.

1 Edinburgh Waverley Station Overview
2 How to Navigate Edinburgh Waverley Station
3 How to Buy Tickets at Edinburgh Waverly Station
4 Where to Eat at Edinburgh Waverly Station
5 Where to Stay Near Edinburgh Waverley Station
6 How early do you need to arrive at Edinburgh Waverley Station
7.0.1 Stirling
7.0.2 Aberdour
7.0.3 Glasglow

Edinburgh Waverley Station Overview

The Edinburgh Waverley Station was built in 1868. Not long after, it was realized that the current rail station lines that were available were inadequate for the hoards of people that were clamoring to travel by rail. The station would, subsequently, be expanded two more times encompassing over 23 acres. Edinburgh Waverley Station is an impressive example of the famous Victorian style that you will see in many parts of Scotland and throughout Europe. It is so iconic, that Harry Potter eludes to its grandeur and scenes from Marvel movies have been filmed here. It is Great Britain’s second largest railway station, capable of handling over 30,000 passengers per day.

How to Navigate Edinburgh Waverley Station

In 1897 a fabulous stained glass dome was added and still remains to this day, further adding to the beauty of the station. The glass roof over the station platform adds an airy feel that enhances your experience in the station. In fact, in 2008 , the 28,000 panels that existed were were replaced with glass, modernizing the station and giving it that grand feel. The New Balmoral Hotel is adjacent to the station and retains the Victorian architecture of the station that gives Scotland such charm.

When you enter the main concourse or “Booking Hall”, your eye is immediately drawn up to the stained glass and ornately carved wood dome that was set in place in the late 19th century. It is more reminiscent of a European cathedral than a train station hall. Surrounding the hall you will find restaurants, shops and cafés to peruse or grab a quick bite to eat. In the middle of the Booking Hall is the main Ticketing Office as well as the First Class Lounge. Restrooms and even pay showers are available here if you are only in a layover situation.

Beyond this point, you can take the escalators down and you will find 20 platforms awaiting you. From here, you can take one of many trips to places all around Great Britain. As always, pay close attention to signage and times posted as they are subject to change.

How to Buy Tickets at Edinburgh Waverly Station

There are many ways to buy tickets at the station. In the Booking Hall, there is a main ticket office where you can speak with a representative and get answers to your travel questions. There are also ticketing machines posted throughout the station that sell tickets to all of the rail lines that run from the station. You can also buy tickets in advance online at www.scotrail.co.uk . In addition there is a ticketing kiosk run by Scotrail if you are buying at the station.

Where to Eat at Edinburgh Waverly Station

There are a good number of restaurants, cafés and pubs within the confines of the station. You can choose from the Scottish pub in the heart of the station and have a pint at the Beer House while you await your train. For a quick in and out, there is Burger King and The Bagel Factory. For coffee, good choices are Costa Coffee and Pret Organic Coffee.

However, there are many places just outside the station that are worth your time if you have it. The Booking Office is right outside the station and in the entrance to Waverley Mall, which has a fabulous array for places to fill your tummy. The Booking Office has traditional British food such as Fish and Chips as well as vegan options.

There is also an amazing burger and barbecue restaurant, The Butcher Boy, where you have to try the Braveheart burger named after its fearless character William Wallace. Sushi and Chinese are also not far if you want something with a far east taste.

Where to Stay Near Edinburgh Waverley Station

You can’t really go wrong for convenience and comfort when staying at The Balmoral. The pool and spa add to the already impressive rooms that boast upgraded marble bathrooms along with the room’s beautiful chic french style. Top off the evening with a table at the Brasserie Prince and try their classically wonderful french onion soup and steak tartare.

Try a place of your own by staying at the Parliament Square Royal Mile. You will have a 1,300 square foot home to yourself complete with a city view. If you are planning to stay in Edinburgh for a while, this is a great choice and is only 0.2 miles from Waverley Station.

Do you have a large crew traveling together? Ramsay Gardens is a four bedroom apartment that is 0.3 miles from the station and right next o Edinburgh Castle. You won’t want for anything in this spacious accommodation that has a kitchen and everything you need for a comfortable stay for your week in Edinburgh.

How early do you need to arrive at Edinburgh Waverley Station

This Scottish station is relatively easy to navigate so confusion i kept to a minimum. If you don’t want to shop at Waverley Market on their three floors of anything you need or want, then you just need to get to the station in time to admire the Booking Hall and find your platform. This shouldn’t take more than 20-30 minutes.

Best Trips from Edinburgh Waverley Station

Are you a Braveheart fan? Does the thought of William Wallace defeating the English army have you chanting, “Freedom”! Then you will definitely want to take the beautiful 50 minute train trek to Stirling. Here, you can walk around the National Wallace Monument and learn more about this famous figure of history. Then, take a tour of the grand and magnificent Stirling Castle where Mary Queen of Scots lived out her days as well as many other kings and queens of history. Stirling is also, the gateway to the stunning Scottish Highlands, so you must plan time to walk around the countryside and experience its grandeur.

If you are in Scotland, then you must experience the Scottish coast in all its glory. Enjoy the two town beaches that are regarded as the finest in Scotland. Next, take a walk on a section of the Fife Coastal Path, a dazzling trail on the Scottish coast that boasts cliffside castles, puffins enjoying the rocky coastline, waterfalls and harbor side historic towns. This 116 mile path would take you a couple of weeks to complete, however, pick a section and enjoy it in smaller trips. Get the flavor and feel of Scotland through its nature.

Scotland’s largest city awaits just 50 minutes from Edinburgh. Tour the medieval Glasglow Cathedral and then have lunch in the West End where there are a plethora of cafés and restaurants to sample. Next, enter the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. Not only are this building’s contents interesting and historical, but the building itself is a sight to see. Free of admission, this is one of Scotland’s best tourist attractions and must be seen while you are in Glasglow.

Edinburgh Waverley Station is a beautiful place to be and a great place to land when traveling around Scotland and Great Britain. Whether you are beginning your travels here or this station is a stopover, take the time to enjoy its interesting history and immerse yourself in Scottish culture before heading out on another adventure.

Wendy Edwards

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Apr 19, 2021

Edinburgh Waverley Station: 'Scott'-ish Marvel

There is something romantic and timeless about train travel, and Edinburgh’s Waverley Station has been a part of the magic for nearly 200 years. Join us for our latest ‘explore and discover’ mission as we head into the capital city’s historic railway station to learn a bit about its history, take a wee virtual tour, and uncover a few fun surprises along the way.

Literary Connections

Edinburgh Waverley is nestled between the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh. It is surrounded by some famous ‘neighbours’ including Princes Street, Princes Street Gardens, and North Bridge- all of which are overseen by the imposing fortress, Edinburgh Castle .

Edinburgh Waverley is named after the novel, Waverley , written by one of Scotland’s most famous authors- Sir Walter Scott . In fact, it is the only train station in the world named after a novel. Waverley is considered the first historical novel and celebrated its bicentenary in 2014. As part of the commemorations, The Great Scott! event helped to remind station visitors about its namesake. The occasion involved peppering quotes from Scott throughout the station which are still inspiring visitors today.

Welcome to Scotland

When people arrive at Edinburgh Waverley, it is often their first introduction to Scotland. Each year, the railway station welcomes millions of visitors many of which are originally coming from international locations. On our walking tours, we often get participants from around the world who have taken the train to Edinburgh for their Scottish holiday. While Edinburgh Waverley is sometimes their only stop, for others it is just the first of many planned throughout Scotland.

Arriving in Scotland via Edinburgh Waverley is a classic experience that we highly recommend. There is something magical about taking the lift from the platforms up to Princes Street as the iconic Edinburgh skyline comes into view.

Speaking of magical, one popular route is to travel from London King’s Cross to Edinburgh Waverley. Harry Potter fans from all over the world take the train to Scotland to feel a ‘connection’ to the famous scenes in the books when Harry, Hermione, and Ron travel on the Hogwarts Express to Hogwarts. After all, there are some fascinating connections between Edinburgh and the Harry Potter stories, and we recommend you join us on one of our Wee Golden Walks to learn more.

Victorian Charm

Edinburgh Waverley has evolved a great deal over the centuries since it first opened in the mid-1800s, but it still retains wonderful Victorian charm from the rebuild that took place between 1892 to 1902.

Specifically, one of my favourite places in the station is the Booking Hall originally built in 1897. The room is dominated by the beautiful centre dome, surrounding glass and wood ceiling panels. The Booking Hall was renovated for the 1970 Commonwealth Games held in Edinburgh. According to Canmore (the National Record for the Historic Environment and part of Historic Scotland), as part of that remodelling, the original, wooden central booking office and mosaic floor were removed.

Fortunately, Network Rail (who owns and operates Edinburgh Waverley) points out that, “in 1991 Edinburgh Waverley was granted ‘A’ listing status by Historic Scotland. This meant that any work to be carried out at the station required listed building consent to protect its heritage and architecture”. If you visit Edinburgh Waverley, be sure to take the time to go to the Booking Hall and spend some time taking in the exquisite ceiling.

There is also a wonderful juxtaposition between the old and new architecture throughout Edinburgh Waverley. If you look carefully through the glass in the photo below, you can see the world-famous Balmoral Hotel. As was often the case during the heyday of train travel in the late 19th/ early 20th century, the hotel (opened in 1902) was built by the railway company (at the time- North British Railway) and was originally called The North British Hotel.

Edinburgh Waverley is perhaps most famous for its glass-covered roof that covers 13 acres and was one of the largest in the world when it was built. Most recently, the roof and railway station had a starring role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Avengers Assemble!

For this next bit of film location trivia, you are in for a special treat because, while we briefly discuss this information on our walking tours, you are going to get a special insider’s ‘look’. In Avengers: Infinity War , Wanda and Vision were hiding out in Edinburgh. In an epic fight scene with the Children of Thanos, Wanda and Vision eventually crash through the roof of Edinburgh Waverley and the fight ensues inside the railway station on the platforms. Most of these scenes were filmed on Platform 2 pictured below.

They are eventually joined by Captain American, Falcon, and Black Widow as they fight their way around Waverley. The scene closes with the Quinjet taking off from the Waverley Bridge entrance ramp which you can see below. By the way, Edinburgh isn’t the only Scottish filming location chosen for the MCU. Check out our article on New Asgaard/St Abbs for more.

Waverley Mall/Market

All this action and drama has got me quite exhausted and thirsty. Fortunately, there are numerous food and drink options within Edinburgh Waverley. In addition to these options, there is also a convenient shopping centre- Waverley Mall- attached to Edinburgh Waverley. While the version we see today has a more modern look with chain stores and a food court, its history goes back to the late 1800s.

Waverley Market was originally built at this location in 1874- selling fresh fruits, vegetables, and flowers (the very first Waverley Market was originally situated under North Bridge but had to be moved to its current location when Edinburgh Waverley was built). As you can see in the photo below, the Market’s roof was at street level with a lovely roof-top garden. Inside, was a large market hall space built in the Victorian Arcade-style with cast-iron and glass features that were typical of that era. Waverley Market held fairs, exhibitions, and circuses until the space was renovated to its more modern incarnation as a shopping centre. Unfortunately, almost all its original features were removed during the 1970s/1980s renovations.

Before we conclude this visit, please scroll through and enjoy more photos of Edinburgh Waverley (click the black arrow to navigate through the slideshow):

I hope you have enjoyed our virtual tour of Edinburgh Waverley. Even if you don’t arrive in Edinburgh via train, we highly recommend that you ‘explore and discover’ this historic station that deservedly holds a special place among the Edinburgh landscape.

Until next time- Explore & Discover!

Edinburgh Visitor Attractions
History & Culture

The Ultimate Guide to Everything Waverley Station Has to Offer

Waverly Station is in the heart of Edinburgh, Scotland. It is right next to Princes Street, Edinburgh Castle, and the Princes Street Gardens. Waverly Station is the second busiest rail station in the country, and features beautiful shops, restaurants, and amenities for visitors. The train station offers travelers access to most major cities throughout Scotland and England and is the perfect place to help you get to your European destination. Read on to discover the ultimate guide to everything that Waverley Station has to offer.

Exploring the Amenities at Waverley Station

If you will be traveling to Waverley Station for the first time, or are a local who is looking to explore, we have got you covered. Waverley Station provides many different services and amenities to visitors, making it the perfect stop on your travels. Whether you are looking for the nearest shops and restaurants, parking information, luggage storage, access to free Wi-Fi, or even a place to take a shower, Waverley Station has everything that you need to start your vacation in style. There is also a passport photo booth available, so that you can keep your documents up to date. When you arrive in Edinburgh, you may need a place to store your bags. The first thing you’ll want to do is to find the best luggage storage in Waverley Station . This will give you a safe and secure place to store your bags while you visit the nearby sights. To find the best luggage storage spot, simply book a location and reserve your space right from your phone. There are no size limits for backpacks or suitcases, and most locations are open 24 hours a day. For an affordable price, you can store your bags, and truly make the most of your time in the Waverley Station area.

A First-Class Dining Experience

Once you have dropped off your bags, you can begin your Edinburgh adventure! Start off your morning by grabbing a coffee and some breakfast at one of Waverley Station’s fabulous dining options. You can choose a delicious breakfast item from The Bagel Factory, Caffe Nero, or The Pastry Shop to kickstart your day. For lunch, head over to Waverly Mall, for a trip to The Booking Office. This historic restaurant and pub features classics like fish and chips, haggis, and black pudding. It even offers an all-day brunch, which includes a feast of sausage, bacon, eggs, baked beans, and chips. For dinner, delight your senses with a trip to Brasserie Prince. This chic and relaxed restaurant marries classic French cuisine with sublime Scottish produce. You will fall in love with the views of Edinburgh and the staggering hills surrounding the capital. We recommend trying the Scottish Rib Eye or the Isle of Mull Scallops. For dessert, complete your meal with a decadent Brasserie Prince Gâteau au Chocolat. Last but not least, if you need a late-night pint before you grab your luggage and board your train, head back over to Waverly Station and stop by The Beer House. This bar is located in the main foyer of the train station, right across from the ticket office and the information center.

Taking in The Architecture and Learning About the History of Waverley Station

Waverley Station dates back to the 18th century, and is a stunning building, filled with history. If you love learning and are a history buff, take some time during your trip to explore the architectural details of Waverley Station, and learn about how this rail travel hub was established. The station is situated in a valley, between the city’s medieval Old Town and the New Town. It has high, vaulted ceilings, and a beautiful stained-glass dome that towers over the main concourse. The dome was added to the station in 1897 and remains there today. Waverley Station has undergone some maintenance over the years, but still maintains its unique Victorian beauty. The station now has some more modern elements, and stunning natural light, making it the perfect stop on your journey through Scotland.

Visiting the Sights in and Around Waverley Station

Waverley Station and the surrounding area is home to many different tourist attractions, and exciting things to see and do. If you need to pick up some souvenirs or do some shopping on your visit, Waverley Station has several stores that offer everything from gifts to traveling essentials. Once you are ready to venture outside of Waverley Station, you can take a stroll through the Old Town to see the historic houses, charming boutiques, and the lovely Victoria Street. You can also check out the Edinburgh Castle and listen for the one o’clock cannon that is fired daily from the castle. If you are up for a hike, taking a trip up to Arthur’s Seat will give you some of the greatest views over Edinburgh. For another great view, minus the hike, check out Calton Hill at sunset. You will love the stunning views of the city. Before you head back to Waverley Station, stop by the Holyrood Palace. This is the official home to the Queen when she visits Scotland. The chambers here were also home to the famous Mary Queen of Scots’ during the 1500’s. You will love experiencing all of the beautiful sights of Edinburgh during your visit to Waverley Station. When you are finished exploring, make sure that you remember to grab your bags from the luggage storage location you chose, before heading back to your hostel, or boarding your train to your next destination!

