Edinburgh Waverley is Edinburgh’s main railway station, set in the valley between the Old Town and the New Town, directly below Princes Street and a short walk from the Royal Mile. It opened in 1846, has 20 platforms, and is served by ScotRail, LNER, Lumo, Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, TransPennine Express and the Caledonian Sleeper. For live arrival times, use the National Rail or LNER live boards linked below. Once you’re off the train, Waverley Bridge is the easiest exit with luggage, and taxi ranks sit on Waverley Bridge and East Market Street.

Edinburgh Waverley Live Arrivals

Arrival times change minute by minute, so the only reliable source is a live board fed by the rail industry’s real-time data. These are the official options, all using the station code EDB:

National Rail Enquiries: The most complete board, covering every operator arriving at Waverley, with expected times, platforms and delay reasons.

LNER: Useful if you’re meeting someone off a train from London King’s Cross, York or Newcastle; LNER’s board can also be filtered by origin station.

ScotRail app: Best for arrivals from Glasgow, Stirling, Perth, Inverness, Aberdeen and the rest of Scotland, with live running and disruption alerts.

Reading the Arrivals Board

Scheduled vs expected: The first time shown is the timetabled arrival; the second column shows ‘On time’, an expected time, ‘Delayed’ or ‘Cancelled’.

Platforms: Waverley has 20 platforms, and platform numbers are sometimes confirmed only shortly before arrival, so check again just before the train is due.

Meeting someone: According to Network Rail, automatic ticket gates operate at platforms 6, 7, 11, 12 and 13 to 18, so without a ticket you may not be able to reach the platform itself. The main concourse, opposite the main departure boards and near the Customer Information Point, is the easiest place to meet.

History of Edinburgh Waverley Station

Waverley Station, 1846 and the 1890s Rebuild

Edinburgh Waverley opened in 1846 and was rebuilt between 1892 and 1902, according to Network Rail, which manages the station today. The site it occupies, the valley between the medieval Old Town and the Georgian New Town, explains almost everything about how the station works now: the platforms sit well below street level, and every exit involves climbing up to the city, by steps, escalators, lifts or a ramp.

Sir Walter Scott and the Waverley Novels

Edinburgh Waverley takes its name from Sir Walter Scott’s Waverley novels, the hugely popular series that began with Waverley in 1814. Scott’s influence on the city is visible the moment you leave by the Princes Street exit: the Gothic spire of the Scott Monument, raised in his memory, stands in Princes Street Gardens just to the west of the station.

The Balmoral Clock

The Balmoral Hotel, which rises directly above the station at the east end of Princes Street, was built as the railway’s own hotel. Its clock tower has, by long-standing tradition, been kept a few minutes fast so that travellers hurrying down to Waverley don’t miss their trains. The one exception is Hogmanay, when it is set to the correct time for the New Year.

Arriving at Edinburgh Waverley: Practical Information

From the Platform to the Street: Which Exit to Take

Waverley Bridge (west): A ramped walkway from the concourse up to street level, making it the easiest exit with heavy luggage. The Airlink 100 airport bus and one of the station’s taxi ranks are here.

Princes Street (north): Via the Waverley Steps, with escalators and a lift, emerging beside the Balmoral Hotel. Best for the New Town, St Andrew Square, the tram and most city bus routes.

Market Street (south): Lifts up to Market Street, then stepped closes and Cockburn Street lead uphill to the Royal Mile. Best for the Old Town; a second taxi rank is on East Market Street.

Calton Road (east): Lift access to a quieter entrance used for drop-offs and pre-booked taxis, and the closest exit to the left luggage office.

Step-free access: Network Rail rates Waverley as step-free category A, with step-free access to all platforms via 10 lifts and escalators. Passenger Assistance meets passengers in the main travel hall next to the Travel Centre.

Edinburgh Waverley Taxi Rank

Where: Network Rail lists two taxi ranks, on Waverley Bridge and on East Market Street. Both are uncovered, and taxis can no longer drive into the station itself.

Pre-booked taxis and lifts: Use the drop-off and pick-up points at Calton Road or on Market Street, to the left of the entrance.

Tipping: Rounding up the fare is the usual gesture; see our guide to tipping in Scotland.

Edinburgh Waverley Left Luggage

Where: A staffed left luggage office run by the Excess Baggage Company, on Platform 2 near the Calton Road entrance. There are no self-service lockers in the station.

