waverley station tours

Edinburgh Waverley Station: A Complete Guide

Scotland brings visions of rolling boggy hills, craggy sea-swept cliffs and scenes of border collies herding their flock across the landscape as they have done for half a millennium. It is beautiful, romantic and jammed packed with intriguing and exciting history. One visit and you will have yourself planning another trip instantly.

Edinburgh is a great place to start your European travels, as it is the farthest northern country in Great Britain. Tour around Scotland and then head south hitting stops like Ireland, Wales and England. The best mode of travel you’ll find will be by train. There’s nothing better than seeing the countryside from cushy and comfortable seating, enjoying a cup of tea or coffee as the stunning views appear before you. With the Caledonian Sleeper you can ride in comfort in an overnight sleeper train. Check out Edinburgh Waverley Station as your first stop or as part of your tour of the fabulous tour of Great Britain.

• 1 Edinburgh Waverley Station Overview
• 2 How to Navigate Edinburgh Waverley Station
• 3 How to Buy Tickets at Edinburgh Waverly Station
• 4 Where to Eat at Edinburgh Waverly Station
• 5 Where to Stay Near Edinburgh Waverley Station
• 6 How early do you need to arrive at Edinburgh Waverley Station
• 7.0.1 Stirling
• 7.0.2 Aberdour
• 7.0.3 Glasglow

Edinburgh Waverley Station Overview

The Edinburgh Waverley Station was built in 1868. Not long after, it was realized that the current rail station lines that were available were inadequate for the hoards of people that were clamoring to travel by rail. The station would, subsequently, be expanded two more times encompassing over 23 acres. Edinburgh Waverley Station is an impressive example of the famous Victorian style that you will see in many parts of Scotland and throughout Europe. It is so iconic, that Harry Potter eludes to its grandeur and scenes from Marvel movies have been filmed here. It is Great Britain’s second largest railway station, capable of handling over 30,000 passengers per day.

How to Navigate Edinburgh Waverley Station

In 1897 a fabulous stained glass dome was added and still remains to this day, further adding to the beauty of the station. The glass roof over the station platform adds an airy feel that enhances your experience in the station. In fact, in 2008 , the 28,000 panels that existed were were replaced with glass, modernizing the station and giving it that grand feel. The New Balmoral Hotel is adjacent to the station and retains the Victorian architecture of the station that gives Scotland such charm.

When you enter the main concourse or “Booking Hall”, your eye is immediately drawn up to the stained glass and ornately carved wood dome that was set in place in the late 19th century. It is more reminiscent of a European cathedral than a train station hall. Surrounding the hall you will find restaurants, shops and cafés to peruse or grab a quick bite to eat. In the middle of the Booking Hall is the main Ticketing Office as well as the First Class Lounge. Restrooms and even pay showers are available here if you are only in a layover situation.

Beyond this point, you can take the escalators down and you will find 20 platforms awaiting you. From here, you can take one of many trips to places all around Great Britain. As always, pay close attention to signage and times posted as they are subject to change.

How to Buy Tickets at Edinburgh Waverly Station

There are many ways to buy tickets at the station. In the Booking Hall, there is a main ticket office where you can speak with a representative and get answers to your travel questions. There are also ticketing machines posted throughout the station that sell tickets to all of the rail lines that run from the station. You can also buy tickets in advance online at www.scotrail.co.uk . In addition there is a ticketing kiosk run by Scotrail if you are buying at the station.

Where to Eat at Edinburgh Waverly Station

There are a good number of restaurants, cafés and pubs within the confines of the station. You can choose from the Scottish pub in the heart of the station and have a pint at the Beer House while you await your train. For a quick in and out, there is Burger King and The Bagel Factory. For coffee, good choices are Costa Coffee and Pret Organic Coffee.

However, there are many places just outside the station that are worth your time if you have it. The Booking Office is right outside the station and in the entrance to Waverley Mall, which has a fabulous array for places to fill your tummy. The Booking Office has traditional British food such as Fish and Chips as well as vegan options.

There is also an amazing burger and barbecue restaurant, The Butcher Boy, where you have to try the Braveheart burger named after its fearless character William Wallace. Sushi and Chinese are also not far if you want something with a far east taste.

Where to Stay Near Edinburgh Waverley Station

You can’t really go wrong for convenience and comfort when staying at The Balmoral. The pool and spa add to the already impressive rooms that boast upgraded marble bathrooms along with the room’s beautiful chic french style. Top off the evening with a table at the Brasserie Prince and try their classically wonderful french onion soup and steak tartare.

Try a place of your own by staying at the Parliament Square Royal Mile. You will have a 1,300 square foot home to yourself complete with a city view. If you are planning to stay in Edinburgh for a while, this is a great choice and is only 0.2 miles from Waverley Station.