A visit to Edinburgh’s Waverley Station is an experience to remember. Make sure that you explore all of the amazing amenities, history, shopping, and dining that this area has to offer. Remember to drop off your bags at a luggage storage location in or around Waverley Station as your first stop of the day, so that you can enjoy your travels hands-free. We hope that you enjoy this ultimate guide to everything Waverley Station has to offer, and that you have a trip of a lifetime.

THE 10 BEST Things to Do Near Edinburgh Waverley Station, Scotland

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THE 10 BEST Things to Do Near Edinburgh Waverley Station, Scotland

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United Kingdom (UK)
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Things to do in Edinburgh
Things to do near Edinburgh Waverley Station

Things to Do near Edinburgh Waverley Station

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Underground Walking Tour in Edinburgh
The World Famous Underground Ghost Tour
Edinburgh Castle: Guided Walking Tour with Entry Ticket
Loch Ness, Scottish Highlands, Glencoe & Pitlochry Tour from Edinburgh
Original Harry Potter Locations Tour - Edinburgh
(0.08 mi) Scotch Whisky Bar
(0.09 mi) Mortal Kocktail
(0.07 mi) The Jinglin' Geordie
(0.10 mi) Malt Shovel
(0.09 mi) Hebrides Bar
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Visitor Information in Edinburgh

Before you travel from abroad, you can get information from VisitBritain (www.visitbritain.com or VisitScotland (www.visitscotland.com).

In the United States: 551 Fifth Ave., Suite 701, New York, NY 10176-0799 (tel. 800/462-2748, or 212/986-2200 in New York; fax 212/986-1188); 625 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1001, Chicago, IL, 60611-1977 (tel. 800/462-2748 ); 10880 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 570, Los Angeles, CA, 90024 (tel. 310/470-2782 ). In Canada: 5915 Airport Rd., Suite 120, Mississauga, ON L4V 1T1 (tel. 888/VISIT-UK in Canada; fax 905/405-1835 in Toronto). In Australia: Level 2, 15 Blue St., North Sydney NSW 2060 (tel. 02/9021-4400; fax 02/9377-4499). In New Zealand: c/o British Consulate General Office, Level 17, IAG House, 151 Queen St., Auckland 1 (tel. 09/303-1446; fax 09/309-1899).

If you're in London, you can visit VisitScotland, 19 Cockspur St., London SW1Y 5BL (tel. 020/7930-8661 ); it's near Trafalgar Square, open May to September Monday through Friday from 9:30am to 6:30pm and Saturday from 10am to 5pm. October to April the hours are Monday through Friday 10am to 6pm and Saturday noon to 4pm.

Once in Edinburgh or Glasgow, you will find the Tourist Information Centres more useful. In the capital, the main office is the Edinburgh Information Centre, atop the Princes Mall near Waverley Station (tel. 0131/473-3800 or 0845/225-5121; fax 0131/473-3881; www.edinburgh.org). It can give you sightseeing information and also arrange lodgings. The center sells bus tours, theater tickets, and souvenirs of Edinburgh. It also has racks and racks of free brochures. It's open year-round, though hours vary from month to month. The summer hours are slightly longer and winter times shorter, but typically you'll find the office open Monday through Saturday from 9am to 7pm and Sunday from 10am to 7pm. There is an information desk at Edinburgh International Airport, open typically Monday through Sunday 7am to 6:30pm.

In Glasgow, the Greater Glasgow and Clyde Valley Tourist Board, 11 George Sq. (tel. 0141/204-4480; www.seeglasgow.com), is in the heart of the city. In addition to piles of brochures, there is a small bookstore, bureau de change, and hotel reservation service. During peak season, it's open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 7pm and Sunday from 10am to 6pm. Hours are more limited during winter months.

Edinburgh Information Centre, atop the Princes Mall near Waverley Station (VisitScotland; tel. 0131/473-3800 or 0845/225-5121; fax 0131/473-3881; www.edinburgh.org; Bus: 3, 8, 22, 25, or 31), can give you sightseeing information and also arrange lodgings. The center sells bus tours, theater tickets, and souvenirs of Edinburgh. It also has racks and racks of free brochures. It's open year-round; typically the hours are Monday through Saturday from 9am to 7pm and Sunday from 10am to 7pm, though it is open later during the Festival and closes earlier in the winter months.

What's on the Web?

There is naturally a host of websites that vary in usefulness. The British tourist board's www.visitbritain.org has the overall U.K. picture. But for information on Scotland, it's probably better to go directly to www.visitscotland.com or www.toscotland.com, both of which have detailed information, offer brochures online, provide trip-planning hints, and answer e-mail queries. A slightly more corporate view is at www.scotexchange.net. The other useful and official tourism websites for Edinburgh and Glasgow are www.edinburgh.org and www.seeglasgow.com.

For the most up-to-date events listings, go to www.list.co.uk, which also publishes a fortnightly cultural magazine. The two organizations that operate most of Scotland's historical sites have websites as well: www.historic-scotland.gov.uk for Historic Scotland and www.nts.org.uk for the National Trust for Scotland.

For an independent and eccentric view, search blogs in Edinburgh and Glasgow. Finally, though it is not clear how often they are updated, you might also have a look at www.scotland-info.co.uk, www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk, or www.rampantscotland.com.

Note : This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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An intro to navigating the station:, from the princes st entrance:, from the market st entrance, from waverley bridge:, from calton road, using the waverley bridge exit:, using the princes street exit:, using the market street exit (to the taxi rank):, using the calton road exit (private car pick up area), arriving at platforms 1 and 20:, arriving at platform 2:, arriving at platforms 3 -7:, arriving at platforms 8 and 9:, arriving at platform 10:, arriving at platforms 11 - 17:, arriving at platforms 18 and 19:, train services summary, the other stations in edinburgh, exploring scotland with bookmundi, please support showmethejourney, related resources.

Edinburgh Waverley (Edinburgh)

This guide to taking trains from and to Edinburgh Waverley station focuses on the less obvious aspects of arriving and departing from this station by train.

At a Glance

Left luggage, travel information desk, first class lounge, local tourism information, accessibility, onward travel.

The view from Waverley Bridge looking towards the castle over to the left

For a central station Edinburgh Waverley has a beautiful location and it’s also spectacularly convenient for the city centre that it serves.

Central Edinburgh is in effect of city of two halves, its south side is dominated by the rock on which its old town and castle are located, while the Georgian splendour of its new town, on the other side of Princes Street, sits on a plateau to the north. Edinburgh’s main station is in the valley between these old and new towns; meaning that the majority of the city’s most popular attractions, its castle , the Scottish National Gallery , the Royal Mile , the National Museum of Scotland and Calton Hill are within a 10-15 minute walk from the station.

This entrance on Princes Street is at the top of the Waverley Steps

Because Waverley station sits in a valley and is therefore below the level of the surrounding streets, after entering the station you'll need to descend when making your way to the trains.

So conversely when arriving at Edinburgh by train, you need to ascend up to the station exits, by using either stairs, escalators, or elevators, or the sloping walkways, or a combination of these. Though the re-developments at the station have made this much easier in recent years; there are always alternatives to having to use the stairs, no matter which route you will following in, out, or within the station.

However, the valley location and the history of its construction means that the station has an unusual layout. The core of the station isn’t at either end of the station, or above the railway lines, instead Edinburgh Waverley’s main concourse is in the centre of the station, with platforms (tracks) on all four sides of it.

So the route you will take through the station, very much depends on which platform (track) your train arrives at, or will be departing from, but the signposting at the station does a good job of making sense of a sprawling space.

What’s also unusual for a station of its size is that Edinburgh Waverley doesn’t have a main entrance or a station forecourt. Instead its two most popular access points are two comparatively anonymous entrances on the streets on either side of the station, on Princes Street, which is Edinburgh’s main street, and Market Street , which is over by the old town.

Departing by train:

Looking across the main concourse in front of platforms 14 - 17

How you take a train from Edinburgh's main station depends on how long you’ll have before your train will be departing AND which part of the station your train will be leaving from. Though if you are not familiar with using the station aim to be at Edinburgh Waverly station a minimum of 10 mins before your train is due to depart. Platforms (tracks) 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 13 and 18 are all comparatively distant from the main entrances to the station.

Edinburgh Waverley station has an unusual layout, so if you've not taken a train from the station before, taking a look at the station plan is a good idea. The station doesn't have a clearly defined main entrance and its concourse, which is home to most of the station's facilities, is in the middle of the station and below street level.

Platforms (tracks) 2-7 and 11-19 are all directly accessed off the main concourse, so no matter how you have entered the station, you’ll need to head down to it if your train will be leaving from one of these. Those platforms (tracks) all have level access from the main concourse, though worth knowing is platforms 2, 3, 4, 7, 13 and 18 are all some distance from it.

You’ll also need to head to concourse, if you want to use the ticket desks instead of the ticket machines. Or if the specific platform (track) that your train is leaving room has yet to be confirmed, you can head to the main concourse to wait for your train. It’s where most of the food/drink outlets at the station are and it’s also the location of Europe’s most beautiful station waiting room; the first class lounge can be accessed through the waiting room.

Platforms 1, 8, 9, 10 and 20 aren't linked to the main concourse, so the access to them is provided by the footbridge which spans the station; so you can either use this footbridge as a direct route to them, or use it to access them from the main concourse. The clearly marked lifts and escalators on the left-hand side of the concourse connect to platforms 1 and 20, while the other clearly marked escalator and lift over to the right, will take you to platforms (tracks) 8 – 10. When you come out of the waiting room or ticket hall, the escalator and lift leading up and over to platforms 1 and 20 is over to the right, and the escalator that gives access to platforms 8, 9 and 10 will be in front of you.

Also worth knowing is that platforms (tracks) 8 and 9 are split into two; 8E and 9E; and 8W and 9W and trains normally depart from each specific end of these platforms (tracks), E for east and W for west.

Looking from mezzanine level, the concourse is on the other side of the circle, the footbridge is on the left

If you use the entrances to the station on Princes St, the most obvious route down into the station is by using a staircase known as The Waverley Steps, which thankfully has now also been equipped with escalators. Then once you have descended to the bottom of the flight of escalators, you’ll find yourself on a mezzanine level, with the main concourse down ahead of you and over to the right; the main concourse is on the other side of a turning circle, which used to be used by taxis.

From this mezzanine level there are three routes to take to the trains:

(1) If you're train is departing from platforms (tracks) 2-7 and 11- 19 you need to head down another set of escalators (or remain in the elevators), until you are on the same level as the concourse. (Or if you need to buy a ticket, or await a departure in the waiting room, you'll also need to head to the concourse). When you're at the foot of the stairs or escalators you need to initially walk ahead and then turn to the right.

(2) If your train is departing from platforms 8, 9, or 10, you can cross the station on a footbridge, which has stairs and elevator access to those platforms.

(3) If your train is departing from platforms 1 or 20, you can use the stairs or elevators, which lead directly down from this access area.

Ideally what you want to avoid is descending down to the main concourse and then having to go back up and down from the footbridge, in order to access your train.

Or as an alternative to The Waverley Steps, you can take the elevator from Princes Street which is out of sight behind the entrance to the Waverley Mall. If your train will be leaving from platforms (tracks) 2-7 and 11- 19, leave the elevator at the bottom, concourse level. But if your train is departing from platforms (tracks) 1, 8, 9, 10 or 20, exit on to the mezzanine level and be guided from the signage, all of these five platforms can be accessed by using other elevators.

The roof over the stairs at the Market St entrance which lead to the bridge across the station

If you use the entrances to the station on Market Street, you can use the stairs or elevators to access the footbridge which crosses the station.

If your train is departing from platforms (tracks) 8, 9, or 10, you will almost immediately come to the stairs and elevators, which lead down to them.

Further along the footbridge there are stairs and an elevator which lead down to the main concourse, which has access to platforms (tracks) 2-7 and 11- 19, though the most obvious route is to use the escalators, which you will see on the left. Or if you need to buy a ticket, or await a departure in the waiting room, you'll also need to head to the concourse.

If your train is departing from platforms 1 or 20, you can walk across to the far side of the station on this footbridge, it leads to a mezzanine area where you will find stairs and an elevator, which lead down to these platforms.

Ideally what you want to avoid is descending down to the main concourse and then having to go back up and down from the footbridge, in order to access your train. .

If you use the entrance to the station on Waverley Bridge, taxis most often drop their passengers here, you can walk down the slopes to the main concourse.

Platforms (tracks) 2-7 and 11-19 all have level access from the main concourse, though platforms 3, 4, 13 and 18 are some distance away.

You will need to use the escalators (and elevators), you'll see over to the left to access platforms 1 and 20, while those, you'll find over to the right will take you to platforms, 8, 9 and 10.

If you take a taxi or get a lift to Edinburgh Waverley, the station has a designated car drop off area in a quiet side street named Calton Road. From here steps and a lift /elevator lead down into the east end of the station, by platform 2, and platforms, 3, 4 and 5 are also relatively adjacent. Some of the LNER trains to London depart from platform 2 or platform 5. To access all of the other platforms you will need to head along platform 2 to the main concourse, which is some distance away; from there you will need to use the bridge across the station if your train is departing from platforms 1, 8, 9. 10 or 20.

Arriving by train:

On the signs within the station Princess St is exit 1; Waverley Bridge is 2 and Market St is 3

There are three main pedestrian exits from Edinburgh's main station, which lead up to Princes Street (1) ; the Waverley Bridge (2) and Market Street(3) ; these numbers are used for each exit on the signs within the station. So having an idea of which exit will suit you best can be a plus.

The Waverley Bridge exits are the most obvious as they lead directly off from the main concourse, which has an unconventional location in the middle of the station, sloping roadways with pavements (sidewalks) lead up to the road bridge which spans the the station.

Because of the station's unusual layout, it's a good idea to take a look at the Edinburgh Waverley station plan before stepping off your train. The Market Street and Princes Street exits are at opposite ends of the footbridge which spans the width of the station. So you need to ascend up to this bridge, using the escalators, lifts (elevators) or stairs, in order to access these exits. These exits are more popular than that up to The Waverley Bridge, the Princes Street exit is the shortest route to the 'New Town' and the Market Street exit is a short-cut to the 'Old Town'.

The roadway up to the Waverley Bridge on the Princess St side of the concourse

The two parallel sloping roadways, which used to allow taxis to enter and leave the station, lead up from either side of the main concourse on to Waverley Bridge – a road which spans the station.

Use these Waverley Bridge exits if you want to:

take the express bus to Edinburgh airport
board a sightseeing bus
walk directly to the Castle - turn left at the top of the slope
or don’t need to take the escalators/elevators up to Princes Street; when you're at the top of the slope on the Waverley Bridge, turn to the right and you'll see Princes Street just ahead.

If your train arrives at platforms (tracks) 2 – 7 these sloping roadways up to the Waverley Bridge exits will be ahead of you when you reach the concourse. If your train arrives at platforms (tracks) 11 -19, these roadways will be behind you when you step on to the main concourse.

However, if your train arrives at platforms (tracks) 1, 8, 9 or 10 or 20, the better option is to use the Market Street or Princes Street exits.

Use these clearly marked escalators to access the exit up to Princess St

At the north end of the footbridge which spans the station, a series of escalators beside a flight of stairs, named The Waverley Steps , lead up to the exit on Princes Street. Lifts (elevators) are also available.

Use this exit if you are heading to the ‘new’ town, the main shopping district in the city, The Scottish Gallery or want to continue your journey by local bus or tram .

These Waverley Steps can be accessed from a mezzanine level, so the first stage of this route from the main concourse is to use the escalators, which are to the right of the main concourse, on the other side of a turning circle, which used to be used by taxis.

As the sign says, the taxi rank is a some distance from Waverley station

The south end of the footbridge, which crosses the station is connected to a staircase and a lift (elevator) which lead up to Market Street ; this exit is close by the middle of the Royal Mile, which runs through the Old Town.

