Edinburgh Waverley — Attraction in City of Edinburgh

Edinburgh Waverley railway station (also known simply as Waverley; Scottish Gaelic: Waverley Dhùn Èideann) is the principal station serving Edinburgh, Scotland. It is the second busiest station in Scotland, after Glasgow Central. It is the northern terminus of the East Coast Main Line, 393 miles 13 chains (632.7 km) from London King's Cross, although some trains operated by London North Eastern Railway continue to other Scottish destinations beyond Edinburgh.

Services to and from Edinburgh Waverley are primarily operated by Abellio ScotRail, including five routes to Glasgow, the Fife Circle, the recently reopened Borders Railway and services to Stirling/Dunblane/Alloa/North Berwick/Dunbar. The station is the terminus of the Edinburgh leg of the West Coast Main Line and East Coast Main Line. served by Avanti West Coast and TransPennine Express. Long distance inter-city trains are operated by CrossCountry to destinations such as Newcastle, York, Leeds, Sheffield, Derby, Birmingham New Street, Bristol Temple Meads, Exeter St Davids and Plymouth.

Waverley station is situated in a steep, narrow valley between the medieval Old Town and the 18th century New Town.

Princes Street, the premier shopping street, runs close to its north side. The valley is bridged by the North Bridge, rebuilt in 1897 as a three-span iron and steel bridge, on huge sandstone piers. This passes high above the station's central section, directly over the central booking hall (which cleverly hides one of the main stone piers within its bulk). Waverley Bridge lies to the west side of the station (though platforms extend below it) and it is this road which, by means of ramps, formerly afforded vehicular access to the station and still provides two of the six pedestrian entrances to the station. The valley to the west, formerly the site of the Nor Loch, is the public parkland of Princes Street Gardens.

As at other large railway stations of the Victorian and Edwardian eras, the railway company constructed a grand station hotel beside their station. The North British Hotel, adjacent to the station at the corner between Princes Street and North Bridge (on the site of the coachworks) opened in 1902. In 1983 British Rail sold it to the Forte hotel group. In 1988 Forte closed the hotel for a year to extensively remodel and update what had become something of a faded jewel. When it reopened it was rechristened The New Balmoral Hotel, maintaining the "NB" initials in what has proved to be an astute marketing move, despite the hotel being 115 miles (185 km) from Balmoral Castle. Subsequently, "New" was dropped from the name. The hotel enjoys commanding views over central Edinburgh and is one of the most luxurious (and expensive) hotels in the UK. There is no longer a direct entrance from the station.

Waverley Mall is a shopping centre which occupies the space between Waverley Station, Waverley Bridge, Princes Street and the Balmoral hotel. It was formerly known as Waverley Market, Waverley Shopping Centre, and Princes Mall, and opened in 1985. The mall has benefited from the installation of escalators on the Waverley Steps to Princes Street in 2011. From 1844-1938 the site was home to a fruit and vegetable market, which got an iron roof...

Edinburgh Waverley Station is, without a doubt, one of the best railway stations I've ever visited. As soon as you step in, you're hit with a perfect mix of the city’s rich history and modern-day convenience. Situated in the heart of Edinburgh, it’s ideally placed for both tourists and locals, offering easy access to the city’s main attractions like the Royal Mile and Princes Street.

The station itself is a piece of art. The Victorian architecture, including the grand arches and the vast glass roof, is absolutely stunning. You can’t help but feel the weight of history as you stand there, knowing this station has been in operation since 1846. Yet, despite its age, it feels incredibly modern. The interior is well-maintained, clean, and spacious, with plenty of amenities like cafes, shops, and waiting areas. The staff are always helpful, and there’s a real sense of order and efficiency throughout the station.

As for convenience, it’s hard to beat. The station is incredibly well-connected, with direct trains to all parts of Scotland and beyond. Whether you're heading to Glasgow, the Highlands, or even London, you’ll find quick and easy train services right at your fingertips. The station’s layout is easy to navigate, and there are clear signs to guide you to your platform. The train schedules are reliable, and I’ve always found the trains to be punctual.

The location is also a huge plus. Being situated between Edinburgh’s Old and New Towns, it’s perfectly positioned for visitors to explore the best parts of the city. After your journey, you’re just a short walk away from major landmarks like the Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, and Princes Street.

Overall, Waverley Station manages to combine the charm of Edinburgh’s past with the efficiency of modern travel, making it a standout part of the city’s infrastructure. Whether you’re just passing through or starting your journey, it’s a station that truly represents the best of Edinburgh. I can’t...

I am so impressed with Edinburgh Waverley train station staff. I would particularly like to thank Patricia, Tom and Paul.

This weekend I had planned on visiting my friend in London. I had booked the 7.04am train from Eskbank this morning - 8.00am Edinburgh Waverley - London Kings Cross.

To my dismay, when I arrived at Waverley train station I realised I had left my purse on the train with my money, cards and ID. Naturally I burst out crying and thought my weekend was spoiled and I would have to cancel my trip.

Until I approached Patricia, one of the staff at Edinburgh Waverley, she was so comforting, and reassured me that she would get the purse back and speak to someone to reschedule my train. The train from Eskbank was heading towards Glenrothes so she phoned the guard on the train to find my purse and bring it back to Edinburgh Waverley. She then spoke to Paul to make him aware of the situation so that I could arrange for a later train until I got my purse back.

To my delight, Tom, the guard on the train, managed to find my purse and return for 10am. I then spoke to Paul who was happy to rearrange my train time for 10.30am for no extra cost due to the unforeseen circumstances that occurred that morning.

With my weekend possibly being spoiled, instead, it put my faith in humanity and made me realise that there are some great people out there! The staff at Edinburgh Waverley train station really went above and beyond this morning and for that, I am forever greatful, I really appreciate all your...