Do you have a large crew traveling together? Ramsay Gardens is a four bedroom apartment that is 0.3 miles from the station and right next o Edinburgh Castle. You won’t want for anything in this spacious accommodation that has a kitchen and everything you need for a comfortable stay for your week in Edinburgh.

How early do you need to arrive at Edinburgh Waverley Station

This Scottish station is relatively easy to navigate so confusion i kept to a minimum. If you don’t want to shop at Waverley Market on their three floors of anything you need or want, then you just need to get to the station in time to admire the Booking Hall and find your platform. This shouldn’t take more than 20-30 minutes.

Best Trips from Edinburgh Waverley Station

Are you a Braveheart fan? Does the thought of William Wallace defeating the English army have you chanting, “Freedom”! Then you will definitely want to take the beautiful 50 minute train trek to Stirling. Here, you can walk around the National Wallace Monument and learn more about this famous figure of history. Then, take a tour of the grand and magnificent Stirling Castle where Mary Queen of Scots lived out her days as well as many other kings and queens of history. Stirling is also, the gateway to the stunning Scottish Highlands, so you must plan time to walk around the countryside and experience its grandeur.

If you are in Scotland, then you must experience the Scottish coast in all its glory. Enjoy the two town beaches that are regarded as the finest in Scotland. Next, take a walk on a section of the Fife Coastal Path, a dazzling trail on the Scottish coast that boasts cliffside castles, puffins enjoying the rocky coastline, waterfalls and harbor side historic towns. This 116 mile path would take you a couple of weeks to complete, however, pick a section and enjoy it in smaller trips. Get the flavor and feel of Scotland through its nature.

Scotland’s largest city awaits just 50 minutes from Edinburgh. Tour the medieval Glasglow Cathedral and then have lunch in the West End where there are a plethora of cafés and restaurants to sample. Next, enter the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. Not only are this building’s contents interesting and historical, but the building itself is a sight to see. Free of admission, this is one of Scotland’s best tourist attractions and must be seen while you are in Glasglow.

Edinburgh Waverley Station is a beautiful place to be and a great place to land when traveling around Scotland and Great Britain. Whether you are beginning your travels here or this station is a stopover, take the time to enjoy its interesting history and immerse yourself in Scottish culture before heading out on another adventure.

Wendy Edwards

You might also like.

The Northern Belle-10 Things you need to know before riding this train

The Belmond Royal Scotsman-7 Things You Need to Know About This Scottish Luxury Train

The Jacobite-12 Things you need to know before riding the ‘Harry Potter’ Train in Scotland

London Euston Station: A Complete Guide

Caledonian Sleeper Train: Caledonian Double Review

What It’s Like In A Caledonian Sleeper Club Room

Wee Walking Tours

• Apr 19, 2021

Edinburgh Waverley Station: 'Scott'-ish Marvel

There is something romantic and timeless about train travel, and Edinburgh’s Waverley Station has been a part of the magic for nearly 200 years. Join us for our latest ‘explore and discover’ mission as we head into the capital city’s historic railway station to learn a bit about its history, take a wee virtual tour, and uncover a few fun surprises along the way.

Literary Connections

Edinburgh Waverley is nestled between the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh. It is surrounded by some famous ‘neighbours’ including Princes Street, Princes Street Gardens, and North Bridge- all of which are overseen by the imposing fortress, Edinburgh Castle .

Edinburgh Waverley is named after the novel, Waverley , written by one of Scotland’s most famous authors- Sir Walter Scott . In fact, it is the only train station in the world named after a novel. Waverley is considered the first historical novel and celebrated its bicentenary in 2014. As part of the commemorations, The Great Scott! event helped to remind station visitors about its namesake. The occasion involved peppering quotes from Scott throughout the station which are still inspiring visitors today.

Welcome to Scotland

When people arrive at Edinburgh Waverley, it is often their first introduction to Scotland. Each year, the railway station welcomes millions of visitors many of which are originally coming from international locations. On our walking tours, we often get participants from around the world who have taken the train to Edinburgh for their Scottish holiday. While Edinburgh Waverley is sometimes their only stop, for others it is just the first of many planned throughout Scotland.

Arriving in Scotland via Edinburgh Waverley is a classic experience that we highly recommend. There is something magical about taking the lift from the platforms up to Princes Street as the iconic Edinburgh skyline comes into view.

Speaking of magical, one popular route is to travel from London King’s Cross to Edinburgh Waverley. Harry Potter fans from all over the world take the train to Scotland to feel a ‘connection’ to the famous scenes in the books when Harry, Hermione, and Ron travel on the Hogwarts Express to Hogwarts. After all, there are some fascinating connections between Edinburgh and the Harry Potter stories, and we recommend you join us on one of our Wee Golden Walks to learn more.