How you ascend up to this footbridge will depend on which platform (track) your train has arrived at (see below), but multiple escalators and elevators are available, you won't have to use the stairs.

The Market Street exit also leads to the TAXI rank, when you exit on to Market Street, the rank is a few minutes walk away down the street to the left. Fortunately most of Edinburgh's main attractions and quality hotels are within easy walking distance from Waverley Station as there's no getting away from the fact that the taxi rank is an inconvenient location; there is also no shelter from the weather, if you need to queue for a taxi.

The Calton Road exit at Edinburgh Waverley

It can be accessed from the main concourse by walking towards platform 2 on the north side of the waiting room and ticket office; it also has relatively easy access from platforms 4 and 5. So it has a comparatively inconvenient location within the station, but if you will be picked up by someone with a car, then it leads to a designated pick-up point. If you order an Uber or other taxi service it may want to collect you from here.

Walk ahead to towards the front of the train and you will come to a staircase and a lift (elevator) which lead up to the footbridge which spans the station. This end of the footbridge is adjacent to the exit on to Princes Street; so use the bridge to walk across the station if you want to use the exit to Market Street. Both the Market St and Princes St exits have elevator access from this footbridge.

From this part of the station, The Waverley Bridge is not a convenient exit, if you want to access the bridge, use the Princess St exit and walk around to the bridge at street level.

Walk to the front of the train, the station buildings, including the left luggage office, will be on your left and you will pass by some retail outlets on the right.

Then ahead of you, on the other side of these buildings, by one of the roadways which come down into the station, is an escalator and lift (elevator). They are marked ‘use this lift and escalator to access Platform 1, 20 and Princes Street’ – but the bridge it connects to, also gives access to the Market Street exit.

This escalator to the right leads up to the footbridge, go left on it to access the Princess St exit

The LNER and CrossCountry trains from England, which will be terminating in Edinburgh, usually arrive at these platforms. Walk ahead to the front of the trains, keeping the buildings in the centre of the station on your right. Before you reach the main concourse, over to the left you will see a lift (elevator) and over to the right there is a staircase up to the footbridge which you will see above you. This footbridge leads to both the Market St and Princes St exits

To access the escalator which also leads up to the bridge, walk under this bridge and then turn to the right on to the main concourse - the escalator is by the entrance to the ticket office. The signs on the escalator will point out that it leads up to Market Street and the taxi rank, but you can ALSO use it to access the Princess Street exit.

Or if you want to exit on to the Waverley Bridge, you can use either of the roadways which lead up from the centre of the station.

Platforms 8 and 9 are separated from the main station, but a footbridge provides a link

Some of the LNER trains and most of the Avanti West Coast and Trans Pennine Express trains USUALLY arrive at these platforms, which are located outside the main station building.

In the middle of the platform there are sets of stairs which lead up to the footbridge which spans the station; between the staircases you'll find the lift / elevator This part of the foot bridge is right by the exit on to Market Street - turn left on Market Street to access the taxi rank; and over to the right will be the buses to Edinburgh Airport.

At the other end of this footbridge is the access to the Princes Street exit.

If you want to head to the Waverley Bridge, turn right once you're on Market Street

By the front of the train, you will find the stairways and elevator up to the footbridge, turn left for Princes Street and right for Market St.

The Scotrail Inter7City trains from Aberdeen, Dundee, Inverness and Perth USUALLY arrive at these platforms

The only exit from these platforms leads to the main concourse; when you reach it, ahead of you over to the right will you see the lifts and escalators marked ‘use this lift escalator to access Platforms 8, 9 and 10 and Market Street and Taxis’.

Over to the left and out of sight, on the other side of the concourse, you will find the escalator marked ‘use this lift and escalator to access Platform 1, 20 and Princes Street’.

When you reach the main concourse, the sloping roadways up to the Waverley Bridge will be behind you.

By the exit from these platforms you will see the escalator marked ‘use this lift and escalator to access Platform 1, 20 and Princes Street’. It will go to an interim mezzanine level, but from here if you turn to the right you can use the footbridge across the station to access the Market Street exit.

The majority of the trains between Edinburgh and other destinations in Scotland are provided by ScotRail . Its train services to Aberdeen, Dundee, Glasgow Queen Street station*, Inverness and Perth usually depart from platforms (tracks) 12 - 19. *When travelling to central Glasgow from Edinburgh target ScotRail's services to Glasgow Queen Street station

Some of the departures to Aberdeen via Dundee will be by CrossCountry and LNER trains, which call at Edinburgh on route to and from destinations in England. One of the daily Edinburgh - Inverness services is also provided by LNER.

LNER is the exclusive provider of train services between Edinburgh and London King's cross station; the fastest route between the two capitals..

LNER and CrossCountry and Trans Pennine Express provide the train services between Edinburgh and Berwick, Darlington, Newcastle and York. and Leeds.

CrossCountry trains also link Edinburgh to Sheffield, Derby, Bristol, Exeter and destinations in south-west England.

Both CrossCountry and Avanti West Coast connect Edinburgh with Birmingham and Coventry, though the trains operated by each company take completely different routes.

Trans Pennine Express services and Avanti West Coast trains both link Edinburgh with Carlisle, the Lake District gateway stations at Penrith and Oxenholme; and with Lancaster and Preston.

Manchester and now Liverpool are directly connected to Edinburgh by Trans Pennine Express services, but when heading to Manchester, the trains via Preston are faster and they also terminate at Manchester Airport.

Low Gill Viaduct as seen from a London to Glasgow train

Edinburgh’s central area is served by two stations, Edinburgh is the main station, while Haymarket station , is located at the far west end of the city centre.

If your final destination is in the western end of the city centre and if your train will be calling at Haymarket, it's worth looking up your final destination in the city, to check whether Haymarket will be more convenient. Connecting to the Edinburgh tram route is also more easily done at Haymarket in comparison to Waverley station.

All trains between Edinburgh station and destinations to the north call at Haymarket, as do the Trans Pennine Express and Avanti West Coast trains between Edinburgh and north-west England.

Some trains between Edinburgh and destinations to the north also call at Edinburgh Gateway or Edinburgh Park stations. Both these stations offer a connection with the trams to both Edinburgh Airport and Murrayfield Stadium, so if these are your final destinations, you can avoid travelling via the city centre. This map shows the local rail routes in the Edinburgh area.

Travel with Bookmundi from Edinburgh to areas of Scotland which can't easily be reached by train.

1: The "Best Of Scotland" tour is a guided city sightseeing trip that takes 7 days. You will travel through Edinburgh, Glasgow and the Scottish Highlands on a group tour which includes accommodation in hotels, transport, meals and others. Revel in the romance and history of the Scottish Highlands and contemplate the mysterious depths of Loch Ness.

2: A one day tour of the Scottish Highlands and Loch Ness from Edinburgh passing the the town of Callander and over Rannoch Moor to a stop at Glen Coe. After crossing Loch Leven at Ballachulish, stop for lunch in the Fort William area, then follow the course of the Caledonian Canal up the Great Glen to Fort Augustus on Loch Ness where you will have time to enjoy an optional boat cruise. After Loch Ness take in magnificent views of Loch Laggan on the return our journey towards Edinburgh, which includes a stop in Pitlochry and a journey over the Forth Road Bridge.

3: The "Highland Fling" is a 5 day explorer group trip that includes accommodation in hostels, transport and others that begins and ends in Edinburgh and takes you through Oban, the Isle of Skye and Loch Ness. When available is also includes the journey on The Jacobite steam train.

4: Starting in Edinburgh and ending in Glasgow, the "Country Roads Of Scotland" tour is a guided natural landmarks sightseeing tour that takes 9 days. You will travel through Glencoe, Isle of Skye, Orkney Islands and 4 other destinations in Scotland. "Country Roads Of Scotland" is a group tour which includes accommodation, transport, meals and others.

This second version of ShowMeTheJourney is exciting and new, so we are genuinely thrilled that you are here and reading this, but we also need your help. We’re striving not to let anything get in the way of providing the most useful service possible, hence a facility has been set up with DonorBox which can be used to support the running costs and make improvements.

Instead of advertising or paywalls, your financial support will make a positive difference to delivering an enhanced service, as there’s a lot of ideas which we want to make happen.

So if you have found the info provided here to be useful, please go here to say thank you .

Journeys from Edinburgh Waverley

Edinburgh to aberdeen by train, how to travel by train from edinburgh to aberdeen.

Step on board for one of Europe's most scenic rail journeys between two cities with stunning sea views, even on a grey day, and the opportunity to travel across two iconic examples of railway engineering; the Forth and Tay Bridges

Edinburgh to Birmingham by train

How to travel by train from edinburgh to birmingham.

How to take a journey by train from Edinburgh to Birmingham

There are two options for taking a rail journey from Edinburgh to Birmingham:

1: The faster, but less frequent trains, are operated by Avanti West Coast; and the scenic route lives up to the name of the rail operator as it takes a westerly course through Carlisle and Preston with more than an hour of stunning landscapes to be enjoyed from the train.

The trains operated by CrossCountry spend the first half of their journeys traveling along the East Coast route, which lives up to its name with some wonderful sea views.

Neither route is automatically cheaper than the other, it is the demand per departure which impacts on the prices, so the best means of saving money is to travel at less busy times.

Edinburgh to Bristol by train

How to travel by train from edinburgh to bristol.

CrossCountry operates the only direct trains between Edinburgh and Bristol. Though they do take a somewhat indirect route as they travel along the East Coast via Newcastle. However, when looking up this journey it's worth paying close attention to the connecting times between trains on the alternative indirect journey options. The transfer time between trains, particularly at Birmingham New Street, can be less than 10 minutes, so making these connections cannot be guaranteed.

Edinburgh to Dundee by train

How to travel by train from edinburgh to dundee.

The view looking to the right when approaching the Forth Bridge

The fabulous V&A Dundee museum is steps away from the city's station and it is just one reason to head to Dundee from Edinburgh by train. Even if you have no interest in experiencing Dundee, if you happen to be in Edinburgh when the sun is shining and have an interest in engineering or landscapes, then jumping on a train is a fabulous means of spending a couple of hours. That's because the trains from the Scottish capital to Dundee travel over the iconic Forth and Tay Bridges.

Edinburgh to Exeter by train

How to travel by train from edinburgh to exeter.

CrossCountry operates the only direct trains between Edinburgh and Exeter Though they do take a somewhat indirect route as they travel along the East Coast via Newcastle. However, when looking up this journey it's worth paying close attention to the connecting times between trains on the alternative indirect journey options. The transfer time between trains, particularly at Birmingham New Street, can be less than 10 minutes, so making these connections cannot be guaranteed.

Connect in Exeter for other destinations in Devon including Barnstaple, Torquay and Teignmouth

Edinburgh to Glasgow by train

How to travel by train from edinburgh to glasgow.

Taking the train to Glasgow from Edinburgh is little different to taking a local train, as the journey takes less than 50 minutes. So you can be spontaneous and turn up at the station, book a ticket(s) and then just hop on board. Though the trains between the cities take one of three routes, and this option of the trains which terminate at Queen Street station and travel via Falkirk, is the one to target as it is fastest. Connect in Queen Street station for trains to Fort William and Mallaig (depart Edinburgh at 07:15 on Mon-Sat and 11:15 and 1715 daily) and Oban (depart Edinburgh at 07:15 and 09:15 on Mon-Sat and 11:15; 15:15 and 17:15 daily) On Sundays between the end of June and the end of August, there are direct trains between Edinburgh and Oban.

Edinburgh to Inverness by train

How to travel from edinburgh to inverness on the beautiful train journey.

Near the highest point on the UK main line rail network

Edinburgh to Leeds by train

How to travel by train from edinburgh to leeds.

Edinburgh to London by train

How to take a rail journey from edinburgh to london.

There are two options available for taking the train from Edinburgh to London

A train operated by LNER...
...A more basic, and much less frequent service operated by Lumo
OR travelling overnight on one of Europe's smartest night trains.

Edinburgh to Manchester by train

How to travel from edinburgh to oxford road and piccadilly stations in manchester.

How to travel by train from Edinburgh to Manchester

Pre-pandemic the train operator TransPennine Express had been offering trains on two different routes from Edinburgh to Manchester: 1: Faster services via the West Cost railway, which arrived at Manchester's Oxford Road and Piccadilly stations. 2: Slower, but more frequent services, which travelled on the East Coast railway and arrived at Manchester Victoria station. However, the service on this second route has been suspended on the temporary revised timetable.

Edinburgh to Newcastle by train

How to make the train journey from edinburgh to newcastle.

The typical train service from Edinburgh to Newcastle has never been more frequent and it now comprises three or four trains per hour during the day (the departures become less frequent after 18:00).

The four departures per hour consist of: (1) 2 x trains operated by LNER, (2) 1 x train per hour operated by TransPennine Express (most of these trains are currently suspended) (3) 1 x train per hour operated by CrossCountry

Edinburgh to Oxenholme by train

How to travel from edinburgh to the southern part of the lake district by train.

The train service between Edinburgh and Oxenholme is split between trains operated by Avanti West Coast and trains operated by TransPennine Express.

The usual timetable during the day is arranged so that in most of the even hours a train operated by TransPennine Express departs; and in some of those hours, an Avanti West Coast service leaves around 40 mins later. Meaning that there are no departures in odd hours ( though early Sunday mornings are an exception).

The Avanti West Coast services have the faster travel time.

Edinburgh to Penrith by train

How to travel from edinburgh to the northern part of the lake district by train.

By the clock on the northbound platform is the entrance to a subway, which is the quickest route to the exit

The train service between Edinburgh and Penrith is split between trains operated by Avanti West Coast and trains operated by TransPennine Express.

The usual timetable during the day is arranged so that in even hours a train operated by TransPennine Express departs; and in some of those hours, an Avanti West Coast service leaves around 40 mins later.

Meaning that there are no departures in odd hours (early Sunday mornings are an exception).

The Avanti West Coast services have the faster journey time.

Edinburgh to Penzance by train

How to travel by train from edinburgh to cornwall.

Edinburgh to Perth by train

How to make the train journey from edinburgh to perth.

Platform 3 is on the right and Platform 4, where the trains from Inverness arrive, is on the left

Trains now take two different routes between Edinburgh and Perth as the slightly faster express trains heading beyond Perth now travel via Stirling. Though on Monday to Saturday the more frequent trains still take the coastal route via Kirkcaldy. However on Sundays the trains on the route via Kirkcaldy aren't so frequent

Edinburgh to Plymouth by train

How to travel by train from edinburgh to plymouth and devon.

Edinburgh to St Andrews by train and bus via Leuchars

How to travel by train from edinburgh to st andrews by train and connecting into a bus from leuchars station.

Edinburgh to Stirling by train

How to travel by train from edinburgh to stirling.

Edinburgh to York by train

How to make the beautiful train journey from edinburgh to york.

Journeys to Edinburgh Waverley

Glasgow to edinburgh by train, how to take the fastest trains from glasgow to edinburgh.

Taking the train to Edinburgh from Glasgow is little different to taking a local train, as the journey takes less than 50 minutes. So you can be spontaneous and turn up at the station, book a ticket(s) and then just hop on board. Though the trains between the cities take one of three routes, and this option of the trains which depart from the upper level at Queen Street station and travel via Falkirk, is the one to target, as it is fastest.

London to Edinburgh by train

How to take the wonderful rail journey from london to beautiful edinburgh.

There are three options available for taking the train from London to Edinburgh: Taking the scenic journey by day, either on:

London to Newcastle by train

How to take the rail journey from london to newcasle.

Travellers now have a choice of train services when taking a journey from London to Newcastle. A relatively new operator Lumo, is offering a more basic, but often cheaper alternative, to the much more frequent service of trains operated by LNER.

