- Must visit
National Museum of Scotland
Scotland's flagship museum covers science, design, natural history, and world cultures in a landmark building with excellent family appeal.
Cheapest price on Sep 20
€63
Average ticket price on Sep 20
€64
Fastest journey on Sep 20
9 h 35 m
Average journey duration on Sep 20
9 h 40 m
Buses on Sep 20
2
Distance
268 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Bolton to Edinburgh is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Bolton to Edinburgh will cost around €64 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €63.
It's difficult to get from Bolton to Edinburgh without transferring at least 2 times.
NX540 · NX170 · NX591
NX540 · NX170 · NX591
NX540 · NX170 · NX591
NX540 · NX170 · NX591Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Bolton to Edinburgh among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of €38 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 3h 29m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.2kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €38, while a flight costs an average of €290.
Distance: 166 miles (268 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
€38 Average price Cheapest | €66 Average price | €290 Average price | €95 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
6h 49m Average total duration 6h 19m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 29m Average total duration Fastest 2h 59m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 35m Average total duration 2h 35m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 4h 4m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.3 - 0.7kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.8 - 1.6kg 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 Bolton to Edinburgh:
A bus is €28 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Bolton to Edinburgh costing on average €66.
A bus is €252 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Bolton to Edinburgh costing on average €290.
Other travel options to Edinburgh take longer:
Train takes on average 2h 59m.
Bus takes on average 6h 19m.
Tickets start at around €38 compared to roughly €95 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about €57. The journey takes 6h 19m versus 4h 4m 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.
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 12:20AM | Arrival Time 05:35PM | Duration 17h15 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Fri | Cheapest price €40 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 02:10AM | Arrival Time 09:15AM | Duration 7h05 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price €22 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 06:20AM | Arrival Time 08:50PM | Duration 14h30 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Fri | Cheapest price €22 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 07:50AM | Arrival Time 05:35PM | Duration 9h45 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price €62 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 08:15AM | Arrival Time 05:35PM | Duration 9h20 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price €66 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 08:40AM | Arrival Time 05:35PM | Duration 8h55 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price €35 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 08:50AM | Arrival Time 06:35PM | Duration 9h45 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price €63 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 09:00AM | Arrival Time 06:35PM | Duration 9h35 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price €64 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 09:15AM | Arrival Time 06:35PM | Duration 9h20 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price €68 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 09:20AM | Arrival Time 07:25PM | Duration 10h05 | Departure days Tue, Thu | Cheapest price €68 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 10:20AM | Arrival Time 05:35PM | Duration 7h15 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Fri | Cheapest price €22 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 12:05PM | Arrival Time 08:45PM | Duration 8h40 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price €21 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 01:00PM | Arrival Time 09:45PM | Duration 8h45 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price €22 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 01:55PM | Arrival Time 06:25AM | Duration 16h30 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Fri | Cheapest price €22 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:10PM | Arrival Time 11:33PM | Duration 7h23 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price €21 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 06:00PM | Arrival Time 07:15AM | Duration 13h15 | Departure days Mon, Wed | Cheapest price €22 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 06:05PM | Arrival Time 07:15AM | Duration 13h10 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price €47 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:30PM | Arrival Time 07:45AM | Duration 8h15 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Fri | Cheapest price €27 |
The table below shows live departures for Bolton to Edinburgh buses for today, Saturday, September 19. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 7:50 AM Bolton | 9h45 | 5:35 PM Edinburgh | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 8:15 AM Bolton | 9h20 | 5:35 PM Edinburgh | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 9:15 AM Bolton | 9h20 | 6:35 PM Edinburgh | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare bus, train, 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 Bolton to Edinburgh run on average 11 times per day, taking around 6h 19m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at €15 if you book in advance.
The earliest bus runs at 00:23, the last at 23:40. The fastest bus covers the 166 miles (268 km) distance in 5h 15m.
Distance 166 miles (268 km) |
Average bus duration 6h 19m |
Cheapest ticket price €15 |
Buses per day 11 |
Fastest bus 5h 15m |
First bus 12:23 AM |
Last bus 11:40 PM |
Cheapest Month Jul |
Cheapest Day Mon |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Fri |
Best time to book 42 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 covers science, design, natural history, and world cultures in a landmark building with excellent family appeal.
Major art gallery with Scottish and international works from the Renaissance onward, set dramatically on The Mound in the city centre.
Gallery of modern and contemporary art in a neoclassical building with sculpture park, strong changing exhibitions, and a peaceful setting.
Historic spine of the Old Town linking the castle and palace, lined with closes, landmarks, performers, shops, and layered city history.
Elegant shopping boulevard in the New Town with castle views, gardens below, major monuments, and strong access to central attractions.
Extinct volcano in Holyrood Park climbed for sweeping city views, sunrise walks, and one of Edinburgh's most memorable outdoor experiences.
A rich savoury pudding of sheep offal, oats, suet, onion and spices, traditionally served with neeps and tatties. Scotland’s national dish and central to Burns Suppers.
Mashed turnips and potatoes, usually served with haggis. This classic Scottish side is a staple of traditional Edinburgh meals.
A hearty soup of smoked haddock, potatoes and onions in milk or cream. Strongly linked to Scotland’s fishing heritage and widely loved in Edinburgh.
Refined Scottish fine dining in the Balmoral Hotel, known for seasonal tasting menus and polished service in an elegant setting.
Historic oyster bar and restaurant serving Scottish seafood, shellfish and game in a lively, classic Victorian dining room.
Celebrated modern Scottish restaurant focused on local produce, creative small plates and a relaxed but high-quality neighbourhood feel.
Edinburgh is pricier than many UK cities. Hotels surge in festival season, dining is mid-to-high, and transit is reasonable but not especially cheap for visitors.
Tipping is optional. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is common if no service charge is added. Round up for taxis. Cafes usually do not expect tips.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Bolton 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.

Most Bolton to Edinburgh buses use the Manchester, Shudehill Interchange to Edinburgh, Bus Station station pair, with some services arriving at Edinburgh, St Andrew's House. Use this guide to compare Bolton and Edinburgh bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Bolton, Interchange has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower, and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Cafes and fast food available inside.
Wi-Fi is available at Bolton, Interchange. ATMs are aTM available near the ticket office.
Ticket office support is available at Bolton, Interchange.
Available at Bolton, Interchange: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Bolton, Interchange: Facility is wheelchair accessible.
Bolton, Astley Bridge is 1 km from Bolton city centre. Public transport options include:
Bolton, Astley Bridge has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower, and Ticket Office.
Wi-Fi is available at Bolton, Astley Bridge. ATMs are available at Bolton, Astley Bridge.
Ticket office support is available at Bolton, Astley Bridge.
Available at Bolton, Astley Bridge: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Bolton, Astley Bridge: Basic accessibility options like ramps are available.
Edinburgh, Bus Station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Café at the Station (in the station), Sandwich Shop (in the station).
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the main entrance.
Ticket office support is available at Edinburgh, Bus Station.
Available at Edinburgh, Bus Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Edinburgh, Bus Station: Elevators, ramps.
Edinburgh, St Andrew's House has practical services for this route, including Accessibility.
Accessibility facilities are available at Edinburgh, St Andrew's House: The place has an entrance that is wheelchair-accessible.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need