Chester to Edinburgh train with Avanti West Coast

Fri, Jun 19
+ Add return
Avanti West Coast
Transpennine Express
Transport for Wales
Regionale
Deutsche Bahn
2,000+ travel companies
Avanti West Coast
Transpennine Express
Transport for Wales
Regionale
Deutsche Bahn
2,000+ travel companies
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The cheapest and fastest trains from Chester to Edinburgh

Showing times and prices for Jun 19

Cheapest price

$83

Average price

$131

Fastest journey

3 h 26 m

Average duration

3 h 30 m

Trains per day

8

Distance

308 km

Cheap tickets

The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Chester to Edinburgh is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.

The average ticket from Chester to Edinburgh will cost around $131 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $83.

Fast trains

It's difficult to get from Chester to Edinburgh without transferring at least once.

  • Avanti West CoastW34213+Transport for WalesG38508
    6:52 AM3h27
    Chester station (CTR)
    10:19 AMEdinburgh Waverley (EDB)
    $831One-way
    1 transfer
  • Avanti West CoastW34286+Transport for WalesG38523
    12:52 PM3h26
    Chester station (CTR)
    4:18 PMEdinburgh Waverley (EDB)
    $951One-way
    1 transfer
  • Avanti West CoastC01372+Transport for WalesG38525+Transpennine ExpressW85191
    1:52 PM3h48
    Chester station (CTR)
    5:40 PMEdinburgh Waverley (EDB)
    $1371One-way
    2 transfers
  • Transport for WalesG38512+Avanti West CoastW34046+Transpennine ExpressW85168
    7:52 AM3h45
    Chester station (CTR)
    11:37 AMEdinburgh Waverley (EDB)
    $1421One-way
    2 transfers
  • Avanti West CoastC01369+Transport for WalesG38516+Transpennine ExpressW85177
    9:52 AM3h40
    Chester station (CTR)
    1:32 PMEdinburgh Waverley (EDB)
    $1471One-way
    2 transfers

Travel Information

Compare train, bus, and flight for Chester to Edinburgh

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Chester to Edinburgh among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $43. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 6m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.3kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $43, and a flight costs an average of $33.

Distance: 191 miles (308 km)

Compare train with

Most popular
Train
Flight
Bus
Driving

$77

Average price

$81

Average price

$77

Average price

Cheapest

$126

Average price

(fuel + tolls)

4h 25m

Average total duration

3h 55m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

4h 6m

Average total duration

Fastest

1h 6m

Onboard

+

3h 0m

Additional time*

5h 23m

Average total duration

4h 53m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

4h 35m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

0.1 - 0.3kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest

0.9 - 1.8kg

CO2 emissions

-

CO2 emissions

-

CO2 emissions

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.

The cheapest way to travel from Chester to Edinburgh is a bus with an average price of $77 (€63).

This is compared to other travel options from Chester to Edinburgh:

A bus is $0.77 (€0.63) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Chester to Edinburgh costing on average $77 (€63).

A bus is $4 (€4) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Chester to Edinburgh costing on average $81 (€66).

The fastest way to travel from Chester to Edinburgh is by flight with an average journey time of 1h 6m.

Other travel options to Edinburgh take longer:

Train takes on average 3h 55m.

Bus takes on average 4h 53m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 3 ways to travel between Chester and Edinburgh including taking a train, bus, and flight.
We recommend using the train as it is the most popular way to get from Chester to Edinburgh among Omio's users.
Take the train. On this route, it beats driving on both time and money.

The journey is about 40m faster (3h 55m by train vs 4h 35m by car) and roughly $49 (€40) cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls ($77 (€63) vs $126 (€103)). You'll also arrive in the city centre rather than hunting for parking, and you can work, read, or watch the landscape go by instead of concentrating on the road.

Driving is still worth considering if you want to stop along the way or need a car once you arrive.

Live departures

Chester to Edinburgh train times

The table below shows live departures for Chester to Edinburgh trains for tomorrow, Friday, June 19. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.