Manchester to Edinburgh by train

How to travel by train on the glorious journey from manchester to edinburgh.

Waverley station is located in the valley between Princess Street and the Old Town

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The Royal Mile is the heart of Edinburgh’s historic Old Town and one of the most iconic streets in Scotland. It runs downhill between two significant historic buildings: Edinburgh Castle at the top and the Palace of Holyroodhouse at the bottom. The Royal Mile is approximately one mile long and is home to a number of major attractions, including St. Giles Cathedral, the Camera Obscura, and Mary King’s Close.

There aren’t many streets in the world that are tourist attractions in their own right, but Edinburgh’s Royal Mile easily takes that title thanks to its fascinating mix of architecture and history. Threading its way through the heart of the Old Town, the Royal Mile is a one-mile cobbled and paved road that links Edinburgh Castle at its top to Holyrood Palace at its bottom.

While most tourists view The Royal Mile (known locally as The High Street) as simply a means to walk between the castle and the palace, the road is an integral part of Edinburgh’s heritage, allowing visitors to see some of the oldest buildings in the city such as the Tolbooth Kirk, Gladstones Land, and John Knox House , amongst others.

The Royal Mile has been described as looking like a fishbone when viewed from the air, with the main road as the spine and the many alleyways that spur off it as the ribs. If you haven’t spent much time in this part of the city, I recommend leaving behind the tourist hordes to explore some of these hidden alleyways, as many are unchanged from the Victorian era.

Alternatively, if you’d rather be shown around by a professional, you can sign up for a tour with one of the guides hanging around the rear of St. Giles Cathedral near the Mercat Cross. These tours are reasonably priced and are the best way to discover the history of the murders, plagues, and riots that were part of everyday life in the Old Town in years gone by.

If history doesn’t interest you, you’ll be pleased to know that The Royal Mile is also a tourist hub for shops, pubs, and restaurants that sell a variety of Scottish gifts, food, and drinks. If you want to purchase genuine Scottish cashmere and Harris Tweed clothing, drink Scottish-brewed beer, or buy a bottle of premium Scotch whisky, the Royal Mile has something to offer you.

While some of the eateries are overpriced and serve low-quality food, there are a few jewels in the crown on the Royal Mile, such as The Witchery , which is located just below the Castle Esplanade. If you decide to sample the food there, be sure to try their legendary Scottish beef dishes, but bear in mind that the prices are quite steep compared to most other restaurants in the city.

In addition to its attractions, the Royal Mile makes a great base to explore Edinburgh. To the north is Princes Street (the main shopping street in Edinburgh) and the New Town, with the pubs and bars of Rose Street nestled between the upmarket restaurants and shops of George Street.

Beyond the west end of the Royal Mile, there isn’t much for tourists, but if you head in the opposite direction, you’ll find the enormous green expanse of Holyrood Park . The park is centred around an extinct volcano and is a miniature slice of the Highlands in a 650-acre green space that features a couple of lochs, sweeping cliff faces, and the highest point in the city, Arthur’s Seat, which features stunning views from its summit

If you’re limited in time and just want to explore the Royal Mile, I recommend starting at the castle and then visiting the Scotch Whisky Experience, the Camera Obscura, the Museum of Edinburgh, the Childhood Museum, and the palace.

The Highlights

1: Where to begin? Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace top the list for most people but there are lots of other attractions on the Royal Mile including The People’s Story Museum, The Museum of Childhood, John Knox House and St. Giles Cathedral.

2: This road in the heart of the city allows easy access to the best sights. If you do nothing else, you’ll have an enjoyable time just walking from the top to the bottom (or vice versa).

3: The Old Town is one of the best-preserved mediaeval districts in Europe. Stunning architecture and a dizzying number of historic attractions can be found from start to finish.

Visiting Tips

1: As a major tourist destination, the Royal Mile is well-served by public transport, with several bus routes passing nearby. It’s also a pedestrian-friendly zone, allowing visitors to explore the area comfortably on foot.

2: Throughout the year, the Royal Mile is a focal point for festivals and events, with the Edinburgh Fringe Festival taking over the street in August. Street performers and vendors create a lively atmosphere, and all of the street shows are free to watch, though donations are requested.

3: The best way to experience the Royal Mile is to join a tour. You can turn up at the Mercat Cross outside St. Giles Cathedral and speak to the guides that hang around there, or book online. Mercattours.com has been going for years, and they’re very good at making Edinburgh’s history come alive.

ROYAL MILE AUDIO TOUR : Click here to purchase

Tourist Information

There’s a vast amount of things to see and do on The Royal Mile, and visitors can find attractions all the way along it, but for the sake of simplicity, I’ll mention the best ones heading from the palace at the bottom to the castle at the top.

First, of course, is the Palace of Holyroodhouse . This grand building is filled to the rafters with priceless works of art and royal memorabilia and also features a separate art gallery as well as a superb café and gift shop. It’s a must-do if you’re in Edinburgh.

Across the road is the Scottish Parliament building which is actually quite an interesting place to visit as they have guided tours that will tell you all about Scotland’s parliament and its relatively new headquarters. It’s free to get in but the security is a bit of a pain to get through, although that’s understandable as you’ll be able to view live debates in the main chamber.

Continue west, and you’ll find Canongate Kirk on the right, which is a beautiful old church with a graveyard that was favoured by the infamous Burke and Hare grave robbers. On the same side of the road is the People’s Story Museum which is dedicated to the tales and culture of the city’s past residents. It’s completely free to visit and is well worth an hour of your time, just like the Museum of Edinburgh across the road, which houses a collection of exhibits relating to the history and legends of the city.

Peoples Story Museum, free things to do in Edinburgh

The next point of interest is 1,000 feet up the road, where you’ll find The World’s End pub, which is situated on the (now-demolished) edge of the infamous Flodden Wall . The pub is a nice place to stop off for a quick dram or two before crossing the road and exploring the John Knox House . John Knox was well known for his political battles with Mary, Queen of Scots in the 1500s, and his house is one of the last remaining mediaeval buildings that survived the Victorian demolition of the Old Town.

Across the road, you’ll find the Museum of Childhood in a nondescript building that’s easily overlooked. The museum delves into the stories of the toys and culture of the last 100 years, and you’re bound to find something that’ll bring back fond memories, whether it’s an original Stretch Armstrong or those creepy porcelain dolls with the eyes that follow you around the room.

Walk another hundred or so yards towards the castle, and you can’t fail to miss St. Giles Cathedral which is another must-visit attraction in Edinburgh. The cathedral is quite beautiful inside, and it’s free to enter, although they do ask for donations, and there’s a mandatory fee to take photos.

Opposite the cathedral is the most famous close on the Royal Mile – The Real Mary King’s Close – which is waiting to transport you back in time to another world when Edinburgh’s poorest residents lived in unimaginably bad slums. Some of these underground dwellings have been unearthed and you can go on a tour around them, although I personally prefer the underground vaults tour offered by Mercat Tours .

The Heart of Midlothian, a heart-shaped mosaic, is located on the pavement outside St. Giles Cathedral, which marks the location of the 15th-century tollbooth where Edinburgh’s residents had to pay extortionate taxes or face cruel punishments. Such is the hatred of the tollbooth that the tradition of spitting on the mosaic continues to this day, even after the building was demolished in 1817.

After you’ve had a hearty spit on the Heart of Midlothian yourself, cross back over the road to enter Makars Court, which is a tranquil courtyard set back from the hubbub of the main road, where you’ll also find the thoroughly underrated Writers Museum. This museum displays exhibitions and original works from Scotland’s most famous writers – Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott, and Robert Louis Stevenson – and it’s a great place to visit if you have an interest in Scottish literature.

After you’ve looked around the writer’s museum, try to find the ornately carved paving stones in Makars Court, and then tilt your head up to marvel at the architecture of the hundreds-of-year-old multi-story tenement buildings that are one of the defining features of the Edinburgh cityscape.

Continue towards the castle and you’ll pass Camera Obscura and World of Illusions , which is a tourist attraction from Victorian times that features mind-bending mirror mazes, holograms, and optical illusions.

After that, there’s The Scotch Whisky Experience where you’ll be able to join a variety of guided tours that will explain the origins of the legendary spirit as well as give you a sample or two to try. In addition to a whisky barrel ride, there’s an enormous whisky collection, tasting rooms, a very good café, and one of the best whisky shops in Scotland.

The last port of call on this one-mile journey is Edinburgh Castle which doesn’t really need an introduction. The castle is Scotland’s top visitor attraction and regularly draws over two million tourists each and every year through its portcullis.

There’s more than enough to see and do at the castle to keep a family occupied for an entire day, with museums, military exhibitions, priceless jewels, cafés, restaurants, and shops nestled inside the walls of one of the world’s most formidable fortresses.

Things to Do

Explore Edinburgh Castle: Dominating the city’s skyline, the historic Edinburgh Castle houses the Honours of Scotland (the Scottish crown jewels) as well as several museums and memorials. It’s the most-visited attraction in the country and offers a fascinating journey through Scotland’s past.

Visit Camera Obscura and World of Illusions: This five-floor attraction is a wonderland of optical illusions and interactive exhibits. Discover the magic of light and colour and see Edinburgh in a new way through the 19th-century Camera Obscura. The rooftop terrace offers stunning views of the city.

Walk the Royal Mile: Stretching from Edinburgh Castle to Holyrood Palace, the Royal Mile is a historic street in the heart of the city. Take a leisurely stroll, gaze at medieval architecture, and explore various shops, restaurants, and pubs along the way.

Discover St Giles’ Cathedral: Known as the High Kirk of Edinburgh, St Giles’ Cathedral is a stunning Gothic church dating back to the 14th century. Admire its beautiful stained-glass windows, explore the historic Thistle Chapel, and try to find the grave of John Knox in the car park.

Experience the Scotch Whisky Experience: A trip to Scotland wouldn’t be complete without tasting a wee dram of its most famous export, whisky. Learn about the various whisky regions, take a barrel ride through the production process, and then participate in a tasting with a whisky expert.

Things to Do Nearby

Edinburgh Castle . Castlehill, Edinburgh EH1 2NG. 8-minute walk from St. Giles Cathedral. This is Scotland’s most-visited tourist attraction. This 11th-century castle and barracks house the Scottish crown jewels and is the location for the National War Museum. It also features popular attractions like the Mons Meg cannon and the One O’Clock gun.

Holyrood Palace . Palace of Holyroodhouse, Canongate The Royal Mile, Edinburgh EH8 8DX. A 13-minute walk from St. Giles Cathedral. Holyrood Palace is the monarch’s official residence in Scotland. The palace is open to visitors who can explore the royal rooms on a self-guided tour. Tickets include a visit to The Queen’s Gallery and Holyrood Abbey.

St. Giles Cathedral . High St, Edinburgh EH1 1RE. Grand, Gothic-style cathedral that is open to public viewing when religious sermons are not in session. Entry is free. Guided tours are available.

The Scotch Whisky Experience . The Royal Mile, 354 Castlehill, Edinburgh EH1 2NE. A 5-minute walk from St. Giles Cathedral. Popular tourist attraction on The Royal Mile that celebrates Scotland’s whisky traditions with tastings, a whisky barrel ride and guided tours. Shop and café on site.

John Knox House . Scottish Storytelling Centre, High St, Edinburgh EH1 1SR. A 5-minute walk from St. Giles Cathedral. A 15th-century preserved townhouse that is believed to have been the home of the Protestant preacher John Knox. Includes historic displays and exhibitions that can be viewed on a self-guided tour. Joins onto The Scottish Storytelling Centre which has a café and gift shop.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it called the royal mile.

Holyrood Palace and Edinburgh Castle are two locations that royalty frequently visited, and the Royal Mile is a historic road between them. The road is approximately one mile in length, hence the name.

How long does it take to walk the Royal Mile?

The Royal Mile takes approximately 25 minutes to walk from Holyrood Palace at the bottom of the incline to Edinburgh Castle at the top.

Is The Royal Mile Pedestrianized?

The Royal Mile is open to traffic but is temporarily pedestrianized during busy tourist times such as the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

What visitor facilities are there at The Royal Mile?

Food, drink, and toilets are located in the pubs, bars, and restaurants on The Royal Mile.

Is the Royal Mile actually a mile long?

No, the Royal Mile in Edinburgh is not actually a mile long. The name “Royal Mile” is a nickname given to the road that runs between Edinburgh Castle at the top of the hill and the Palace of Holyroodhouse at the bottom.

The actual distance between these two points is approximately one Scottish mile, or 1.06 standard miles (1.7 km). The usage of Scottish miles was abandoned in the 18th century.

Museum of Childhood

Parish Church of St. Cuthbert

Scottish Parliament Building

Camera Obscura & World of Illusions

The Best Things to Do in Edinburgh’s Old Town

Craig Neil is the author, photographer, admin, and pretty much everything else behind Out About Scotland. He lives near Edinburgh and spends his free time exploring Scotland and writing about his experiences. Follow him on Pinterest , Facebook , and YouTube .

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Tourist Information Centres

List of tourist information centres in scotland.

Abington Welcome Break Service Area Junction 13, M74 Crawford Lanarkshire ML12 6RG Tel: (01864) 502436 Fax: (01864) 502765 Web: www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk

Alford Railway Museum Old Station Yard Main Street Alford Aberdeenshire AB33 8FD Tel: 019755 62052 Seasonal opening

Arbroath Market Place Abroath DD11 1HR Angus and Dundee Tel. 01241 872609

Ayr 22 Sandgate Ayr KA7 1BW Tel: 01292 288688 Fax: 01292 288686 map

Ballater Old Royal Station Station Square Ballater Aberdeenshire AB25 5RB Tel: 013397 55306 Open all year map

Banchory Bridge Street Banchory Aberdeenshire AB31 5SX Tel: 01330 822000 Seasonal opening map

Banff Collie Lodge Banff Aberdeenshire AB45 1AU Tel: 01261 812419 Seasonal opening map

Biggar 155 High Street Biggar South Lanarkshire ML12 6DL Tel: 01899 221066 Fax: 01899 221066 Web: www.seeglasgow.com Seasonal opening map

Bo'ness Car Park Seafield Place Bo'ness Lothian EH51 0AJ Tel: 08707 200 608 Fax: 08707 200 608 Web: www.visitscottishheartlands.org Seasonal opening Map

Braemar The Mews Mar Road Braemar Aberdeenshire AB35 5YP Tel: 013397 41600 Open all year map

Brechin Brechin Tourist Information Centre Brechin Castle Centre Haughmuir Brechin Angus and Dundee DD9 6RL Tel. 01356 623050 map

Brodick The Pier Isle of Arran KA27 8AU Tel: 01770 302140/302401 Fax: 01770 302395 map

Carnoustie Carnoustie Tourist Information Centre 1b High Street Carnoustie Angus and Dundee DD7 6AN Tel. 01241 852258 map

Crathie The Car Park Crathie Ballater Aberdeenshire AB35 5UL Tel: 013397 42414 Seasonal Opening map

Drymen Drymen Library The Square Drymen Dunbartonshire G63 0BD Tel: 08707 200 611 Fax: 01360 660751 Web: www.visitscottishheartlands.org Please phone for opening times map

Dufftown The Clock Tower The Square Dufftown Aberdeenshire AB55 4AD Tel: 01340 820501 Seasonal Opening map

Dunblane Stirling Road Dunblane Stirlingshire FK15 9EP Tel: 08707 200 613 Fax: 008707 200 613 Web: www.visitscottishheartlands.org Please phone for opening times. Map

Edinburgh Airport Tourist Information Desk Edinburgh Airport EH12 9DN Tel. 0870 040 0007 (counter inquiries only) map

Elgin 17 High Street Elgin Moray IV30 1EG Tel: 01343 542666 Open all year map

Forfar Forfar Tourist Information Centre East High Street Forfar Angus and Dundee DD8 2EG Tel. 01307 467876 map

