12 BEST Day Trips From Edinburgh By Train Or Bus

As a non-driver, I can safely say that you don’t need a car to explore Scotland, even outside the cities. These are my best day trips from Edinburgh by train or bus. All are easy to navigate by public transport within two hours or less. 

From coastal villages and epic castles to beach strolls and city escapes, Edinburgh is perfectly placed to explore some of Scotland’s unmissable destinations. 

If you’re visiting and want easy day trips and incredible views without driving, this guide is for you. I’ve done them myself, so they’re tried and tested!

The best short excursion? North Berwick is my favourite. In just over 30 minutes by train, you’re in a seaside town lined with golden sandy beaches. With independent boutiques, wildlife and boat trips to nearby islands, it’s the perfect day out. 

If you’re looking for cinematic castle ruins with the wow factor, head straight up the North Sea coast to Stonehaven to explore Dunnottar Castle. 

And for a slice of the Scottish Highlands, visit Pitlochry for forest walks and views fit for a queen. Read on to discover 10 more easy scenic day trips from Edinburgh you can do without a car.

Map of the best Edinburgh day trips

Short day trips from Edinburgh 

These Edinburgh day trips by bus or train are all under an hour to get to, so they can easily be turned into a half-day trip. There’s still plenty to do when you get there, which makes them ideal if you’re getting around Scotland without a car.

1. North Berwick

North Berwick is one of the easiest and most scenic day trips from Edinburgh. It combines beaches, wildlife and great food just 30 minutes from the city.

Located on the south shore of the Firth of Forth in East Lothian, the town became a popular 19th-century holiday resort thanks to its easy access from the city, glorious beaches and fresh sea air. 

But what really makes it unique are its volcanic monoliths. You’ll know when you’ve arrived, as the train passes by The Law, a conical hill that rises steeply above the town. You can climb it for incredible panoramic views. 

Down by the harbour, you’ll see the white shape of Bass Rock looming from across the water. It gets its colour from the guano left by the colony of Northern gannets that make it their home. 

I did an RIB boat trip with the Scottish Seabird Centre and got to see the birds up close. I also spotted seals, a few shags and had the best view of the ruined Tantallon Castle. I highly recommend the experience on your North Berwick day trip, but book early, as it sells out. 

The town has long sandy beaches, including the popular Milsey Bay. My favourite is West Bay Beach, as it’s quieter, more sheltered and has great rockpools. 

It has a couple of main streets lined with independent cafes and boutique shops. I had an excellent iced coffee from Steampunk Coffee and an evening cocktail before my train at Herringbone. You’ll also find everything from bakeries to Italian restaurants and fish and chip shops. 

💡Top tip: Book your boat trip online at the Scottish Seabird Centre. From April to July, you can also take a boat to the Isle of May and see the puffins. Book at least a month in advance!

2. Stirling 

Described as a ‘little Edinburgh’, Stirling is one of the best day trips from Edinburgh by train for history. With a royal castle, medieval old town and the Wallace Monument, it packs centuries of stories into one compact city.

Your first stop should be Stirling Castle. You get a 25% discount on your entrance fee when you show a valid train or bus ticket, making it one of the top places to visit in Scotland by train.

A similar style to Edinburgh Castle, Stirling Castle is perched above the city on a volcanic, tree-covered crag. It has over 900 years of history and was the childhood home of Mary, Queen of Scots. 

You can wander through the Royal Palace, kitchens, Chapel Royal and the largest medieval banquet hall in Scotland. Think of the feasts they must have had! 

The best view of Stirling Castle is from the bottom of the crag in the field next to Raploch Road. There’s a path by the entrance that zigzags down through the trees, so you can easily see it. 

Once you’ve explored the Old Cemetery next door and wandered through the Old Town, the Wallace Monument is a short bus ride away. The 67-metre tower was built to commemorate Sir William Wallace, who beat the English army at the Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297.

Climb the 246 steps and see William Wallace’s real-life sword before emerging at the top. The panoramic views across the Forth Valley make it worth the effort.  

💡Top tip: You can see Stirling Castle, Loch Lomond and the Falkirk Kelpies on this tour with Hairy Coo. It was a brilliant day out, and the highlight of my day was feeding the Highland cows in Callander! It was one of my favourite one-day tours from Edinburgh. 

3. Inchcolm Island  

If you want an easy half-day trip with history, wildlife and a scenic boat ride, Inchcolm Island with its ruined abbey is perfect. Located in the Firth of Forth, it’s easily accessible from Edinburgh; you can take a boat from Hawes Pier in South Queensferry to reach it. 

