Edinburgh Rail Trip from London with Castle entry and Hop-on Hop-off bus
Description
See the best of the Scottish capital on this independent day trip from London to Edinburgh. Travel by train through England’s countryside and jump aboard your hop-on hop-off city tour in Edinburgh. Wander along the Royal Mile — a UNESCO World Heritage site — and marvel at the Scottish Crown Jewels inside Edinburgh Castle. Gaze up at the Scott Monument and visit the Scotch Whisky Heritage Center. With your rail travel, hop-on hop-off bus tour (if option selected) and entry to Edinburgh Castle all included, you’re free to explore Edinburgh at your leisure.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Edinburgh Castle is a historic fortress which dominates the skyline of the city of Edinburgh, Scotland, from its position on the Castle Rock. Archaeologists have established human occupation of the rock since at least the Iron Age, although the nature of the early settlement is unclear.
St Giles' Cathedral, also known as the High Kirk of Edinburgh, is the principal place of worship of the Church of Scotland in Edinburgh. Its distinctive crown steeple is a prominent feature of the city skyline, at about a third of the way down the Royal Mile which runs from the Castle to Holyrood Palace
Princes Street Gardens are two adjacent public parks in the centre of Edinburgh, Scotland, lying in the shadow of Edinburgh Castle. The Gardens were created in two phases in the 1770s and 1820s following the long draining of the Nor Loch and building of the New Town, beginning in the 1760s.
Visitors pack the Old Town, a bustling area of centuries-old buildings and narrow alleys. At its heart, perched on an extinct volcano, Edinburgh Castle is home to Scotland’s crown jewels. The Royal Mile, a steep street lined with traditional pubs, casual eateries, souvenir shops and small museums, runs from the castle to the Scottish Parliament and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Queen’s Scottish residence.
The Royal Mile is a succession of streets forming the main thoroughfare of the Old Town of the city of Edinburgh in Scotland. The term was first used descriptively in W M Gilbert's Edinburgh in the Nineteenth Century (1901), "...with its Castle and Palace and the royal mile between", and was further popularised as the title of a guidebook, published in 1920.
Princes Street is one of the major thoroughfares in central Edinburgh, Scotland, and the main shopping street in the capital. It is the southernmost street of Edinburgh's New Town, stretching around 1 mile (1.6 km) from Lothian Road in the west, to Leith Street in the east. The street has virtually no buildings on the south side, allowing panoramic views of the Old Town, Edinburgh Castle, and the valley between. Most of the street is limited to trams, buses and taxis with only the east end open to all traffic.
The Palace of Holyroodhouse, commonly referred to as Holyrood Palace, is the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland, Queen Elizabeth II.
The Palace of Holyroodhouse, commonly referred to as Holyrood Palace, is the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland, Queen Elizabeth II.
The National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland, was formed in 2006 with the merger of the new Museum of Scotland, with collections relating to Scottish antiquities, culture and history, and the adjacent Royal Museum, with collections covering science and technology, natural history, and world cultures.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Outbound: Train departs London Kings Cross: 07:02 / train arrives in Edinburgh: 11:02
- Return: Train departs Edinburgh: 17:13 / train arrives at London Kings Cross: 22:10
- Your electronic tickets and vouchers will be sent to you one week prior to your scheduled departure date via email (or, if booked within one week then within 24 hours of booking). We recommend arriving at Kings Cross Station 30 minutes before your scheduled train departure time
- This tour is unescorted
- Child age: 3-11 yrs
- We will make every effort to fulfil any train seating requests, however, this cannot be guaranteed
- Please do not wait to meet our staff at the train station as we do not conduct in-person departures
Reviews(229)
This was a great trip. I just wish I had done my homework a little better because I did not realize that 8 hours of this trip would be on the train to and from Edinburgh. That did not leave nearly enough time in the castle or in the town.
Great trip and worth it even though fast paced! The train ride was comfortable and 1st class is the way to go!!!!!
Dear Chere_G Thank you for your great feedback! We’re delighted you enjoyed the trip and found it worthwhile, even at a fast pace. It’s also great to hear you found the first-class train experience comfortable—definitely a popular choice! We really appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you on another Evan Evans Tours experience soon. Kind regards, The Evan Evans Tours Team
Very well organised and easy to access all my tickets and vouchers. Much easier than having to do it all myself. I had a fantastic day!