Forres 116 High Street Forres Moray IV36 ONP Tel: 01309 672938 Seasonal Opening map

Fraserburgh 3 Saltoun Square Fraserburgh Aberdeenshire AB43 9DA Tel: 01346 518315 Seasonal Opening map

Huntly 9a The Square Huntly Aberdeenshire AB54 8BR Tel: 01466 792255 Seasonal Opening map

Inverurie Book Store 18 High Street Inverurie Aberdeenshire AB51 3XQ Tel: 01467 625800 map

Kirriemuir Kirriemuir Tourist Information Centre Cumberland Close Kirriemuir Angus and Dundee DD8 4EF Tel. 01575 574097 map

Largs Railway Station Main Street Largs Ayrshire Tel: 01475 673765 Fax: 01475 676297

Lochcarron Main Street Lochcarron Ross-shire IV54 4LX Tel: 01520 722357 Fax: 01520 722324

Lochmaddy Pier Road Lochmaddy Isle of North Uist HS6 5AA Tel: 01876 500321 Fax: 01876 500321 map

Milton (See entry for Dumbarton )

Montrose Montrose Tourist Information Centre Bridge Street Montrose Angus and Dundee DD10 8AB Tel. 01674 672000 map

Musselburgh (See Old Craighall entry)

Perth (Inveralmond) Caithness Glass Inveralmond Perth Perth & Kinross PH1 3TZ Tel. 01738 638481

Stonehaven 66 Allardice Street Stonehaven Aberdeenshire AB39 2AA Tel: 01569 762806 Seasonal Opening map

Tomintoul The Square Tomintoul Aberdeenshire AB37 9ET Tel: 01807 580285 Seasonal Opening map

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1 Districts
2.1 History
2.2 Orientation
2.3 Literary tradition
2.4 When to go
2.5 Visitor information
3.1 By plane
3.2 By train
3.3 By road
3.5 By boat
4.1 On foot
4.3 By tram
4.4 By train
4.6 By taxi
4.7.1 Cycle hire
6.1 Performing arts
6.2 Outdoors
6.3 Festival season
6.4 Christmas and Hogmanay
6.5 Other events
7.1 Universities
7.2 Colleges
7.3 Private language schools
13 Stay safe
14.1 Hospitals and clinics
14.2 Pharmacy
15.1 Consulates

Edinburgh ( Gaelic : Dùn Èideann ) is the capital of Scotland , located in the Central Belt of the country. With a population of 526,470 in the urban area in 2021, and 901,455 in the metropolitans, Edinburgh fizzes with a cosmopolitan yet uniquely Scottish atmosphere. Old volcanoes ensure a dramatic natural setting, with the imposing castle atop one. The city combines medieval relics, Georgian grandeur and a powerful layer of modern life with contemporary avant-garde. Medieval palaces, Gothic churches and fascinating historical buildings rub shoulders with the best of modern architecture, such as the Scottish Parliament and the National Museum of Scotland. Variously dubbed "Auld Reekie" or "Athens of the North", but usually just plain "Embruh", it hosts great restaurants, shops, pubs, wild and mild clubs, and an unrivalled programme of events and festivals throughout the year.

The Old and New Towns of Edinburgh were listed as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO in 1995. In 2004, Edinburgh became the first member of the UNESCO Creative Cities initiative when it was designated a "City of Literature".

Districts [ edit ]

South Queensferry is nowadays governed as a city district, but retains its own identity as a town and is separately described.

Understand [ edit ]

History [ edit ]

This was an exciting place to be 300-350 million years ago, as volcanoes raged and flared across the region. The biggest was what we now call Arthur's Seat, with smaller cones at Castle Rock, Calton Hill, and elsewhere. Then they fizzled out and started to be buried by other rock layers. Much later came the Ice Ages, the last some 20,000 years ago. Vast glaciers from the west scoured away the surface, but where they hit Castle Rock they had to divide and flow around. They left the Rock intact with a scooped-out hollow to its north, west and south, and a tail of stone debris dumped in its lee to the east. This created an obvious defensible spot for early settlement. By the 12th century Edinburgh was the chief city of Scotland; the Old Town grew up with the Castle at its head, the Royal Mile stretching down the debris tail, and Holyrood Palace at its foot.

And up and up it grew: space was limited, so buildings became taller, ten or more storeys high even in medieval times. But no lifts or pumped water of course, and sanitation was taken care of by opening a window, shouting "Gardyloo!" and letting gravity do the rest. Every medieval city stank, but Edinburgh became known as "Auld Reekie" from the distinctive stench of sewage mingled with smoke from coal, mined and burned here from early times.

Edinburgh lost much of its importance after 1707, when Scotland united with England and political power ebbed away to London. But in the mid-18th century it revived, when it broke out of the confines of the Old Town, by creating a graceful New Town to the north. The intervening midden, the "Nor Loch", was drained, bridged, and an earth mound pushed across. There was similar expansion on the south side. Victorian times saw an industrial boom fuelled by the coal deposits nearby to the east, and by shale oil produced to the west. Canals and then railways brought in materials and a labour force.

Glasgow grew bigger, but Edinburgh remained the cultural capital of Scotland, and the Edinburgh International Festival was launched in 1947. A year later the first Military Tattoo was performed at the castle and soon became an official part of the Festival. In 1993, the first Edinburgh Hogmanay Street Party was held as an organised event.

And from 1998 Edinburgh is in a stronger sense a capital city again, as the Scotland Act (and subsequent legislation) established a devolved Scottish Parliament and civil Government. These, based in Edinburgh, are responsible for governing Scotland excluding reserved matters such as defence and foreign affairs which remain with the Westminster Parliament in London. Between 1999 and 2004 the Scottish Parliament Building (designed by Enric Miralles, the Spanish Catalan architect) was constructed. The debate about full independence for Scotland continues.

Orientation [ edit ]

Edinburgh has two principal spines, both running east-west. The spine of the Old Town is the Royal Mile, which starts with the Castle perched atop its volcanic crag, and the Esplanade commanding the best overall view of the city. From here the Royal Mile slopes down east, variously called Lawnmarket, High Street and Canongate, to end at Holyrood Palace. George IV Bridge spans south from Old Town to the University quarter, Meadows and Southside, while the Mound and North Bridge span north to New Town.

The newer spine is Princes Street (one "s", no apostrophe, named for the princely sons of George III). Princes Street Gardens fill the depression between the Street and the Old Town heights, with the railway tracks at their base and the Mound crossing midway. The grid pattern of the New Town starts with Princes Street and stretches north, with George Street and Queen Street its main boulevards. Close to the east end of Princes Street are the main railway station Waverley, and the main bus station St Andrew Square. The street ends in Waterloo Place, historic terminus of the A1 to London, A7 to Carlisle, A8 to Glasgow, and A9 to John O'Groats - no modern motorist should ever heed these directions. The small hill just east of Princes Street with an ersatz Acropolis is Calton Hill, while the looming crags further SE are Arthur's Seat. The Firth of Forth glitters to the north, merging into the open North Sea.

Literary tradition [ edit ]

Edinburgh is noted as a long-lived literary capital of the English-speaking world.

The great Scottish historical novelist Sir Walter Scott was born in the city and has his great monument on Princes Street. Robert Louis Stevenson and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle were also natives of Edinburgh. Edinburgh has also variously been the home and inspiration for such well-known modern writers as Muriel Spark (author of The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie ), Irvine Welsh (author of the 1993 novel Trainspotting , set in the gritty district of Leith), Ian Rankin (a crime writer best known for the Inspector Rebus series, set in Edinburgh), Alexander McCall Smith ( The No. 1 Lady Detective's Agency and several novels set in the Scottish capital) and J.K. Rowling of Harry Potter fame.

When to go [ edit ]

Edinburgh is a year-round destination. It gets mobbed around Hogmanay (Dec 31 / Jan 1), the Six Nations rugby internationals in Feb / March, and the Festival in August - book accommodation well in advance for these.

Old and New Towns are on exposed ridges so they're often breezy, and you can expect rain and a wrecked umbrella any day. The city is most comfortable from May to September - never stifling hot, the main summer irritation (if you have flimsy curtains) is sunrise at 4:30AM and dusk at 11PM. Nights draw in rapidly during the Festival. Winters are snell : rarely sub-zero or snowy, but the wind-chill makes them feel so. The sun then is only up between 8:30AM and 4PM, and if there's a bank of drizzle off the sea, the short day will pass in a grey gloom. Fortunately there's plenty to see and do indoors.

Visitor information [ edit ]

Forever Edinburgh is the city's official guide, listing attractions and forthcoming events.
City of Edinburgh Council describes public services.
iCentre is the national tourist office, open daily. It's at 249 High Street on the Royal Mile near St Giles.
Edinburgh Evening News , published daily, covers forthcoming events.

Get in [ edit ]

By plane [ edit ].

Airport hotels: four are within walking distance and another handful within a ten minute shuttle ride, see Edinburgh/West#Sleep .

Onward transport: Buses to the city, and to Glasgow, Fife, and West Lothian, leave from stops just outside Arrivals. The tram station and shuttles to off-site car parks are at the east end of the Terminal, beyond the multi-storey car park. There's no railway station, the nearest (Haymarket and Waverley) are in city centre.

Airlink 100 is the direct bus to city centre. This runs from airport stop A via Haymarket and Princes Street to Waverley Bridge, just outside the main railway station and close to the bus station. It's a distinctive bright blue double-decker, which runs daily 24 hours every 10 min, and takes 20-30 min. Adult fares as of Dec 2023 are £5.50 single, £8 open return (children £2.75 / £4 respectively). Pay the driver in cash (change given within reason, the only city bus route that does so) or by contactless debit or credit card. The buses have free Wi-Fi, sockets for charging electrical equipment, CCTV allowing top-deck passengers to monitor their luggage, and "next-stop" info screens.

Skylink 300 to Tollcross and Southside was axed in 2022.

Skylink 400 is for the south fringes of town. This runs from airport stop C via Gogarburn, South Gyle, Wester Hailes, Oxgangs, Kaimes, Royal Infirmary, and Niddrie to Fort Kinnaird / Newcraighall near Musselburgh - it doesn't pass anywhere near the city centre. It runs daily every 30 min from 5:30AM to 9:30PM.

At night Airlink 100 still runs to the city centre very tn minutes, and the 200 and 400 make a single run out to the airport at 3AM, arriving by 4AM.

Bright Bus Airport Express is a new service introduced in 2024, run by McGills using orange buses. Runs between 3AM and midnight. Single £4, return £6.50 payable by cash or card. It is in competition with the Lothian buses on this route, and it would be worth checking whether it is still running before depending on it.

Trams run from the airport to the city centre, taking 40 min via Edinburgh Park, Murrayfield, Haymarket, and along Princes St to Waverley railway station and York Place. As of Dec 2023, adult fares are £7.50 single, £9.50 open return, child £3.80 / £5. If you're making other city journeys the same day, consider buying a day ticket for £12 (child £6) valid for all tram and daytime bus services. Buy tickets from machines at any tram stop within 30 minutes of starting travel (cards accepted, no change given) and validate your ticket before boarding. Trams run daily every 8-15 min, to the city centre 6:20AM-10:45PM and out to the airport 5:30AM-11:30PM.

Or walk! If you only have light baggage, it's a fine day and you want to save money, you can walk the mile-and-a-half footpath between the airport and Ingliston Park & Ride. This brings you within the City Zone tariff, so the single tram fare to the city centre drops to £2 adult, £1 child, and a day ticket for all trams and buses is £5 / £2.50. Coming out from the city, do not be tempted just to buy a City Zone ticket and stay aboard to the airport, since ticket inspectors always patrol this section.

Out of town: Buses run from airport stop C to Glasgow Buchanan Station. This is the Citylink Air which takes 1 hour and costs £16 single. It runs daily from 6AM to 11:30PM every 30 min. Bus 902 takes 80 min to Glasgow via Livingston, and this run hourly through the night.

Buses run from airport stop G across the old Forth Road Bridge to Inverkeithing and Halbeath in Fife . This is the Stagecoach Jet 747 bus which takes 45 min to Halbeath. It runs daily for 24 hours, every 20 minutes in the daytime. Change at Inverkeithing for trains to Perth , Dundee , Aberdeen and Inverness .

First Bus 600 runs from airport stop E every 30 min into West Lothian, via Ratho, Newbridge, Kirkliston, Winchburgh, Broxburn, Uphall, Livingston and Whitburn.

Local buses pass by on the A8, a mile south of the airport. These run from Edinburgh out to Ratho, Kirkliston, South Queensferry , Linlithgow , and Falkirk .

Other airports you might consider:

Glasgow ( GLA IATA ) has a few destinations not linked to Edinburgh, such as Dubai, Reykjavik and several Hebridean islands.
Manchester ( MAN IATA ) has much better connections to North America and the Gulf.

By train [ edit ]

Waverley Station is a major hub for the Scottish rail network, with trains operated by ScotRail .

From Glasgow there are five routes:

best is from Glasgow Queen Street via Falkirk High, 50 min, every 15-30 min;
trains from Queen Street via Cumbernauld and Falkirk Grahamstoun, 70 min, every 30 min;
slow trains from Helensburgh or Milngavie via Queen Street (low level), Airdrie and Livingston North, 75 min, every 30 min;
long-distance trains from Glasgow Central taking an hour via Motherwell to Edinburgh and continuing down into England, plus slow trains from Ayr making more stops;
slow trains from Glasgow Central via Livingston South, 80 min, hourly.

From the north: trains run hourly from Aberdeen and Dundee , every two hours from Inverness via Aviemore and Perth, and every 30 min from Stirling .

From London : LNER daytime trains from London King's Cross run hourly up the east coast, the fastest taking 4 hr 20 min, variously stopping at Peterborough, Grantham, Newark, Doncaster, York, Darlington, Durham and Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Many continue north from Edinburgh to Glasgow Central, Dundee, Aberdeen or Inverness. Lumo runs three times daily from King's Cross via Newcastle and Morpeth. Trains operated by Avanti (see below) leave London Euston every couple of hours and travel via the Midlands and Preston; this is a slower journey that takes 5 hr 35 min. There's also an overnight train from Euston to Edinburgh, described below.

From the Midlands and South West England , the fastest is to take the hourly Avanti West Coast train from Birmingham New Street towards Glasgow and change at Preston, journey time just over four hours. A little slower but avoiding a change is the Crosscountry train, which trundles all the way up from Penzance via Plymouth, Exeter St David's, Bristol Temple Meads, Birmingham New Street, Derby, Sheffield, Wakefield Westgate, Leeds, York, Darlington, Durham, Newcastle upon Tyne and Berwick-upon-Tweed, and continuing from Edinburgh to Glasgow Central.

From Manchester : Transpennine Express runs every couple of hours from Manchester Airport via Piccadilly and Carlisle, taking four hours, with many other connections by changing at Piccadilly, Preston or Lancaster.

From the Borders trains run every 30 min from Tweedbank via Galashiels. There's no through-line, but Galashiels has connecting buses from Jedburgh, Melrose, Carlisle, Hawick and Selkirk.

Overnight: The Caledonian Lowland Sleeper runs Su-F from London Euston, departing around 11:30PM to arrive by 7:30AM. However, you can stay aboard until 8AM. The southbound train leaves around 11:30PM to reach Euston at 7AM. Again you can stay aboard until 8AM. No trains on Saturday night, and you can't travel on the Highland Sleeper, which only makes a service stop in Edinburgh for its three portions to be split or re-combined. Compartments have two berths and are sold like hotel rooms: you pay extra for single occupancy, and you won't be sharing with a stranger. Tickets can be booked at any UK mainline railway station or online: in 2023 a double bunk is around £250. You can also just use the sitting saloon, single £50. If you have an existing ticket for a daytime train you need to buy a sleeper supplement. Pricing is dynamic - weekends and the Festival will cost more if indeed there are berths available. Booking is open 12 months ahead, and you need to print out your e-ticket to present when boarding.