Victorian Charm

Edinburgh Waverley has evolved a great deal over the centuries since it first opened in the mid-1800s, but it still retains wonderful Victorian charm from the rebuild that took place between 1892 to 1902.

Specifically, one of my favourite places in the station is the Booking Hall originally built in 1897. The room is dominated by the beautiful centre dome, surrounding glass and wood ceiling panels. The Booking Hall was renovated for the 1970 Commonwealth Games held in Edinburgh. According to Canmore (the National Record for the Historic Environment and part of Historic Scotland), as part of that remodelling, the original, wooden central booking office and mosaic floor were removed.

Fortunately, Network Rail (who owns and operates Edinburgh Waverley) points out that, “in 1991 Edinburgh Waverley was granted ‘A’ listing status by Historic Scotland. This meant that any work to be carried out at the station required listed building consent to protect its heritage and architecture”. If you visit Edinburgh Waverley, be sure to take the time to go to the Booking Hall and spend some time taking in the exquisite ceiling.

There is also a wonderful juxtaposition between the old and new architecture throughout Edinburgh Waverley. If you look carefully through the glass in the photo below, you can see the world-famous Balmoral Hotel. As was often the case during the heyday of train travel in the late 19th/ early 20th century, the hotel (opened in 1902) was built by the railway company (at the time- North British Railway) and was originally called The North British Hotel.

Edinburgh Waverley is perhaps most famous for its glass-covered roof that covers 13 acres and was one of the largest in the world when it was built. Most recently, the roof and railway station had a starring role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Avengers Assemble!

For this next bit of film location trivia, you are in for a special treat because, while we briefly discuss this information on our walking tours, you are going to get a special insider’s ‘look’. In Avengers: Infinity War , Wanda and Vision were hiding out in Edinburgh. In an epic fight scene with the Children of Thanos, Wanda and Vision eventually crash through the roof of Edinburgh Waverley and the fight ensues inside the railway station on the platforms. Most of these scenes were filmed on Platform 2 pictured below.

They are eventually joined by Captain American, Falcon, and Black Widow as they fight their way around Waverley. The scene closes with the Quinjet taking off from the Waverley Bridge entrance ramp which you can see below. By the way, Edinburgh isn’t the only Scottish filming location chosen for the MCU. Check out our article on New Asgaard/St Abbs for more.

Waverley Mall/Market

All this action and drama has got me quite exhausted and thirsty. Fortunately, there are numerous food and drink options within Edinburgh Waverley. In addition to these options, there is also a convenient shopping centre- Waverley Mall- attached to Edinburgh Waverley. While the version we see today has a more modern look with chain stores and a food court, its history goes back to the late 1800s.

Waverley Market was originally built at this location in 1874- selling fresh fruits, vegetables, and flowers (the very first Waverley Market was originally situated under North Bridge but had to be moved to its current location when Edinburgh Waverley was built). As you can see in the photo below, the Market’s roof was at street level with a lovely roof-top garden. Inside, was a large market hall space built in the Victorian Arcade-style with cast-iron and glass features that were typical of that era. Waverley Market held fairs, exhibitions, and circuses until the space was renovated to its more modern incarnation as a shopping centre. Unfortunately, almost all its original features were removed during the 1970s/1980s renovations.

Before we conclude this visit, please scroll through and enjoy more photos of Edinburgh Waverley (click the black arrow to navigate through the slideshow):

I hope you have enjoyed our virtual tour of Edinburgh Waverley. Even if you don’t arrive in Edinburgh via train, we highly recommend that you ‘explore and discover’ this historic station that deservedly holds a special place among the Edinburgh landscape.

Until next time- Explore & Discover!

• Edinburgh Visitor Attractions
• History & Culture

Recent Posts

Mellerstain House: Stately Splendour in the Scottish Borders

Walter’s First Castle: A Visit to Aberdour

Captivating Charm at Culzean Castle and Country Park

Waverley Station Globetrotters

Scotland Rail Tours

There has never been a better time to look at rail tours. Trains are comfortable, fast, efficient and one of the greenest ways to travel. With that in mind we have set up Waverley Station Globetrotters to run fully guided rail based holidays. To ensure you get the most from your trip our green rail tours are led throughout by an experienced Scottish Tour Guide, who will help to give depth and colour to the countryside you pass through as well as orientation and information at each stop. 

Most featured destinations and attractions are less than 15 mins walk from the station: the furthest is about 25 minutes, but visitors can choose to do more or less walking according to preference. 

