Edinburgh to Liverpool train with TransPennine Express

Trains from Edinburgh to Liverpool

If you're planning to travel from Edinburgh to Liverpool via train, you'll be glad to know the route is popular, with numerous trains operating every day. Trains start as early as 06:50 each morning and run a couple of times per hour until late afternoon. Several different companies will operate your trains. Unfortunately, there are no direct routes offered between these cities, but you'll find a variety of trains with a single stopover and a reasonable travel time. All trains travelling between these destinations travel from Edinburgh Waverley to Liverpool Lime Street station.

Edinburgh to Liverpool Train Time: Daily Departures

Thanks to this being a popular route, you'll be glad to find numerous trains operating between Edinburgh Waverley Station and Liverpool Lime Street. Trains start running around 06:52, with several trips per hour between then and the last train around 17:00 each afternoon. There are usually just over 20 trips per day operated by four different train companies. the most common option is London North Eastern Railway, but you'll find regular trips operated by Cross Country, Avanti West Coast, and First Transpennine Express.

How long is the journey by train from Edinburgh to Liverpool?

Your travel time when taking a train from Edinburgh to Liverpool will largely depend on the route you take. All trips travel between the main station in each city. If you're taking a London North Eastern Railway train from Waverley Station with a changeover in York en route, your trip will usually take around 5h with a lengthy changeover. Trains operated by Avanti West Coast with a single changeover in Wigan en route take around 3h 30min, depending on the length of your stopover. First Transpennine Express operate trains departing from Waverley that stops in Preston, where you'll change to an Avanti West Coast train to Warrington and then hop on a Northern Rail train for the rest of the journey. This journey typically takes around 4h 05min.

Trains from Edinburgh to Liverpool: bridge in Edinburgh by night. Source: Shutterstock

What are the departure and arrival stations for trains from Edinburgh to Liverpool?

Departure train station:All trains travelling from Edinburgh to Liverpool depart from the same station in Edinburgh. Edinburgh Waverley station is one of the main stations serving the city, and you'll find it between the old town and modern Edinburgh. The station is easily accessible from the city centre with local buses, trains, and taxis. You'll find a wealth of amenities at the station designed for a comfortable journey. These facilities include toilets and baby changing stations, showers, cash machines, payphones and textphones, lost property, car hire, free WiFi, and water fountains.

Arrival train station:The arrival station for all trips from Edinburgh to Liverpool is the same station in Liverpool. Lime Street Liverpool railway station is located a short trip away from the city centre and easily accessible through local buses and taxis. You'll find a range of facilities and amenities available, including baby changing stations, accessible and standard toilets, cash machines, information offices, ticketing offices, free WiFi, luggage storage, lost property, and much more. You'll also find a range of shopping and dining opportunities throughout the station.

Which train companies travel from Edinburgh to Liverpool?

When taking a train from Edinburgh to Waverley, you'll have the choice of four different train operators when purchasing your ticket. The most frequent supplier is London North Eastern Railway, though most of the trips require at least two different train providers. London North Eastern Railway trains have a stopover in York en route and switch to a First Transpennine Express train. Avanti West Coast trains stop en route and switch to a Northern Rail train. If you're hopping on a Cross Country train at Waverley Station, you'll have a changeover in York and switch to a First Transpennine Express train. Trains, where First Transpennine Express operates the first leg, have two stopovers en route and switch to Avanti West Coast at the first stop and Northern Rail at the second.

London North Eastern Railway trains from Edinburgh to Liverpool

London North Eastern Railway, or LNER, is a British train operating company that provides long-distance intercity trains throughout the country. LNER provide roughly nine trains operating this route daily. LNER always have a single changeover in York en route, and your travel time will usually be around 5h.

First Transpennine Express trains from Edinburgh to Liverpool

First Transpennine Express is an intercity train company that operates routes throughout northern England and Scotland. There is typically only one route where First Transpennine Express operates the first leg. This route usually departs from Waverley Station and has the first changeover in Preston and the second changeover in Warrington Bank.

Cross Country trains from Edinburgh to Liverpool

Cross Country is a popular train company operating routes throughout the country. They typically offer standard intercity trains and high-end services. The trains operating these routes are their standard Voyager trains, and there are usually around five daily trains that have a travel time of around 5h with a single stopover in York en route.

Night trains Edinburgh

Unfortunately, there are no night trains available for this route. The last train leaves around 17:00 each afternoon and will arrive in Liverpool Lime Street around 22:00.

Avanti West Coast trains from Edinburgh to Liverpool

Avanti West Coast is a West Coast mainline train company operating throughout the coastline. You'll find close to six trains operated by Avanti currently in operation. These trains all have a single changeover en route in Wigan and typically have a travel time of around 3h 30min.

Train Edinburgh to Liverpool: Services on Board

If you're travelling on a train between Edinburgh and Liverpool, you'll have the choice of first and second class tickets. First-class tickets give you the option of food and beverages onboard, as well as additional legroom, comfortable seating, charging points for your devices, and foldable tables. You'll be limited to two or three small bags or one large bag to stow away, as well as a piece of hand luggage like a handbag or laptop bag. If you're hoping to take your bicycle with you, foldable bikes are usually easy to take along, provided they fit in the luggage rack. If you have a non-foldable bike, you'll need to call ahead and arrange a space if they're available. If you require assistance with a disability, you'll need to contact the train company ahead of time and arrange the help you need. Travelling with pets is typically limited to two pets, and they must be in a carrier for the duration of the trip.

Traveling by train: Sustainable journey

Taking a train is the most sustainable way to travel unless you're planning on walking or taking a bicycle between destinations. Trains only account for around 3% of the global transport emissions, and they offer more efficient use of space and less noise pollution. Carbon emissions from trains are typically close to 70% less than cars or planes along the same route.

How to find cheap train tickets from Edinburgh to Liverpool?

There are several ways to ensure you pick up the best deals on train tickets from Edinburgh to Liverpool. Having a look at the Omio Magazine is a good way to get tips on travelling efficiently. Search through Omio and filter according to the price to see the best deals. You'll also want to book tickets as far in advance as possible. Tickets tend to go on sale months in advance, and the closer you get to the date of departure, the pricier they get. Search with flexible dates to take advantage of different deals on different days. If you're a senior citizen or student, have a look at the discounts afforded to you.

Trains from Edinburgh to Liverpool: monument to Kind Edward VII in Liverpool. Source: Shutterstock

To Liverpool by train—travel tips

Liverpool is a maritime city located in the northwest part of England, where the Mersey River meets the Irish Sea. Liverpool is possibly most famous for their football team and for being the hometown of the Beatles. Liverpool is an absolute hub of cultural diversity where people from all over the world gather to share parts of their stories. You'll find a wealth of historical things to do, sights to see, places to party, and food to eat throughout the city. Consider trying a few of these things on your next visit.

• Visit Albert Dock, the first non-combustible warehouse system in the world and has historically been one of the most innovative docks in the world
• Learn about the history of the city and the rest of the world at the World Museum, the city's biggest museum
• Head to Spaceport if you're a fan of outer space and want to learn a little more
• Make your way to Walker Art Gallery and explore the many exhibits they have on offer
• Check out the Cavern Club and stand in the same place The Beatles played
• Explore the street art of the city and take in the scenes of boundless talent in and around the city