Fastest ~42–48min by train
| 🚆 Train | ~42–48min | ScotRail Queen Street line, up to 4/hr, no reservation |
| 🚌 Bus | ~60–90min | Citylink etc, cheaper than off-peak rail |
| 🚗 Car | ~50–60min | M8 motorway, 75km, no tolls, rush hour up to 90min |
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Edinburgh and Glasgow sit just 74 km apart, and the rail link between them is one of the most frequent in Britain — trains run up to four times an hour across three different routes, making this less of a journey to plan and more of a decision about which ticket to buy. The two cities have very different personalities, and many visitors to Scotland find it natural to base themselves in one and make a day trip to the other.
The quickest way: ScotRail via the Queen Street line
The fastest trains run between Edinburgh Haymarket (or Edinburgh Waverley) and Glasgow Queen Street on what is known as the Queen Street route, via Falkirk High. ScotRail operates these services and the best timings achieve the journey in about 42–48 minutes. Multiple trains run every hour across the day, making missed connections essentially a non-event — if you miss one, the next is rarely more than fifteen minutes away.
Glasgow Queen Street sits in the commercial heart of the city, a short walk from George Square and the Buchanan Street shopping area. Edinburgh Waverley, at the east end, and Haymarket, a few minutes further west, are both central. Trains stop at both Edinburgh stations on most services.
Tickets are bought at the station, online, or via the ScotRail app. There is no compulsory reservation on this route — you simply buy a ticket and board. Off-Peak fares are available outside the busiest morning and evening hours and cost less than Anytime tickets. A Railcard — such as the 16–25, Senior, or Two Together card — gives a third off on eligible fares and can pay for itself quickly on this corridor.
The slower route: Edinburgh to Glasgow Central via Shotts or Carstairs
Two other rail routes connect the cities. The Shotts Line from Edinburgh Waverley to Glasgow Central takes about 1 hour 5 minutes and passes through Livingston and Shotts. The Carstairs route also connects to Glasgow Central and is used by some inter-city services. These routes are perfectly fine but slower than the Queen Street line; they are most useful if you need to reach Glasgow Central specifically (for example, to continue south on an Avanti train) or if you are starting from a station along their route.
For the general visitor going between the two city centres, the Queen Street line is the default. For more on ScotRail and the wider Scottish rail network, see the Scotland by train guide.
The cheapest way: the bus
Several bus operators run between Edinburgh and Glasgow, including Citylink and various local services. Journey times are typically 60–90 minutes depending on traffic, and fares are often lower than Off-Peak rail tickets. The journey can be slower in rush hours due to congestion on the M8 motorway, which links the two cities.
Given how frequent and relatively affordable the trains are, the bus is mainly of interest to those without a railcard or on the tightest possible budget. The train wins on speed and convenience for almost all travellers.
The scenic way: driving via the Forth Road Bridge
The drive from Edinburgh to Glasgow is about 75 km via the M8 motorway, which runs almost the whole way. In light traffic, the journey takes around 50–60 minutes; in rush hour it can stretch to 90 minutes or more. There are no tolls on the main route. The Forth Road Bridge (for those approaching from the north) carries tolls on the rail crossing but not the road bridge.
Driving makes sense mainly if you need a car at the other end or are starting from somewhere away from either city centre. Central Glasgow, like central Edinburgh, has limited and expensive parking — leaving a car in the centre is rarely worth the cost or hassle.
Which should you choose?
For virtually all visitors, ScotRail from Waverley or Haymarket to Queen Street is the answer: fast, frequent, no reservation needed, and cheap with a railcard. It is one of the best-served city-to-city connections in Britain. Take the bus only if you need the very lowest fare and have time to spare. Drive if you specifically need a car once you arrive. There is no meaningful case for flying.
If you are combining the Edinburgh–Glasgow hop with a wider Scotland trip, see Scotland by train for the scenic Highland lines that radiate from both cities, and London to Edinburgh for reaching Scotland from the south.
Frequently asked questions
How often do trains run between Edinburgh and Glasgow?
On the Queen Street route via Falkirk High, ScotRail typically runs up to four trains an hour during the day. Frequency drops slightly in the evenings and on Sundays, but services remain regular throughout the day.
Do I need to book ahead for Edinburgh to Glasgow trains?
No. This route does not require advance reservations — you simply buy a ticket and board any valid train. Off-Peak tickets are cheapest and cover most trains outside rush hours. Buying a walk-on ticket at the station is perfectly normal on this corridor.
Is there a night train between Edinburgh and Glasgow?
No scheduled overnight service runs between the two cities — they are so close that night trains would not make sense. Late evening services run until well after midnight, so there is no need for overnight travel.
Which Edinburgh station should I use for Glasgow trains?
Both Edinburgh Waverley and Edinburgh Haymarket are served by Queen Street trains. Haymarket is a few minutes west of Waverley on the same line and is more convenient if you are staying in the west of the city or near Princes Street's western end.
Sources and further reading:
- Timetables and booking via ScotRail and National Rail.
- Wider Scotland rail network: Viamo's Scotland by train guide.
- The Man in Seat 61 for independent Scottish rail travel advice.