Discover one of the best day journeys from Edinburgh by practice with logistics, sensible ideas and data to assist plan your tour.
If you’re based mostly in Edinburgh for just a few days or extra chances are you’ll be contemplating including a day journey or two to your itinerary. In this text, we cowl one of the best day journeys from Edinburgh by practice (click on right here for one of the best day excursions from Edinburgh).
We have included particulars of varied practice routes from Edinburgh with potential stops alongside the way in which (chances are you’ll want to spend the day in one among these locations) plus particulars of the period, ticket prices and what to see alongside the route plus tricks to profit from the journey when you arrive at your chosen vacation spot.
Best Day Trips from Edinburgh by Train
Edinburgh to Aberdeen through Dundee (North East Scotland)
Logistics
???? 2 hours 30 minutes to three hours in every course relying on the chosen service (some trains cease at each station).
???? Multiple each day trains.
➡️ Direct service, no adjustments.
???? Approx. least expensive ticket (28/11/22) £60 return booked on the day. Advance tickets from £13 for a single journey. Click for costs on the trainline.com
What to see alongside the route
- Try to sit down on the best facet of the practice because the practice heads north for one of the best sea views en-route. If you might have booked seats and the practice has spare seats transfer to a greater seat. Alternatively request a seat on the right-hand facet whenever you reserve your seats.
- The greatest sea views are between Edinburgh and Dundee.
- Forth Rail Bridge over the Firth of Forth at South Queensferry is the well-known World Heritage-listed cantilever bridge accomplished in December 1889. Train passes over the bridge round 12 minutes into the journey.
- Tay Bridge on the method to Dundee Station offers improbable views of the Firth of Tay. The well-known bridge opened in 1887.
- Between Stonehaven and Montrose the railway passes over stunning clifftops with additional views of the North Sea.
Things to do and see within the port metropolis of Aberdeen
The granite metropolis’s prime points of interest embrace:
- Aberdeen is situated round 1 h 15 minutes from the Royal residency of Balmoral.
Edinburgh to Inverness (North East Coast Scotland) through Aberdeen or Perth, Pitlochry & Aviemore
Logistics
???? The Aberdeen route takes the longest at round 5 hrs every manner or through Perth round 3 hours 30 minutes – 4 hrs.
???? Choice of practice routes to take, both through Aberdeen on the coastal route or via the central areas through Perth, Pitlochry and Aviemore.
➡️ Each route has a number of each day practice choices with adjustments or extra direct providers relying in your chosen route.
✅ Why not make a round journey and go a method and return the opposite?
???? Approx. least expensive ticket discovered (28/11/22) £18 for every single journey. Return tickets can be found however shopping for single journey tickets could be a cheaper choice. For ahead planning the obtainable “Advance ticket” choice is usually an excellent purchase.
What to see alongside the routes
Route through Aberdeen to Inverness
- A good looking and scenic route part that cuts via the Aberdeenshire countryside in direction of the county of Moray in Scotland’s North East.
- From the mainline practice station in Keith (approx. 65 minutes from Aberdeen) an choice is to interrupt up the journey in ‘whisky country’ and catch the steam or diesel practice service (see timetables) from Keith Town station to Dufftown.
- The well-known scenic heritage railway – Keith & Dufftown Railway often known as the Whisky Line, the road runs for 11 miles.
- Keith Town station is about 20 minutes stroll from the mainline station in Keith.
- The line takes you over the Glenfiddich viaduct and to the Glenfiddich distillery. Not to say gorgeous surroundings alongside the way in which.
- Take a whisky tour across the Worlds Malt Whisky Capital. Including the Glenfiddich distillery and customer centre near Dufftown station.
Route through Perth, Pitlochry, Blair Atholl & Aviemore
- Perth is situated beside the River Tay. Approx. 1 h 30 minutes from Edinburgh.
- In Perth go to the Black Watch Castle and Museum, Kinnoull Hill and close by the Scone Palace.
- Pitlochry and Blair Atholl (subsequent station, test practice stops)
- Approx.1 h 45 minutes from Edinburgh. Historic city on the River Tummel.
- Visit the dam and fish ladder, close by Blair Athol Distillery, Edradour Distillery, falls of Bruar and Blair Castle and Gardens and the Queen’s view and customer centre.
- Aviemore (Approx. 3hrs from Edinburgh)
- Located within the Cairngorms nationwide park. Famous for stunning lochs and walks and likewise for snowboarding and winter sports activities.
- Cairngorm Brewery
- Strathspey Railway (steam trains from Perth to Broomhill, 92 miles and takes round 1 h 45 minutes) if you would like a leisurely tour, strive a day tea too.
Things to do and see in Inverness
- Inverness is the most important metropolis within the Scottish Highlands and is the place the River Ness joins the Moray Firth.
- See the 19th Century cathedral, indoor Victorian market, Inverness Castle, Inverness Museum and Art Gallery, botanic gardens, and the well-known Leakeys bookshop. Take a 2-hour stroll circuit stroll alongside the River Ness and Ness islands.
- Places to go to from Inverness embrace
- Clava Carins – Bronze Age Cairn.
- Fort George- Artillery fortification.
- Further away – the Kyle practice line to the Kyle of Lochalsh and the island of Skye.
Read – Inverness Travel Guide | Best Day journeys from Inverness
Edinburgh to Glasgow through Falkirk (West Lowlands)
Logistics
???? Takes between 50 minutes and 1 h 30 minutes in every course relying on the chosen service and route, some trains cease at extra stations than others – Multiple each day trains. Direct service, no adjustments.