We are conscious that everybody has a different idea of their ideal accommodation, so you are free to book whichever type of accommodation suits you best. 

The tour is designed to fit with a Scotrail pass which allows four days rail travel. However, for many visitors the tour will be only part of a longer trip from further afield so you are free to select the rail pass which best suits your needs. This also allows any discount cardholders to benefit from any discounts on the pass. 

Some visitors will be seasoned rail travellers, but just in case this is your first green rail tour by train, it is worth considering carrying as little as possible with you, as a few destinations have no left luggage facility. If this is part of a longer holiday, consider leaving heavy cases at left luggage before joining the tour. 

The trains we use have onboard toilet facilities and generally feature a snacks trolley, on board wifi and phone charger point (USB port or 13a UK plug). Mobile phone coverage is generally good, but there are still some areas lacking 3G service. Some offer first class sections, but as we use radio receivers for guide communication and need to be in the same carriage it may not be practicable to use first class without losing reception. Most trains are now wheelchair accessible, as are most stations, but it is absolutely essential to book in advance to ensure ramps are in place. If you need wheelchair access you must contact us before booking your tour to allow us to make the necessary arrangements. 

We would be happy to chat to you or answer any queries on  07717718498  or email [email protected]

See our Tours

THE ABERDONIAN

Let the ‘the aberdonian’ whisk you away.

"Steam trains, fine dining and unrivalled coastal views - this could be the perfect day out in Scotland" - The Scotsman

Let the ‘The Aberdonian’ whisk you away as we take in some of the best that Scotland has to offer, both on train and off. Crossing the Forth Bridge, the train runs along the coast for much of its route making it an unrivalled way to experience Scotland. In Aberdeen there is a chance to explore this historic city, or take one of our off train excursions that include a castle or whisky tasting. On board the train you can sit back in comfortable seats and large windows through which to admire the scenery. Our friendly team will look after you, and if you choose to dine with us you will be treated to fine Scottish fare. Come and travel with us as we run regularly over this historic route.

DATES AVAILABLE

SUMMER 2024

Thursday 18 th July

Thursday 25 th July

Saturday 27 th July

Thursday 5 th September

Thursday 12 th September

Saturday 14 th September

PRICES START FROM £115.00

Book Online Below

Call Our Booking Office on 01325488215

OUR JOURNEY

Our journey begins in Scotland’s capital and its imposing Waverley station, right in the heart of the city, in the shadow of the Castle. The train steams through Princes Street Gardens and pauses to pick up further passengers at Haymarket station in the west of the city. From there we leave the city surroundings and pass open countryside before our train will start to slow. The Forth Bridge is one of the wonders of the modern world, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, crossing over 350ft above the water and stretching over one and a half miles in length. First opened in 1890, our train takes the route across this magnificent structure giving amazing views of the Firth of Forth and we cross into the Kingdom of Fife. The railway follows the coast line through Inverkeithing and Burntisland where the city of Edinburgh can be seen across the Forth. Approaching Kirkcaldy the route turns north whilst remaining alongside the coast, but once we leave the town behind we move into the rich countryside of Fife with its farming communities and many golf courses.

The train weaves through lush countryside and along the cliff tops – Drew Adams

The route is then via Perth and follow the route of the River Tay to Dundee.  Our departure from Dundee is through tunnels under the city, and we exit the city and head alongside the River Tay out as far as the world-famous golf course of Carnoustie. We then continue alongside the river as we make our way eastwards passing the coastal town of Arbroath, famous for its Smokie’s which are still produced in the town. Our route takes switches from running along the coast to diving inland and back again before crossing the Montrose Basin with the railway sandwiched between the water and Montrose itself. As we leave Montrose behind we are running through the stunning Scottish countryside as we leave the coast behind for a while. Passing through Laurencekirk and Fordoun and Drumlithie it is a chance to see the lush and unspoiled country for which Scotland is rightly proud.

As our journey progresses we pass Stonehaven and then exit the town on the cliffs above the North Sea. We run high above the water below all the way to Aberdeen now on what is a wonderful finish to a unique railway journey. The train will run at speed alongside the water and on the approach to our destination we will slow and take a winding course through the Granite City before crossing the River Dee on a beautiful curving bridge. Once across the river on our left is the recently refurbished turntable at the former Ferryhill depot. This is where our steam locomotive will be turned for our return journey. We continue on a little further and we then arrive into Aberdeen’s light and airy station ready for onward excursions.

OFF TRAIN EXCURSIONS – 2024

To get a real taste of Aberdeenshire, take the opportunity to book one of our off train excursions, exploring some of the best that the region has to offer. These options are sure to fill up quickly and so must be booked at the time of purchasing your train ticket.

