Are you looking for ways how to get from Edinburgh to Stirling Castle in Scotland? If you are in Edinburgh, a visit to the Stirling Castle is a must. Exploring its beautifully restored royal residences and enjoying interactive exhibits are just some of the many activities you can do in this historic landmark.
You can reach Stirling Castle from Edinburgh by train, bus, car, tour, and taxi. The road distance between Edinburgh and Stirling Castle is 64.53 kilometres or 40.1 miles while the direct distance is 50 kilometres or 31 miles. It takes about 55 minutes to travel this distance by car.
If you are ready for a day trip of a lifetime, let’s begin your adventure by looking at the many ways that you can travel from Edinburgh to Stirling Castle. Whether you like to drive yourself or would rather use public transport, our guide has every essential covered.
How to get from Edinburgh to Stirling Castle
OPTION 1: How to get from Edinburgh to Stirling Castle by Train
- Travel Duration: about 42 minutes
- Travel Fare: from £6
The easiest way to get from Edinburgh to Stirling Castle is by train. This option is made possible by train operators ScotRail and LNER. They have regular trips between the two destinations which you can book online via Omio.
To give you a better idea of how to travel from Edinburgh to Stirling Castle by train, here is a sample timetable:
Train from Edinburgh to Stirling Castle
| DEPARTURE | ARRIVAL | DURATION | FARE | |
| Earliest trip | 5:18 am | 6:06 am | 48 minutes | £14 |
| Cheapest trip | 4:33 pm | 5:15 pm | 42 minutes | £6 |
| Fastest trip | 10:33 am | 11:16 am | 43 minutes | £14 |
| Latest trip | 11:35 pm | 12:23 am | 48 minutes | £14 |
Trains depart from Edinburgh Waverley Station and arrive at Stirling Station. This train ride is direct. Keep in mind that Stirling Castle is still a short distance away from the train station, specifically 1.2 miles in distance.
From the station, you can either take a taxi or enjoy a short walk to the castle. It will take at least 16 minutes for you to reach Stirling Castle from the train station by foot via Irvine PI.
BEST TRAIN DEALS!
If you are looking to travel by train for your upcoming trip to the UK, I recommend checking Omio. They are a one-stop shop for trains and other transportation that suit your budget and schedule.
OPTION 2: How to get from Edinburgh to Stirling Castle by Bus
- Travel Duration: about 54 minutes
- Travel Fare: from £7
Another public transport which you can take is the bus. Travel from Edinburgh to Stirling Castle via bus by booking a trip with Megabus. You can head over to Trainline and see all the timeslots available for your choosing.
Here is a rundown of how it is to travel from Edinburgh to Stirling Castle by bus:
Bus from Edinburgh to Stirling Castle
| DEPARTURE | ARRIVAL | DURATION | FARE | |
| Earliest and cheapest trip | 7:00 am | 8:30 am | 1 hour 30 minutes | £7 |
| Latest and fastest trip | 8:20 pm | 9:14 pm | 54 minutes | £7 |
From Edinburgh, your departure point can either be Edinburgh, Elder Street Station or Ingliston, Airport (Stance C). All buses arrive at Stirling, Goosecroft Bus Station. From here, the castle is still 1.2 miles away.
Your choice is to walk via Irvine PI (which will take about 19 minutes) or hail a taxi cab (which will mean a short 7-minute ride.)
BEST COACH / BUS DEALS!
If you are planning to travel via coach or bus for your upcoming UK trip, I recommend searching for the best coach or bus fare deals with Trainline. They have a great network of coach or bus services across the four corners of the United Kingdom.
OPTION 3: How to get from Edinburgh to Stirling Castle by Car
- Travel Duration: about 54 minutes
- Travel Fare: from £26
A good option to have is a rental car. You can directly get to Stirling Castle from Edinburgh if you are driving a vehicle yourself. This saves you from having to stop at a station and walk or take a taxi in order to reach Stirling Castle.
To drive from Edinburgh to Stirling Castle, take the M8 motorway westbound from Edinburgh, and then follow signs for Glasgow. Merge onto the M9 motorway and then follow the directions going to Stirling.
Stay on the M9 until you reach Exit 9 for Stirling. Afterward, follow the road signs that point you to Stirling Castle. Look for the designated parking area once you reach your destination.
Is this your first time driving in Scotland? Make sure to read my personal driving tips for those who are on a road adventure in the UK for the first time. Also, if you are on the hunt for the best deals, Discover Cars has all the great offers from major rental car companies all on one page.
Before deciding to drive a car from Edinburgh to Stirling Castle, research on road, weather, and traffic conditions. It is also helpful to have a GPS or a map app on your phone to help you in navigation.
BEST CAR RENTAL DEALS!
If you are planning to book a car rental for your upcoming trip. I recommend searching for the best car rental deals with Discover Cars. They have various options that suit your budget.
OPTION 4: How to get from Edinburgh to Stirling Castle by Tour
- Travel Duration: about 10 hours
- Travel Fare: from £45.90
You can also choose to have everything arranged for you and just be ready to explore Stirling Castle. Get Your Guide has many arranged tours that bundle the castle with other beautiful destinations within the area.
