- Must visit
National Museum of Scotland
Scotland’s flagship museum with collections spanning natural history, science, design, fashion, and Scottish history. A top all-round choice for first-time visitors.
Cheapest price
$40
Average price
$57
Fastest journey
4 h 40 m
Average duration
4 h 58 m
Buses per day
10
Distance
262 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Leeds to Edinburgh is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Leeds to Edinburgh will cost around $57 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $40.
Of the 10 buses that leave Leeds for Edinburgh on Sun, May 31, 6 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sun, May 31 the direct buses cover the 262 km distance in an average of 4 h 58 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 4 h 40 m .
On Sun, May 31 the slowest buses will take 5 h 10 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.
NX180
NX183
NX591
NX183
FlixBus · FlixBus
FlixBus
NX183
NX591
NX183
NX180Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Leeds to Edinburgh among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $20. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 3h 52m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.2kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $20, and a train costs an average of $29.
Distance: 162 miles (262 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$41 Average price Cheapest | $72 Average price | $114 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 47m Average total duration 4h 17m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 22m Average total duration Fastest 3h 52m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 20m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.3 - 0.7kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
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 Leeds to Edinburgh:
A bus is $30 (€25) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Leeds to Edinburgh costing on average $72 (€58).
Other travel options to Edinburgh take longer:
Bus takes on average 4h 17m.
You'll arrive about 3m sooner (4h 17m by bus vs 4h 20m by car) and save roughly $73 (€58) compared to fuel and tolls ($41 (€33) vs $114 (€92)). You also skip the drive itself — no traffic stress, no parking, and you can use the time to work, nap, or catch up on a series with the onboard Wi-Fi.
Direct coaches are operated by National Express, Megabus, FlixBus.
Driving is still worth considering if you're travelling with bulky luggage, need flexibility on departure times, or plan to stop along the way.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator National Express | Departure Time 02:55AM | Arrival Time 08:05AM | Duration 5h10 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $37 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 03:05AM | Arrival Time 07:45AM | Duration 4h40 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $29 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 03:10AM | Arrival Time 10:09AM | Duration 6h59 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $36 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 12:15PM | Arrival Time 05:15PM | Duration 5h00 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $47 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 12:20PM | Arrival Time 07:09PM | Duration 6h49 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $24 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 01:35PM | Arrival Time 06:35PM | Duration 5h00 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $47 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 03:10PM | Arrival Time 08:10PM | Duration 5h00 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $47 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 03:20PM | Arrival Time 08:40PM | Duration 5h20 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $47 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 03:40PM | Arrival Time 09:45PM | Duration 6h05 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $30 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 11:25PM | Arrival Time 10:25AM | Duration 11h00 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $76 |
The table below shows live departures for Leeds to Edinburgh buses for today, Saturday, May 30. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NX183 | Delayed 12:15 PM Leeds, Coach Station | 5h00 | 7:10 PM 7:10 PMEdinburgh, Bus Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 12:20 PM Leeds, Coach Station | 5h15 | 5:35 PM Edinburgh, Bus Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 12:20 PM Leeds, Coach Station | 6h49 | 7:09 PM Edinburgh, Drum Brae South | 1 transfer | |
NX591 | 1:35 PM Leeds, Coach Station | 5h00 | 6:35 PM Edinburgh, Bus Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
NX183 | On time 3:10 PM Leeds, Coach Station | 5h00 | 8:10 PM Edinburgh, Bus Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 3:40 PM Leeds, Coach Station | 6h05 | 9:45 PM Edinburgh, Bus Station | 1 transfer | |
NX170 · NX181 · NX591 | On time 11:25 PM Leeds, Coach Station | 11h00 | 10:25 AM Edinburgh, Bus Station | 2 transfers | |
| Sunday, May 31 | |||||
NX180 | 2:55 AM Leeds, Coach Station | 5h10 | 8:05 AM Edinburgh, Bus Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 3:05 AM Leeds, York Street (Travel Centre) | 4h40 | 7:45 AM Edinburgh, Bus Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 3:10 AM Leeds, York Street (Travel Centre) | 6h59 | 10:09 AM Edinburgh, Drum Brae South | 1 transfer | |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train and bus 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 Leeds to Edinburgh run on average 10 times per day, taking around 4h 17m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $20 (€16) if you book in advance.
There are 6 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 01:40, the last at 23:40. The fastest bus covers the 162 miles (262 km) distance in 4h 40m.
Distance 162 miles (262 km) |
Average bus duration 4h 17m |
Cheapest ticket price $20 (€16) |
Buses per day 10 |
Direct buses 6 |
Fastest bus 4h 40m |
First bus 1:40 AM |
Last bus 11:40 PM |
Cheapest Month Jun |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Wed |
Best time to book 35 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 collections spanning natural history, science, design, fashion, and Scottish history. A top all-round choice for first-time visitors.
The national art gallery in central Edinburgh, known for European masters and Scottish art. Easy to combine with Princes Street Gardens and the Royal Mile.
A striking red-sandstone gallery dedicated to portraits of people who shaped Scottish history and culture. Popular for both the collection and the architecture.
Edinburgh’s most famous historic street, linking the castle and Holyroodhouse through closes, courtyards, shops, and major heritage sites.
A central public garden below the castle with iconic skyline views, floral displays, and easy access to both Old and New Town sights.
One of the city’s classic viewpoints, known for panoramic views, monuments, and sunrise or sunset photography. Especially popular on social media.
Scotland’s best-known national dish: a savory pudding traditionally made with minced offal, oats, onion, and spices, served with mashed turnips and potatoes.
A rich Scottish soup of smoked haddock, potatoes, and onions, closely associated with the northeast but widely loved in Edinburgh.
A hearty traditional soup made with barley, root vegetables, and usually lamb or mutton, valued as classic Scottish comfort food.
A popular gastropub by Tom Kitchin serving refined Scottish pub classics in a warm, stylish, and relaxed setting.
A long-established local favorite serving traditional Scottish dishes with local ingredients in a comfortable, accessible city-center setting.
One of Scotland’s oldest pubs, offering classic Scottish food and a historic tavern atmosphere slightly outside the city center.
Expensive by UK standards. Hotels peak in summer and festival season, while pubs and casual dining are more manageable.
About 10-12.5% in restaurants if service is not already included. Round up for taxis. Tips are optional in pubs and cafes.
Official public transport app
Edinburgh Bus Station, Edinburgh -> Edinburgh Waverley Station, Edinburgh
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Leeds 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.

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need