Visit Glen Garioch Distillery – £30

Come join us on a trip down Distillery Road where you'll discover the beating heart of our distillery and the 226 years of craftsmanship that goes into every bottle of Glen Garioch.

Established in 1797, Glen Garioch (pronounced Glen Geery) is one of the oldest working distilleries in Scotland – and its most easterly! The visit includes coach transfers, a tour of the distillery and sampling of two drams of finest Highland Single Malt Whisky for a true taste of Aberdeenshire. Expect hearty highland malts, non-chill filtered as nature intended, with a wholesome maltiness, honeyed sweetness and a delicious creamy texture to savour.

NB. Glen Garioch will be pausing production in July for maintenance, but tours of the distillery will still go ahead and the all important tasting is unaffected! Unfortunately this tour is unavaible on 14 th September.

National Trust for Scotland Castle - £25

DRUM CASTLE

Visit on 18 th July, 25 th July, 5 th September and 12 th September

Jacobite tales whisper through the medieval grand hall of this castle. A guided tour is included.

• Visit one of Scotland’s oldest tower houses.
• Stroll through the Old Wood of Drum, home to oak trees dating from the 1700s.
• Admire Drum’s exquisite chapel, built in the 1500s.
• Relax amid the heady scents of the Garden of Historic Roses.

More information about Drum Castle.

CRATHES CASTLE - Saturday 27 th July

Standing against a backdrop of rolling hills and set within its own glorious gardens, Crathes Castle is every inch the classic Scottish tower house.

• Wander through the historic walled garden dating back to 1702.
• Explore this magnificent 16th-century castle, with its intricate maze of turrets, towers, oak panels and painted ceilings.
• Spot a rich variety of wildlife along our six waymarked trails, including roe deer, red squirrels, woodpeckers, buzzards and herons.

More information about Crathes Castle.

CASTLE FRASER - Saturday 14 th September

Stand before one of the largest tower houses in Scotland, with a core that dates from as early as 1450. Explore the grand hall and towers, discovering the colourful history of the Fraser lairds.

• Discover quirky features such as the Laird’s Lug, hidden trapdoors, secret staircases and a spy hole!
• Admire fascinating family treasures and portraits, including a Raeburn.
• Venture up to the top of the round tower for incredible views.

More information about Castle Fraser.

A coach will transfer passengers from Aberdeen Station for all castle excursions.

EXPLORING ABERDEEN

There is plenty to see and do in the centre of the bustling city of Aberdeen, and a lot of attractions are within easy walking distance of the station. For those attractions a little further out, there are local taxis and regular bus services: a hopper ticket to explore the city by bus costs less than £5.

EASY WALKING DISTANCE

Nuart self guided walking tour – Nuart Aberdeen is the only street art festival in Scotland and one of the UK’s leading festivals of its kind. Artists from around the globe transform the walls and buildings of Aberdeen with works of art that are free for all to enjoy 365 days a year. Take the Nuart tour for yourself and explore Aberdeen City Centre.

Maritime Museum – Aberdeen Maritime Museum tells the story of the city’s long relationship with the Sea. This award-winning museum is located on the historic Shiprow, just five minutes from the station, and parts of the building date back to 1593. The Maritime Museum houses a unique collection and is the only place in the UK where you can see displays on the North Sea oil and gas industry. Aberdeen Maritime Museum offers visitors a spectacular viewpoint over the busy working harbour.

EXPLORE FURTHER

Old Aberdeen – 2.5m from the station, number 20 bus route. Monks and scholars, traders and travellers settled round Old Aberdeen in the area where 14th century St Machars Cathedral still stands and where Kings College, the forerunner to Aberdeen University, was founded by Bishop Elphinstone in 1495. Step back in time as you tour the late-medieval cobbled streets and make some time to appreciate the old perfectly blended with the new as you admire the architecturally distinctive Sir Duncan Rice Library.

The Gordon Highlanders Museum – 2.5m from the station, number 11 bus route. The Gordon Highlanders Museum is a ‘5-star Visit Scotland’ Tourist Attraction based in the west end of Aberdeen. It is committed to preserving and sharing the legacy of the world-famous Gordon Highlanders Regiment for future generations to enjoy, providing a wide range of unique experiences for all visitors, young and old.

RSPB Dolphin Watch – Intelligence, acrobatic ability and good looks, bottle-nose dolphins have it all. Jump in a taxi and travel 2 miles to Torry Battery, where from the high vantage point you can watch the dolphins and discover panoramic views of the harbour mouth and North Sea. The mouth of Aberdeen Harbour is one of the best places in Europe to spot bottle-nose dolphins and Scotland is home to the largest in the world! The team of volunteers are on site April – August and provide telescopes and binoculars.

