I took a plane and a train on the 330-mile London to Edinburgh route. The race was closer than you might expect.

Pete SymeJun 23, 2024, 17:32 IST

The author next to an LNER train, and a British Airways Airbus A320.BI; Fabrizio Gandolfo/Getty Images

The 332 miles between London and Edinburgh takes a similar amount of time by plane or train.
I took both modes of transport and timed how long it took from the center of each city.

The 332 miles between London and Edinburgh show a particularly narrow difference when traveling via train or plane.

While the flight takes about an hour compared to a nearly five-hour train ride, there's also time spent traveling to the airport and waiting to board.

I grew up near London, and because my dad is from Edinburgh, we visited the Scottish capital every summer. We flew once or twice, but it was typically easier to take the train.

Last month, I visited Edinburgh for a press event and took the opportunity to time my journeys. I traveled north on an LNER Azuma train and returned the next day on a British Airways Airbus A320.

The contest was indeed close, and even though the train took longer, it was cheaper and more enjoyable.

I started my stopwatch at Trafalgar Square in the heart of London.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

Similarly, the center of Edinburgh is traditionally measured from a now-demolished post office near the train station.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

It was only a short walk to the nearest Tube station, and I was on a train within 8 minutes.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

I arrived at King's Cross Station about 20 minutes before my train departed, which gave me plenty of time.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

There was an unusually big crowd of people for a Wednesday afternoon because some other trains had been delayed. Luckily, mine was on time.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

It was only a short wait before our platform number was announced and passengers flooded toward the ticket barriers. We departed on time, 37 minutes after I left Trafalgar Square.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

It was only a short wait before our platform number was announced and passengers flooded toward the ticket barriers. We departed on time, 37 minutes after I left Trafalgar Square.

In Edinburgh, I took a 35-minute tram journey from the center to the airport. The security line was pretty speedy.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

With time to sit around, I had lunch in a Wetherspoons pub. Given my experiment, I found all the train memorabilia ironic — but this also signals the strong history of British railways.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

With time to sit around, I had lunch in a Wetherspoons pub. Given my experiment, I found all the train memorabilia ironic — but this also signals the strong history of British railways.

I'd been at the airport for an hour by the time the gate opened — then another 25 minutes before I boarded.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

Unfortunately, my flight was delayed by 45 minutes. I adjusted for that on my timer, but we still wouldn't have taken off until two-and-a-half hours after I left Waverley station.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

Unfortunately, my flight was delayed by 45 minutes. I adjusted for that on my timer, but we still wouldn't have taken off until two-and-a-half hours after I left Waverley station.

By the time we took off, my train had almost reached York, its third stop on the East Coast Main Line, and roughly halfway to Edinburgh.

But the flight itself would take just over an hour, traveling at roughly 300 mph versus the train's top speed of 125 mph.

A British Airways Airbus A320.Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images

On the other hand, the train is far better for the environment given that it carries more people. I traveled on a Class 801/2 which has 611 seats compared to the plane's 180.

Joe Giddens/PA Images via Getty Images

On the other hand, the train is far better for the environment given that it carries more people. I traveled on a Class 801/2 which has 611 seats compared to the plane's 180.

Soon after takeoff, the flight attendants offered passengers a free bottle of water and either peanuts or cookies.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

However, I found the legroom and seat width to be less than ideal, even at 5-foot-9.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

On the train, I was comfortable with plenty of room — plus an extending tray table for my laptop.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

The free Wi-Fi wasn't great, but I wrote a Business Insider article. I spent the rest of the journey reading or taking in the views.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

After three and a half hours total, the plane landed at a sunny Heathrow Airport, but it took another 20 minutes to leave, with time to deplane and a long jet bridge walk.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

After three and a half hours total, the plane landed at a sunny Heathrow Airport, but it took another 20 minutes to leave, with time to deplane and a long jet bridge walk.

I took the Elizabeth Line and the Tube back to Trafalgar Square, arriving 4 hours and 52 minutes later.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

By train, I reached the center of Edinburgh after 5 hours and 21 minutes.

georgeclerk/Getty Images

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I took a plane and a train on the 330-mile London to Edinburgh route. The race was closer than you might expect.

I started my stopwatch at Trafalgar Square in the heart of London.

Similarly, the center of Edinburgh is traditionally measured from a now-demolished post office near the train station.

It was only a short walk to the nearest Tube station, and I was on a train within 8 minutes.

I arrived at King's Cross Station about 20 minutes before my train departed, which gave me plenty of time.

There was an unusually big crowd of people for a Wednesday afternoon because some other trains had been delayed. Luckily, mine was on time.

It was only a short wait before our platform number was announced and passengers flooded toward the ticket barriers. We departed on time, 37 minutes after I left Trafalgar Square.

In Edinburgh, I took a 35-minute tram journey from the center to the airport. The security line was pretty speedy.

With time to sit around, I had lunch in a Wetherspoons pub. Given my experiment, I found all the train memorabilia ironic — but this also signals the strong history of British railways.

I'd been at the airport for an hour by the time the gate opened — then another 25 minutes before I boarded.

Unfortunately, my flight was delayed by 45 minutes. I adjusted for that on my timer, but we still wouldn't have taken off until two-and-a-half hours after I left Waverley station.

By the time we took off, my train had almost reached York, its third stop on the East Coast Main Line, and roughly halfway to Edinburgh.

But the flight itself would take just over an hour, traveling at roughly 300 mph versus the train's top speed of 125 mph.

On the other hand, the train is far better for the environment given that it carries more people. I traveled on a Class 801/2 which has 611 seats compared to the plane's 180.

Soon after takeoff, the flight attendants offered passengers a free bottle of water and either peanuts or cookies.

However, I found the legroom and seat width to be less than ideal, even at 5-foot-9.

On the train, I was comfortable with plenty of room — plus an extending tray table for my laptop.

The free Wi-Fi wasn't great, but I wrote a Business Insider article. I spent the rest of the journey reading or taking in the views.

After three and a half hours total, the plane landed at a sunny Heathrow Airport, but it took another 20 minutes to leave, with time to deplane and a long jet bridge walk.

I took the Elizabeth Line and the Tube back to Trafalgar Square, arriving 4 hours and 52 minutes later.

By train, I reached the center of Edinburgh after 5 hours and 21 minutes.