- Must visit
National Museum of Scotland
Scotland’s flagship museum with major collections in science, design, world cultures, and Scottish history. A top all-round choice for first-time visitors.
Cheapest price
$53
Average price
$64
Fastest journey
8 h 29 m
Average duration
8 h 40 m
Buses per day
19
Distance
395 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Birmingham to Edinburgh is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Birmingham to Edinburgh will cost around $64 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $53.
Of the 19 buses that leave Birmingham for Edinburgh on Fri, Jun 26, 3 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Fri, Jun 26 the direct buses cover the 395 km distance in an average of 8 h 40 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 8 h 29 m .
On Fri, Jun 26 the slowest buses will take 8 h 48 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.
FlixBus · FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBus
NX183
FlixBus · FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBusOmio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Birmingham to Edinburgh among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $28. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 2h 41m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.4kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $28, and a train costs an average of $38.
Distance: 245 miles (395 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$44 Average price Cheapest | $125 Average price | $119 Average price | $156 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
9h 1m Average total duration 8h 31m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 24m Average total duration 3h 54m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 41m Average total duration Fastest 2h 41m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 5h 27m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.4 - 1.0kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 1.2 - 2.4kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Birmingham to Edinburgh:
A bus is $75 (€62) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Birmingham to Edinburgh costing on average $119 (€98).
A bus is $81 (€67) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Birmingham to Edinburgh costing on average $125 (€103).
Other travel options to Edinburgh take longer:
Train takes on average 3h 54m.
Bus takes on average 8h 31m.
Tickets start at around $44 (€36) compared to roughly $156 (€129) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $112 (€93). The journey takes 8h 31m versus 5h 27m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can use the time productively rather than spending it behind the wheel. No parking to sort, no fuel stops, and most coaches have Wi-Fi and power outlets.
Direct services are operated by National Express, Megabus.
Driving is worth considering if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), or want the flexibility to stop along the way.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 12:05AM | Arrival Time 09:02AM | Duration 8h57 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $53 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 07:00AM | Arrival Time 05:35PM | Duration 10h35 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $43 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 07:30AM | Arrival Time 05:15PM | Duration 9h45 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri | Cheapest price $43 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 07:45AM | Arrival Time 05:15PM | Duration 9h30 | Departure days Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $59 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 09:30AM | Arrival Time 06:50PM | Duration 9h20 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $77 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 10:55AM | Arrival Time 08:50PM | Duration 9h55 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $40 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 12:00PM | Arrival Time 08:40PM | Duration 8h40 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $43 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 01:40PM | Arrival Time 11:53PM | Duration 10h13 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $47 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 06:30PM | Arrival Time 06:25AM | Duration 11h55 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $61 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 07:00PM | Arrival Time 06:25AM | Duration 11h25 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $60 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 08:00PM | Arrival Time 08:15AM | Duration 12h15 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $51 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 09:55PM | Arrival Time 07:45AM | Duration 9h50 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $47 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 10:30PM | Arrival Time 08:05AM | Duration 9h35 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $48 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 11:00PM | Arrival Time 10:25AM | Duration 11h25 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $44 |
The table below shows live departures for Birmingham to Edinburgh buses for today, Thursday, June 25. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus · FlixBus | 8:00 PM Birmingham | 12h15 | 8:15 AM Edinburgh, Bus Station | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 9:55 PM Birmingham, Great Charles Street Queensway | 9h50 | 7:45 AM Edinburgh, Bus Station | 1 transfer | |
NX180 | On time 10:30 PM Birmingham, Coach Station | 9h35 | 8:05 AM Edinburgh, Bus Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