Both Waverley and Haymarket stations have ticket barriers so you will need to purchase a ticket in order to enter or leave the platform area. If you get on a train at an unmanned station, buy from the train conductor or a ticket inspector near the barrier gates. These gates retain spent single journey tickets so be sure to get a receipt if you need one. If you have a non-standard ticket that does not fit the gate, show it to staff who'll let you through.

Suburban stations within the city are mostly unstaffed. These are:

West towards Linlithgow, Falkirk and Glasgow Queens Street: Edinburgh Park (EDP) which also has trams.
Northwest towards the Forth Bridge, Fife and Highlands: South Gyle (SGL) and Edinburgh Gateway (EGY), which has a tram interchange (outside, Gateway is signed as "Park" which is confusing).
Southwest to Shotts and Glasgow Central: Slateford (SLA), Kingsknowe (KGE) and Wester Hailes (WTA).
East from Waverley towards Newcastle and to the Borders: Brunstane (BSU) and Newcraighall (NEW), the latter with park and ride.

You'd only use them if your accommodation happened to be nearby, or as a park and ride, as they're not close to the tourist sights.

By road [ edit ]

Main routes are the M8 from Glasgow and the west, M9 (from Stirling and the north-west, A90/M90 from Perth , Dundee and northern Scotland, A1 from Newcastle upon Tyne and north-east England, and A702/M74 (from Carlisle and north-western England.

From London the fastest route to Edinburgh is the M1, which flows into the A1(M) and the A1 - a journey of 400 mils / 700 km and 8-9 hr driving time. More scenic routes, which are shorter mileage and take only a little longer, include:

From A1(M) north of Scotch Corner, follow A68 through West Auckland, Corrbridge and Jedburgh.
From A1(M) north of Newcastle, follow A696 past the airport to join A68 near Otterburn.
From A1(M) at Morpeth, follow A697 through Wooler and Coldstream.

Edinburgh is not a car-friendly city, with many central streets closed-off or dead-ended to private vehicles, including Princes Street. This can only get worse, as sensitive areas (eg Festival venues) are being hardened against vehicle-based terrorism. And if you think the driving's a hassle, just wait till you try parking. There's little of it, it's pricey and time-limited, and the parking wardens are zealous. Monday to Saturday, you'd need to be 3-4 miles out to find free street parking. There are several multi-storey car parks in the city centre: particularly central are Castle Terrace for the west end, and St James Quarter and Greenside at the east end. If visiting for the day, use the park and ride facilities , leaving your car on the city's edge. There are seven of these: working clockwise (east > south > west) these are Wallyford and Newcraighall serving the A1, Sheriffhall and Straiton for the southeast, Hermiston and Ingliston for the west, and Ferrytoll just north of the new Forth Road Bridge for Fife and the North.

From 1 June 2024, the Old and New Town will be a Low Emission Zone , with camera-enforced penalties for entering in a non-compliant vehicle. Cars built after 2015 are generally compliant, but check online .

By bus [ edit ]

Long-distance buses run to Edinburgh from England, Belfast and the rest of Scotland. Buses from major towns in Scotland are mainly operated by Citylink , while buses from England are mainly run by National Express with others including Megabus . For instance National Express from London Victoria takes nine hours, with one daytime and one overnight run.

Ember Electric Bus glides quietly from Dundee every hour or two, with two late night runs, taking 90 min.

Edinburgh Airport , described above, has morphed into a secondary bus station. Buses linking airport and city are much improved, so to reach the outer parts of Edinburgh from (say) Glasgow, it may be easier to change at the airport rather than the traditional change at St Andrew Square. However fares are higher by this route.

By boat [ edit ]

North Sea ferries no longer sail to Rosyth, so sailing from the continent means travelling via Newcastle , Hull , Harwich or the Channel ports.

Ferries from Northern Ireland dock at Cairnryan, near Stranraer on the west coast. You can buy a through ticket between Belfast and Edinburgh (and other destinations in Scotland and the island of Ireland) either by bus ( Citylink ), or by train ( ScotRail ). Either way it's a 7- to 9-hour journey costing around £30.

Cruise ships often visit Edinburgh but are nowadays too large to dock, so they anchor out in the Firth of Forth and bring in their passengers by tender.

Get around [ edit ]

On foot [ edit ].

Walking should always be your first choice within central Edinburgh. The centre is compact - most sights and attractions are on or near the Royal Mile in Old Town or Princes St in New Town. But factor in the hills, barriers such as the railway tracks and deep glen of Water of Leith, and bridges that span lower streets without a connection.

The suburbs stretch out for several miles. Attractions that are too far to walk (especially with children) include the Zoo, the Botanic Gardens, Leith and the Royal Yacht Britannia, Craigmillar Castle and the Pentland Hills. For these, first choice is the bus.

Lothian Buses are distinctive burgundy and cream-coloured. There are 37 daytime city routes, three airport routes, and 17 night buses. Another 18 routes link nearby towns such as South Queensferry. Their online network map shows real-time positions of buses, and central stops have displays of approaching buses - not all buses serve every stop. This city is so cosmopolitan that once the indicator has ticked down through 15 minutes, 10, 5, 2 and 1, it will show due to mean two will probably come at once.

Buy tickets on boarding the bus either with exact fare in coins (no change is given) but better still with a contactless credit or debit card. This not only avoids keeping the right change, but if you make three or more journeys on the same day and same card, your fare is automatically capped at the day-ticket price.

A single ticket is a flat fare regardless of distance and with no transfers - if you change to another bus, you need another ticket. In 2023 these cost £2 adult, £1 for under-18s. A day-ticket can also be bought on boarding the bus, for £5 adult, £2.50 child, or £10.50 for a family of 2 adults and 3 children. These cover the city but exclude sightseeing buses, night buses and the airport - though you can ride the airport bus within the city, say to the zoo. At night a single ticket is £3, and a "Late ticket" pass from 6PM to 4:30 AM is £4.50.

Ridacards for regular travellers are available from Travel Hubs at Shandwick Place in the west end, Waverley, and Musselburgh - bus drivers can't sell these. The minimum period is one week, for £22 adult, £19 student, £15 5-15. You can also buy bundles of single M-tickets to display on your phone, but with no saving over the standard price.

McGills buses mostly serve west of the city, for instance to Falkirk.

Hop-on-Hop-off are the city sightseeing buses. Fares start from £16, with more expensive tickets covering entry to attractions.

By tram [ edit ]

A tram line links city centre with the airport west and Leith east. It passes through New Town along Princes Street and Shandwick Place to Haymarket, then takes an off-road track through the western suburbs. Thus it links the airport, rugby stadiums, both mainline railway stations, the bus station and Princes Street.

in 2023 a single journey (excluding the airport) costs £2. Day tickets cost £5 and can also be used (or purchased) on Lothian Buses. A single to or from the airport costs £7.50, with a return ticket costing £9.50, so it's more expensive and slower than the Airlink bus. You must buy a ticket before boarding the tram. The machines at tram stops accept credit cards and coins (5p to £2 coins, no change is given). Holders of the Scottish National Entitlement Card (free travel for locals over 60) can only travel free on the tram only if their card was issued by Edinburgh Council. The PLUSBUS rail ticket add-on allows you to travel on the tram but not to the airport.

When the tram line opened in 2014, it was to widespread scorn, as it was way over-budget and long-delayed, with protracted disruption of city streets. Gradually it has won people over, but it's limited to the single east-west route. The east section to Leith and Newhaven was cut when the budget ballooned, but was eventually completed in June 2023.

You're most unlikely to use the train to get around within the city. It's more relevant for "Getting in" - see that section above - or for trips out to the likes of North Berwick, Dunbar, and Tweedbank - see "Go Next".

By car [ edit ]

Central Edinburgh is a nightmare to drive in, particularly the Old Town with its tangle of medieval streets with their associated one way systems. The New Town fares slightly better, but the scourge "Blue Meanies" mercilessly swoop on vehicles which may have only been illegally parked for a matter of minutes. It is best to take a bus and/or walk. park and ride facilities provide access to the city centre.

As many other cities in the UK, Edinburgh has a 20 mph (32 km/h) speed limit on many of the roads in the city centre.

Edinburgh operates a Controlled Parking Zone in the city centre. On-street parking is mostly for residents with a parking permit. However, some Pay and Display on-street parking bays are available for anyone. To find these bays, the Edinburgh Council provides an interactive and detailed map for on-street parking bays . It lists charges for different parking areas as well as days and times when the charges are required. Typically parking tickets are free of charge after 6:30PM and before 8:30AM, and for the entire day on Sundays.

Parking fines are £40 and vehicles parked in an obstructive manner are liable to be towed away with a £150 release fee to be paid for its retrieval. Even the suburbs (especially Morningside, The Grange, The Meadows) have little parking available. Leith seems to fare a bit better for parking, but there's no guarantee.

Drivers should beware of trams and cyclists.

By taxi [ edit ]

Co Traditional Black Cabs carrying up to 5 passengers can be hailed on the street, but minicabs must be pre-booked. Black Cabs display an orange light above the windscreen when they are available to hire. It's usually quite easy to find a cab around the city centre, and on the main radial routes. Taxi ranks around the centre include:

Outside the main entrances of Haymarket and Waverley train stations.
Opposite the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel and Sheraton hotels in the west end, and Intercontinental George Hotel east end of George Street.
St Patrick's Square off South Bridge
Leith Bridge, close to The Shore and Commercial Quay in Leith.

The main firms are Central Taxis (+44 131 229 2468), City Cabs (+44 131 228 1211) and Capital Cars (+44 131 777 7777).

By bicycle [ edit ]

The Edinburgh Innertube map gives a good overview of off-street cycle paths in and around the city centre. Many paths are along canals or rivers, through parks and on former railway lines.

Edinburgh is well connected to the National Cycle Network (NCN) and there are many routes around Edinburgh with a variety of places accessible within a days cycling - Glasgow , Stirling , Falkirk , Musselburgh , and Dunbar - all of which have train stations for the return journey. The number 1 route which goes south from Edinburgh to Melrose in the borders and then east to Berwick-upon-Tweed (and then back on the train) can be done in one weekend with a variety of accommodation available for an overnight stay in the historic border town of Melrose.

Cycle hire [ edit ]

Edinburgh's app-based bicycle hire scheme closed in September 2021. You can rent bikes from the following places:

BikeTrax , 11-13 Lochrin Place, Tollcross , ☏ +44 131 228-6633 . Between £17 and £25 for one day, weekly offers available .
Leith Cycle Co , 276 Leith Walk , ☏ +44 131 467-7775 . Bike and E-bike sale and hire. From £15 for half day; £100 for 2 weeks . ( updated Dec 2020 )
Pedal Forth , 17 East Cromwell St, Leith , ☏ +44 131 554-9990 . M-Sa 9AM-5PM; Su closed . £15 per 24 hours; weekly offers available .
Cycle Scotland , 29 Blackfriars Street, EH1 1NB , ☏ +44 131 556-5560 . From £20 per day . ( updated Dec 2015 )

See [ edit ]

Edinburgh Castle sits on the crag at the top of Old Town. In summer it often sells out, best book online.
Royal Mile is the long street descending from castle to palace. The best of it is High Street, the broad upper traffic-free section, with medieval "closes" (alleys) descending steeply on either side.
Holyrood Palace is sumptuously furnished and still a royal residence.
Scottish Parliament meets in a modern building near the palace, and you can look in on debates.
Arthur's Seat is the extinct volcano looming over the city: you have to go round to its far side for the simple ascent.
National Museum of Scotland is in Chambers St half a mile south of High St, an amazing free collection that will absorb a whole afternoon.
Princes Street is architecturally dull, but has a great view of the castle and Old Town.
National Gallery of Scotland and the Scottish National Portrait Gallery are side-by-side midway along Princes St.
Modern One & Two are modern art galleries a mile beyond Haymarket.
Calton Hill is the miniature Arthur's Seat at the east end of Princes St, much more accessible for city views.

The Botanic Gardens are in Canonmills. Their glasshouses are closed until 2025.
Royal Yacht Britannia is permanently moored in Leith .
Craigmillar Castle is an extensive medieval ruin in the south .

If you are staying in Scotland a while, consider buying membership of one of the heritage organisations such as Historic Scotland, see Scotland Page for details. National Trust members get free entry to National Trust for Scotland properties and vice versa, but in general there's no reciprocity between these organisations, and you have to see several sites to make a saving on the regular admission price.

Doors Open Day throws open historic or important buildings across the country, free of charge though you may need to book. Many are not otherwise open, so it's a rare opportunity to visit them. It's usually on the last weekend in September.

Scotland's Gardens similarly opens up private gardens once a year, with all proceeds going to charity. There are about 25 participating gardens across the city, dates staggered so there's one open most weekends in summer.

Do [ edit ]

Performing arts [ edit ].

Edinburgh has an excellent concert and theatre life. The Usher Hall (Lothian Road, Old Town ) has weekly orchestral concerts all year round with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra . The Queen's Hall (South Clerk Street, South ) is home to the Scottish Chamber Orchestra . The Lyceum (Lothian Road, Old Town ) offers theatre performances. The Festival Theatre (Nicolson Street, Old Town ) frequently hosts opera and ballet . Europe's largest theatre, the 3000-seat Edinburgh Playhouse (top of Leith Walk, New Town ) hosts major West End shows. For a cheaper option, the excellent Bedlam Theatre ( Old Town ) regularly puts on good student theatre and is the home to Scotland's oldest improvised comedy troupe, The Improverts.

Experience traditional Folk Music at one of the pubs in the Old Town or Leith which host regular sessions.

Research your ancestors. The National Register lists all births, marriages and deaths in Scotland from 1841. It's in General Register House at the east end of Princes St opposite Waverley Station, but always start your search online. You'll need to pay for extended access to look back beyond 1841, for instance in parish records mostly held at West Register House in Charlotte Square.

Outdoors [ edit ]

Walk along the Water of Leith , a small river that meanders through Edinburgh, providing a peaceful haven from the busy city. Check out the Leith or Stockbridge and Canonmills sections of the route.
Climbing Arthur's Seat , the extinct volcano, is a popular activity as well and rewards you with great views over the city ( Old Town ).
If you have more time, then you should go hiking in the Pentland Hills for a (half) day trip ( South ).
Steam railway excursions run from Edinburgh in summer: one operator is Tornado Railtours .

Festival season [ edit ]

Edinburgh in the summer becomes "festival city" when a huge number of major national and international arts festivals are hosted by the city. Most of these occur virtually simultaneously in August (or end of July). These cater for a wide variety of interests and include:

Edinburgh International Festival . In August . The original that spawned all the rest. Founded in 1947 and still seen as more "high-brow" than any of its offspring. Surprisingly, tickets are often priced more reasonably than for many Fringe shows. Some events have preview performances at a much lower price. ( updated May 2021 )
Edinburgh Military Tattoo . In August . One of the iconic images of Edinburgh for millions worldwide is the yearly Tattoo, kilted pipers skirling below the battlements of Edinburgh Castle. Although tickets sell out well in advance, persevering individuals are likely to find one or two tickets still for sale due to cancellations. Just be prepared to ask, ask, and ask again! There are usually fireworks at the end of the shows which can also be seen from e.g. the Grassmarket area. ( updated May 2021 )
Edinburgh Festival Fringe ( The Fringe ). In August . As the name might suggest, this festival developed on the fringe of the main International Festival and offers more alternative performances, with an emphasis on comedy and avant-garde; it is now the largest arts festival in the world. Many shows offer cheaper preview tickets on the first two days of the festival or a 2-for-1 ticket special on two selected dates. There are a few sub-festivals that are part of the Fringe such as the Assembly Festival , Summerhall Festival and CtheFestival . Part of the Fringe are also many free events (with donation if you liked the show) across the city grouped mostly under the PBH's Free Fringe or Free Festival . ( updated May 2021 )
Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival . 10 days in July . Festival of about 150 concerts in 11 venues. ( updated Feb 2019 )
Edinburgh International Book Festival . In August . Takes place in a temporary village of marquees at Charlotte Square Gardens (West End of George Street, New Town ).
Edinburgh Art Festival . In August . Some permanent outdoor commissions which can be seen all year, and temporary exhibitions and events during the festival. ( updated May 2021 )
Edinburgh Mela . End of August . Multicultural festival held in Leith .
Edinburgh International Television Festival . End of August . Predominantly a "closed shop" for industry professionals only.

