- Must visit
Poole Museum
Harbourside museum of Poole's maritime, social, and pottery history in restored quayside buildings. A strong introduction to the town's past and port identity.
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Edinburgh to Poole among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of €95 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 3h 37m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €95, while a flight costs an average of €207.
Distance: 365 miles (588 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
€139 Average price | €95 Average price Cheapest | €207 Average price | €129 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
7h 17m Average total duration 6h 47m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 13h 10m Average total duration 12h 40m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 37m Average total duration Fastest 1h 37m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 8h 26m 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 Poole:
A bus is €44 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Edinburgh to Poole costing on average €139.
A bus is €112 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Edinburgh to Poole costing on average €207.
Other travel options to Poole take longer:
Train takes on average 6h 47m.
Bus takes on average 12h 40m.
You'll arrive about 1h 39m sooner (6h 47m by train vs 8h 26m by car). Tickets start at around €139 compared to roughly €129 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.
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 Edinburgh to Poole run on average 5 times per day, taking around 6h 47m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at €104 but you can travel from only €48 by flight.
The earliest train runs at 04:57, the last at 20:41. The fastest train covers the 365 miles (588 km) distance in 6h 30m.
Distance 365 miles (588 km) |
Average train duration 6h 47m |
Cheapest ticket price €104 |
Trains per day 5 |
Fastest train 6h 30m |
First train 4:57 AM |
Last train 8:41 PM |
Cheapest Month Jan |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Best time to book 5 days |
Discover the best of Poole — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Poole trip today.
Harbourside museum of Poole's maritime, social, and pottery history in restored quayside buildings. A strong introduction to the town's past and port identity.
Contemporary art centre with changing exhibitions, a respected gallery programme, and cultural events. Worth visiting for modern visual art in central Poole.
Volunteer-run museum preserving Poole's RNLI history, lifeboats, and rescue stories. A compact stop for maritime heritage near the quay.
Historic waterfront lined with boats, heritage buildings, and harbour views. A must for atmosphere, walks, and seeing Poole's maritime character up close.
National Trust island of heath, lagoon, and woodland in Poole Harbour. Famous for red squirrels, birdlife, and memorable coastal walking.
Sandy peninsula with sweeping harbour and bay views, beach access, and an easy walking route. Popular for sunsets, watersports scenery, and open space.
Fresh shellfish long landed on Poole Quay. Locally served crab highlights the harbour’s fishing heritage and is prized for sweet, delicate meat.
A Dorset staple of local sausages baked in Yorkshire pudding batter. It is a comforting pub classic widely eaten across Poole and the county.
Traditional Dorset fruit cake made with dried fruit, spice and tea. It is closely associated with county baking and often served sliced with tea.
Elegant harbourside seafood restaurant known for refined local fish dishes, tasting menus and polished service in a special-occasion setting.
Popular waterside restaurant on Poole Quay serving fresh seafood, grilled fish and shellfish in a relaxed, lively harbour atmosphere.
Well-known traditional fish and chip restaurant near the quay, valued for sustainably sourced seafood and a casual family-friendly setting.
Poole is moderate for UK seaside towns: lodging rises in summer, dining is mid-priced, and local buses are manageable for most visitors.
Tipping is optional. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is common if service is not included. Round up for taxis. Cafes may use tip jars, but small change only.
Official public transport app
Poole Railway Station -> Poole Quay, Poole
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Edinburgh to Poole 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 Poole, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Edinburgh to Poole trains use the Edinburgh Waverley to Poole station pair. Use this guide to compare Edinburgh and Poole 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.
Poole is 1 km from Poole city centre. Public transport options include:
Poole has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, and Bike Rental.
Food and drink options are available at Poole.
Wi-Fi is available at Poole. ATMs are available at Poole.
Ticket office support is available at Poole.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Poole: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Poole: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Poole: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Step-free category B Station - There is level access to both sides of the station by ramps. Interchange between platforms is via a ramped underpass at the London end of the platforms. Please be aware that this station has no tactile paving on the platform edge, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: All South Western Railway ticket machines are able to sell tickets with Disabled Persons Railcard discounts. All machines are accessible, however the station may not be so please check the station access note for further details, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
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