Last updated at
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesTransfers
Tickets
Transport for WalesG38508+Avanti West CoastW342136:52 AM Chester station (CTR)
3h27
10:19 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB)1 transfer
Transport for WalesG38512+Avanti West CoastW34046+Transpennine ExpressW851687:52 AM Chester station (CTR)
3h45
11:37 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB)2 transfers
Transport for WalesG38514+Avanti West CoastW341448:52 AM Chester station (CTR)
3h28
12:20 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB)1 transfer
Transport for WalesG38516+Avanti West CoastC01369+Transpennine ExpressW851779:52 AM Chester station (CTR)
3h40
1:32 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB)2 transfers
Transport for WalesG38518+Avanti West CoastW3394110:52 AM Chester station (CTR)
3h27
2:19 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB)1 transfer
Transport for WalesG38520+Avanti West CoastW33935+Transpennine ExpressW8518211:52 AM Chester station (CTR)
3h44
3:36 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB)2 transfers
Transport for WalesG38523+Avanti West CoastW3428612:52 PM Chester station (CTR)
3h26
4:18 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB)1 transfer
Transport for WalesG38525+Avanti West CoastC01372+Transpennine ExpressW851911:52 PM Chester station (CTR)
3h48
5:40 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB)2 transfers

This is the last train of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Chester to Edinburgh by train, bus, or flight

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.

Fri
Jun 19
Sat
Jun 20
Sun
Jun 21
Mon
Jun 22
Tue
Jun 23
Wed
Jun 24
Thu
Jun 25

Why should you book Chester to Edinburgh trains with Omio?

Avanti West Coast as well as Transpennine Express or Transport for Wales offer trains services from Chester to Edinburgh.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Chester to Edinburgh.

Why book with Omio vs Avanti West Coast?

  • Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for Avanti West Coast, but also compare tickets for the likes of Transpennine Express or Transport for Wales to find the best option for your trip from Chester to Edinburgh.
  • Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
  • Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare Avanti West Coast with all available travel options, which are train, bus and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Chester to Edinburgh.

Why book with Omio over Wanderu or Raileurope?

  • Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can also compare tickets for the likes of Transpennine Express or Transport for Wales to find the best option for your trip from Chester to Edinburgh.
  • Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train, bus and flight to find the ideal travel option from Chester to Edinburgh.

Journey information

Overview: Train from Chester to Edinburgh

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of train

Trains from Chester to Edinburgh run on average 6 times per day, taking around 3h 55m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $23 (€19) if you book in advance.

The earliest train runs at 03:51, the last at 20:19. The fastest train covers the 191 miles (308 km) distance in 3h 26m.

Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Distance
191 miles (308 km)
Average train duration
3h 55m
Cheapest ticket price
$23 (€19)
Trains per day
6
Fastest train
3h 26m
First train
3:51 AM
Last train
8:19 PM
Cheapest Month
Jun
Cheapest Day
Tue
High Season
Jul - Sep
Low Season
Jan - Mar
Busiest Day
Thu
Least Busy Day
Fri
Best time to book
49 days
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information

Train companies: Avanti West Coast, Transpennine Express, Transport for Wales from Chester to Edinburgh trainsAvanti West Coast, Transpennine Express, Transport for Wales trains will get you between Chester and Edinburgh from $23 (€19). With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.

Avanti West Coast

About
Avanti West Coast is a train company based in the United Kingdom. It operates high-speed trains between London and major cities in the UK, including Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Glasgow and Edinburgh. The company offers a range of ticket types, including Standard, First Class and Advance tickets. Onboard facilities include free Wi-Fi, power sockets, comfortable seating and a range of food and drinks. The most popular routes for Avanti West Coast are London to Birmingham, London to Manchester and London to Glasgow. The company operates a fleet of Pendolino and Super Voyager trains, which offer a smooth and comfortable journey.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
3h 26m
Cheapest Price
$23 (€19)
Avanti West Coast frequency
5 a day
Luggage included
2 pieces of luggage and 1 small item included
Luggage storage
Overhead racks, luggage areas at the end of carriages, and under seats
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation policies depend on ticket type
Refund
Full refund if train cancelled
Amenities on board the train
Wifi
Food sold onboard
First Class: Complimentary meals and drinks. Standard Class: Onboard shop with drinks and snacks
Seat reservation
First Class: Included in ticket price. Standard Class: Optional reservation for £8-12
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Wheelchair spaces, accessible toilets, and assistance for boarding/alighting available
Pets
Small pets free in carriers. Dogs £30 per single journey. Guide dogs free
Quiet zone

