The concourse at Glasgow Queen Street, beneath its 19th-century glazed roof engineered by James Carswell.
Photo: Geof Sheppard / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)Edinburgh to Glasgow by Train
A domestic route within United Kingdom.
Reviewed by Eurotraintrip on 2026-07-30
- Duration
- 45m – 1h 15m
- Price from
- 8.4 GBP
- Distance
- 68 km
- Operators
- ScotRail
- Frequency
- Around 92 ScotRail trains run each day between Edinburgh Waverley and Glasgow Queen Street, close to a turn-up-and-go frequency
Compare and book Edinburgh–Glasgow tickets
Check pricesWhat makes Edinburgh to Glasgow different
- Since 1 September 2025, ScotRail abolished peak fares across its network, so this route's ticket price no longer changes between an 8am departure and a mid-afternoon one - a genuine break from the peak/off-peak split most UK intercity routes still use.
- With around 92 trains a day, Edinburgh-Glasgow is one of the most frequent city-to-city rail links in the UK outside London's commuter belt - in practice closer to a metro-style service than something that needs booking ahead.
- Glasgow Queen Street's A-listed glazed roof, engineered by James Carswell in the 19th century, survived a GBP120 million redevelopment completed in October 2021 that added over 300 glass panels to the station's George Square frontage.
Edinburgh station
Departs from Edinburgh Waverley - unlike the London service, there is no real need to book a specific train given the near turn-up-and-go frequency, though during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe (7-31 August 2026) even a frequent service like this one can get standing-room busy with festival crowds heading through.
Glasgow station
Arrives at Glasgow Queen Street, opened in February 1842 and rebuilt in a GBP120 million redevelopment completed October 2021 - a different station from Glasgow Central, which handles routes toward England, so check which one any onward connection needs.
Train vs. other options
Driving the M8 between the two cities covers a similar distance but typically takes about an hour in light traffic, more at rush hour, once you add city-centre parking at either end - the train is rarely slower door to door and needs no parking search on arrival. A scheduled flight is not a realistic option between two cities this close together.
Booking tips
- There is no need to lock in a specific train - ScotRail tickets on this route are valid on any service that day, unlike the Advance-only fares used on longer-distance LNER or Avanti routes.
- Since ScotRail scrapped peak fares network-wide on 1 September 2025, there is no reason to avoid rush hour to save money on this route - the price is the same whatever time you travel.
- Double-check you are heading for Glasgow Queen Street, not Glasgow Central - Edinburgh trains use Queen Street on the north side of the city centre, and the two Glasgow stations are not interchangeable for this journey.
Good to know: ScotRail's Off-Peak and Anytime tickets on this route (now priced identically since peak fares were scrapped in September 2025) are valid on any Queen Street departure that day - there is no Advance-fare lock-in and no penalty for catching an earlier or later train than the one you originally planned.
While you're in Glasgow
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, one of the UK's most-visited free museums outside London.
Photo: Thyes / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)Between Kelvingrove's free galleries, the Riverside Museum's transport collection on the Clyde, and the West End's independent cafe culture around Byres Road, Glasgow rewards wandering more than a checklist.
Full Glasgow travel guide →Frequently asked questions
How long does the train from Edinburgh to Glasgow take?
ScotRail's fastest direct trains between Edinburgh Waverley and Glasgow Queen Street take under an hour; services calling at more stations take somewhat longer.
How much does the train from Edinburgh to Glasgow cost?
Fares start from around GBP8.40 one-way. Since ScotRail abolished peak fares in September 2025, the price no longer changes based on what time of day you travel.
Which station in Glasgow does the Edinburgh train arrive at?
Trains from Edinburgh Waverley arrive at Glasgow Queen Street, on the north side of the city centre - not Glasgow Central, which serves different routes including trains to England.