While you wait at the pier, take a moment to appreciate the russet-coloured Forth Bridge, inscribed by Unesco for its pioneering feat of engineering. First opened in 1890, it’s still used by trains today. 

The boat trip starts with a cruise around the Firth of Forth, passing under three bridges with live commentary. Stopping off at the island is an optional £8.50 extra, but well worth it. Open from April to October, you get 1.5 hours to explore the 22-acre island and abbey. 

Founded by King David I, Inchcolm Abbey dates back to the 12th century and is one of the best-preserved monasteries in Scotland. Inside, you can see rare 13th-century wall paintings and climb the tower for the best views of the Forth. 

As you wander around the island, look out for seabirds, seals and wartime defences from both World Wars. Some paths may close between May and August, as birds can get aggressively protective over their young.

💡Top tip: Forth Boat Tours and Maid of the Forth both run Inchcolm Island trips. You can also get 10% off Stirling Castle and Linlithgow Palace tickets when you book the Inchcolm Island Cruise with Forth Boat Tours. 

4. Falkirk 

Falkirk is ideal if you want an easy trip from Edinburgh to see two of Scotland’s most impressive engineering landmarks in one day. 

Sitting in the Central Lowlands, Falkirk’s biggest draw is the Kelpies. The two huge stainless steel horse head statues tower 30 metres above a canal extension linking the Forth & Clyde Canal to the North Sea.

The Kelpies are a tribute to the horses that once pulled the canal barges. During the day, they’re best viewed in sunlight, as they gleam silver (I saw them on a rainy day, and they were still impressive!). 

At night, they’re illuminated in changing colours. They even caused a few accidents when they first opened, as you can catch a glimpse of them from the M9 motorway. 

The town’s second architectural marvel is the Falkirk Wheel. The world’s only rotating boat lift connects the Forth & Clyde with the Union Canal 35m above it. 

It was designed to replace a 24-metre flight of locks that used to take a day to get through, and only needs the power of eight kettles to run.

The Falkirk Wheel and Kelpies are on opposite sides of town, connected by the Forth and Clyde Canal. It takes about an hour and a half to walk it, or you can jump on the bus to save 30 minutes.

To see both in one day, visit the Kelpies first, then walk or take a bus to the town centre for lunch and continue to the Wheel before catching the bus back to the station.

5. Glasgow

We can’t talk about the best day trips from Edinburgh without mentioning Scotland’s second city, Glasgow! Located on the River Clyde, it’s the largest city and cultural capital with plenty of things to do. 

One of the main attractions is the iconic Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. Inside are over 8,000 objects across 22 galleries, from Renaissance art to natural history. 

Next, visit the medieval Glasgow Cathedral, the oldest building in the city. Dedicated to St Mungo, its dark Gothic architecture and atmospheric crypts are free to explore. 

Take a stroll to the adjacent Necropolis, a vast Victorian cemetery offering panoramic views of the city skyline. Guided tours are available if you want to learn more about the history. 

If you’d like to tick meeting Highland cows off your bucket list, head to Pollok Country Park, about 10 minutes from the city centre by train. The park is huge, but they tend to be in the fields around Pollok House, where you can safely view them from behind a fence.

💡Top tip: Glasgow is famous for its colourful street art murals around the city centre. Follow the Glasgow Mural Trail or do a walking tour with a local guide. Tours with Walking Tours in Glasgow start from £12, or you can find a free tour on GuruWalk. 

6. Linlithgow

If you want a quick Edinburgh day trip by train with lots of Scottish royal history, Linlithgow in West Lothian is ideal, as it can be done as a half-day. 

Although it’s on the main rail line between Edinburgh and Glasgow, Linlithgow is often overlooked in favour of nearby Falkirk or Stirling.

The town is most famous for its landmark attraction, Linlithgow Palace, which was the birthplace of Mary, Queen of Scots (yes, she pops up a lot!).

Now a roofless ruin, the palace was once a formidable royal residence, and what’s left of the original structure dates back to around the 1100s. It fell into decline when James V moved his court to London in 1603 and was finally abandoned in 1746 after a fire. 

Tickets for the palace are £10 when you book online (and 10% off if you book your Inchcolm Island Cruise with Forth Boat Tours). After admiring what’s left of the Renaissance architecture, take the easy loop around the loch. 

