London to Edinburgh Distance
The distance from London to Edinburgh is approximately 332 miles (534 km) as the crow flies. By road, the journey is around 405 miles (652 km) mainly via the A1 or M1/M6, taking roughly 6h50min to 7 hours to drive. The fastest LNER trains between London King's Cross and Edinburgh Waverley take about 4 hours, while a direct flight covers the route in around 1 hour 15 minutes. Use the calculator above to check the exact distance between any specific locations in the two cities.
Straight-Line Distance
~332 miles (534 km) measured directly between central London and central Edinburgh.
Driving Distance
~405 miles (652 km) via the A1 or M1/M6, taking around 6h50min to 7 hours.
Train Journey Time
The fastest LNER trains take about 4 hours, with most direct services running 4h to 4h30min.
Flight Time
A direct flight between London and Edinburgh takes around 1 hour 15 minutes in the air.
How to Calculate the Distance Between London and Edinburgh
The exact distance depends on which parts of each city and which route you use. Check any specific starting point in seconds:
Type London, or a specific area like King's Cross, in the "From" field.
Type Edinburgh, or a specific area like Waverley, in the "To" field.
See the exact straight-line distance and full map for your specific locations.
Train, Drive or Fly: Which Is Best?
For a route of this length, the choice usually comes down to train comfort versus flight speed, since driving takes the longest:
Train (City-Centre to City-Centre)
- ~4h to 4h30min direct, no airport transfers needed
- LNER King's Cross to Edinburgh Waverley
- Scenic East Coast route past Durham and the Northumberland coast
Flight
- ~1h15min in the air, but add airport time both ends
- Flights from Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton and Stansted
- Total door-to-door time is often similar to the train
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Edinburgh from London?
Edinburgh is approximately 332 miles (534 km) from London as the crow flies. By road the distance is closer to 405 miles (652 km), depending on the exact route.
How long does it take to drive from London to Edinburgh?
Driving takes around 6 hours 50 minutes to 7 hours in normal conditions via the A1 or the M1/M6 corridor, without stops. Most drivers split the trip with a break, adding an hour or more.
How long is the train from London to Edinburgh?
The fastest LNER trains take about 4 hours, with most direct services between London King's Cross and Edinburgh Waverley running 4h to 4h30min.
How long is the flight from London to Edinburgh?
A direct flight takes about 1 hour 15 minutes in the air. Once check-in, security and airport transfers are included, total door-to-door time is often close to the train.
Is there a time difference between London and Edinburgh?
No. Both cities are in the UK and use the same time zone (GMT in winter, BST in summer), so there is no time difference between them.
Planning Your London to Edinburgh Trip
Train Planning
Book LNER advance tickets early for the cheapest fares on the 4-hour East Coast route.
Flight Planning
Compare total door-to-door time against the train, factoring in airport transfers and security waits.
Road Trip Planning
Break the ~7-hour drive into stages, stopping in York, Durham or Newcastle along the A1.
Shipping & Freight
Businesses use the ~405-mile road distance to estimate delivery timelines between the two cities.
Other Popular UK Distances
Planning more UK travel? Check our UK distance calculator for routes between other British cities.