- 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.
Cheapest price
$122
Average price
$143
Fastest journey
5 h 54 m
Average duration
6 h 6 m
Trains per day
7
Distance
525 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Colchester to Edinburgh is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Colchester to Edinburgh will cost around $143 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $122.
Of the 7 trains that leave Colchester for Edinburgh on Mon, Jun 22, 7 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Mon, Jun 22 the direct trains cover the 525 km distance in an average of 6 h 6 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 5 h 54 m .
On Mon, Jun 22 the slowest trains will take 6 h 16 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.










Omio recommends booking the flight as it is the most popular option from Colchester to Edinburgh among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the flight with prices starting from $23. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 22m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a flight costs an average of $23, and a train costs an average of $82.
Distance: 326 miles (525 km)
| Train | Most popular Flight | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$134 Average price | $51 Average price Cheapest | $92 Average price | $179 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
6h 20m Average total duration 5h 50m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 22m Average total duration Fastest 1h 22m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 12h 49m Average total duration 12h 19m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 31m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline | ![]() Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Colchester to Edinburgh:
A flight is $41 (€33) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Colchester to Edinburgh costing on average $92 (€75).
A flight is $83 (€68) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Colchester to Edinburgh costing on average $134 (€109).
Other travel options to Edinburgh take longer:
Train takes on average 5h 50m.
Bus takes on average 12h 19m.
The journey is about 1h 41m faster (5h 50m by train vs 7h 31m by car) and roughly $46 (€37) cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls ($134 (€109) vs $179 (€147)). 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.
The table below shows live departures for Colchester to Edinburgh trains for today, Sunday, June 21. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 7:13 AM Colchester | 8h14 | 3:27 PM Edinburgh | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 9:30 AM Colchester | 6h11 | 3:41 PM Edinburgh | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 10:30 AM Colchester | 7h13 | 5:43 PM Edinburgh | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 11:06 AM Colchester | 8h27 | 7:33 PM Edinburgh | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train 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.
Trains from Colchester to Edinburgh run on average 6 times per day, taking around 5h 50m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $82 (€67) but you can travel from only $23 (€19) by flight.
The earliest train runs at 04:41, the last at 19:00. The fastest train covers the 326 miles (525 km) distance in 5h 38m.
Distance 326 miles (525 km) |
Average train duration 5h 50m |
Cheapest ticket price $82 (€67) |
Trains per day 6 |
Fastest train 5h 38m |
First train 4:41 AM |
Last train 7:00 PM |
Cheapest Month Feb |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Best time to book 28 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 covering history, science, design and world cultures in a landmark Victorian building. A top all-round visit in the city.
Major national art gallery on The Mound with Scottish and European masterpieces. Central, elegant and one of Edinburgh’s classic cultural stops.
Striking red-sandstone gallery dedicated to portraits of figures from Scottish history and culture. Well regarded for both the collection and the building itself.
Edinburgh’s most famous historic street linking the castle and Holyroodhouse, lined with closes, courtyards, shops and major sights.
One of Edinburgh’s essential viewpoints, especially popular for sunrise and sunset photography. Famous for sweeping views over the city and Arthur’s Seat.
Ancient volcanic peak in Holyrood Park with the city’s most famous hike and outstanding panoramic views. A classic outdoor Edinburgh experience.
Scotland’s best-known national dish: a peppery savoury pudding traditionally made with oats and offal, served with mashed turnips and potatoes. It is strongly associated with Edinburgh and Burns supps
A rich Scottish soup made with smoked haddock, potatoes and onions. Though from Cullen, it is a classic on Edinburgh menus and a comforting local staple
A traditional hearty soup of barley, root vegetables and usually lamb or mutton. It is a long-standing Scottish comfort food commonly found in pubs and cafes
A polished gastropub from Tom Kitchin, known for refined Scottish pub classics, seasonal produce and a warm neighbourhood atmosphere
A long-established seafood restaurant popular for Scottish mussels, fish dishes and a relaxed city-centre setting
A respected upscale seafood restaurant focused on high-quality Scottish fish and shellfish in an elegant contemporary space
Edinburgh is pricier than many UK cities, especially for hotels and dining in the centre during peak season.
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.
Official public transport app
Edinburgh Waverley, Edinburgh -> Princes Street, Edinburgh
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Colchester 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.

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