How to travel by train from Edinburgh to Bristol

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Edinburgh to Bristol by train

CrossCountry operates the only direct trains between Edinburgh and Bristol.
Though they do take a somewhat indirect route as they travel along the East Coast via Newcastle.
However, when looking up this journey it's worth paying close attention to the connecting times between trains on the alternative indirect journey options.
The transfer time between trains, particularly at Birmingham New Street, can be less than 10 minutes, so making these connections cannot be guaranteed.

Routes you can take to go from Edinburgh to Bristol

When travelling between most cities by train there is only one logical option, though on other journeys there is a choice between different trains or alternative routes. If different options are available you can use the info to decide which is best for you.

Choose one of the following options:

Looking for connections?

Journey guides for travel to Edinburgh

Route Information

Station Guides

Edinburgh Waverley Rail Station Guide

The main entrance to Bristol Temple Meads dates from the 1870s

Bristol Temple Meads Rail Station Guide

Travel Time (approx)

6hr 22min - 6hr 27min

Frequency

Daily

Travel Info

1 x train per hour.

Is this journey from Edinburgh to Bristol direct?
Yes

Is the journey scenic?
Yes, the train will travel by the coast between Dunbar and Morpeth, which equates to most of the journey between Edinburgh and Newcastle . See the Journey Information for images and videos

What other tourist locations are along this route from Edinburgh to Bristol?
Berwick-Upon-Tweed, Newcastle, Durham and York and Cheltenham (for The Cotswolds)

When is the usual approximate earliest arrival at Bristol-Temple Meads on this journey option?

Before 13:45 on Monday to Saturday
After 15:30 on Sunday
Source: National Rail

How easy is it to travel on from the station in Bristol?
Bristol Temple Meads is located more than a half a kilometer from the city centre - See the Station Guide above for more info on the waking route and public transport connections - plus easy access to multiple options for booking somewhere to stay in the area around New Street station.

When is the usual approximate latest departure from Edinburgh Waverley?

After 17:05 on Monday to Friday
After 16:05 on Saturday
After 17:05 on Sunday

How easy is it to travel to the station in Edinburgh?
Edinburgh Waverley is conveniently located in the heart of the city and it served by the Edinburgh trams, and all buses which serve Princes Street.
See the Station Guide above for more info, plus easy access to multiple options for booking somewhere to stay by Edinburgh Waverley.

Are tickets cheaper if booked in advance for this journey option?
Yes

How soon ahead of travel are tickets typically placed on sale for this journey option?
12 weeks; See the Ticket Information for more details

What are the child ticket terms for the journey from Edinburgh to Bristol on this journey option?
Aged 5 to 15 = 50%; 4 and under = free

Does the ticket for the for this journey option include assigned seats?
Varies according to the type of ticket being booked, but Yes when booking Advance Tickets; See the Ticket Information for more details

Do rail pass users need to book reservations for the journey from Edinburgh to Bristol?
No

Is catering available on the train?
Yes
A catering trolley should be taken through the Standard Class coaches.
A service of complimentary hot and cold drinks, snacks and sandwiches is served in coach A, which is for exclusive use of First Class travellers.

What else is good to know?
See the general guide to travelling in Britain by train.

Travel Information

Trains usually depart from Edinburgh hourly, but due to the length of the journey the final departure of the day typically leaves Waverley station before 17:30.

Final Destination: Plymouth or Penzance or Bristol

All trains also call at: Cheltenham Spa and Bristol Parkway (this station is to the north of the city and is conveniently sited for motorway access, but take care NOT to leave the train here if you will be heading to Bristol city centre).

This is a direct journey

You will be travelling on one of these trains...

A 4 coach version of a CrossCountry Vogager train has arrived in Exeter...

CrossCountry Voyager (UK) Train Guide

Journey Features

Scenic - YesCoastal views

Good to Know

If when you board, you discover that your assigned seat(s) are on the right-hand side of the train, when facing the direction of travel, see if you can find available seats on the left of the train.
If you move to a different seat(s) it won't affect the validity of your ticket.

The sea views on this journey are on the left.
If your ticket(s) don't include reserved seats, then try to choose seats on the left, when facing the direction of travel.