Hours: Excess Baggage Company’s own site gives 07:00 to 23:00, seven days a week. Network Rail’s station page lists the same hours for Monday to Friday only, so if you’re arriving late at a weekend, call ahead on 0131 516 9834.

Price: Charged per item, with walk-in or online pre-booking; the current rate is quoted at booking rather than published as a fixed list, so check before you drop off.

Lost property: Also handled by Excess Baggage Company, Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 17:30, on 0330 024 0215.

Onward Travel: Airport, Tram and Buses

To Edinburgh Airport: The Airlink 100 express bus runs 24 hours a day from Waverley Bridge, though in recent winters Lothian Buses has moved its city-centre stop to George Street while the Christmas markets are in place. The tram also runs to the airport from St Andrew Square and Princes Street. Rail travellers can buy a through ticket to ‘Edinburgh Airport’, which Network Rail says is available via Waverley.

Tram: The tram does not stop at Waverley. The nearest stop is St Andrew Square, about 250 metres from the Princes Street exit.

Buses: Most Lothian bus routes stop on Princes Street, outside the Princes Street exit.

Current status: Princes Street reopened on 29 August 2026 after a seven-week closure following the fire at the former Debenhams building, and trams are again running their full route. City of Edinburgh Council notes some temporary arrangements remain while work continues, including closed eastbound bus stops between Castle Street and Frederick Street.

Parking: New Street car park, next to the Calton Road side, has 617 spaces including 11 accessible bays, and the first 40 minutes are free.

Hotels Near Edinburgh Waverley

The Balmoral: At 1 Princes Street, directly above the Princes Street exit; the classic luxury option.

Mid-range and budget: Several chain hotels line Market Street and East Market Street, immediately outside the station’s south exits, including Premier Inn Edinburgh City Centre (Royal Mile) at 33 East Market Street, a two-minute walk with luggage.

Tip: Choose by exit. Hotels on Market Street suit arrivals heading for the Old Town, while anything around St Andrew Square is best for the tram and the New Town.

Station Facilities

Ticket office: In the Travel Centre, Monday to Saturday 06:00 to 22:00, Sunday 07:00 to 22:00.

Toilets and baby changing: Off the Ticket Hall, including a Changing Places toilet.

First Class lounge: The LNER lounge is opposite Platform 4, for eligible first class ticket holders.

Also available: Free public wi-fi, ATMs on the concourse and by the ticket office, shops, cafés, and 223 sheltered cycle spaces.

Station facilities and opening hours last checked: September 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check live arrivals at Edinburgh Waverley?

Use the National Rail Enquiries live arrivals board for Edinburgh (station code EDB), which covers every operator. LNER and ScotRail also show live arrivals on their websites and apps, and there are arrival screens inside the station.

Where is the taxi rank at Edinburgh Waverley?

There are two taxi ranks, on Waverley Bridge and on East Market Street, just outside the station. Pre-booked taxis use the pick-up points at Calton Road and on Market Street.

Is there left luggage at Edinburgh Waverley?

Yes. The Excess Baggage Company runs a staffed left luggage office on Platform 2, near the Calton Road entrance, open 07:00 to 23:00 according to its own website. There are no self-service lockers in the station.

Which exit is best at Edinburgh Waverley if I have luggage?

Waverley Bridge. A ramped walkway runs from the concourse up to street level, and the Airlink 100 bus stop and a taxi rank are right there. Every exit has lift access, but Waverley Bridge avoids waiting for lifts.

Does the tram stop at Edinburgh Waverley?

No, despite running close by. The nearest tram stop is St Andrew Square, about 250 metres from the station’s Princes Street exit, and trams from there run to Edinburgh Airport.

How do I get from Edinburgh Waverley to Edinburgh Airport?

The Airlink 100 express bus runs 24 hours a day from Waverley Bridge, next to the station. Alternatively, walk to St Andrew Square and take the tram, which runs direct to the airport.

Can I meet someone on the platform at Edinburgh Waverley?

Not always. Automatic ticket gates operate at platforms 6, 7, 11, 12 and 13 to 18, so without a ticket you may need to wait beyond the barriers. The main concourse, near the Customer Information Point opposite the departure boards, is the easiest meeting place.

Once you’re out of the station, Princes Street Gardens are directly alongside, Calton Hill is a short climb from the Calton Road and Princes Street side, and Free Things to Do in Edinburgh covers the best of the city without a ticket. Browse more practical guides in Plan Your Trip, or visit the Scotland hub.