How to travel from Portsmouth to Edinburgh

Sat, Sep 19
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1,000+ more
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Travel Information

Compare bus, train, and flight for Portsmouth to Edinburgh

Omio recommends booking the flight as it is the most popular option from Portsmouth to Edinburgh among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the flight, with an average ticket price of $43 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 3h 24m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.2 - 0.5kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a flight costs an average of $43, while a train costs an average of $141.

Distance: 366 miles (590 km)

Compare flight with

Most popular
Flight
Train
Bus
Driving

$43

Average price

Cheapest

$141

Average price

$84

Average price

$201

Average price

(fuel + tolls)

3h 24m

Average total duration

Fastest

1h 24m

Onboard

+

2h 0m

Additional time*

8h 8m

Average total duration

7h 38m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

13h 36m

Average total duration

13h 6m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

8h 14m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

1.8 - 3.5kg

CO2 emissions

0.2 - 0.5kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest

0.6 - 1.5kg

CO2 emissions

-

CO2 emissions

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.

The cheapest way to travel from Portsmouth to Edinburgh is a bus with an average price of $97.

This is compared to other travel options from Portsmouth to Edinburgh:

A bus is $72 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Portsmouth to Edinburgh costing on average $169.

A bus is $189 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Portsmouth to Edinburgh costing on average $286.

The fastest way to travel from Portsmouth to Edinburgh is by flight with an average journey time of 3h 46m.

Other travel options to Edinburgh take longer:

Train takes on average 7h 2m.

Bus takes on average 12h 47m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 3 ways to travel between Portsmouth and Edinburgh including taking a bus, train, and flight.
We recommend using the bus as it is the most popular way to get from Portsmouth to Edinburgh among Omio's users.
Take the bus. It's the cheapest way to make this trip, and the price gap is usually bigger than people expect.

Tickets start at around $97 compared to roughly $201 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $104. The journey takes 12h 17m versus 8h 14m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can use the time productively rather than spending it behind the wheel. No parking to sort, no fuel stops, and most coaches have Wi-Fi and power outlets.

Driving is worth considering if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), or want the flexibility to stop along the way.

Travel options
from Portsmouth to Edinburgh

How to get from Portsmouth to Edinburgh by train, bus or flight.

Our recommendation

bus

The best way to travel from Portsmouth to Edinburgh is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.

  • National ExpressNX030 · NX594
    6:45 PM12h35
    Portsmouth, The Hard Interchange
    7:20 AMEdinburgh, Bus Station
    $511One-way
    1 transfer

Cheapest

  • National ExpressNX030 · NX594
    6:45 PM12h35
    Portsmouth, The Hard Interchange
    7:20 AMEdinburgh, Bus Station
    $511One-way
    1 transfer

Fastest

  • South Western RailwayL79929+Avanti West CoastW33799+CrossCountryG00859
    8:00 AM8h18
    Portsmouth & Southsea (PMS)
    4:18 PMEdinburgh Waverley (EDB)
    $871One-way
    2 transfers

Other options

  • South Western RailwayL79582+Avanti West CoastW33773+Transpennine ExpressW85193+TubeTube from London Waterloo to London Euston
    8:51 AM8h46
    Portsmouth & Southsea (PMS)
    5:37 PMEdinburgh Waverley (EDB)
    $871One-way
    3 transfers
  • National ExpressNX030 · NX594
    6:29 PM12h51
    Portsmouth, University
    7:20 AMEdinburgh, Bus Station
    $511One-way
    1 transfer
  • National ExpressNX030 · NX591
    3:20 AM15h15
    Portsmouth, The Hard Interchange
    6:35 PMEdinburgh, Bus Station
    $571One-way
    1 transfer
  • National ExpressNX030 · NX591
    3:05 AM15h30
    Portsmouth, University
    6:35 PMEdinburgh, Bus Station
    $571One-way
    1 transfer

Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .

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FAQs: Travel from Portsmouth to Edinburgh

Travel to Edinburgh easily. Whether you want fast, cheap or something entirely different, our travel experts have collected everything you need to know so you can find the best option from Portsmouth to Edinburgh.

FAQs
There are 3 options to travel between Portsmouth and Edinburgh including taking a bus, train, and flight.
The cheapest way to travel from Portsmouth to Edinburgh is a flight with an average price of $43.

This is compared to other travel options from Portsmouth to Edinburgh:

A flight is $41 less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Portsmouth to Edinburgh costing on average $84.

A flight is $98 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Portsmouth to Edinburgh costing on average $141.

The fastest way to travel from Portsmouth to Edinburgh is by flight with an average journey time of 3h 24m.

Other travel options to Edinburgh take longer:

Train takes on average 8h 8m.

Bus takes on average 13h 36m.

The distance from Portsmouth to Edinburgh is approximately 366 miles (590 km).
The average frequency per day from Portsmouth to Edinburgh is:
  • Around 42 flights per day.
  • Around 6 trains per day.
  • Around 5 buses per day.

However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Portsmouth and Edinburgh as scheduled services by bus, train, and flight can vary by season or day of the week.

These are the most popular departure and arrival points from Portsmouth to Edinburgh:
  • Flights mostly depart from London Heathrow Airport and arrive in Edinburgh Airport.
  • Trains mostly depart from Portsmouth & Southsea (PMS) and arrive in Edinburgh Waverley (EDB).
  • Buses mostly depart from Portsmouth, The Hard Interchange and arrive in Edinburgh, Bus Station.
If finding a good deal is your main consideration for your trip from Portsmouth to Edinburgh, then we'll help you find the best value travel companies for you:
  • Travel with National Express, Megabus to go to Edinburgh by bus.
  • Travel with London North Eastern Railway, Avanti West Coast, Caledonian Sleeper, Transpennine Express, South Western Railway to go to Edinburgh by train.
  • Travel with easyJet, Loganair, British Airways to go to Edinburgh by flight.
Yes, there are direct services available from Portsmouth to Edinburgh with the following travel companies:
  • 0 direct buses per day with Megabus.
  • 29 direct flights per day with easyJet, Loganair, British Airways.
Omio customers who travel from Portsmouth to Edinburgh often also extend their vacation to go to London, Glasgow, Inverness, Manchester, Paris. Omio can help you plan your trip by finding the best connections between Edinburgh and these popular destinations at a great price.
Most travelers need at least three days in Edinburgh to see the main sights at a comfortable pace. If you want day trips or a slower itinerary, consider adding extra time.
In Edinburgh, visitors can explore the vibrant atmosphere of Grassmarket, enjoy a ghost tour of the haunted streets, attend shows at the Edinburgh Festival Theatre, and visit the Royal Botanic Garden. Discover hidden gems at the Stockbridge Market. Key sights include Edinburgh Castle, Arthur's Seat, The Royal Mile, Holyrood Palace, and The National Museum of Scotland.
For a fulfilling experience, spending 2 to 3 days in Edinburgh allows you to explore its historic sites, such as Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile, enjoy cultural attractions, and immerse yourself in the local atmosphere.
HomeTravelTravel to United KingdomTravel to EdinburghHow to travel from Portsmouth to Edinburgh

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