Transpennine Express

About
Transpennine Express is a train company based in the United Kingdom. It operates services from Manchester and Liverpool to Scotland, the North East and Yorkshire. It offers a range of services, including express, regional and local trains. Express trains are the fastest, with journey times of up to three hours. Regional trains are slower, but offer more stops and a more relaxed atmosphere. Local trains are the slowest, but offer the most stops. Transpennine Express offers a range of ticket types, including single, return, group and season tickets. Onboard facilities include free Wi-Fi, power sockets, comfortable seating and a range of food and drink options. The most popular routes for Transpennine Express are Manchester to Edinburgh, Liverpool to Leeds and Manchester to York. These routes offer a convenient and comfortable way to travel between the cities.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
3h 41m
Cheapest Price
$56 (€46)
Transpennine Express frequency
3 a day
Luggage included
2 large items and 1 small hand luggage included
Luggage storage
Overhead racks, luggage areas at the end of carriages, and under seats
Cancellation Policy
Refund policies apply as per ticket type
Refund
Full refund if service is cancelled
Amenities on board the train
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Trolley service with drinks and snacks, plus a small selection of hot and cold food items
Seat reservation
Seat reservations are free of charge and recommended for busy routes
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Wheelchair spaces, accessible toilets, ramps for boarding, priority seating, assistance booking service
Pets
Small pets travel free. Dogs must be on a lead. Maximum two dogs per passenger
Quiet zone

Transport for Wales

Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
3h 26m
Cheapest Price
$245 (€201)
Transport for Wales frequency
6 a day

Complete guide to Edinburgh

Things to do in Edinburgh

Discover the best of Edinburgh — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Edinburgh trip today.

  • Must visit

National Museum of Scotland

Scotland’s flagship museum covering history, science, design and world cultures in a landmark Victorian building. A top all-round visit in the city.

  • Must visit

Scottish National Gallery

Major national art gallery on The Mound with Scottish and European masterpieces. Central, elegant and one of Edinburgh’s classic cultural stops.

  • Recommended

Scottish National Portrait Gallery

Striking red-sandstone gallery dedicated to portraits of figures from Scottish history and culture. Well regarded for both the collection and the building itself.

Pound sterling

Edinburgh is pricier than many UK cities, especially for hotels and dining in the centre during peak season.

Average meal costs

Budget
GBP 8-15 for takeaway or casual lunch.
Mid-range
GBP 20-35 per person at a mid-range restaurant.
Fine dining
GBP 70+ per person at upscale restaurants.
Coffee
GBP 3-4.50 for a coffee.

Tipping culture

Service is sometimes included. If not, tip 10-12.5% in restaurants for good service. Rounding up is common in taxis. Tipping is not expected for counter service.

FAQs: Trains from Chester to Edinburgh

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Chester to Edinburgh by train. 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 train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Edinburgh, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