Dear Nicky_M, Thank you very much for your feedback. We’re delighted to hear that the organisation of your tour and the ease of accessing your tickets and vouchers made your day stress-free and enjoyable. It’s wonderful to know that everything ran smoothly and contributed to a fantastic experience. Your kind words will be shared with the team at Evan Evans Tours — they will be greatly appreciated. We hope to welcome you on another tour soon! Kind regards, The Evan Evans Team
This was just a touch of Edinburgh. It was a great train ride. And then you have half a day to see the city.
Dear Kari_C, Thank you for sharing your thoughts on your recent Edinburgh experience with us. We’re glad you enjoyed the scenic train ride, and we appreciate your feedback regarding the time available to explore the city. Our Edinburgh tours are designed to offer a glimpse of this beautiful city, and we understand that half a day provides a brief but memorable introduction. Should you wish to explore Edinburgh in greater depth, we offer a range of tours and itineraries that allow for more extensive time in the city. Thank you for choosing Evan Evans Tours. We hope to welcome you on another tour soon. Regards, Evan Evans Tours
The bus and the tour guide was amazing He answer all our questions and really explain all the necessary things . Highly recommend him . Thanks
Dear georginatQ1108ZR, Thank you for your kind words! We’re thrilled to hear that your guide was so knowledgeable and attentive, answering all your questions and providing thorough explanations. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we’re glad you had such a positive experience. Thanks again for choosing Evan Evans Tours. We hope to welcome you on another tour soon! Regards, Evan Evans Tours Team
Well done and easy to follow directions. Would definitely recommend to anyone wanting to do a day trip from London to Edinburgh.
Dear Hilary_T, Thank you for your kind recommendation. We’re pleased to hear that the directions were clear and easy to follow, making your day trip from London to Edinburgh a smooth experience. Your endorsement means a lot to us. Thank you for choosing Evan Evans Tours. We look forward to welcoming you on another adventure soon. Warm regards, The Evan Evans Team
Walking is extremely difficult. Over a mile an extreme incline to reach castle. Hop on hop off bus ride was OK but it was so crowded. We didn’t use it hardly at all. Food on train was disgusting. Don’t waste your money on first class bring your own food.
Dear Jere_J, Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us. We’re truly sorry to hear that certain aspects of your tour did not meet your expectations. We understand that the walk to the castle can be quite challenging, particularly due to the incline, and we appreciate your honest remarks regarding accessibility. We’re also sorry to hear that the Hop-on Hop-off bus was overcrowded and that the onboard food during your train journey was disappointing. Your feedback regarding the First Class experience is important, and we will ensure it is shared with our travel and rail partners for review. We genuinely value your comments, as they help us improve both the quality and comfort of our tours. Should you choose to travel with us again in the future, we would be more than happy to help recommend options that better suit your needs and expectations. Thank you once again for your feedback. Warm regards, The Evan Evans Team
Very good charming Esinburg!! Long journey!! And little time to tour!! Maybe we already knew. Ls logistica very bine
Dear Monica E, Thank you very much for your kind comments about your visit to Edinburgh. We are glad to hear you enjoyed the city, although we understand the journey was long and the time to explore was somewhat limited. We appreciate your understanding and your words about the tour logistics; we always strive to provide the best possible experience. We look forward to welcoming you again on future excursions. Kind regards, The Evan Evans Tours Team
The trip was one of the most memorable ones. My parents were with us and I was so happy to have given them this holiday opportunity. The train service was excellent and the weather just right!
Dear Pallavi, Thank you so much for sharing your experience! We're thrilled to hear that your trip was memorable, and it's wonderful that you could share this special holiday opportunity with your parents. We're also happy to know that the train service and weather were perfect to enhance your experience. We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you and your family on another unforgettable journey with us in the future! Best regards, The Evan Evans Team
The train had a delay and we had on 4hrs to explore. We couldn’t go into the castle because the road was closed and there were family members who couldn’t do the long hike up to the castle. Waste of money for such a short time. Just buy a train ticket and go on your own time.
Dear Alicia, Thank you for your feedback. We are sorry to hear that the experience failed to meet your expectations. Please send us an email at reservations@evanevanstours.co.uk so we can investigate further. Kind regards, Evan Evans Team
