- Must visit
National Museum of Scotland
Scotland’s flagship museum covering science, design, world cultures, and Scottish history in one major city-centre complex.
Cheapest price
$26
Average price
$66
Fastest journey
3 h 28 m
Average duration
3 h 36 m
Trains per day
13
Distance
294 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Manchester Airport (MIA) to Edinburgh is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Manchester Airport (MIA) to Edinburgh will cost around $66 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $26.
Of the 13 trains that leave Manchester Airport (MIA) for Edinburgh on Tue, May 26, 4 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Tue, May 26 the direct trains cover the 294 km distance in an average of 3 h 36 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 3 h 28 m .
On Tue, May 26 the slowest trains will take 3 h 50 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.
W85164
W34213+
G38390
G15897+
G80205
G15888+
G80199
C24608+
G80234+
G38413
W85177
W85182
W85168
W85164
G89047+
W33941Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Manchester Airport (MIA) to Edinburgh among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $20. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 4h 4m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $20, and a flight costs an average of $138.
Distance: 182 miles (294 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$74 Average price | $54 Average price Cheapest | $203 Average price | $124 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 34m Average total duration Fastest 4h 4m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 17m Average total duration 6h 47m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 8h 28m Average total duration 5h 28m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 4h 9m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Manchester Airport (MIA) to Edinburgh:
A bus is $21 (€17) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Manchester Airport (MIA) to Edinburgh costing on average $74 (€60).
A bus is $150 (€121) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Manchester Airport (MIA) to Edinburgh costing on average $203 (€164).
Other travel options to Edinburgh take longer:
Flight takes on average 5h 28m.
Bus takes on average 6h 47m.
The journey is about 5m faster (4h 4m by train vs 4h 9m by car) and roughly $49 (€40) cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls ($74 (€60) vs $124 (€100)). 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 Transpennine Express, TransPennine Express.
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 Manchester Airport (MIA) to Edinburgh trains for tomorrow, Tuesday, May 26. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
W85164 | 6:03 AM Manchester Airport (MIA) | 3h38 | 9:41 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W34213+ G38390 | 6:25 AM Manchester Airport (MIA) | 3h54 | 10:19 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 1 transfer | |
G15888+ G80199 | 6:44 AM Manchester Airport (MIA) | 4h49 | 11:33 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 1 transfer | |
G15897+ G80205 | 7:44 AM Manchester Airport (MIA) | 4h46 | 12:30 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 1 transfer | |
W85168 | 8:04 AM Manchester Airport (MIA) | 3h33 | 11:37 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G89062+ W34144 | 8:29 AM Manchester Airport (MIA) | 3h51 | 12:20 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 1 transfer | |
W85177 | 10:04 AM Manchester Airport (MIA) | 3h28 | 1:32 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G89047+ W33941 | 10:29 AM Manchester Airport (MIA) | 3h50 | 2:19 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 1 transfer | |
C24597+ G80224 | 10:44 AM Manchester Airport (MIA) | 4h50 | 3:34 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 1 transfer | |
W85179 · W85182 | 11:04 AM Manchester Airport (MIA) | 4h32 | 3:36 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 1 transfer | |
W85182 | 12:04 PM Manchester Airport (MIA) | 3h32 | 3:36 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W34286+ G38413 | 12:25 PM Manchester Airport (MIA) | 3h53 | 4:18 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 1 transfer | |
G38413+ C24608+ G80234 | 12:25 PM Manchester Airport (MIA) | 5h06 | 5:31 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2 transfers | |
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 Manchester Airport (MIA) to Edinburgh run on average 9 times per day, taking around 4h 4m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $38 (€31) but you can travel from only $20 (€16) by bus.
There are 2 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 05:03, the last at 19:04. The fastest train covers the 182 miles (294 km) distance in 3h 27m.
Distance 182 miles (294 km) |
Average train duration 4h 4m |
Cheapest ticket price $38 (€31) |
Trains per day 9 |
Direct trains 2 |
Fastest train 3h 27m |
First train 5:03 AM |
Last train 7:04 PM |
Cheapest Month Apr |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Sun |
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 science, design, world cultures, and Scottish history in one major city-centre complex.
The national art collection in central Edinburgh, with major European paintings and an excellent Scottish art selection.
Striking red-sandstone gallery dedicated to portraits of figures from Scottish history, culture, and public life.
The Old Town’s most famous historic street, linking Edinburgh Castle and Holyroodhouse through dense medieval architecture.
Short, rewarding hill walk with some of Edinburgh’s best panoramic views, especially popular at sunrise and sunset.
The city’s most famous natural viewpoint, offering a memorable hike and sweeping views over Edinburgh and the coast.
Scotland’s best-known national dish: a savoury pudding of minced offal, oats, onion, and spices, usually served with mashed turnips and potatoes. It is strongly associated with Edinburgh and Burns Sup
A rich Scottish soup made with smoked haddock, potatoes, and onions, often finished with milk or cream. It is a classic warming starter found in many Edinburgh pubs and restaurants.
A traditional double-crust meat pie, usually filled with spiced minced mutton or beef. It is a classic bakery and football-day snack across Scotland and remains a familiar local comfort food.
Well-known gastropub from Tom Kitchin, serving polished Scottish pub classics in a relaxed setting. A good choice for traditional dishes with high-quality ingredients.
Long-running local favourite serving modern Scottish dishes with local produce. Friendly, reliable, and popular with visitors seeking approachable regional food.
Historic, atmospheric restaurant near Edinburgh Castle, known for refined Scottish cuisine and a dramatic Gothic setting popular for special occasions.
Moderate by UK standards. Attractions and pubs add up, but transport and casual dining are manageable.
Restaurants: 10-12.5% if not included. Pubs: not expected. Taxis: round up. Hotels: optional for helpful service.
Official public transport app
Edinburgh Waverley -> Princes Street, Edinburgh
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Manchester Airport (MIA) 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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