TELEPHONE BOOKINGS

Speak to someone in the Booking Office to find out more and make your booking over the phone.

We look forward to welcoming you aboard The Aberdonian this summer.

Sign up to one of our mailing lists

60163 TORNADO

2007 PRINCE OF WALES

Important notice.

We are moving to our new works this week and our office will be closed during this time and we will not be available to answer any calls or emails. Online donations and bookings will be unaffected.

Edinburgh Waverley Station

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Also popular with travellers

Edinburgh Waverley Station - All You MUST Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

• Silent Disco Adventure Tour (From AU$36.61)
• 3-Day Rail Trip to Edinburgh, Loch Ness and the Highlands from London (From AU$1,732.41)
• Royal Mile Guided Walking Tour in Edinburgh (From AU$47.49)
• City Sightseeing Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour (From AU$35.61)
• Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off City and Britannia Joint Tour (From AU$39.56)
• (0.12 km) The Balmoral Hotel
• (0.11 km) Market Street Hotel
• (0.15 km) The Inn Place
• (0.16 km) Hotel Indigo Edinburgh - Princes Street, an IHG Hotel
• (0.17 km) Motel One Edinburgh-Princes
• (0.02 km) The Beer House
• (0.03 km) Pret A Manger
• (0.05 km) Caffe Nero
• (0.12 km) Number One at The Balmoral
• (0.16 km) La Locanda Italian Edinburgh
• (0.04 km) Natura Bikes
• (0.15 km) Flor de Escocia
• (0.12 km) Edinburgh iCentre
• (0.16 km) Lothian Motorcoaches
• (0.16 km) The Potter Tour

Edinburgh Waverley Station

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Also popular with travellers

Edinburgh Waverley Station - Things You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

• Silent Disco Adventure Tour (From C$32.46)
• 3-Day Rail Trip to Edinburgh, Loch Ness and the Highlands from London (From C$1,536.10)
• Royal Mile Guided Walking Tour in Edinburgh (From C$42.11)
• City Sightseeing Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour (From C$31.58)
• Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off City and Britannia Joint Tour (From C$35.08)
• (0.12 km) The Balmoral Hotel
• (0.11 km) Market Street Hotel
• (0.15 km) The Inn Place
• (0.16 km) Hotel Indigo Edinburgh - Princes Street, an IHG Hotel
• (0.17 km) Motel One Edinburgh-Princes
• (0.02 km) The Beer House
• (0.03 km) Pret A Manger
• (0.05 km) Caffe Nero
• (0.12 km) Number One at The Balmoral
• (0.16 km) La Locanda Italian Edinburgh
• (0.04 km) Natura Bikes
• (0.15 km) Flor de Escocia
• (0.12 km) Edinburgh iCentre
• (0.16 km) Lothian Motorcoaches
• (0.16 km) The Potter Tour

Edinburgh Waverley

A better, brighter station for edinburgh.

Waverley station opened in 1846 and was rebuilt between 1892 and 1902. It lies between the old town and modern Edinburgh, adjacent to Princes Street, Edinburgh Castle and the Princes Street Gardens.

In addition to playing a unique role in Scotland’s history, Waverley station is vital to the country’s economic success, by delivering capacity for new rail lines such as the Airdrie-Bathgate rail link and Borders Railway, and supporting the Edinburgh-Glasgow improvement programme and the Intercity Express programme.

In a £130m investment programme, Edinburgh Waverley station has been transformed to create an environment that meets passengers’ 21st century needs while preserving Waverley’s rich heritage.

Station opening hours

• Monday to Saturday: 04:00 – 00:45
• Sunday: 06:00 – 00:45

Tickets and travel information

National Rail Enquiries 03457 48 49 50

Textphone:  0345 60 50 600 Welsh language line:  0345 60 40 500

Station enquiries

General station enquiries:  03457 11 41 41

Find your way around using the  Edinburgh Waverley Station Map (PDF, 104 KB)

British Transport Police

There is no  British Transport Police office in this station.

For assistance, call  0800 40 50 40  (24 hours), text 61016 , or speak to any member of station staff. In an emergency call  999 .

British Transport Police in our stations

Related pages

Keep up to date with what’s happening.

Boomers Daily

Walking Tours: Waverley Train Station Area Of Edinburgh, Scotland

Edinburgh Waverley railway station is the principal station serving Edinburgh, Scotland. It is the second busiest station in Scotland, after Glasgow Central.