One important thing to decide when planning a trip to Edinburgh is whether you wish to go at festival time, which runs from early August through to mid-September. Hotel rooms in and around the city are noticeably much more expensive then, and you will need to book well ( at least six months!) in advance.

Christmas and Hogmanay [ edit ]

Edinburgh in the winter festive season is also huge with various concerts and other activities taking place starting a couple of weeks before Christmas and running up to a week into January. Princes Street Gardens play host to a Big Wheel , outdoor ice rink and various festive markets . As in most of the rest of Scotland, Hogmanay , the New Year celebrations, are the main focus of the festive season rather than Christmas. One night before on December 30, a torchlight procession [dead link] takes place with Calton Hill as final destination where fireworks will be on display. On the night itself whole sections of central Edinburgh are roped off and accessible only by ticket for the Hogmanay street party , which takes place across several stages and is easily the largest in Scotland. Hogmanay and Edinburgh fit together like hand and glove. On day one of the new year, you can watch or if you are brave enough take part in the Loony Dook in South Queensferry (people taking a dip in the ice-cold River Forth).

Other events [ edit ]

Edinburgh International Science Festival . Takes place annually in March or April. Emphasis on "hands-on" science.
Beltane Fire Festival , Calton Hill, New Town . Fire Festival marking the beginning of summer (evening of April 30). The festival has its origins in the pre-Christian Celtic festival of the same name, which was held to herald the coming of spring and to celebrate the fertility of the countryside. Drums, dancing, semi-nudity, pagan ritual, home-brew and lots of fire and fireworks. Crowds of around 12,000 enjoy the ceremony and spectacle every year. For the full traditional experience stay awake until dawn and head across to Arthurs Seat to wash your face in the dew.
Hidden Door . Annual non-profit art, music, theatre, etc. event taking place in unused spaces in the city that change from year to year. End of May/beginning of June. ( updated May 2016 )
Degree Show , Edinburgh College of Art, Old Town . Around the end of May the Edinburgh College of Art opens its doors and exhibits the works on art, design and architecture of their students. A similar event, the Masters Degree Show, takes place in August as part of the Edinburgh Art Festival. See the ECA event calendar for details. Free . ( updated May 2016 )
Imaginate Festival . Every May/June, an international festival of children's theatre.
Meadows Festival . A free festival in the Meadows ( South ) on a weekend in early June with lots of food stalls, second-hand merchandise and live music.
The Royal Highland Show is a Highland Games & Gathering, Agricultural Show and much else, held at Ingliston ( west ), towards the airport) over a weekend in mid- to late June.
Edinburgh International Film Festival . Now moved to June from its former slot in August, so that it no longer clashes with all the others! Centred around the Filmhouse Cinema on Lothian Road, though other cinemas take part too. In 2022 it is back in August, but it is not clear if this is a permanent change. ( updated Aug 2022 )
Samhuinn Fire Festival , Royal Mile, Old Town . Fire Festival marking the beginning of winter (evening of October 31). Procession and enacted fight between the King of Summer and Prince of Winter with great accompanying percussion. Free, donations are collected .
Guy Fawkes Night ( Bonfire Night ). Evening of November 5. With ticketed fireworks (£6.50) in the Meadowbank Sports Centre ( East ). Can be seen (for free) from several locations in the city.
St Andrew's Day . Celebrate St Andrew's Day, Scotland's national day on November 30. There are many free events on the nearest weekend in Edinburgh. Historic Scotland opens many of its sites for free (free tickets are required and can be booked online ).

Cinema [ edit ]

Go to the cinema. Edinburgh has a number of cinemas covering mainstream, foreign language and arthouse films. Most interesting are the Filmhouse and Cameo ( Old Town ) and the Dominion ( South ).

Sport [ edit ]

Rugby Union: the top matches are the internationals, played at Murrayfield Stadium west of the centre. Highlight of these are the 6 Nations games played Jan-March each year between Scotland, Wales, Ireland, France, Italy and England. They only play each other once each year, so in even-numbered years England and France visit Murrayfield, while in odd-numbered years Wales, Ireland and Italy are the visitors. City and stadium are packed when these games are in town, so be sure to book accommodation and match tickets well in advance.
Football: Edinburgh has four professional soccer teams. Hibernian ("Hibs") play at Easter Road Stadium in Leith in the Scottish Premiership, the game's top tier. Heart of Midlothian ("Hearts") play at Tynecastle Park near Murrayfield west of the centre, likewise in the Premiership. Edinburgh City play at Meadowbank, 2 miles east of city centre, in Scottish League One the third tier. Newcomers in 2023 are The Spartans, playing in League Two at Ainslie Park in Pilton north side of the city.
American Football: Edinburgh Wolves play at Meadowbank Stadium two miles east of the centre .
Swim in the Royal Commonwealth Pool, used for the Commonwealth Games in 1970, 1986 and for the diving in the 2014 Glasgow games.
Horse racing is at Musselburgh five miles east of the city. There's flat-racing in summer and jumps in winter.

Learn [ edit ]

Edinburgh is host to a number of higher and further education organisations including four Universities. Some offer summer schools of a week or more on topics such as creative writing or printmaking.

Universities [ edit ]

The University of Edinburgh . A prestigious university over 400 years old (established in 1582) with about 33,000 students. Short (language) courses are offered for everyone.
Edinburgh Napier University . Established in 1964, the university has about 18,000 students.
Heriot-Watt University . Established in 1821 with about 8,000 students (in Edinburgh). Gained university status in 1966.
Queen Margaret University ( The campus is to the east of Edinburgh close to Musselburgh ). Dates back to 1875 and was granted university status in 2007. Has about 7,000 students.

Colleges [ edit ]

Edinburgh College of Art . ECA is part of the University of Edinburgh and offers education in the areas of art, design, (landscape) architecture and history of art and music.
Edinburgh College . Offers courses for UK and international students throughout the year and also runs an English Language summer school accredited by the British Council.

Private language schools [ edit ]

Edinburgh is a popular destination for language students, looking to learn English, or build on their existing English language skills. Most schools offer a "homestay" option where accommodation is with a local family, which can be a great introduction to Scottish life. Language schools in the city include:

Inlingua Language Centre , 40 Shandwick Place, Edinburgh, EH2 4RT , ☏ +44 131 220-5119 , [email protected] . Courses include General English, Business English, Exam Preparation and many more. For adult students only. A varied social programme is offered.
Alba English School , 86 - 92 Causewayside, Edinburgh , ☏ +44 131 668-4336 , [email protected] . Low cost, flexible and high quality English classes for international students in Edinburgh.
Global School Of English , 45 Frederick St , ☏ +44 131 226 2333 . Large, well-established school, with premises on Frederick Street in the city centre. Offers courses for adult and junior students. from £70 per week .
Edinburgh School of English , 271 Canongate , ☏ +44 131 557-9200 , fax : +44 131 557-9192 , [email protected] . Great location on the Royal Mile. Caters to adult and junior students
MacKenzie School of English , 6 John's Pl, Leith , ☏ +44 131 555-5315 , fax : +44 131 555-5155 , [email protected] . In a beautifully refurbished Victorian building on the edge of Leith Links. Generally catering to secondary school-aged students.
TLI English Language School , 48 Palmerston Pl , ☏ +44 131 226-6975 , fax : +44 131 226-6975 , [email protected] . English language school in the central West End area of the city offering a range of English language courses to adults, TEFL courses and stunning views of Edinburgh Castle.

Buy [ edit ]

Princes Street in New Town is the main shopping street, lined by chain and department stores.
George Street, parallel to Princes Street, has more upmarket stores.
The Royal Mile near the castle is mostly an overpriced tourist trap.
Cockburn Street and Victoria Street in Old Town have small independent stores.
Grassmarket at the foot of Victoria Street has more, plus castle views.
Multrees Walk has upmarket labels. It's next to the bus station in New Town.
Other malls include St James Mall east of Princes Street, and Ocean Terminal in Leith.

Eat [ edit ]

Edinburgh has a great selection in all price ranges, cosmopolitan cuisines, and caters for diets such as vegan, halal and GF. Good areas for value food are Elm Row at the top of Leith Walk, Rose and Thistle streets flanking George St, along South Bridge including the "Little Cairo" around the Central Mosque, Forrest Rd by Greyfriars Bobby, Tolcross and Lothian Rd, and west end from Queensferry St to Haymarket station. Overpriced areas to be cautious are the Royal Mile from castle to Tron Kirk, Princes St and the Grassmarket.

The Scots are well known for having a penchant for fried food which has resulted in such gastronomic delights as deep fried pizza, deep fried hamburgers, deep fried Black Pudding (a type of blood sausage), deep fried haggis and deep fried Mars bars, which are not just a myth. If you're up to it, be sure to drop by a chippy (fish and chip shop) and experience these Scottish delights. Edinburgh chippys are unique in the UK for offering salt'n'sauce as standard in place of the salt'n'vinegar usually provided elsewhere in the country. The sauce is a kind of runny, vinegary version of HP or Daddys style brown sauce. Most chippys will provide vinegar on request if you prefer, but you really should try salt'n'sauce at least once!

Edinburgh Rock is a soft confectionery, made from sugar and cream of tartar with various flavourings and colours, including peppermint and ginger. It can often be seen in tourist shops in tartan boxes.

Drink [ edit ]

For a non-alcoholic beverage give Scotland's second national drink a try Irn-Bru . It's a great cure for hangover.

As for Scotland's first drink, you will find The Scotch Whisky Experience at the top of the Royal Mile, which offers an interactive "tour" of the history and practice of whisky distilling. For a less touristic experience simply enjoy your whisky in one of the many pubs. The closest single malt whisky distillery to Edinburgh is the Glenkinchie Distillery out in the country towards Haddington . The North British Distillery in Edinburgh (near Murrayfield) produces grain whisky which is all used in blending and the distillery is not open for visits.

There are a few gin distilleries opened in and around Edinburgh producing Pickering's Gin , Edinburgh Gin or NB Gin (from North Berwick ).

The two major local beer breweries are the Caledonian Brewery and Stewart Brewing .

There are lots of (traditional) pubs all around the city and many of them offer - next to all the standard choices - a changing selection of guest ales. The bartenders can usually give you detailed taste information about each guest ale and are often willing to let you try a small sample. Most pubs also have a great selection of whiskies . As with eating, the Grassmarket and upper Royal Mile are overpriced.

Clubs are around Cowgate and Lothian Road.

Sleep [ edit ]

Edinburgh has been established as a tourist destination for centuries, and so there is a huge choice of accommodation available for travellers. If you're planning a visit during festival time (Aug), around Christmas and New Year, or on the weekend of a Scotland home game in the 6-nations Rugby (Mar/Apr, 2 or 3 matches per year), then you will find that all types of accommodation get booked up well in advance, and a premium may be applied to the room-rate. It's not impossible to get somewhere to stay at short notice at these times, but you won't be able to be fussy and it will probably be expensive. The average cost of hotel accommodation in Edinburgh is higher than anywhere else in Scotland.

All short-term accommodation in Scotland must be registered , otherwise it's illegal and probably a flea-pit or fire-trap. This applies throughout Scotland but is especially pertinent to Edinburgh, where demand far exceeds supply and encourages exploitive providers. The law (which does not apply to England) was introduced in 2022 but there is considerable wriggle room until July 2024, so for the time being proprietors can reasonably say that their registration is still being processed. Be increasingly sceptical as the deadline approaches. It's unwelcome extra bureaucracy for B&Bs, campsites and so on but in the long-term should better protect travellers and honest providers.

For those on a budget, there are cheap youth hostels available with prices from £20 upward. The private, independent hostels centre around the Cowgate area, the lower Royal Mile and its side streets. The hostels of the HI affiliated Scottish Youth Hostel Association can be booked on-line and are an especially good deal during summer, when the SYHA rents student accommodation as summer hostels: Single rooms in the city centre for a very modest price.

There are guest houses and small hotels dotted around almost every part of the city, however there are high concentrations in two areas, namely around Newington Road and Minto Street on the South side, and on Pilrig Street and Newhaven Road in Leith . Both areas are within a brisk 15–20 minute walk of the city centre and both have excellent round-the-clock bus services. If arriving in town without having booked accommodation, it may be worth heading for one or the other of these areas and looking out for the "Vacancies" signs, though probably not during the festival or around Hogmanay.

Some of the guest houses and even hotels can be booked for as little as the hostels at certain times of year, while more upmarket accommodation ranges from boutique B&Bs, with just a few rooms, lovingly run by a family, to world-renowned large 5-star hotels.

Another good alternative for accommodation is self-catering holiday apartments. Edinburgh has a wide offer of short term holiday apartments steps away from its main tourist attractions. It is a great opportunity to experience the city as a local. Apartments can be booked on-line. For summer months, especially August, it is highly recommended to book well in advance as most tourists tend to make their bookings in February for this period.

Due to the excellent and frequent rail links between the two cities, savvy travellers can cut the costs by basing themselves in Glasgow , where deals in mainstream chain hotels are easier to come by – and you get the advantage of being able to "do" both cities. Bear in mind of course when your last train leaves - though hourly coaches run through the night if you do stay out too long!

Connect [ edit ]

As of Nov 2023, the entire city and its approach roads have 5G from all UK carriers. Wifi is widely available in public places.

Because Edinburgh has multiple expat communities, you may find SIM cards for their countries' carriers in local shops.

Public libraries have internet stations, accessible if you hold a city library card. You can register free online , which gives you temporary membership for 3 months. Convert this to full membership by presenting ID in person, and they'll post out a card. There are over 30 libraries across the city.

Stay safe [ edit ]

In general Edinburgh is a safe destination. Take care of valuables, especially in crowded places where pickpockets operate.

Swerve clear of drunks, especially after football matches and at pub closing times, and don't get drunk yourself.

Like every other city, there are rundown areas where you have simply no reason to go. Examples are Niddrie and Craigmillar in the southeast, Saughton, Sighthill and Wester Hailes in the west, and Muirhouse and Pilton in the north.

In an emergency call 999. The non-emergency police contact number is 101.

Stay healthy [ edit ]

In emergency , dial 999 (preferably from a landline, a free call from any phone including payphones), 112 also works.

For advice on non-emergency medical problems, you can ring the free 24-hour NHS 24 service on 111 or for textphone users 18001 111.

Hospitals and clinics [ edit ]

55.922 -3.1359 1 Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh ( R.I.E. ), 51 Little France Crescent, Old Dalkeith Road ( On the southern fringe of the city, it can take up to 30 min from the city centre in a bus or taxi ), ☏ +44 131 536-1000 . 24 hour opening . The R.I.E. hosts the main Accident and Emergency (A&E) facility for the city.
55.96231 -3.23511 2 Minor Injuries Clinic , Crewe Road South ( at Western General Hospital ), ☏ +44 131 537-1330 . Daily from 08:00-21:00 . No appointment is necessary. Last patient admission 30 min before closing time.