September to March is great for spotting migrating geese and ducks. In summer, you might see small boats on the water. You can also hire your own at Linlithgow Canal Boat Centre and explore the Union Canal. 

The town centre offers a strip of fantastic local shops, cafés and pubs, plus quirky local history. Look out for the statue of the dog.

7. Roslin  

Roslin is a great choice if you want a close-to-Edinburgh trip combining Scottish history, woodland walks and one very famous chapel.

Just seven miles from Edinburgh, this tiny village has two huge claims to fame. The first is the Roslin Institute, which cloned the first sheep, Dolly, in 1997. She is now an exhibit at the National Museum of Scotland.

The second big attraction is Rosslyn Chapel. Dating to 1446, it became famous after featuring in The Da Vinci Code. 

Whether or not you think it has a connection to the Holy Grail, the chapel’s gargoyles and intricate carved foliage are worth studying. The late Gothic architecture is incredibly detailed, so I recommend taking your time inside.

Look out for Rosslyn Castle next door. It is now a self-catered holiday home, but you can still take a peek at the outside. Some of its ruins date back to the 14th century.

After strolling around the chapel and castle, explore Roslin Glen. It’s the largest surviving stretch of ancient woodland in Midlothian, with oak, ash, hawthorn and hazel growing along the banks of the River North Esk. Time your visit for autumn to see the leaves turn.

For lunch, grab a bite at Dolly’s Tea Room in the village. It serves sandwiches, tea cakes and tasty smoked salmon bagels that are always a crowd-pleaser. 

💡Top tip: Book Rosslyn Chapel tickets online. These cost £11.50 for a 90-minute slot, so make sure you get there for the time that you booked, as they can’t be refunded or exchanged for another time slot. 

Longer day excursions from Edinburgh 

Feel like going a little further? These are my favourite day trips from Edinburgh by train or bus, with slightly longer journeys. They’re all two hours or under because no one wants to spend the whole day in transit!

8. St. Andrews 

St Andrews is perfect if you want medieval history, coastal scenery and one of Scotland’s prettiest university towns – oh, and it’s the Home of Golf! It’s one of my favourite places to visit by public transport.

As you wander along its cobbled high street, you’ll come to the ruins of St Andrews Cathedral. Built in the 1100s, it was the largest church in Scotland until it was destroyed during the Reformation. 

You can explore the grounds for free, and pay £3.50 to climb St Rule’s Tower (closed for refurbishment until 2026).

At the back of the cathedral is a clifftop path leading to the ruins of the 13th-century St Andrews Castle. Inside, it has a siege mine and a bottle dungeon, a grizzly, windowless pit where prisoners were dropped. 

St Andrews’ next claim to fame is its university. Established in 1413, it’s the oldest in Scotland and the third oldest in the English-speaking world.

You might know it as the place where Prince William and Kate met, but one of the most beautiful spots is linked to a different royal. 

Just off South Street is St Mary’s Quad, a courtyard with 15th-century architecture and a hawthorn tree rumoured to have been planted by Mary, Queen of Scots. 

And if you’re a golf lover, a quick look at the Old Course is a must. Tee times book out early, but you can still snap a photo of the Swilcan Bridge. I wouldn’t recommend walking onto the course, though. 

💡Top tip: If you’d rather not visit by public transport, this day tour from Edinburgh to St Andrews also includes some of the most beautiful fishing villages along the Fife coast. The fish and chips from Anstruther are a must-try, but be careful of the seagulls!

9. Pitlochry 

If you want a Highlands experience without travelling too far, Pitlochry is the perfect introduction. This Victorian town in Highland Perthshire sits on the banks of the River Tummel on the main train line between Edinburgh and Inverness. 

You can wander along the high street, taste a dram at Blair Athol Distillery, and wander down to the river to walk across Pitlochry Dam for free. The hydroelectric power station has incredible views of the River Tummel on one side and Loch Faskally on the other.

Pitlochry is set within Tay Forest Park, giving you plenty of scenic woodland walks. You could look for the hidden waterfall in Black Spout Wood or explore Faskally Wood. Look out for red squirrels darting around the trees.

For Highland views, climb Ben Vrackie, the nearest peak to Pitlochry. You are treated to wide panoramas of the lochs and peaks, with a glimpse of the Cairngorms on clear days.

About 20 minutes away by bus is Queen’s View, one of the most famous viewpoints in Scotland. Blair Castle is another 20-minute bus ride away with its lavish rooms and gardens to explore. 

