day trips from EdinburghDay trips from Edinburgh, by train and bus

Day trips from Edinburgh are easy without a car. Beaches, castles, bridges, hills and a second city all sit within reach of Waverley station or a city bus stop, so you can be back in time for dinner.

01Day trips from Edinburgh: where to go without a car

Edinburgh is a good base for exploring. Most of the places below are a train ride from Waverley or Haymarket, or a bus from the city centre, and you can do each one in a day with time to spare. Parking at castles and seaside towns fills quickly in summer, so leave the car behind.

Here is the short version, so you can pick one that suits the weather and your mood. Times and fares change, so check the journey on the operator's app or website on the morning you go.

If you're still choosing where to stay, our guide to where to stay in Edinburgh helps. A home near Waverley or Haymarket makes early trains simple, and you can browse all our homes by area. For how the trams, buses and trains fit together in the city, read getting to and around Edinburgh.

02North Berwick, Musselburgh and the East Lothian coast

When the sun comes out, East Lothian is where locals head. Trains on the North Berwick line run from Waverley along the coast, stopping at places such as Musselburgh, Wallyford, Prestonpans, Longniddry and Drem before the end of the line at North Berwick.

North Berwick

North Berwick is a small seaside town with sandy bays on either side of the harbour. The Scottish Seabird Centre sits by the harbour, and from late March to early October it runs boat trips out to the islands. Depending on the trip and the season, you may see gannets on the Bass Rock, puffins, guillemots and sometimes dolphins. Trips depend on the sea, and it can be cold on the water even on a sunny day, so bring a warm, waterproof layer.

For a view, walk up North Berwick Law. It's 178 metres high, a steady climb from the town on paths and pavement, with a steep last stretch. From the top you see the Bass Rock, Craigleith and the islands of the Forth. Tantallon Castle, a cliff-top ruin cared for by Historic Environment Scotland, is a few miles east, but it has had recent closures, so check it's open before you set off.

Some of our homes are in North Berwick itself, which suits golfers and families who want the sea on the doorstep. See our North Berwick stays and golf holiday homes in East Lothian. The Edinburgh Visitor Levy applies only in the City of Edinburgh, not in East Lothian.

Musselburgh

Musselburgh is the closest seaside town to the city, about six miles east of the centre. Lothian buses 26 and 44 run to the High Street, East Coast Buses also pass through, and trains stop at Musselburgh and Wallyford. Walk along the River Esk, wander down to Fisherrow harbour and watch the Forth. The racecourse holds race days through the year; on those days a courtesy bus meets trains at Wallyford. It's a good half-day for families, and our Edinburgh with kids guide has more ideas for little legs.

03Stirling Castle and the old town

Stirling is one of the classic day trips from Edinburgh, and it works well by train. Trains run from Waverley and Haymarket, and the castle is within walking distance of Stirling station. The walk is uphill through the old town, on cobbles in places, so wear comfortable shoes.

What to see at the castle

Historic Environment Scotland calls Stirling one of Scotland's greatest stone castles. Inside the walls you'll find:

• The Great Hall, with its huge timber roof.
• The Royal Palace, refurbished in Renaissance style. Mary Queen of Scots spent her childhood here.
• The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Museum, telling the regiment's story.
• The ramparts, with wide views over the town and the countryside around it.

Why the train is the better choice

The castle car park is currently closed to everyone except coaches and people who need accessible parking. Historic Environment Scotland also offers a green travel discount at selected sites if you arrive by train, bus or bike, so keep your ticket handy. Check the offer and the opening times on its website before you go.

Making a day of it

Allow at least half a day for the castle itself. The old town streets below it are worth a slow wander on the way back down to the station. If the weather turns, the castle has plenty under cover, and our Edinburgh on a rainy day guide has ideas for when you're back in the city.

Stirling also pairs well with Linlithgow, as some trains between Edinburgh and Stirling stop there. Check the route when you plan, and you can see both in one day. Our Edinburgh stays show which homes are handy for Haymarket.