Journey description:

The scenic highlights of this journey come within the first two hours.
The trains take a route on which the coast can be seen before the train has even left Edinburgh behind; and the sea views initially continue until south of Dunbar.

To the north of Berwick-upon-Tweed the train will travel across the clifftops as it crosses the border into England, these are the most dramatic coastal views on the journey.

Minutes after the train has passed through Berwick-upon-Tweed, the next highlight is the view from the majestic Royal Border Bridge.

Between there and Alnmouth there are views on the left over the dramatic Northumberland coast.

The next highlight of the journey is the passage over the River Tyne, as the train departs from Newcastle Central station and heads over the King Edward VII Bridge.

Looking to the left, five other bridges that span the river can be seen; and there are also some great views of the Tyne Bridge as the train arrives in Newcastle station.

Around 15 mins after leaving Newcastle comes the final highlight of the journey, the stunning views over the city of Durham.

Over on the left before and after the station, the town's stunning castle and cathedral can be clearly seen in all their glory.

Between Durham and Bristol the train will pass through a series of cities and large towns, which are separated by farm land; Though north of Derby the railway travels through the foothills of the Peak District.

Look out on the left for the view of the Bass Rock

By the coast to the south of Dunbar

Heading south from Berwick

Passing by the town of Alnmouth

Arriving in Newcastle

Looking down on the River Tyne as the train departs Newcastle

The stunning view over the city of Durham

Travelling through the Derbyshire countryside

Looking left on the Royal Border Bridge just after departing Berwick

A glimpse of the ruins of the smugglers bothy at Lamberton Skerrs south of Berwick

Save with Split Ticketing on Trainline When it's possible to save money on rail journeys in Britain, by splitting tickets in one booking, Trainline now automatically offers this option - look out for for the blue symbol!

Save with Split Ticketing on Trainline When it's possible to save money on rail journeys in Britain, by splitting tickets in one booking, T...

The general guide to rail travel in Britain Discover what's good to know about riding the trains, taking popular journeys, using the major stations, booking tickets and travelling with rail passes.

Tickets

Book Early and Save: Yes

Online Bookings Usually Open: From 12 weeks ahead of travel of the travel date

Booking Advance Tickets

If you want to travel at the cheapest possible price, look for the 'Advance tickets', though the three key things worth knowing about booking and using 'Advance' tickets in usual circumstances are:
(1) Your ticket(s) will only be valid on the departure you selected when making a booking.
(2) But when travelling by CrossCountry trains, you can amend your ticket free of charge, regardless of when it was booked and when you will be travelling from 2 hours after purchase and up to 15 minutes before your train is due to depart, as long as the stations are the same.
(3) If the train you are booked on is delayed, you cannot then just hop on an alternative train operated by a different company.

CrossCountry atypically offers the ability to book Advance tickets until up to 15 minutes before departure.

The potential to save by splitting tickets on Trainline

It can be worth looking up this journey on Trainline.

It can be possible to save money by using split ticketing, with the booking process being no more complicated than booking conventional tickets - find out more.

Reservations

When you book an Advance ticket for this train journey, you will be automatically assigned a seat(s), but if you book the other types of ticket ahead, you can request a complimentary reservation
However, if you buy Off Peak or Anytime tickets just prior to boarding at the station, a seat reservation WON'T be automatically included with your booking.

Though CrossCountry now offers a service buy which holders of Anytime and Off-Peak tickets can book reservations up to 10 minutes prior to departure time.

Travelling on Monday - Friday

Tickets are usually available 12 weeks ahead of the travel date.
However, when you look up a journey you may see dates further ahead on the calendar, but you'll be informed that tickets aren't yet available for those dates.

Travelling on Saturday-Sunday

Tickets are usually available 12 weeks ahead of the travel date, but maintenance work on the route is periodically undertaken at weekends and if it is scheduled on your travel date, it can affect when tickets will be released for sale.

If you're looking up a journey less than 12 weeks ahead and Advance tickets aren't available, it can be a good indication that works will be impacting on your travel date - a fairly common occurence on a journey as long as this.
It can be worth checking the National Rail website

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