Take this tour of Stirling Castle, Kelpies, and Loch Lomond from Edinburgh. Allow a full day if you are booking this trip because there is so much to cover on this side of Scotland.
Your air-conditioned bus will depart from Edinburgh and then will go to The Kelpies as your first stop. Afterward, you will head towards Balloch and possibly go on a cruise on the famous Loch Lomond.
Next will be the trip to Stirling, the location of Stirling Castle. You will have ample time to explore the area before heading back to Edinburgh with the same bus.
Aside from this tour package, you can also combine your Stirling Castle visit with other activities such as an exploration of Loch Lomond and a fun Whisky Tour – all from Edinburgh. This tour features a trip to one of the Scotch Whisky distilleries, Clydeside.
Another destination included in this tour is the Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park. You can relax, stroll, and have lunch at this stop. Then, you will pay a visit to Stirling Castle. Keep in mind that admission is not included in this package.
Before heading back to Edinburgh, your last stop will be The Kelpies. As the tour backgrounder describes it, this “engineering miracle” is definitely something you must see in person.
HERE ARE SOME OF THE MOST RECOMMENDED TOURS IN STIRLING CASTLE:
OPTION 5: How to get from Edinburgh to Stirling Castle by Taxi
- Travel Duration: about 39 minutes
- Travel Fare: from £86
If you wish to have the vehicle to yourself and would rather have an experienced local driver to take care of the navigation, better to take a taxi for your trip to Stirling Castle from Edinburgh.
Simply hail a cab, or ask help from your hotel receptionist in getting one. Before you start your journey, make sure that you agree on how to set the price for the ride. The estimated taxi fare for this route is £86.
If you are traveling as a group, you can simply divide the cost among yourselves. This is definitely a more expensive option, but if you wish to have more privacy, then taking a taxi will work for you.
More About Stirling Castle
Map of Stirling Castle, Stirling, Scotland
HOW TO USE THIS MAP TO BOOK YOUR RESERVATIONS:
CLICK the YELLOW MARKER OR THE DROP DOWN MENU next to the title to see the various things to do and point of interest in this guide and CHOOSE your desired preview of the map, whether HOTELS & RENTALS, EXPERIENCES, RESTAURANTS OR OTHERS. Feel free to use the filters, number of guests, and your preferred dates. You can see more information about the different attractions (the GREEN MARKERS) when you click the icons, as well as finding your perfect accommodation that will suit your budget and location. You could also book your guided tours and restaurants using the map.
FAQs on How to Get from Edinburgh to Stirling Castle
Can you get to Stirling Castle by train?
Yes, you can get to Stirling Castle from Edinburgh by train. Trains depart from Edinburgh Waverley Station and arrive at Stirling Station.
How far is Stirling train station to the castle?
Stirling train station is 1.2 miles away from the castle.
How to get from Edinburgh to Stirling Castle without a car?
If you do not wish to bring a car to Stirling Castle, you can take a train, bus, taxi, or join a tour.
Is Stirling Castle worth a visit?
Yes, Stirling Castle is definitely worth a visit! This landmark has historic significance and stunning views that you need to experience firsthand.
Which castle is better Edinburgh or Stirling?
Edinburgh Castle and Stirling Castle are two of the most popular castles to visit in Scotland. While there is definitely more to see at Edinburgh Castle, Stirling Castle has magnificent architecture and interesting stories that are worth a visit.
Can you walk to Stirling Castle from the train station?
Yes, you can walk to Stirling Castle from the train station. It will take at least 16 minutes for you to reach Stirling Castle from the train station by foot via Irvine PI.
What is the cheapest way to get from Edinburgh to Stirling Castle?
The cheapest way to get from Edinburgh to Stirling Castle is by train – if you manage to book with LNER. A one-way trip can go as low as £6 as long as you plan ahead.
What is the fastest way to get from Edinburgh to Stirling Castle?
The fastest way to get from Edinburgh to Stirling Castle is by taxi. You can reach your destination in as fast as 39 minutes through this mode of transport.
What is the best way to get from Edinburgh to Stirling Castle?
The best way to get from Edinburgh to Stirling Castle is by joining a tour. When you book a tour with Get Your Guide, you can visit not only Stirling Castle but also other enticing destinations along the way.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Everything Zany
Travel Blog
Everything Zany Travel Blog exploring the UK and beyond. Sharing travel guides, tips, history, and culture. Our travel media brand is founded by travel and hotel industry expert – Ryazan Tristram, a Dual Citizen (British–Filipina) based in Birmingham, UK. Everything Zany is a reputable and award-winning travel blog. Our work and contributions have been featured in the Huffington Post, CNBC, Discovery Channel, GMA, Readers Digest, and Lonely Planet. Our mission is to build a great travel community and resource of travel tips, visas, and travel guides for travelers. Join us as we travel around the UK and beyond with a mission to share the best of the world.
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