04The Forth bridges and South Queensferry

Three bridges cross the Firth of Forth side by side at Queensferry, built in three different centuries. The red Forth Bridge carries the railway and was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015. Beside it are the Forth Road Bridge and the newer Queensferry Crossing, which takes motorway traffic.

Getting there

Take the train from Waverley or Haymarket to Dalmeny. From the station there are two ways down to South Queensferry:

• The gentle way: a sloping path beside the railway through the woods of Ferry Glen.
• The steep way: Jacob's Ladder, a flight of steps that brings you down behind the old inn by the water.

Either way, you arrive at the foot of the Forth Bridge, with the best view of its steelwork from below.

What to do there

South Queensferry is a small, pretty town with a long High Street, a harbour and plenty of benches facing the water. Walk east along the shore for views of all three bridges together. For a different angle, stay on the train from Dalmeny and ride across the Forth Bridge itself to North Queensferry on the Fife side. Children tend to love it.

A note on walking across

The Forth Road Bridge has a footpath, but it is affected by maintenance works at times. Check the Forth Bridges website before you plan to walk over. Wrap up too: the wind on the estuary can be strong even when the city feels calm.

This is an easy morning or afternoon, and it's handy for anyone staying west of the centre. If you're in town for a match, our page on accommodation near Murrayfield covers the homes on that side of the city, and the train to Dalmeny also stops at Edinburgh Gateway.

05Linlithgow Palace and the loch

Linlithgow is a quick train ride west of Edinburgh on the line to Glasgow, and the palace is a short walk from the station. It's one of the easiest day trips from the city, and it fits neatly into a morning.

The palace

Linlithgow Palace is a roofless royal palace above Linlithgow Loch, cared for by Historic Environment Scotland. It is the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots, and you can walk through the ruins, climb stairs and look down into the courtyard. Some parts are closed for conservation work at the moment, including the king's bedchamber and the court kitchen, so check what's open before you go. The palace is also a passport stamping point on the John Muir Way, the long-distance walking route across central Scotland.

Around the loch

A path runs around Linlithgow Loch, a pleasant walk in most weather with swans and other water birds for company. Next to the palace is St Michael's Parish Church, with its distinctive modern spire. The High Street below has independent shops and places to stop for lunch or coffee.

How long to allow

Two or three hours is plenty for the palace and a loop of the loch. That leaves time to carry on west to Glasgow, or north to Stirling, as some Stirling trains also call at Linlithgow.

Linlithgow is a good choice for a slower day, or for the day you arrive or leave if you have hours to fill around a check-in or check-out. You can ask for early check-in or late check-out in the app up to 24 hours before; it's confirmed once accepted and paid. Our guest guide explains how arrival works, from verifying your ID to getting your door code.

06Glasgow for the day

Glasgow is Scotland's largest city and a very different place from Edinburgh: louder, more Victorian, with a strong music scene and a lot of free culture. Trains run frequently between Edinburgh and Glasgow Queen Street, so it makes an easy day out, and you can come back late if you want to stay for an evening gig.

What to see

• Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in the West End, run by Glasgow Life, with free entry. It holds a broad mix of art, natural history and objects from around the world.
• The West End streets around the university and the park, with tenements, small shops and places to eat.
• The city centre, with grand Victorian buildings, big shopping streets and the River Clyde a short walk south.

Tips for the day

Glasgow's subway, a single loop line, is the quickest way between the centre and the West End. Bring a layer for the rain; it rains in the west more often than in Edinburgh. Most museums are free but some special exhibitions charge, so check before you go.

When Glasgow makes sense

A trip west is a good idea on a busy Edinburgh day, such as a Saturday in August when the Royal Mile is shoulder to shoulder. If you're in the city for the festivals, our Fringe visitor's guide has more on finding quieter corners. People working in Edinburgh often spend a free weekend day in Glasgow too; our short stays for visiting professionals are set up for longer trips.

