5 Ways How To Get From Edinburgh To Glasgow

Are you looking for ways how to get from Edinburgh to Glasgow? I have been to Glasgow a number of times and it is a great way to explore another main city in Scotland. Glasgow is a fun day trip away from Edinburgh. This port city in Scotland is known to many as a great place to do some retail therapy, a place of rich Victorian and art nouveau architecture, enticing visitors and locals alike to come to visit.

You can reach Glasgow from Edinburgh by bus, private transfer, train, taxi and coach. The road distance between Edinburgh and Glasgow is 74 kilometres or 46 miles while the direct distance is 67.5 kilometres or 42 miles. It takes about 46 minutes to travel this distance by car. 

With a wide range of transport options to choose from, all you need to do now is make up your mind: How and when are you going to Glasgow from Edinburgh? Let me help you plan!

How to get from Edinburgh to Glasgow

OPTION 1: How to get from Edinburgh to Glasgow by Bus

• Travel Duration: about 1 hour and 18 minutes
• Travel Fare: from £5.59

There are standard buses operated by Megabus which you can catch from Edinburgh. These air-conditioned buses are equipped with Wifi, charging ports, toilets and wheelchair accessibility. 

Riding a bus to Glasgow is definitely the cheapest way to do so. For just £5.59, you are already able to travel there from Edinburgh. The distance between the two destinations is short, too. You can reach Glasgow from Edinburgh by bus in about 1 hour and 18 minutes. 

The bus departs from Edinburgh Bus Station, Edinburgh North St David Street and Edinburgh Airport Arrivals Terminal. It then arrives at Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station. They have multiple trips daily, so you won’t find it hard to pick a time that best suits your itinerary.

You can book bus tickets via Megabus. Here is some useful information when it comes to their schedules:

Bus from Edinburgh to Glasgow

Route 900 is Citylink’s coach that goes from Edinburgh to Glasgow daily and vice versa. This is a trip that runs every 15 minutes and is frequently used by both visitors and locals.

The coach departs from Edinburgh Station or North St David Street and then makes several stops along key points in the area. The journey ends at the Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station.

You can browse this detailed Citylink timetable to know more about the schedule of Route 900. 

OPTION 2: How to get from Edinburgh to Glasgow by Private Transfer

• Travel Duration: about 1 hour and 15 minutes
• Travel Fare: from £108 for three passengers

It definitely is not the most cost-efficient option out there, but you can still consider hiring a private transfer on your way to Glasgow from Edinburgh. This option works well for those travelling as a group or wanting some privacy when they move from one place to another.

Compared to driving a car, you have a professional driver who is knowledgeable about the UK roads. This is a major advantage and it can save you from a lot of challenges trying to navigate things on your own.

Uber can be booked ahead of time should you need private transfers on your Edinburgh to Glasgow trip. Benefit from the door-to-door service as you don’t have to get other modes of transportation just to bring you to or from your city hotel.

OPTION 3: How to get from Edinburgh to Glasgow by Train

• Travel Duration: about 46 minutes
• Travel Fare: from £13

I personally prefer riding a train from Edinburgh to Glasgow. Not only is it convenient, but it also does not cost much. By booking ahead of time with Trailine, I can score train tickets as low as £13!

From Edinburgh, the train departs from the Edinburgh Waverley Station. You can then choose between Glasgow Central and Glasgow Queen Street for your arrival point.

Here is some useful information when thinking about whether to take the train from Edinburgh to Glasgow:

Train from Edinburgh to Glasgow

OPTION 4: How to get from Edinburgh to Glasgow by Car

• Travel Duration: about 1 hour and 19 minutes
• Travel Fare: from £70.48

If you would like to be in charge of your transport, consider bringing or renting a car on your trip to Glasgow from Edinburgh. Discover Cars has great car rental offers if you are looking to rent. Alternatively, you can also check Europe car for their car rental deals.

To reach Glasgow from Edinburgh by car, you take the M8 for 46 miles or 74 kilometers. If you have driven in the UK before, this option may work well for you. 

If this is your first time driving in the UK, I suggest you read first my article where I shared some UK driving tips for those wanting to brave the roads here.

OPTION 5: How to get from Edinburgh to Glasgow by Taxi

• Travel Duration: about 1 hour
• Travel Fare: from £60

Alternatively, you can hail a taxi cab and travel to Glasgow from Edinburgh. Before you start with your journey, make sure to research about the reasonable fares so that you are protected from any change in rates along the way.

The cost to travel by taxi from Edinburgh to Glasgow ranges from £60 to £100. This depends on the traffic condition and whether you’re booking during daylight or at nighttime.

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