- Recommended
The Silk Museum
The town's leading heritage museum, set in a former silk mill, covering Macclesfield's silk industry, local history, and changing exhibitions.
Cheapest price on Sep 19
€93
Average ticket price on Sep 19
€161
Fastest journey on Sep 19
4 h 6 m
Average journey duration on Sep 19
4 h 35 m
Trains on Sep 19
3
Distance
307 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Edinburgh to Macclesfield is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Edinburgh to Macclesfield will cost around €161 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €93.
On Sat, Sep 19, we found 3 trains from Edinburgh to Macclesfield, including 3 direct services.
On Sat, Sep 19 the direct trains cover the 307 km distance in an average of 4 h 35 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 4 h 6 m .
On Sat, Sep 19 the slowest trains will take 4 h 53 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 Edinburgh to Macclesfield among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of €46 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 4h 18m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €46, while a flight costs an average of €251.
Distance: 190 miles (307 km)
| Train | Most popular Flight | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
€113 Average price | €251 Average price | €46 Average price Cheapest | €104 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 29m Average total duration 3h 59m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 18m Average total duration Fastest 2h 18m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 7h 36m Average total duration 7h 6m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 50m 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 Edinburgh to Macclesfield:
A bus is €66 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Edinburgh to Macclesfield costing on average €113.
A bus is €205 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Edinburgh to Macclesfield costing on average €251.
Other travel options to Macclesfield take longer:
Train takes on average 3h 59m.
Bus takes on average 7h 6m.
You'll arrive about 51m sooner (3h 59m by train vs 4h 50m by car). Tickets start at around €113 compared to roughly €104 in fuel and tolls — so you're paying a bit more, but getting hours of your day back, a city-centre arrival, and the freedom to work or relax instead of drive.
Driving makes more sense if you're travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), want to stop along the way, or need a car once you arrive.
The table below shows live departures for Edinburgh to Macclesfield trains for tomorrow, Saturday, September 19. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 10:00 AM Edinburgh | 4h45 | 2:45 PM Macclesfield | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 10:11 AM Edinburgh | 4h06 | 2:17 PM Macclesfield | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 12:30 PM Edinburgh | 4h53 | 5:23 PM Macclesfield | 0 transfersDirect | |
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 Macclesfield run on average 4 times per day, taking around 3h 59m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at €74 but you can travel from only €28 by bus.
The earliest train runs at 05:48, the last at 23:52. The fastest train covers the 190 miles (307 km) distance in 3h 45m.
Distance 190 miles (307 km) |
Average train duration 3h 59m |
Cheapest ticket price €74 |
Trains per day 4 |
Fastest train 3h 45m |
First train 5:48 AM |
Last train 11:52 PM |
Cheapest Month Jul |
Cheapest Day Mon |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Thu |
Least Busy Day Thu |
Best time to book 14 days |
Discover the best of Macclesfield — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Macclesfield trip today.
The town's leading heritage museum, set in a former silk mill, covering Macclesfield's silk industry, local history, and changing exhibitions.
Working industrial heritage site with restored looms and machinery, showing how silk was made in Macclesfield's most famous trade.
Nearby heritage attraction with extensive aircraft and aviation history displays, often included by visitors exploring the wider Macclesfield area.
Lively central street known for independent shops, historic buildings, and easy access to the town's main heritage and cultural attractions.
Historic market area at the heart of town life, ideal for seeing civic architecture, local trade traditions, and the surrounding old streets.
Large Victorian park with formal planting, open lawns, and a pleasant setting for walks near the town centre and heritage sites.
A famous Cheshire cheese from nearby farms, prized for its crumbly texture and sharp, salty flavour long linked to the county’s dairy heritage.
A traditional soft cow’s milk cheese from the Cheshire plain, known for its creamy texture and mild flavour; often served on local cheese boards.
A regional ale style historically brewed across Cheshire pubs, valued for balanced malt, gentle bitterness, and local pub culture.
Refined modern British restaurant in nearby Prestbury, known for tasting menus, polished service, and a destination fine dining atmosphere.
Popular traditional pub in Bollington with Cheshire ales, steak, pies, and gastropub favourites in a cosy, established atmosphere.
Well-known independent restaurant in Macclesfield serving Turkish and Mediterranean dishes with a lively, modern dining room.
Moderate for England: hotels and dining are cheaper than Manchester or London, while local buses and casual meals stay fairly manageable for visitors.
Service may be included in restaurants; otherwise tip 10-12.5% for good service. Taxi tips are optional, often rounding up. Cafes usually do not expect tips, but small change is appreciated.
Official public transport app
Macclesfield Railway Station -> Macclesfield Bus Station
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Edinburgh to Macclesfield 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 Macclesfield, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Edinburgh to Macclesfield trains use the Edinburgh Waverley to Macclesfield station pair. Use this guide to compare Edinburgh and Macclesfield 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.
Macclesfield has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, Accessibility, WC, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, and Bike Parking.
Food and drink options are available at Macclesfield.
Wi-Fi is available at Macclesfield.
Ticket office support is available at Macclesfield.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Macclesfield: Parking, WC.
Available at Macclesfield: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Macclesfield: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: This station has step-free access to all platforms / the platform, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users can use car park equipment at this station unaided, Accessible ticket machines: There are no 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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