07Rosslyn Chapel and the Pentland Hills

South of the city, a carved medieval chapel and a range of open hills are both reachable by bus. Pair them on a long summer day, or pick one.

Rosslyn Chapel

Rosslyn Chapel was founded in 1446 and is famous for its intricate stone carving. It is still a working Scottish Episcopal church. To get there, take Lothian bus 37 from Princes Street (shop side) or North Bridge, and check the front of the bus says Penicuik/Deanburn via Roslin. The journey takes roughly 45 minutes to an hour, and the chapel is a few minutes' walk from the stop in Roslin village.

• Visits run in timed slots, so book ahead online.
• Photography and filming aren't allowed inside, though you can take photos outside.
• The chapel closes on 24 and 25 December and 1 January, and occasionally for weddings, funerals and services.

The Pentland Hills

The Pentland Hills Regional Park covers about 10,000 hectares of hill, reservoir and moorland on the city's southern edge, with more than 100 km of waymarked paths. There are no trains to the park, but buses reach several starting points:

Flotterstone and Harlaw both have visitor information points. The weather on the tops changes fast, so carry waterproofs, wear proper footwear and tell someone your route. Keep dogs under close control, as sheep graze the hills.

If you're travelling with a dog, ask us before you book through the contact page. After a long walk, a home with a bath is a fine thing, so check the details when you browse our homes.

08St Andrews and the Fife coast

St Andrews is the furthest trip on this list, but it's still a comfortable day out. The town is known for golf, its university and a long sandy beach.

Getting there

There are two good ways to go without a car:

• By train: take a train towards Dundee or Aberdeen and get off at Leuchars, about six miles from St Andrews. From there, buses and taxis run into town.
• By bus: Stagecoach runs direct X58, X59 and X60 services from Edinburgh, taking around two hours.

The train from Edinburgh crosses the Forth Bridge on the way north, so you get the view of the bridges described above for free.

What to see

• The cathedral ruins, once the largest church in Scotland, and the castle on its rocks above the sea. Both are cared for by Historic Environment Scotland.
• The Old Course and the West Sands, the beach that runs north from the town.
• The old streets around the university, with stone buildings and narrow lanes between them.

With a car, the small harbours of the East Neuk lie along the coast to the south. By public transport, St Andrews alone fills a day.

Golfers often split their time between Fife and East Lothian, which has its own string of links courses. Our golf holiday homes in East Lothian page explains the courses near North Berwick. For a summer graduation in St Andrews, families sometimes stay in Edinburgh and travel up; our graduation accommodation page covers what to plan for.

09Day trips from Edinburgh: practical tips before you set off

A few habits make any day out easier. Most of them come down to checking things on the morning, not the night before.

Before you leave

• Check times and opening on the day. Trains change at weekends and for engineering works. Castles and museums change their hours by season.
• Look at the forecast, then pack for something else. Scottish weather turns quickly, especially on the coast and the hills. A waterproof layer is worth carrying all year.
• Book timed tickets where needed. Rosslyn Chapel and the seabird boat trips work on bookings, and summer weekends fill up.

Busy times

Summer weekends, school holidays and festival time in August are the busiest. Trains east to North Berwick can be full on a sunny Saturday. Go early, or go midweek if you can. Our guide to the best time to visit Edinburgh explains the quiet months and the busy ones.

Coming home

Coming back after a long day, remember the stair. Some of our homes are in tenements with shared stairs, where quiet hours start at 10pm. Bring muddy boots and wet coats in gently, and leave them by the door.

If you want a picnic, Edinburgh's markets and delis are a good place to stock up; our food and drink guide has ideas. For more trip ideas in and around the city, start at our Edinburgh visitor guides. And if you want a suggestion for a particular day, ask us. The guest team answers messages from 9am to midnight every day during your stay, and you can read what other guests thought on our reviews page.

By the Stays In team, Edinburgh. Checked 1 October 2026: times, prices and programmes change, so check before you go.