Travelling from Edinburgh to Glasgow? Here is every realistic way to make the journey — train, coach, driving yourself and private chauffeur — with honest times, costs and trade-offs.
For most solo travellers the train is the quickest and cheapest way between the two city centres. A car wins when you are travelling door to door, as a group, or with luggage.
Edinburgh and Glasgow are about 45 miles apart, linked by the M8 motorway and the busiest rail line in Scotland. The express train runs between the two city centres in under an hour, but it only takes you station to station — Edinburgh Waverley to Glasgow Queen Street. If your journey starts at a home, hotel or office, or ends somewhere outside the centre, the time and hassle at each end adds up.
Here are the five ways to travel, at a glance — then in detail.
| Option | Journey time | Typical cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Train (Waverley – Queen Street) | ~50 min station to station | about £17 return | Solo travellers going centre to centre |
| Coach | 1h15–1h30 | from about £4–10 | The lowest fare, with time to spare |
| Driving yourself | 55–70 min | fuel plus Glasgow parking | Those who need a car at the other end |
| Taxi | ~1h10 door to door | metered, often £100 or more | Short notice, no booking |
| Private chauffeur | ~1h10 door to door | from £210 | Door to door, groups, luggage, business travel |
Times are typical and vary with traffic and time of day. Fares are indicative for 2026 and change with how and when you book — check ScotRail, Citylink and Megabus for current prices.
ScotRail’s express service runs from Edinburgh Waverley to Glasgow Queen Street every 15 minutes for most of the day, taking about 50 minutes. Since ScotRail scrapped peak fares in September 2025, the same fare applies all day — an Edinburgh to Glasgow return was cut to £16.80 at the time. Slower trains also run to Glasgow Central via other routes. The catch: you still have to get to Waverley, and from Queen Street to wherever you are going, with your luggage.
The Citylink and Megabus 900 coach runs frequently between Edinburgh and Glasgow’s Buchanan Bus Station, taking around 75 to 90 minutes depending on traffic. Booked ahead, fares start from a few pounds. It is the budget choice if you have time to spare and light luggage.
The drive along the M8 takes around an hour outside rush hour, but heavy traffic at either end can stretch it. Factor in fuel and city-centre parking in Glasgow, which is limited and charged. It makes sense if you need your own car at the other end; less so if you would rather not deal with traffic and parking.
A taxi will take you door to door, but at this distance the meter runs high — often £100 or more, depending on traffic and where you’re going — and not every driver will take a long run. Ask for an estimate before you set off.
A pre-booked chauffeur collects you from your address in Edinburgh and drives you straight to your door in Glasgow — no stations, no changes and no parking. A Mercedes C-Class from Edinburgh city to Glasgow city starts from £210 with Constantine, with your price confirmed when you book, and you can follow your car with a live tracking link before pickup. For a group sharing the car, or a business trip where you want to work on the way, it is often the better value.
Travelling solo, light, and station to station? Take the train. Watching every pound? The coach. Need a car for the rest of your trip? Drive. Travelling as a family or group, with luggage, for business, or from a door that is nowhere near a station? A private chauffeur takes you door to door in one step. Flying in? See Edinburgh Airport transfers or Glasgow Airport to Edinburgh compared.
A metered taxi is often £100 or more, depending on traffic and your exact pickup and drop-off. A pre-booked Constantine chauffeur is from £210 at a fixed price, door to door.
About an hour on the M8 outside rush hour, and around 1 hour 10 minutes door to door.
The coach, from a few pounds booked ahead. The train is the quickest between the city centres, at around 50 minutes.
Yes. Edinburgh Airport to Glasgow is from £180, with flight tracking and 60 minutes’ waiting. See Edinburgh Airport to Glasgow
Yes. Edinburgh Airport to Glasgow is from £180, with flight tracking and 60 minutes’ waiting. See Chauffeur Edinburgh.
We will quote your Edinburgh to Glasgow journey in advance — one confirmed price, door to door.