- Must visit
The Higgins Bedford
Bedford’s main museum explores local history, archaeology, and the Panacea story, making it the essential first stop for understanding the town.
Cheapest price on Sep 20
$169
Average ticket price on Sep 20
$169
Fastest journey on Sep 20
6 h 58 m
Average journey duration on Sep 20
7 h 6 m
Trains on Sep 20
6
Distance
460 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Edinburgh to Bedford is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Edinburgh to Bedford will cost around $169 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $169.
It's difficult to get from Edinburgh to Bedford without transferring at least once.
G80072+
X07747
G80084+
C41915
G80078+
X07735
W33219 · W33308+
Tube from London Euston to London St Pancras International+
X07747
W84917+
Tube from London Euston to London St Pancras International+
C02702+
W33163
W84917+
Tube from London Euston to London St Pancras International+
C02702+
W33163
W84911+
Tube from London Euston to London St Pancras International+
C02703+
W33314
W33219 · W33308+
Tube from London Euston to London St Pancras International+
X07747
G80084+
C41915
G80078+
X07735Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Edinburgh to Bedford among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $61 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 3h 45m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $61, while a flight costs an average of $282.
Distance: 285 miles (460 km)
| Train | Most popular Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$158 Average price | $61 Average price Cheapest | $282 Average price | $163 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
5h 40m Average total duration 5h 10m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 9h 36m Average total duration 9h 6m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 45m Average total duration Fastest 1h 45m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 6h 29m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Edinburgh to Bedford:
A bus is $97 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Edinburgh to Bedford costing on average $158.
A bus is $221 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Edinburgh to Bedford costing on average $282.
Other travel options to Bedford take longer:
Train takes on average 5h 10m.
Bus takes on average 9h 6m.
The journey is about 1h 19m faster (5h 10m by train vs 6h 29m by car) and roughly $5 cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls ($158 vs $163). 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 Edinburgh to Bedford trains for today, Saturday, September 19. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G80074+ C02653 | On time 12:42 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 7h12 | 7:54 PM Bedford station (BDM) | 1 transfer | |
G80079+ C02680 | On time 1:22 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 7h32 | 8:54 PM Bedford station (BDM) | 1 transfer | |
C02069+ C02699 | On time 2:21 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 7h33 | 9:54 PM Bedford station (BDM) | 1 transfer | |
This is the last train 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.
Trains from Edinburgh to Bedford run on average 3 times per day, taking around 5h 10m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $113 but you can travel from only $46 by bus.
The earliest train runs at 02:15, the last at 19:58. The fastest train covers the 285 miles (460 km) distance in 4h 50m.
Distance 285 miles (460 km) |
Average train duration 5h 10m |
Cheapest ticket price $113 |
Trains per day 3 |
Fastest train 4h 50m |
First train 2:15 AM |
Last train 7:58 PM |
Cheapest Month Jul |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Mon |
Best time to book 7 days |
Discover the best of Bedford — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Bedford trip today.
Bedford’s main museum explores local history, archaeology, and the Panacea story, making it the essential first stop for understanding the town.
Museum inside John Bunyan’s former church site, focused on The Pilgrim’s Progress, Bunyan’s life, and Bedford’s nonconformist heritage.
Small museum telling the story of the Panacea Society, a unique Bedford religious community, through preserved rooms and archives.
Bedford’s signature riverside promenade, ideal for walking, boating views, and seeing why the town is closely tied to the Great Ouse.
Historic central street lined with shops and civic landmarks, useful for exploring Bedford’s commercial heart on foot.
Characterful historic quarter with independent businesses, old buildings, and easy access to museums, churches, and the river.
A Bedfordshire classic with suet pastry and layers of bacon, onion, and potato. It is a long-standing county comfort food still linked to local home cooking.
A local suet pastry pudding filled with chopped apples, sugar, and spice. It is a traditional Bedfordshire dessert once made to use orchard fruit.
A rich yeasted fruit loaf with dried fruit and spice, associated with Bedfordshire baking traditions. Often served sliced with butter at tea time.
Popular Turkish and Mediterranean restaurant with generous grilled dishes, meze, and a smart casual atmosphere.
Well-regarded independent restaurant serving modern British and European dishes in a polished but relaxed town-centre setting.
Established riverside venue known for grilled meats, classic British dishes, and a lively pub atmosphere with broad appeal.
Moderate for the UK. Hotels and dining are usually cheaper than London, while local buses and casual meals stay fairly manageable for tourists.
Tipping is optional. Restaurants may add a 10-12.5% service charge; otherwise 10% is common. Taxi fares are often rounded up. Cafes usually do not expect tips.
Official public transport app
Bedford Railway Station -> Bedford Bus Station
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Edinburgh to Bedford 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 Bedford, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Edinburgh to Bedford trains use the Edinburgh Waverley to Bedford station pair, with some services arriving at Bedford St Johns. Use this guide to compare Edinburgh and Bedford train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Edinburgh Waverley has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Car Rental, and Information Desk.
Food options include: Bagel Factory, Burger King, Caffè Nero, Costa Coffee, JD Wetherspoon, The Pasty Shop, The Beer House, M&S, Pret a Manger
Free public Wi-Fi available. ATMs are there are a few ATM machines around the station.
The ticket office is open Mon - Sat: 05:00 - 23:59, Sun: 07:00 - 23:59. Information desks are information booths are located on the concourse. .
Luggage storage is you can leave luggage at Excessive Baggage Company on Platform 2. . Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Edinburgh Waverley: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Edinburgh Waverley: Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Edinburgh Waverley: Entrances are step free. Station is equipped with an elevator. Staffed with guide communicators for the deaf. Tactile warning strips are on the platform edges for the blind.
Nearby hotels include Old Waverley Hotel, Jurys Inn Edinburgh, The Scotsman Hotel.
Bedford has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, and Bike Parking.
Food and drink options are available at Bedford.
Wi-Fi is available at Bedford. ATMs are available at Bedford.
Ticket office support is available at Bedford.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Bedford: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Bedford: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Bedford: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: This is a Category A station: This station has step-free level access to all platforms via lifts. Assistance Meeting Point is adjacent to the taxi rank at the front of the station, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: All Thameslink ticket machines are able to sell tickets with Disabled Persons Railcard discounts. Ticket machines are of an accessible design, however their location and the station itself may not be so please check the station access note for further details, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Wheelchairs available open hours: Wheelchairs may only be available when the station is staffed, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
Bedford St Johns has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Accessibility, Hotel, Bike Parking, Car Rental, and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Bedford St Johns.
Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from help point, Helpline Contact: 0800 0248 997, Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements.
Available at Bedford St Johns: Parking.
Available at Bedford St Johns: Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Bedford St Johns: Staff help available: No, Step free access coverage: Yes, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users may require assistance using car park equipment at this station, Accessible public telephones: Public telephones are not accessible, Accessible taxis: Accessible taxis are available, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
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