Edinburgh and York by rail

Where

Edinburgh, York

Pace

Relaxed. Two bases, one long rail leg, and two or three stops a day.

Best season

Spring and early autumn avoid the heaviest crowds in both cities; Edinburgh is busiest in August.

Suits

Rail travellers, History lovers, Couples

• No step-free information for these 20 stops
• No stops marked family-friendly in our guides

Step-free and family flags come only from data we hold (OpenStreetMap contributors or the venue's own access page) and are not a full access check. Contact each venue before you go.

1. Day 1 · Edinburgh

   Castle and Royal Mile

   Overnight: Edinburgh

   1. 1

      Edinburgh Castle

      Castle · Old Town & Royal Mile

      

      Book ahead if you can.

      Show on map Our guide to Old Town & Royal Mile
   2. 2

      The Scotch Whisky Experience

      Attraction · Old Town & Royal Mile

      

      At the castle end of the Royal Mile.

      Show on map Our guide to Old Town & Royal Mile
   3. 3

      St Giles' Cathedral

      Cathedral · Old Town & Royal Mile

      

      Further down the Royal Mile.

      Show on map Our guide to Old Town & Royal Mile
   4. 4

      Writers' Museum

      Museum · Old Town & Royal Mile

      

      A museum about Burns, Scott and Stevenson.

      Show on map Our guide to Old Town & Royal Mile

2. Day 2 · Edinburgh

   Holyrood and the hills

   Overnight: Edinburgh

   1. 5

      Palace of Holyroodhouse

      Royal palace · Holyrood, Arthur's Seat & Calton Hill

      

      The royal palace at the foot of the Royal Mile.

      Show on map Our guide to Holyrood, Arthur's Seat & Calton Hill
   2. 6

      Holyrood Park

      Park · Holyrood, Arthur's Seat & Calton Hill

      

      Open parkland.

      Show on map Our guide to Holyrood, Arthur's Seat & Calton Hill
   3. 7

      Arthur's Seat

      Hill · Holyrood, Arthur's Seat & Calton Hill

      

      Allow time and sturdy shoes.

      Show on map Our guide to Holyrood, Arthur's Seat & Calton Hill
   4. 8

      Calton Hill

      Hill · Holyrood, Arthur's Seat & Calton Hill

      

      A viewpoint for the evening.

      Show on map Our guide to Holyrood, Arthur's Seat & Calton Hill

3. Day 3 · Edinburgh

   New Town and Leith

   Overnight: Edinburgh

   1. 9

      Scott Monument

      Monument · New Town

      

      A monument with viewing platforms.

      Show on map Our guide to New Town
   2. 10

      Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

      Garden · Stockbridge & Dean Village

      

      Outside the centre; check the bus or walking time.

      Show on map Our guide to Stockbridge & Dean Village
   3. 11

      Royal Yacht Britannia

      Museum ship · Leith & the Waterfront

      

      On the Leith waterfront.

      Show on map Our guide to Leith & the Waterfront
   4. 12

      Port of Leith Distillery

      Distillery · Leith & the Waterfront

      

      A distillery in Leith.

      Show on map Our guide to Leith & the Waterfront

4. Day 4 · York

   Arrive in York: the Minster and the Shambles

   Overnight: York

   Getting from Edinburgh to York. By train. Check National Rail (opens in new tab) for times and changes.

   1. 13

      York Minster

      Cathedral · Minster Quarter

      

      Start at the cathedral.

      Show on map Our guide to Minster Quarter
   2. 14

      The Shambles

      Street · The Shambles and Stonegate

      

      A famous old street.

      Show on map Our guide to The Shambles and Stonegate
   3. 15

      York's Chocolate Story

      Museum · The Shambles and Stonegate

      

      Close to the Shambles.

      Show on map Our guide to The Shambles and Stonegate
   4. 16

      JORVIK Viking Centre

      Museum · Castle, Fossgate and Walmgate

      

      Check the official site for tickets.

      Show on map Our guide to Castle, Fossgate and Walmgate

5. Day 5 · York

   Walls, castle and railway

   Overnight: York

   1. 17

      Clifford's Tower

      Castle keep · Castle, Fossgate and Walmgate

      

      A castle keep on a mound.

      Show on map Our guide to Castle, Fossgate and Walmgate
   2. 18

      York Castle Museum

      Museum · Castle, Fossgate and Walmgate

      

      Next to the tower.

      Show on map Our guide to Castle, Fossgate and Walmgate
   3. 19

      National Railway Museum

      Museum · Station and Museum Gardens

      

      A good fit for a rail trip.

      Show on map Our guide to Station and Museum Gardens
   4. 20

      York Museum Gardens

      Garden · Station and Museum Gardens

      

      Wind down by the abbey ruins.

      Show on map Our guide to Station and Museum Gardens

Rail times vary by day and operator, so only times from an official page are shown. Opening hours, prices and tickets change: check each official site. This route is independent and unofficial.