Edinburgh is Scotland’s compact, hilly capital. It has a medieval Old Town and elegant Georgian New Town with gardens and neoclassical buildings. Looming over the city is Edinburgh Castle, home to Scotland’s crown jewels and the Stone of Destiny, used in the coronation of Scottish rulers. Arthur’s Seat is an imposing peak in Holyrood Park with sweeping views, and Calton Hill is topped with monuments and memorials. 

December 2020

Share this:

Leave a reply cancel reply, news, views and reviews for the intellectually curious.

• Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
• Subscribe Subscribed
• Copy shortlink
• Report this content
• View post in Reader
• Manage subscriptions
• Collapse this bar

Edinburgh Waverley Station

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Also popular with travellers

EDINBURGH WAVERLEY STATION: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Parking, Travel & Free Public Shuttle

Find out more about parking, travel and the free public bus shuttle service to the 2024 Genesis Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club.

Travel By Car

We have directions from five nearby cities to The Renaissance Club which can help you whether you plan on travelling by car or public transport. 

Click here if travelling from Edinburgh. Click here if travelling from Falkirk. Click here if travelling from Glasgow. Click here if Travelling from Kirkcaldy. Click here if travelling from Newcastle upon Tyne.

Spectators should follow the yellow AA event signage which will direct you to the public car park. 

There will be no access to The Renaissance Club for spectators’ vehicles, except those with valid car park labels.

Travel By Train & Free Public Shuttle

Spectators travelling by train should stop at the Longniddry Rail Station. All ticket holders will be able to use the free bus service, which will drop you off at the entrance to the Genesis Scottish Open. Shuttles will meet each train at Longniddry travelling both from Edinburgh and to Edinburgh.

Please find below the times for trains and buses travelling from Longniddry and North Berwick to Edinburgh Waverley: (note: timings subject to change).

North Berwick to Edinburgh Waverley

Saturday: 18:24, 18:52, 19:33

Sunday: 18:20, 19:25, 20:19**

Longniddry to Edinburgh Waverley

Saturday: 18:37 19:05, 19:45

Sunday: 18:33, 19:38, 20:33

124 Bus Times

Saturday: 18:30, 19:30, 20:00,.20:45, 21:55, 23:00

Sunday: Same as Above

Click here to view the free shuttle bus timetable.

Accessibility Information

There will be dedicated disabled spaces on site for spectators whose vehicles display a blue badge. The disabled car park is situated in Car Park 2. Wheelchair users will need to contact [email protected] in order to make arrangements in advance and gain admission to the site.

Spectators wanting to rent an electric scooter will be able to do so at the Event Mobility tent located in the village. Event Mobility is a charity and kindly asks for a donation of £35 for using electric scooters and £15 for the manual wheelchairs. These can be pre-booked on their website with the link here .

Spectators can also pick them up on the day and these are available on a first come first served basis.

Click here for more information.

Taxi and Uber drop off and collection is available and will be at the public car park only. There is strictly no Taxi/Uber drop off at The Renaissance Club for General ticket holders. 

For more information on local transport, please download the Transport for Edinburgh App.

Southeast Scotland Transport Partnership

Go ahead and download off the  Apple App Store  or the  Google Play Store  now!

DP World Tour Partners

• Preplanned tours
• Daytrips out of Moscow
• Themed tours
• Customized tours
• St. Petersburg

Moscow Metro

The Moscow Metro Tour is included in most guided tours’ itineraries. Opened in 1935, under Stalin’s regime, the metro was not only meant to solve transport problems, but also was hailed as “a people’s palace”. Every station you will see during your Moscow metro tour looks like a palace room. There are bright paintings, mosaics, stained glass, bronze statues… Our Moscow metro tour includes the most impressive stations best architects and designers worked at - Ploshchad Revolutsii, Mayakovskaya, Komsomolskaya, Kievskaya, Novoslobodskaya and some others.

What is the kremlin in russia?

The guide will not only help you navigate the metro, but will also provide you with fascinating background tales for the images you see and a history of each station.

And there some stories to be told during the Moscow metro tour! The deepest station - Park Pobedy - is 84 metres under the ground with the world longest escalator of 140 meters. Parts of the so-called Metro-2, a secret strategic system of underground tunnels, was used for its construction.

During the Second World War the metro itself became a strategic asset: it was turned into the city's biggest bomb-shelter and one of the stations even became a library. 217 children were born here in 1941-1942! The metro is the most effective means of transport in the capital.

There are almost 200 stations 196 at the moment and trains run every 90 seconds! The guide of your Moscow metro tour can explain to you how to buy tickets and find your way if you plan to get around by yourself.

Moscow Metro Tour

• Page active

Description

Moscow metro private tours.

