How to travel from Chester to Edinburgh, United Kingdom

The distance between Chester and Edinburgh is around 378km (235 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to fly which takes around 3hrs.

7 routes found

We've found 7 different ways to get from Chester to Edinburgh by train, bus, car and plane. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.

👋 Also check out EdinburghChester if you're planning a return trip.

🚀 Fastest
1
plane
+

Fly

Fly from Liverpool (LPL) to Edinburgh (EDI).

  • Duration3hrs
  • Flight time1h 45m
  • Typical cost
    £190($225)
Operated byeasyJet+ 2 others

2 similiar routes

We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.

2
train
+

Train

Take the train to Edinburgh.

  • Duration3h 20m
  • Departsevery 4 hours
  • Typical cost
    £110($135)

1 similiar route

We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.

💰 Cheapest
3
bus
+
bus
+

Bus

Take the bus to Manchester Coach Station Chorlton St and then to Edinburgh Bus Station.

  • Duration7h 15m
  • Departsonce daily
  • Typical cost
    £23($27)
Operated by

Multiple bus operators

4
car
+

Drive

Drive to Edinburgh.

  • Duration4h 10m
  • Distance379km (236 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Chester and Edinburgh

There are several options for getting from Chester to Edinburgh by train, bus, car and plane. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around £23 ($27) and will take around 7h 15m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can fly and arrive in approximately 3hrs, though it is a bit more costly at approximately £190 ($225).

The distance between Chester and Edinburgh is around 378km (235 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 308km (191 miles)

It takes around 3h 20m to get from Chester and Edinburgh by train. If you are travelling by car it will take around 4h 10m to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Chester to Edinburgh is to fly which takes around 3hrs and will set you back approx £190 ($225).

The cheapest way to travel between Chester and Edinburgh, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around £23 ($27) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Chester and Edinburgh. It typically takes around 3h 20m and departs every 4 hours.

There are no direct train services that runs from Chester to Edinburgh. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Warrington Bank Quay. These services run every 4 hours and will take a minimum of 3h 20m.

Avanti West Coast, Transport for Wales, Northern Rail and TransPennine Express Service run train services between Chester and Edinburgh. Trains depart every 4 hours and will take around 3h 20m, however, this may vary depending on the particular service and whether it runs express or stops all stations.

Bus travel

Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Chester and Edinburgh. It typically takes around 7h 15m and departs once daily.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Chester to Edinburgh. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Manchester Coach Station Chorlton St and Manchester Shudehill Interchange. These services run once daily and will take a minimum of 7h 15m.

National Express and Megabus UK run regular bus services between Chester and Edinburgh. Buses run once daily and take around 7h 15m on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

Yes you can fly from Chester and Edinburgh. Flights depart from Liverpool (LPL) and arrive at Edinburgh (EDI) - via Belfast (Aldergrove) (BFS). The flight takes around 1h 45m.

There is no direct flight from Chester to Edinburgh. There is however a flight that goes via Belfast (Aldergrove) (BFS). This services will take at least 3hrs (not including layover time).

The flight from Chester to Edinburgh typically takes around 1h 45m. Flights depart from Liverpool (LPL) and and arrive into Edinburgh (EDI).

The closest major airport to Edinburgh is Edinburgh Airport (EDI) (EDI) which is approximately 11km (7 miles) from Edinburgh. Dundee Airport (DND) (DND) and Glasgow Airport (GLA) (GLA) are also nearby and might be a better alternative airport depending on where you are flying from.

Drive yourself

Yes it is possible to drive from Chester and Edinburgh. The distance is around 379km (236 miles) by road and it will take around 4h 10m in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Chester to Edinburgh is to take the train which takes, on average, 3h 20m and will usually cost around £110 ($135).

How do I get from Chester to Edinburgh

Compare travel optionsbetween Chester and Edinburgh

Transport options from Chester to Edinburgh
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Fly + 2 similar
3hrs
£190($225)
hourly546km (339 miles)
Train to Birmingham International, Fly3h 40m
£120($145)
every 2 hours546km (339 miles)
Train and Plane3h 45m
£165($200)
hourly617km (384 miles)
Train + 1 similar
3h 20m
£110($135)
every 4 hours378km (235 miles)
Train via Manchester Piccadilly4h 15m
£59($70)
every 4 hours420km (261 miles)
Bus
7h 15m
£23($27)
once daily494km (307 miles)
Drive
4h 10m
£43($51)
on demand379km (236 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Chester and Edinburgh

Airlines

Airports near Edinburgh

The following major airports near Edinburgh offer regular flights to various popular destinations within United Kingdom and internationally.

EDI
Edinburgh Airport (EDI)
International Airport
Distance
11km (7 miles) from Edinburgh
DND
Dundee Airport (DND)
Domestic Airport
Distance
57km (35 miles) from Edinburgh
GLA
Glasgow Airport (GLA)
International Airport
Distance
78km (48 miles) from Edinburgh