???? Approx. least expensive ticket (at date) £17 in every course or return booked on the day £28. Advance or Anytime tickets obtainable.
➡️ Two principal stations in Glasgow are Queen Street and Central. Both stations are within the centre of Glasgow.
What to see alongside the route
- Between the cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow, the practice line travels alongside the central belt of Scotland.
- Falkirk
- The Kelpies, the 30-metre-high equine sculptures in Helix Park. They are seen from the practice on the right-hand facet from Edinburgh. Located a brief taxi trip away from the practice station at Falkirk.
- Also shut by is the Falkirk Wheel, the rotating boat carry in Tamfourhill connecting the Forth and Clyde canals with the Union Canal.
Things to do and see in Glasgow
Glasgow is legendary for its Victorian and art-nouveau structure and is a cultural hub for Scottish opera, ballet and nationwide theatre.
Things to do and see in Glasgow embrace
- Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
- Riverside Transport Museum
- The Charles Rennie Mackintosh House
- Glasgow Cathedral with Necropolis cemetery subsequent door
- City centre retailers round Buchanan Street
- Pollok Park on the outskirts of town is an effective place to see herds of highland cattle.
Read – Glasgow Travel Guide
Edinburgh to Stirling through Linlithgow & Falkirk (Central Scotland)
Logistics
???? Takes round 1 hr in every course relying on the chosen service – Multiple each day trains. Direct service is on the market, no want to vary except most well-liked.
???? Approx. least expensive ticket (at date) £18 return. No Advance ticket financial savings had been famous.
What to see alongside the route
- In Linlithgow – (20 minutes from Edinburgh) Historic West Lothian city, the palace stays of the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots and James V.
- In Falkirk (Grahamston) – As above for the Kelpies and the Falkirk Wheel.
Things to do and see in Stirling
Stirling practice station is situated within the metropolis centre. Stirling is kind of hilly to stroll round so be ready!
Things to do and see in Stirling embrace:
- The National Wallace Monument (that commemorates the 13 Century hero William Wallace) – from the highest you’ll be able to see the location of the 1297 Battle of Stirling Bridge
- Battle of Bannockburn Experience
- Close to the Battle of Bannockburn customer centre.
Edinburgh to Leuchars (for St Andrews Golf course) (North East Scotland)
???? Leuchars is on the identical practice line as Edinburgh Waverley to Dundee and Aberdeen.
⛳️ Closest practice station to the well-known St Andrews golf course, the house of golf.
???? Takes 55 minutes to 1 h 15 minutes in every course relying on the chosen service – Multiple each day trains. Direct service, no adjustments.
???? Approx. least expensive ticket (at date) £20 return booked on the day. Cheapest single ticket approx. £9.
What to see alongside the route
Forth Rail Bridge over the Firth of Forth at South Queensferry is the well-known UNESCO World Heritage-listed cantilever bridge accomplished in December 1889.
The practice passes over round 12 minutes into the journey.
What to do and see in Leuchars (St Andrews)
- In Leuchars – St Andrews Castle, St Andrews Aquarium and West Sands seaside.
- In St Andrews – Approx. 15 minutes by bus from Leuchars practice station to journey the 5 miles to the long-lasting golf membership and its well-known golf programs.
Edinburgh to Dundee through Aberdour (North East Scotland)
Logistics
???? On the identical practice line because the Edinburgh Waverley to Aberdeen service.
???? Takes 1 h 10 minutes to 1 h 30 minutes in every course relying on chosen service – Multiple each day trains. Direct service, no adjustments.
???? Approx. least expensive ticket (at date) £31 return booked on the day. Cheapest single ticket approx. £11.
What to see alongside the route
- As per Aberdeen particulars above for greatest seat views.
- The greatest sea views are between Edinburgh and Dundee.
- Forth Rail Bridge over the Firth of Forth at South Queensferry is the well-known World Heritage listed cantilever bridge accomplished in December 1889. Train passes over round 12mins into the journey.
- Tay Bridge on the method to Dundee Station offers improbable views of the Firth of Tay. The well-known bridge opened in 1887.
- Aberdour – Consider breaking the journey with a cease at Aberdour, 33 minutes from Edinburgh for a stroll across the Fife Coastal path and see the Hawcraig Cliffs and woodlands to Starley Burn and take within the gorgeous waterfalls.
Things to do and see in Dundee
Dundee is a coastal metropolis situated on the Firth of Tay estuary.
Things to see in Dundee embrace
- The two nautical museums of Captain Scotts Antarctic ship RRS Discovery and the Nineteenth-century warship HM Frigate Unicorn
Edinburgh to Tweedbank (Borders Railway) (Scottish Borders)
Logistics
???? Tweedbank is a village situated southeast of Galashiels on the Scottish Borders.
???? Takes round 1 hr in every course relying on the chosen service – Multiple each day trains. Direct service, no adjustments.
???? Approx. least expensive ticket (at date) £20 return booked on the day. Cheapest single ticket approx. £9.
What to see alongside the route
Enjoy the attractive surroundings of the Midlothian countryside en route.
What to do and see in and round Tweedbank
- Abbotsford House – 2km exterior Tweedbank was as soon as the house of Scottish writer Sir Walter Scott. An spectacular mansion home with beautiful gardens.
- Melrose Abbey – 15mins bus trip to the historic half ruins St Mary’s Abbey well-known for its structure and the interred coronary heart of Robert the Bruce.
- Other should–sees – Leaderfoot Viaduct and Dryburgh Abbey.