By the clock on the northbound platform is the entrance to a subway, which is the quickest route to the exit

Edinburgh to Penrith by train

How to travel from Edinburgh to the northern part of the Lake District by train

The train service between Edinburgh and Penrith is split between trains operated by Avanti West Coast and trains operated by TransPennine Express.

The usual timetable during the day is arranged so that in even hours a train operated by TransPennine Express departs; and in some of those hours, an Avanti West Coast service leaves around 40 mins later.

Meaning that there are no departures in odd hours (early Sunday mornings are an exception).

The Avanti West Coast services have the faster journey time.

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Routes

From Edinburgh Waverley to Penrith North Lakes

Travel Information

Final Destination: London Euston or Birmingham New Street (Avanti West Coast); Manchester Airport (Trans Pennine Express)

All trains also call at: Carlisle

Mon-Fri = 10 x trains per day
Saturday = 11 x trains
Sunday = 9 x trains

Tickets

Choosing a departure

As there are two operators which provide the trains on the Edinburgh to Penrith route, the recommendation is to use the National Rail booking service when looking up this journey.
By doing so you'll have an overview of the ticket times and prices of all departures, no matter which company is operating each departure, and you will also avoid any booking fees.

One company doesn't always offer the cheapest fares on this route, so it's worth making an easy comparison across all departures.

Booking Advance Tickets

If you want to travel at the cheapest possible price, look for the 'Advance tickets', though the four key things worth knowing about booking and using 'Advance' tickets for travel by TPE services are:
(1) The ticket(s) will be valid for the specific departure you select when making a booking.
(2) The ticket(s) cannot either be refunded, if you subsequently change your plans or miss the train due to any circumstances not attributable to the train operator.
(3) They can be exchanged to another departure on this route prior to the departure you have booked - but the price difference with the new ticket will need to be paid (the price will likely have risen since your original booking will need to be paid.
(4) TPE doesn't take Advance tickets off sale until 15 mins prior to departure.

Reservations

When you book an Advance ticket for an Edinburgh to Penrith 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 - more info on this

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.

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 tickets aren't available, it can be a good indication that works will be impacting on your travel date.
It can be worth checking this on the National Rail website

Where to book
Ticket Provider Approximate Cost
National Rail *

National Rail Guide

In Great Britain each Train Operating Company provides its own booking service for journeys by its trains, but many of their websites also sell tickets for nationwide journeys, regardless of which company operates the trains on the routes you wish to travel by.

The National Rail website is plugged into all of the train operator's booking services, so when more than one of these companies offers tickets for a route, it in effect offers a price comparison service.
It isn't a ticket agent, so you will be connected to the website of your choice in order to make a booking.

Avanti West Coast *

Avanti West Coast Guide

Avanti West Coast only operates long-distance trains so it offers discounted Advance tickets on all of its routes.
It's booking engine doubles up as a 'Best Fare Finder' service, with the aim being to ensure that the cheapest tickets are offered for journeys by its trains, particularly when making return trips.

TPE *

TPE Guide

TPE offers three unconventional means of booking and using tickets for travel by the trains it operates:

  • Advance tickets can be booked online up to 15 mins before departure
  • Seats are assigned on TPE trains when booking up to an hour prior to departure
  • There is no charge for transferring Advance tickets to an alternative departure, on the route originally booked.
Rail Europe *

On this journey

Journey Features

Scenic - YesLandscape (Hills / Mountains)

Good to Know

Departing from Edinburgh

If the starting point of your journey is at the western end of the city centre, you can save time by heading to Haymarket station rather than Edinburgh Waverley, in order to board these trains.

Journey description:

For the majority of this journey the train will travel through a majestic landscape; all of the videos were taken from a train travelling in the opposite direction.

South of Carstairs the railway follows a route through the beautiful Southern Uplands.
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South of here and north of Lockerbie station, the views as the railway climbs and then descends over Beattock summit, are particularly special, particularly on the left when heading south.

Heading south from Carstairs Heading south from Carstairs
Approaching the Scottish Uplands Approaching the Scottish Uplands
Passing through the Scottish Uplands Passing through the Scottish Uplands
Between Lockerbie and Carlisle Between Lockerbie and Carlisle
Heading south from Carlisle Heading south from Carlisle
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