Pharmacy [ edit ]

During normal shopping hours (M-F 9AM-5:30PM, Sa 9AM-12:30PM), you won't have any problem locating a pharmacy as they are dotted all around the city. Any row of local shops will usually include one. Common brands include Boots (city centre branches in the New Town at 11 Princes St, 101-103 Princes St and 48 Shandwick Pl; in the Old Town at 40-44 North Bridge), Alliance and Numark .

Outside of these hours you will face more of a challenge. There are no 24 h pharmacies in the city.

Some of the major supermarkets include a pharmacy counter, but the pharmacy does not necessarily follow the same opening hours as the supermarket. The pharmacy counter within the Tesco supermarket at 7 Broughton Road in Canonmills is quite close to the city centre and opens M-Sa 8AM-8PM and Su 10AM-5PM.

To find a pharmacy that is open on a Sunday or has late opening times call NHS inform on 0800 22 44 88 (between 8AM-10PM daily) or check online with NHS Inform .

Cope [ edit ]

Money: Scottish, English, and Northern Irish banknotes are all acceptable. The Bank of Scotland and the Royal Bank of Scotland issue their own banknotes, so that is what their ATMs dispense. ATMs of English banks (Barclays, Natwest and HSBC) dispense English notes. This is only an issue if you return home with a wad of Scottish notes: English retailers are obliged to accept them, but exchange desks may be sniffy or give poor rates.
Babysitting: Super Mums Childcare , 22a Great King St EH3 6QH , ☏ +44 131 225 1744 . Bookings 24 hr service . Round-the-clock baby-sitting is available short- or long-term at an hourly rate (3 hour minimum) plus sitters' travel expenses. Multilingual sitters are also available. ( updated Dec 2023 )
Laundrettes and dry cleaners: over a dozen around the city, ask your accommodation which is best.

Consulates [ edit ]

Always check your country's embassy website first - help for things like stolen passports and emergency travel documents might be organised from the London embassy or even your home country rather than a local consulate.

Go next [ edit ]

Edinburgh is so well-connected that anywhere in Scotland is a reasonable destination to go next. Here are some highlights within a day trip.

Going west:

South Queensferry is an old harbour with the iconic Forth Bridge for rail, and two modern road bridges crossing to Fife.
Linlithgow has a ruined Palace, abode of Mary, Queen of Scots.
Falkirk has the ingenious Falkirk Wheel to lift boats between two canals.
Stirling is a miniature Edinburgh with its castle perched on a crag and ancient streets.
Glasgow is a lively city, Scotland's largest, deserving a longer stay.

Going east:

Gullane has an excellent beach, backed by sand-hills and a great golf course. The Museum of Flight is a few miles inland.
North Berwick is a fishing village near the sea-bird reserve of Bass Rock and the 14th century Tantallon Castle.
Dunbar is a charming harbour town, birthplace of conservationist John Muir.

Going north:

Dunfermline is the ancient royal capital of Scotland, and birthplace of industrialist Andrew Carnegie.
Culross is a gem of a 17th-18th century village to the east of the bridges.
Anstruther is the largest of the little fishing villages of the East Neuk of Fife.
St Andrews is a venerable university town and home of the Royal and Ancient, the ruling body of Golf.
Dundee , once a grubby industrial city, is now rejuvenated, with a great setting by the River Tay.

Going south:

Jedburgh , Melrose and Kelso in the Borders have ruined medieval abbeys.
Abbotsford House, grand mansion of Sir Walter Scott, is near Melrose.

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This booking system and any information appearing on this page relating to the availability of any accommodation is provided by third parties and not by VisitScotland. It is intended to provide real time availability information relating to accommodation which is also provided by third parties. You may use this booking system to place direct bookings with third party accommodation providers. Any booking you make will not be placed with VisitScotland and we will have no liability to you in respect of any booking. If you proceed to make a booking you will leave our Website and visit a website owned and operated by a third party. VisitScotland does not have any control over the content or availability of any external website. This booking system and any information appearing on this page is provided for your information and convenience only and is not intended to be an endorsement by VisitScotland of the content of such linked websites, the quality of any accommodation listed, or of the services of any third party.

Old Waverley Hotel

A city centre hotel based on Princes Street in Edinburgh which is easily accessible by train and from the airport, the perfect city centre base for Edinburgh Castle, the EICC & The Royal Mile.

The Old Waverley Hotel is a traditional and truly spectacular 3* hotel in Edinburgh with history dating back to 1848.

Our 3 star hotel on Princes Street offers fantastic accommodation suited to a range of budgets, for leisure and corporate guests alike. This Edinburgh city centre hotel places guests within reach of the financial district and all the top attractions including Edinburgh Castle and the EICC.

Make the most of your holiday budget with excellent shopping close to Old Waverley Hotel on Princes Street, George Street and Multrees Walk. We are located just a few steps away from the Princes Street exit of Edinburgh’s Waverley train station and easily accessible from Edinburgh Airport by taxi, airlink bus or tram.

Our budget friendly Edinburgh accommodation at the Old Waverley Hotel offers contemporary features whilst retaining traditional levels of comfort and style. Choose one of Edinburgh’s oldest and most famous hotels for your stay in the city centre.

No Pets Allowed

Accessibility

Lift or stairlift
Level access to main entrance

Dietary Options

Vegan Meals Available
Active and Adventure
City Breaks
Internet Access
Towels Provided
Laundry Facilities
Air Conditioning
Private Bathroom
Lunch Available
Breakfast Available
Licensed Bar
Evening Meal Available
Room Service

Payment Methods

American Express
Diners Card
Credit Card
City Centre
City Location
Town Centre

Languages Spoken

Awards & schemes.

Note: Prices are a guide only and may change on a daily basis.

The content of many of our web listings is provided by third party operators and not VisitScotland. VisitScotland accepts no responsibility for (1) any error or misrepresentation contained in third party listings, and (2) the contents of any external links within web listings ((1) and (2) together hereinafter referred to as the "Content"). VisitScotland excludes all liability for loss or damage caused by any reliance placed on the Content. The Content is provided for your information only and is not endorsed by VisitScotland.

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"Mostly consists of superdry & new look and some smaller stores. Wi-fi doesn't work!"

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"Probably the best view in Edinburgh. Central location and 287 stairs up gives you a view of pretty much everything. Well worth going all the way to the top. Be prepared for narrow circular staircases"

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City Art Centre

Address: 2 Market Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1DE

The City Art Centre is an art gallery and exhibition centre located opposite Waverley Station on Market Street in Edinburgh. The nine storey building was constructed in 1902. Originally as a warehouse for the Scotsman newspaper and later becoming a wholesale fruit and vegetable market. It has been a gallery since 1980, when the collection moved from its previous location in the former Royal High School. In the 1990s it was extended to add further floors. Today, the gallery hosts a busy programme of exhibitions over six floors of light and airy gallery space.

The permanent collection features over 4500 works, including drawings and paintings, prints, photography, sculpture and installation art, covering many important art movements such as The Glasgow Boys, The Scottish Colourists and The Edinburgh School. Exhibitions change regularly on a rolling schedule, showcasing new local and international work and touring displays of photography, art and design, architecture and the built environment.

Art Gallery at the City Art Centre in Edinburgh

5 things to do at City Art Centre

See the permanent collection, including works by leading Scottish artists from the 17th century until the present day.
See the latest in a regularly changing programme of temporary exhibitions, presenting a wide variety of subjects and interests from contemporary art and design to architecture and the built environment.
Visit Mimi’s Bakehouse on the ground floor, a cafe specialising in cakes to take away, along with a handpicked selection of all-day brunch and lunch dishes to sit-in.
Browse the shop, which sells a great selection of art-themed gifts and souvenirs, books, postcards and jewellery.
Enter the City Art Centre’s scientific playground for two weeks every year, during the Easter holidays, as the centre hosts the Edinburgh International Science Festival.

Edinburgh Dungeon

National Library of Scotland

National Museum of Scotland

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Edinburgh iCentre, Edinburgh
City Of Edinburgh. Edinburgh VisitScotland iCentre welcomes you to Scotland. Find us on the High Street in the heart of Edinburgh, Scotland's historic capital. This one-stop shop helps you make the most of your time, and enhance your trip. At Edinburgh and Scotland's iCentre we can help you plan tours, book day-trips and purchase transport ...
Edinburgh VisitScotland iCentre
Wheelchair access throughout. Nearby to Edinburgh VisitScotland iCentre. Food & DrinkThings to doAccommodationSimilar. Approximate duration and distances shown are fromEdinburgh VisitScotland iCentre. Contact Details. 249 High Street, Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH1 1YJ. 0131 473 3820. [email protected].
Edinburgh Waverley Visitor Guide 2024: Everything you need to know
Edinburgh Waverley Visitor Guide 2024: Everything you need to know. Published by: Bounce Posted Jan 12, 2024. Located right in the heart of the Scottish capital of Edinburgh, Waverley Station is one of the biggest in the nation. It's also the only railway station in the world named after a novel. First opened in 1846, Waverley has been a ...
Edinburgh Tourist Information Centres
Other visitor centres in covering the local areas include: VisitScotland Information Centre Edinburgh Airport Edinburgh International Airport Edinburgh EH12 9DN Scotland Telephone: +44 (0)844 481 8989 The opening times are: April to October: Monday To Sunday: 07.30 - 21.30 November to March: Monday to Sunday: 07.30 - 21.00
EDINBURGH ICENTRE: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go ...
Convention Centres in Edinburgh Libraries in Edinburgh Visitor Centres in Edinburgh Airport Lounges in Edinburgh. ... Edinburgh Waverley Station. 274. 383 ft Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings. Princes Street. 1,771. 0.1 mi Points of Interest & Landmarks. General Register House. 39.
Edinburgh Waverley Station: A Complete Guide
The Edinburgh Waverley Station was built in 1868. Not long after, it was realized that the current rail station lines that were available were inadequate for the hoards of people that were clamoring to travel by rail. The station would, subsequently, be expanded two more times encompassing over 23 acres.
Edinburgh Waverley Station: 'Scott'-ish Marvel
Edinburgh Waverley is named after the novel, Waverley, written by one of Scotland's most famous authors- Sir Walter Scott.In fact, it is the only train station in the world named after a novel. Waverley is considered the first historical novel and celebrated its bicentenary in 2014. As part of the commemorations, The Great Scott! event helped to remind station visitors about its namesake.
The Ultimate Guide to Everything Waverley Station Has to Offer
Waverly Station is in the heart of Edinburgh, Scotland. It is right next to Princes Street, Edinburgh Castle, and the Princes Street Gardens. Waverly Station is the second busiest rail station in the country, and features beautiful shops, restaurants, and amenities for visitors. The train station offers travelers access to most major cities ...
Useful Visitor Information in Edinburgh
Tourist Information Centres and Edinburgh Travel Information. The city's main Tourist Information Centre is at 3 Princes St, on top of Waverley Market ... This is available from the TIC or from the LRT ticket centres at 31 Waverley Bridge, Tel: +44 131 225 8616 (open Easter-Oct Mon-Sat 0800-1800, Sun 0900-1630; Nov-Easter Tue-Sat 0900-1630), or ...
The Official Guide to Edinburgh
Visit Edinburgh. With the city's skyline, cobbled streets and colourful characters as your backdrop, there's so many ways to embrace, explore, have fun and create lasting memories in Edinburgh. Resident or visitor, Forever Edinburgh is here to help you see Edinburgh in unexpected and exciting ways.
About Us
VisitScotland is Scotland's national tourist board. We provide advice, information and inspiration to visitors who are planning a trip to Scotland. ... Waverley Court 4 East Market Street Edinburgh EH8 8BG. See the main office on Google Maps. See all office locations ... Visit our Information Centres when you are in Scotland for tips, advice ...
THE 10 BEST Things to Do Near Edinburgh Waverley Station
Things to do near Edinburgh Waverley Station on Tripadvisor: See 377,161 reviews and 50,004 candid photos of things to do near Edinburgh Waverley Station in Edinburgh, United Kingdom. ... Libraries in Edinburgh; Visitor Centers in Edinburgh; Airport Lounges in Edinburgh; Near Hotels. Things to do near The Balmoral Hotel; ... City Art Centre ...
THE 10 BEST Things to Do Near Edinburgh Waverley Station
Things to do near Edinburgh Waverley Station on Tripadvisor: See 377,339 reviews and 50,068 candid photos of things to do near Edinburgh Waverley Station in Edinburgh, United Kingdom. ... Visitor Centres in Edinburgh; Airport Lounges in Edinburgh; Near Hotels. Things to do near The Balmoral Hotel; Explore more top attractions.
Home
Shop, drink and dine in the heart of Edinburgh at Waverley Market. You'll find us next to Waverley Station. Our opening hours are Mon-Sun 9am-8pm. Individual stores times may vary. HOME; SHOP; EAT; WHAT'S ON; BLOG; VISIT. ... These cookies do not store any personal information.
Visitor Information in Edinburgh
Once in Edinburgh or Glasgow, you will find the Tourist Information Centres more useful. In the capital, the main office is the Edinburgh Information Centre, atop the Princes Mall near Waverley Station (tel. 0131/473-3800 or 0845/225-5121; fax 0131/473-3881; www.edinburgh.org). It can give you sightseeing information and also arrange lodgings.
How to use the city centre station in Edinburgh
The two parallel sloping roadways, which used to allow taxis to enter and leave the station, lead up from either side of the main concourse on to Waverley Bridge - a road which spans the station. Use these Waverley Bridge exits if you want to: take the express bus to Edinburgh airport. board a sightseeing bus.
Royal Mile
Paid parking spaces are located at Calton Road, Nicolson Square, Edinburgh Waverley Station, Quartermile, and Holyrood Road. There is a large multi-storey car park in the St James Quarter shopping centre (postcode EH1 3AD). Contact: NA: Facilities: The Royal Mile has bus stops, an information centre, restaurants, bars and pubs, cafes, and shops.
Tourist Information Centres
Edinburgh Tourist Information Centre above Waverley Shopping Centre 3 Princes Street EH2 2QP Tel. 0845 22 55 121 Email: ... Edinburgh Airport Tourist Information Desk Edinburgh Airport EH12 9DN Tel. 0870 040 0007 (counter inquiries only) map Elgin 17 High Street Elgin Moray IV30 1EG Tel: 01343 542666 Open all year map
Edinburgh
Visitor information [edit] Forever Edinburgh is the city's official guide, listing attractions and forthcoming events. City of Edinburgh Council describes public services. iCentre is the national tourist office, open daily. It's at 249 High Street on the Royal Mile near St Giles. Edinburgh Evening News, published daily, covers forthcoming events.
Old Waverley Hotel, Edinburgh
From £109 per room per night. A city centre hotel based on Princes Street in Edinburgh which is easily accessible by train and from the airport, the perfect city centre base for Edinburgh Castle, the EICC & The Royal Mile. The Old Waverley Hotel is a traditional and truly spectacular 3* hotel in Edinburgh with history dating back to 1848.
VisitScotland Information Centre
edinburgh visitor information centre edinburgh • edinburgh visitscotland information centre edinburgh • visitscotland information centre edinburgh • ... 3 Princes St (Waverley Mall) Edinburgh City of Edinburgh EH2 2QP United Kingdom. At: Waverley Mall. Get directions.
City Art Centre Scottish Gallery
City Art Centre. Address: 2 Market Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1DE. The City Art Centre is an art gallery and exhibition centre located opposite Waverley Station on Market Street in Edinburgh. The nine storey building was constructed in 1902. Originally as a warehouse for the Scotsman newspaper and later becoming a wholesale fruit and vegetable market.
Old Waverley Hotel
Situated on Princes Street, The Old Waverley Hotel is just a 10-minute walk from the Royal Mile and Holyrood Palace, a 10-minute walk from the banking centre of the city, and a 10-minute taxi trip from the EICC and Edinburgh Castle. We are also within walking distance from Waverley Train Station and a short drive from Edinburgh International ...

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