FAQs
Train ticket prices from Chester to Edinburgh can vary. The cheapest ticket starts at $23 (€19), while the average price is around $77 (€63).
The train from Chester to Edinburgh takes 3h 26m and runs 6 per day.
The distance by train from Chester to Edinburgh is 191 miles (308 km).
The first train from Chester to Edinburgh leaves at 3:51 AM.
The last train from Chester to Edinburgh leaves at 8:19 PM.
There is no high speed train available from Chester to Edinburgh.
There is no direct train service currently available from Chester to Edinburgh.
Unfortunately, there is no night train available from Chester to Edinburgh.
The train station in Chester that goes to Edinburgh is Chester station (CTR), which connects to Edinburgh Waverley (EDB).
The cheapest way to get from Chester to Edinburgh is by train, with a cost of around $23 (€19).
The train journey from Chester to Edinburgh offers scenic views, particularly as it passes through the picturesque landscapes of the English countryside and the rolling hills of Southern Scotland. Passengers can enjoy sights of lush greenery, quaint villages, and occasionally, glimpses of the coast along the way.
A day trip from Chester to Edinburgh is not feasible as the journey takes 3h 26m. Trains run 6 times per day.
In Edinburgh, visitors can explore the vibrant atmosphere of Grassmarket, enjoy a ghost tour of the haunted streets, attend shows at the Edinburgh Festival Theatre, and visit the Royal Botanic Garden. Discover hidden gems at the Stockbridge Market. Key sights include Edinburgh Castle, Arthur's Seat, The Royal Mile, Holyrood Palace, and The National Museum of Scotland.
For a fulfilling experience, spending 2 to 3 days in Edinburgh allows you to explore its historic sites, such as Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile, enjoy cultural attractions, and immerse yourself in the local atmosphere.
Yes, you can take the train from Chester to Edinburgh.
Since neither Chester nor Edinburgh are in the Schengen Area, passport requirements depend on the specific immigration rules of United Kingdom and United Kingdom. Entry and visa requirements can be subject to change. For the latest information, check with your destination's embassy or consulate.
Popular day trips by train from Edinburgh include Glasgow, Newcastle, St Andrews, Stirling, Dundee.
We recommend using the train as it is the most popular way to get from Chester to Edinburgh among Omio's users.
Items not allowed on trains typically include hazardous materials such as explosives, flammable liquids, corrosive substances, and illegal drugs. Additionally, large or bulky items that may obstruct aisles or emergency exits, as well as pets without proper carriers, may be restricted. Specific prohibited items can vary by train operator and region, so please check the rules for your particular journey.
Yes, rail passes such as the BritRail Pass are valid on most trains within the United Kingdom, offering unlimited travel on participating train operators for a set period.
The currency used in the United Kingdom is the British Pound Sterling (GBP). For travelers, using a card is generally more convenient and widely accepted, especially in cities and for transportation tickets, though carrying some cash can be useful for small purchases or in rural areas.
In Edinburgh, travelers should be cautious of pickpocketing, especially in crowded areas like the Royal Mile and public transport. Common scams include fake charity collectors and overcharging by taxi drivers who don’t use the meter. It’s advisable to use licensed taxis and keep belongings secure in busy spots. Avoid unlicensed ticket sellers near popular attractions to prevent fraud.
Pack lightweight, versatile clothing suitable for the destination's climate, and use secure, lockable luggage to protect belongings. Keep essential items like travel documents, medication, and valuables in a carry-on bag for easy access. Use packing organizers or cubes to maximize space and maintain order. Lastly, include a small first aid kit and personal hygiene items for added comfort during travel.

popular train stations

Popular train stations from Chester to Edinburgh

Most Chester to Edinburgh trains use the Chester to Edinburgh Waverley station pair, with some services arriving at Haymarket. Use this guide to compare Chester and Edinburgh train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.

Departure train stations in Chester
Arrival train stations in Edinburgh

Which Chester station do trains to Edinburgh leave from?

Trains from Chester to Edinburgh leave from Chester. The station is 0 miles (1 km) from Chester city centre at Chester Station, City Road, Chester, Cheshire, CH1 3NS.
ChesterChester Station, City Road, Chester, Cheshire, CH1 3NS+44 3450507080ShoppingParkingDiningATMAccessibilityWCHotelLost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike ParkingCar RentalInformation Desk
City-centre transport

Getting to Chester from Chester city centre

Chester is 1 km from Chester city centre. Public transport options include:

Bus100, 16 · 4m · $5 · every ~2 min

Chester train station facilities and services

Chester has practical services for this route, including Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Car Rental, and Information Desk.

Food and drink

Food and drink options are available at Chester.

Wi-Fi and ATMs

ATMs are available at Chester.

Tickets and information

Ticket office support is available at Chester. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from information point, Helpline Contact: 03333 211202, Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements, Arrival screens.

Luggage and lost property

Lost and found is available at the station.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Chester: Parking, WC.

Bike and car services

Available at Chester: Bike Parking, Car Rental.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Chester: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Category A. Step free access is available to all platforms via lifts, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users can use car park equipment at this station unaided, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.

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