Using Edinburgh Waverley Train Station

I had a friend who visited Edinburgh and overheard my sister in law describing traveling from London to Edinburgh by train as being like 'riding the Hogwarts Express!' My friend's eyes went huge and she said, 'Have you actually been on the Hogwarts Express?'

J.K. Rowling came up with the idea for Harry Potter on a train, probably the one that runs between London and Edinburgh. Of course there is no real Hogwarts Express - or maybe I'm just an old muggle.

Traveling by train can be lovely. Those who get motion sickness might find it slightly easier than riding a bus or even a car along winding Scottish roads. Train travel is great when traveling with active toddlers as they can wander the aisles and not be strapped in. Our boys love watching the trains go by.

Here are questions I have been asked by visitors over the years regarding using the trains.
How do I book train tickets?

Check out this site for booking train tickets: http://www.thetrainline.com

There are other sites as well but the one above promises to be the same price or cheaper.

Buses tend to take forever, but be cheaper than the train. If you want to be on a 10 hour bus ride from London to Edinburgh, that is. The train for the same journey takes 4 hours. We have Megabus here, believe it or not!

How will I know when to get off the train in Edinburgh?

You will know when to get off because the train usually terminates at Edinburgh Waverley. Also every train station has signage and an automatic voice usually plays 'We are approaching Edinburgh Waverley.' If you do accidentally stay on a train which say terminates in Glasgow or elsewhere, explain to the driver or ticket master what happened and he may be able to help you.

back entrance to Edinburgh Waverley

Will there be elevators/ramps at the station?

Europe is terrible about having elevators and ramps but the UK is better than France!

There are lifts at Edinburgh Waverley and Edinburgh airport but you have to look for them.

What do I do at the train station?

Edinburgh Waverley station sides on Prince's Street. You may be able to walk to your destination but Edinburgh Waverley also has a taxi queue. There are signs but if you don't spot them, ask some nice lady. There are also more taxis on Prince's Street, so if the taxi queue seems to be taking ages, you could try out there.

taxi queue on Waverley Bridge outside the station towards the Prince's St exit