• 2-hour tour $87:  10 Must-See Moscow Metro stations with hotel pick-up and drop-off
• 3-hour tour $137:  20 Must-See Moscow Metro stations with Russian lunch in beautifully-decorated Metro Diner + hotel pick-up and drop off. 
• Metro pass is included in the price of both tours.

Highlight of Metro Tour

• Visit 10 must-see stations of Moscow metro on 2-hr tour and 20 Metro stations on 3-hr tour, including grand Komsomolskaya station with its distinctive Baroque décor, aristocratic Mayakovskaya station with Soviet mosaics, legendary Revolution Square station with 72 bronze sculptures and more!
• Explore Museum of Moscow Metro and learn a ton of technical and historical facts;
• Listen to the secrets about the Metro-2, a secret line supposedly used by the government and KGB;
• Experience a selection of most striking features of Moscow Metro hidden from most tourists and even locals;
• Discover the underground treasure of Russian Soviet past – from mosaics to bronzes, paintings, marble arches, stained glass and even paleontological elements;
• Learn fun stories and myths about Coffee Ring, Zodiac signs of Moscow Metro and more;
• Admire Soviet-era architecture of pre- and post- World War II perious;
• Enjoy panoramic views of Sparrow Hills from Luzhniki Metro Bridge – MetroMost, the only station of Moscow Metro located over water and the highest station above ground level;
• If lucky, catch a unique «Aquarelle Train» – a wheeled picture gallery, brightly painted with images of peony, chrysanthemums, daisies, sunflowers and each car unit is unique;
• Become an expert at navigating the legendary Moscow Metro system;
• Have fun time with a very friendly local;
• + Atmospheric Metro lunch in Moscow’s the only Metro Diner (included in a 3-hr tour)

Hotel Pick-up

Metro stations:.

Komsomolskaya

Novoslobodskaya

Prospekt Mira

Belorusskaya

Mayakovskaya

Novokuznetskaya

Revolution Square

Sparrow Hills

+ for 3-hour tour

Victory Park

Slavic Boulevard

Vystavochnaya

Dostoevskaya

Elektrozavodskaya

Partizanskaya

Museum of Moscow Metro

• Drop-off  at your hotel, Novodevichy Convent, Sparrow Hills or any place you wish
• + Russian lunch  in Metro Diner with artistic metro-style interior for 3-hour tour

Fun facts from our Moscow Metro Tours:

From the very first days of its existence, the Moscow Metro was the object of civil defense, used as a bomb shelter, and designed as a defense for a possible attack on the Soviet Union.

At a depth of 50 to 120 meters lies the second, the coded system of Metro-2 of Moscow subway, which is equipped with everything you need, from food storage to the nuclear button.

According to some sources, the total length of Metro-2 reaches over 150 kilometers.

The Museum was opened on Sportivnaya metro station on November 6, 1967. It features the most interesting models of trains and stations.

Coffee Ring

The first scheme of Moscow Metro looked like a bunch of separate lines. Listen to a myth about Joseph Stalin and the main brown line of Moscow Metro.

Zodiac Metro

According to some astrologers, each of the 12 stops of the Moscow Ring Line corresponds to a particular sign of the zodiac and divides the city into astrological sector.

Astrologers believe that being in a particular zadiac sector of Moscow for a long time, you attract certain energy and events into your life.

Paleontological finds 

Red marble walls of some of the Metro stations hide in themselves petrified inhabitants of ancient seas. Try and find some!

• Every day each car in  Moscow metro passes  more than 600 km, which is the distance from Moscow to St. Petersburg.
• Moscow subway system is the  5th in the intensity  of use (after the subways of Beijing, Tokyo, Seoul and Shanghai).
• The interval in the movement of trains in rush hour is  90 seconds .

What you get:

• + A friend in Moscow.
• + Private & customized Moscow tour.
• + An exciting pastime, not just boring history lessons.
• + An authentic experience of local life.
• + Flexibility during the walking tour: changes can be made at any time to suit individual preferences.
• + Amazing deals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the very best cafes & restaurants. Discounts on weekdays (Mon-Fri).
• + A photo session amongst spectacular Moscow scenery that can be treasured for a lifetime.
• + Good value for souvenirs, taxis, and hotels.
• + Expert advice on what to do, where to go, and how to make the most of your time in Moscow.

Write your review

Home Page › Our tours

• Our Service
• Our Photo Album

We take part in BBC series of documentaries "World's Busiest Cities"(Moscow)

Buy Tickets to the Bolshoi Theatre

Other special offers...

Interpreting and assistance at exhibitions and conferences, our garage ( vehicles+drivers), where to stay in moscow, what and where to eat in moscow, visa support, learning and discovery, our partners (trips to st.petersburg).

Copyright 2015 - Moscow Navigator