- 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
$168
Average price
$183
Fastest journey
7 h 46 m
Average duration
9 h 17 m
Trains per day
4
Distance
582 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Exeter to Edinburgh is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Exeter to Edinburgh will cost around $183 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $168.
It's difficult to get from Exeter to Edinburgh without transferring at least once.
G80198+
G14917
G80198+
Y41757 · G14917
G80198+
G14917 · Y41760
G80215+
W34552+
Tube from London Paddington to London Kings Cross
G80215+
W34552+
Tube from London Paddington to London Kings Cross
G80198+
G14917
G80198+
Y41757 · G14917
G80198+
G14917 · Y41760Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Exeter to Edinburgh among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $41. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 33m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.2 - 0.5kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $41, and a flight costs an average of $164.
Distance: 361 miles (582 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$183 Average price | $62 Average price Cheapest | $234 Average price | $204 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
7h 59m Average total duration 7h 29m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 14h 44m Average total duration 14h 14m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 33m Average total duration Fastest 1h 33m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 8h 9m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.2 - 0.5kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.6 - 1.5kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() 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 |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Exeter to Edinburgh:
A bus is $120 (€98) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Exeter to Edinburgh costing on average $183 (€149).
A bus is $171 (€139) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Exeter to Edinburgh costing on average $234 (€190).
Other travel options to Edinburgh take longer:
Train takes on average 7h 29m.
Bus takes on average 14h 14m.
The journey is about 40m faster (7h 29m by train vs 8h 9m by car) and roughly $21 (€17) cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls ($183 (€149) vs $204 (€166)). 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.
Direct services run with CrossCountry, Cross Country.
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 Exeter to Edinburgh trains for today, Thursday, June 11. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G01060 | On time 6:25 AM Exeter St Davids (EXD) | 7h45 | 2:10 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G15035+ Tube from London Paddington to London Kings Cross+ G25698 | On time 6:39 AM Exeter St Davids (EXD) | 7h53 | 2:32 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2 transfers | |
Y41858+ G01062+ W33941 | On time 7:07 AM Exeter St Thomas (EXT) | 7h12 | 2:19 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2 transfers | |
G01062 | On time 7:20 AM Exeter St Davids (EXD) | 7h50 | 3:10 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G01062+ W33941 | On time 7:20 AM Exeter St Davids (EXD) | 6h59 | 2:19 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 1 transfer | |
Y41861 · W34555+ Tube from London Paddington to London Kings Cross+ G80224 | On time 7:35 AM Exeter St Thomas (EXT) | 7h59 | 3:34 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 3 transfers | |
W34555+ Tube from London Paddington to London Kings Cross+ G80224 | On time 7:52 AM Exeter St Davids (EXD) | 7h42 | 3:34 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2 transfers | |
Y41864+ G01064 | On time 8:09 AM Exeter St Thomas (EXT) | 7h58 | 4:07 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 1 transfer | |
G01064 | On time 8:27 AM Exeter St Davids (EXD) | 7h40 | 4:07 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 0 transfersDirect | |
Y41870+ G00869_G01067+ W34286 | On time 9:05 AM Exeter St Thomas (EXT) | 7h13 | 4:18 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2 transfers | |
G14921+ Tube from London Paddington to London Kings Cross+ G25679 | On time 9:16 AM Exeter St Davids (EXD) | 7h19 | 4:35 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2 transfers | |
G00869_G01067 | 9:27 AM Exeter St Davids (EXD) | 7h42 | 5:09 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G00869_G01067+ W34286 | On time 9:27 AM Exeter St Davids (EXD) | 6h51 | 4:18 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 1 transfer | |
C47995 · Y41873 · W34562+ Tube from London Paddington to London Kings Cross | On time 9:36 AM Exeter St Thomas (EXT) | 8h02 | 5:38 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 4 transfers | |
W34559+ Tube from London Paddington to London Kings Cross+ G80234 | On time 9:43 AM Exeter St Davids (EXD) | 7h48 | 5:31 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2 transfers | |
G15229+ G01069 | On time 10:06 AM Exeter St Thomas (EXT) | 8h04 | 6:10 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 1 transfer | |
G15229+ G01069+ C01372+ W85191 | On time 10:06 AM Exeter St Thomas (EXT) | 7h34 | 5:40 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 3 transfers | |
W34562+ Tube from London Paddington to London Kings Cross+ G80237 | On time 10:15 AM Exeter St Davids (EXD) | 7h23 | 5:38 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2 transfers | |
W34572+ Tube from London Paddington to London Kings Cross+ G80251 | On time 12:15 PM Exeter St Davids (EXD) | 7h22 | 7:37 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2 transfers | |
G01075 | On time 12:27 PM Exeter St Davids (EXD) | 7h38 | 8:05 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G01075+ W85201+ W34292 | On time 12:27 PM Exeter St Davids (EXD) | 7h13 | 7:40 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2 transfers | |
Y80254+ G01080+ W34289 | On time 12:42 PM Exeter St Thomas (EXT) | 7h42 | 8:24 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2 transfers | |
G01080 | On time 1:27 PM Exeter St Davids (EXD) | 7h42 | 9:09 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G01080+ W34289 | On time 1:27 PM Exeter St Davids (EXD) | 6h57 | 8:24 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 1 transfer | |
G14923+ Tube from London Paddington to London Kings Cross+ G80259 | On time 1:42 PM Exeter St Davids (EXD) | 7h52 | 9:34 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2 transfers | |
Y80260+ G01082 | On time 1:42 PM Exeter St Thomas (EXT) | 8h32 | 10:14 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 1 transfer | |
Y80260+ G01082+ W34287+ W85208 | Delayed 1:42 PM Exeter St Thomas (EXT) | 7h56 | 8:41 PM 8:41 PMEdinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 3 transfers | |
Y80266+ G01083+ W34291 | On time 2:43 PM Exeter St Thomas (EXT) | 7h38 | 10:21 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2 transfers | |
Y80272 · W34589+ Tube from London Paddington to London Kings Cross+ G80273 | On time 3:42 PM Exeter St Thomas (EXT) | 7h57 | 11:39 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 3 transfers | |
Y80272+ G00723+ W34288+ W85210 | On time 3:42 PM Exeter St Thomas (EXT) | 7h59 | 11:41 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 3 transfers | |
G80198+ Y41760 · G14917 | 12:42 AM Exeter St Thomas (EXT) | 9h56 | 10:38 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2 transfers | |
G80198+ G14917 · Y41757 | On time 12:44 AM St James' Park (SJP) | 9h54 | 10:38 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2 transfers | |
G80198+ G14917 | 1:07 AM Exeter St Davids (EXD) | 9h31 | 10:38 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 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 Exeter to Edinburgh run on average 16 times per day, taking around 7h 29m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $57 (€46) but you can travel from only $41 (€33) by bus.
There are 2 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:02, the last at 23:00. The fastest train covers the 361 miles (582 km) distance in 6h 51m.
Distance 361 miles (582 km) |
Average train duration 7h 29m |
Cheapest ticket price $57 (€46) |
Trains per day 16 |
Direct trains 2 |
Fastest train 6h 51m |
First train 12:02 AM |
Last train 11:00 PM |
Cheapest Month Jan |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Tue |
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 Exeter 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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