Glasgow to Edinburgh
Straight-Line Distance
~42 miles (67 km) measured directly between central Glasgow and central Edinburgh.
Driving Distance
~47 miles (76 km) via the M8 motorway, taking around 1 hour in normal traffic.
Train Journey Time
The fastest direct trains take about 45 minutes, with services running every 10–20 minutes throughout the day.
Time Zone
Glasgow and Edinburgh are in the same time zone (GMT/BST), so there is no time difference.
How to Calculate the Distance Between Glasgow 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 Glasgow, or a specific area like Queen Street, 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 vs Driving: Which Is Faster?
With trains every 10–20 minutes, rail is by far the most convenient way to cover this short route between Scotland's two biggest cities:
Train (Recommended)
- ~45 minutes to 1 hour city-centre to city-centre
- Direct services from Glasgow Queen Street to Edinburgh Waverley
- Operated mainly by ScotRail, departing every 10–20 minutes
Driving
- ~1 hour in normal traffic via the M8
- Useful if you want to stop in Falkirk or Linlithgow en route
- City-centre parking is more limited than in most UK cities
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Glasgow from Edinburgh?
Glasgow is approximately 42 miles (67 km) from Edinburgh as the crow flies. By road the distance is closer to 47 miles (76 km), depending on the exact route.
How long does it take to drive from Glasgow to Edinburgh?
Driving takes around 1 hour in normal conditions via the M8 motorway. Rush-hour traffic around either city can add 10–20 minutes.
How long is the train from Glasgow to Edinburgh?
The fastest direct trains take about 45 minutes, with most ScotRail services between Glasgow Queen Street and Edinburgh Waverley running 45 minutes to just over an hour.
Is there a time difference between Glasgow 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.
Is it worth flying between Glasgow and Edinburgh?
No. At just 42 miles apart, flying makes little sense — the train covers the route city-centre to city-centre in under an hour, far faster than flying once airport time is factored in.
Planning Your Glasgow to Edinburgh Trip
Train Planning
With trains every 10–20 minutes, there's rarely a need to book far ahead for this short hop.
Road Trip Planning
Factor in around an hour of driving via the M8, plus extra time if you stop at Falkirk's Kelpies along the way.
Day Trips & Commuting
The short train journey makes same-day return trips easy for work, festivals, or sightseeing.
Shipping & Freight
Businesses use the ~47-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.