London to Edinburgh: A Beautiful Family Journey
A direct train between two capitals turns the transfer into part of the holiday. Here is how to pace it with children, and which attractions suit short legs and short attention spans.
Flying between London and Edinburgh means airport transfers at both ends and a security queue with children. The East Coast route runs from city centre to city centre, with room to stand, snack and stretch. For families, that is the real argument for going by rail: the journey stops being a hurdle and becomes a few hours of unhurried time together.
This guide pairs the train with two days in each capital, chosen for how well they cope with young children: free-to-enter galleries, indoor fallbacks for wet weather, and places where leaving early is easy. Facts come from the operators' own pages, including LNER's route page for journey times.
The train day
LNER, London King's Cross to Edinburgh Waverley
London to Edinburgh
LNER publishes a direct service with a fastest journey of around four hours and eight minutes, and describes frequent departures through the weekday. Its family pages cover prams, baby-changing facilities, free activity packs and family ticket types, which makes planning with children unusually straightforward.
Best for: Families who want a calm transfer between city centres without airport logistics.
LNER says up to two children under five travel free but may have to sit on a lap if the train is busy. It asks that prams be folded and stored in the luggage racks, or in an empty wheelchair space if folding is not possible. Luggage is limited to one large suitcase, one carry-on and one small handbag per passenger, so pack to that rule.
Board early, find your coach zone from the platform screens, and keep snacks and a charged tablet within reach. On arrival, aim to drop bags at your hotel before any sightseeing; the castle below cannot store luggage or prams.
London: one museum, one slow day
Natural History Museum
South Kensington, London
The galleries are free to explore, the museum lists a Family Favourites self-guided tour of around two hours, and its own pages highlight the Dinosaur Gallery and an earthquake simulator for children. Because entry is free, you can stay for a morning and leave without a sense of wasted tickets.
Best for: Dinosaur-minded children and families who like flexible, drop-in sightseeing.
The museum warns of queues at weekends and school holidays, and offers free entry tickets to guarantee entry. Large or wheeled suitcases cannot be taken around the building and must go to a cloakroom, which is charged and subject to availability. Pushchairs can also be left there, so travel light.
Edinburgh: hills, stairs and indoor backups
Camera Obscura and World of Illusions
Royal Mile, Edinburgh
More than 100 hands-on illusions across several floors, plus a rooftop terrace and a demonstration of the camera obscura. The operator states that young babies are welcome and offers a free baby carrier loan, a buggy park and baby changing in the toilets.
Best for: Children of any age who like interactive exhibits, and a reliable wet-weather option.
There is no lift, and the operator counts 98 steps over six floors, so pushchairs stay downstairs. Children aged 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult aged 16 or over. The operator also warns that unexpected mirrors and moving images may cause motion sickness.
Edinburgh Zoo
Corstorphine Hill, Edinburgh
Run by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, with three playgrounds, picnic areas, and enclosures with glass down to the floor so small children can see without being lifted.
Best for: Families with toddlers and primary-age children who want a full outdoor day.
The zoo sits on a hillside, and it recommends comfortable footwear. Last entry is one hour before closing and hours change by month. Children aged 15 or under must be accompanied by a responsible person aged 16 or over. Lothian buses 12, 26 and 31 stop outside.
Edinburgh Castle
Castle Rock, Edinburgh
The operator advises setting aside at least two hours for the main attractions, and publishes sensory backpacks, visual stories for children and ear defenders, which help children who find crowds or noise hard. The One o'Clock Gun is a fixed moment each day except Sundays, Good Friday and Christmas Day, which gives the visit a natural shape.
Best for: Older children and history-minded families who can manage a longer, outdoor visit.
Suitcases and large rucksacks of 30 litres or more are not permitted, and the castle cannot store luggage, prams or pushchairs, so settle bags and pushchairs at your hotel first. Tickets can sell out far ahead, particularly in summer, and last entry is earlier in winter months.
By Passport2Suitcase Editorial. Last reviewed 2026-10-12.