Platform 3 is on the right and Platform 4, where the trains from Inverness arrive, is on the left

Edinburgh to Perth by train

How to make the train journey from Edinburgh to Perth

Trains now take two different routes between Edinburgh and Perth as the slightly faster express trains heading beyond Perth now travel via Stirling.
Though on Monday to Saturday the more frequent trains still take the coastal route via Kirkcaldy.
However on Sundays the trains on the route via Kirkcaldy aren't so frequent

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Routes

Option 1: taking the slower trains via the coast

Travel Information

Final Destination: Perth

All trains also depart from: Edinburgh Haymarket

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.

Monday to Saturday: 1 x train per hour
Sunday: 2 x trains

Tickets

Book Early and Save: No

ScotRail does not place discounted Advance tickets on sale for train journeys from Edinburgh to Perth, so you will pay the same price per departure whether you book ahead online, or purchase tickets at the station just prior to boarding.

Though you can save money by travelling at less busy times when Off-Peak tickets will be available, so on this route you can save money by not departing from Edinburgh between 16:20 and 18:20 when Mondays to Fridays are working days.
Because if you do depart Edinburgh at those times only the more expensive type of Peak tickets will be available.

ScotRail offers ticketing deals when Adults travel with children or in groups
Though there's no need to book ahead online to obtain these discounts - you will be charged the same prices when booking these ticket at the station just before boarding .
If you will be booking these deals at the station it can be less confusing to book in person at a ticket counter, rather than using a ticket machine.

Where to book
Ticket Provider Approximate Cost
ScotRail *

ScotRail Guide

On this journey

Journey Features

Scenic - YesCoastal views

Good to Know

As will be seen, there are far fewer trains on this route on Sundays, the only departures are usually scheduled to leave Edinburgh at 17:50 and 18:55.
If you'll want or need to set off sooner then there are typically departures on the other express train route at 09:25; 13:54 and 15:52; plus connections will be available in Stirling if you depart Edinburgh on the trains heading to Dunblane.

The view looking to the right when approaching the Forth Bridge The view looking to the right when approaching the Forth Bridge
Looking down on the Firth of Forth from the other side of the bridge Looking down on the Firth of Forth from the other side of the bridge
The train will spend around 15 mins travelling by the East Fife shore The train will spend around 15 mins travelling by the East Fife shore
The dramatic sea views are on the right when heading north The dramatic sea views are on the right when heading north
Passing through Kinghorn south of Kirkcaldy Passing through Kinghorn south of Kirkcaldy

For much of the journey between Edinburgh and Perth on the route via Kirkcaldy,  the railway line is beside the coastline of East Fife.
Though the sea views on this journey can only be seen on the right-hand side of the train when facing north.

Though the views from the train as it travels by the shore are superseded by one of the most stunning train journey experiences which can be found anywhere in Europe!
Namely the views from the Forth Bridge, which occur around 12 -15 mins after the train has departed from Edinburgh.

Option 2: taking the express trains via Stirling

Travel Information

Final Destination: Inverness

The train which is usually scheduled to depart from Edinburgh at 16:32 on Sunday and 16:34 on Monday to Saturday is the train which will have travelled from London and is operated by LNER.

As will be seen, there are far fewer departures on this route on Sundays, so if you will be travelling on that day of the week and plan to purchase tickets at the station just before boarding, it can be worth looking up the departure times before heading off to Edinburgh Waverley.

Monday = 5 x trains
Tues - Friday = 6 x trains per day
Saturday = 6 x trains
Sunday = 4 x trains

Tickets

Book Early and Save: No

ScotRail does not place discounted Advance tickets on sale for train journeys from Edinburgh to Perth, so you will pay the same price per departure whether you book ahead online, or purchase tickets at the station just prior to boarding.

Though you can save money by travelling at less busy times when Off-Peak tickets will be available, so on this route you can save money by not departing from Edinburgh between 16:20 and 18:20 when Mondays to Fridays are working days.
Because if you do depart Edinburgh at those times only the more expensive type of Peak tickets will be available.

ScotRail offers ticketing deals when Adults travel with children or in groups
Though there's no need to book ahead online to obtain these discounts - you will be charged the same prices when booking these ticket at the station just before boarding .
If you will be booking these deals at the station it can be less confusing to book in person at a ticket counter, rather than using a ticket machine.

Seat reservations are available on these trains, but not on the trains which travel on the other route.

Where to book
Ticket Provider Approximate Cost
ScotRail *

ScotRail Guide

On this journey

Good to Know

All trains also depart from: Edinburgh Haymarket
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.

North of Larbert the views on the left stretch into the distance North of Larbert the views on the left stretch into the distance
On the left north of Gleneagles On the left north of Gleneagles
Looking to the right north of Stirling Looking to the right north of Stirling
The journey has numerous scenic highlights mainly when the train crosses the viaducts The journey has numerous scenic highlights mainly when the train crosses the viaducts
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