NX181 · NX591 | Delayed 5:25 AM 11:00 PMBirmingham, Coach Station | 11h25 | 10:25 AM Edinburgh, Bus Station | 1 transfer | |
| Friday, June 26 | |||||
FlixBus · FlixBus | 12:05 AM Birmingham, Great Charles Street Queensway | 8h57 | 9:02 AM Edinburgh, St Andrew's House | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 12:05 AM Birmingham, Great Charles Street Queensway | 8h40 | 8:45 AM Edinburgh, Bus Station | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 12:05 AM Birmingham, Great Charles Street Queensway | 8h41 | 8:46 AM Edinburgh, Haymarket Station (Stop HB) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 12:05 AM Birmingham, Great Charles Street Queensway | 8h48 | 8:53 AM Edinburgh, Princes Street West (Stop PF) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 12:05 AM Birmingham, Great Charles Street Queensway | 8h29 | 8:34 AM Edinburgh, Drum Brae South | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 7:00 AM Birmingham, Great Charles Street Queensway | 10h35 | 5:35 PM Edinburgh, Bus Station | 1 transfer | |
NX183 | 7:30 AM Birmingham, Coach Station | 9h45 | 5:15 PM Edinburgh, Bus Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
NX131 · NX591 | Delayed 12:00 PM 9:30 AMBirmingham, Coach Station | 9h20 | 6:50 PM Edinburgh, Bus Station | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 10:55 AM Birmingham, Great Charles Street Queensway | 9h55 | 8:50 PM Edinburgh, Bus Station | 1 transfer | |
NX183 | 12:00 PM Birmingham, Coach Station | 8h40 | 8:40 PM Edinburgh, Bus Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 1:40 PM Birmingham, Great Charles Street Queensway | 10h13 | 11:53 PM Edinburgh, Bus Station | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 1:40 PM Birmingham, Great Charles Street Queensway | 10h01 | 11:41 PM Edinburgh, Haymarket Station (Stop HB) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 1:40 PM Birmingham, Great Charles Street Queensway | 9h53 | 11:33 PM Edinburgh, Drum Brae South | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 1:40 PM Birmingham, Great Charles Street Queensway | 10h06 | 11:46 PM Edinburgh, Princes Street West (Stop PF) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 6:30 PM Birmingham, Great Charles Street Queensway | 11h55 | 6:25 AM Edinburgh, Bus Station | 1 transfer | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train, bus, and flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Buses from Birmingham to Edinburgh run on average 16 times per day, taking around 8h 31m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $28 (€23) if you book in advance.
There are 3 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:05, the last at 23:55. The fastest bus covers the 245 miles (395 km) distance in 8h 10m.
Distance 245 miles (395 km) |
Average bus duration 8h 31m |
Cheapest ticket price $28 (€23) |
Buses per day 16 |
Direct buses 3 |
Fastest bus 8h 10m |
First bus 12:05 AM |
Last bus 11:55 PM |
Cheapest Month Sep |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Fri |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 56 days |
Discover the best of Edinburgh — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Edinburgh trip today.
Scotland’s flagship museum with major collections in science, design, world cultures, and Scottish history. A top all-round choice for first-time visitors.
The principal fine art gallery in central Edinburgh, known for Scottish and European masterpieces in a prime Princes Street Gardens setting.
A landmark portrait gallery celebrating Scotland’s people through art, photography, and decorative interiors in a striking neo-Gothic building.
Edinburgh’s most famous historic street, linking the castle and Holyroodhouse through closes, shops, courtyards, and major landmarks.
One of the city’s best viewpoints, known for sunrise and sunset photos, monuments, and broad views over Edinburgh and the Firth of Forth.
The city’s famous volcanic peak in Holyrood Park, offering one of the best outdoor walks and panoramic views in Edinburgh.
Scotland’s iconic savoury pudding of minced offal, oats, onion, and spices, traditionally served with neeps and tatties. It is strongly associated with Edinburgh and Burns Night suppers.
A rich Scottish soup made with smoked haddock, potatoes, and onions. Though originating in the northeast, it is a classic dish widely served in Edinburgh.
A small double-crust meat pie, usually filled with spiced minced lamb or mutton. It is a traditional Scottish bakery staple and a common quick bite in Edinburgh.
Long-established Edinburgh favourite serving modern Scottish dishes in a warm, relaxed setting. Good choice for haggis, seafood, and seasonal local produce.
Well-known gastropub by celebrated local chefs, offering refined Scottish pub food and a polished but comfortable atmosphere in Stockbridge.
Established seafood restaurant known for high-quality Scottish fish and shellfish, with a smart city-centre setting suited to a more upscale meal.
Costs are high by UK standards, especially for central hotels. Pubs and casual dining are manageable, but attractions and festival periods raise overall daily spend.
About 10-12.5% in restaurants if service is not already included. Round up in taxis. Tipping is not usually expected for counter service, pubs, or coffee shops, but small tips are appreciated.
Official public transport app
Edinburgh Bus Station, Edinburgh -> Edinburgh Waverley Station, Edinburgh
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Birmingham to Edinburgh by bus. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest bus, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Edinburgh, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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