10. Stonehaven 

Stonehaven is a small town on the northeast coast and one of the easiest ways to combine a dramatic castle ruin with a scenic train journey from Edinburgh. You’re treated to dramatic views of the North Sea almost the whole way.

Dunnottar Castle is the headline attraction. The cinematic castle ruin is perched on a 50-metre-high rocky offshore outcrop. Current structures date to around the 15th and 16th centuries, but the site has been fortified since the early medieval period.

Weather permitting, you can go inside and see what it was like at its height. You’ll find a tiny ticket kiosk just inside the door. Heads up, it only takes card. 

To reach the castle from the town centre, follow the well-marked trail from the harbour and across the clifftops. It’s about 30 minutes, and you’re treated to views of the castle and a War Memorial, which is worth taking the short detour to explore. 

Stonehaven train station is a 45-minute walk from the town centre. It’s a bit of a hilly climb on the return. Down by the water, you’ll find some sandy beaches, an outdoor Estonian sauna box and a heated summer swimming pool.

Make sure to grab some fish and chips from the award-winning Bay Fish and Chips, followed by ice cream from Aunt Betty’s. 

If you’re hungry for more, swing by The Carron, which is home to the world’s first deep-fried Mars bar! Don’t leave before looking inside the Tolbooth Museum, housed inside a former prison. 

💡Top tip: Order online from The Bay to avoid huge queues!

11. St. Abbs 

St. Abbs is a fishing village in the Scottish Borders and one of the best coastal wildlife day trips you can do from Edinburgh. It is known for its dramatic cliffs, seabirds and picturesque harbour. If you love nature, this is a perfect choice.

Start your visit with a four-mile walk around St. Abbs Head National Nature Reserve that takes you up around the cliffs, the lighthouse and Mire Loch. 

In spring and summer, the landscape is dotted with wildflowers, and you get huge uninterrupted sea views that feel incredibly wild. It’s a lovely spot for a picnic (albeit a windy one!). 

Over 50 thousand seabirds, including guillemots and puffins, nest here in summer. In November and December, you can sometimes spot seal pups in the sheltered coves.

Post walk, explore the village and harbour, stopping by Jill Watson’s memorial to the fishermen who lost their lives off the coast of Berwickshire in a storm in 1881. Then end the trip with hot chocolate and crab sandwiches at Ebbcarrs Cafe right on the harbourfront. 

💡Top tip: Wear good walking shoes as the walking trails can get muddy after a rain shower. You can also continue along the Berwickshire Coastal Path, south to Eyemouth or north to Cockburnspath.

12. Dundee

Dundee is only 70 minutes from Edinburgh and ideal if you want a mix of museums, waterfront architecture and easy sightseeing without a car. 

The East Coast city is sprawled on the River Tay, and you alight straight into its trendy waterfront after a grand arrival crossing the Tay Rail Bridge. 

From the station, you’re minutes away from RRS Discovery, an Antarctic research vessel from 1901. You can go inside and learn about her pioneering expedition helmed by Captain Scott. 

Next door is the V&A Dundee. You won’t miss its whale shape from the outside, and it’s worth taking a peek inside the design museum. Most of the exhibits are free. 

For lunch, follow your nose to Heather Street Food on the esplanade outside the V&A. It serves up sugared doughnuts that have become somewhat legendary. Get there early to beat the queues. 

If you’d prefer somewhere to sit down, wander up Union Street to the City Square, where you’ll find a variety of cafes, like Soo Delicious and The Flame Tree. Fisher & Donaldson and Pretty Little Cakes do top-notch cakes, including the city’s special, the ‘Dundee cake.’

After lunch, scale the Dundee Law, the highest point in the city, with beautiful panoramic views to match. Or admire the McManus, Dundee’s Art Gallery and Museum, housed inside a Gothic revival building. 

💡Top tip: Travel one stop further to Broughty Ferry, Dundee’s historic seaside suburb, complete with a beach, castle and local nature reserve. Grab an ice cream from Visocchi’s and perhaps spot a dolphin from the shore.

Best day trips from Edinburgh by train or bus FAQs 

Final thoughts on day trips from Edinburgh without a car

With so many easy day trips from Edinburgh by train or bus, you definitely won’t be missing out if you don’t have your own car. 

There are plenty of amazing places to see, castles to explore, epic views and Scottish culture all within two hours or under from the capital.

 The best thing is that no matter which day trip you choose, you’re bound to have an unforgettable experience and learn something new along the way.

Wondering where to stay for your Edinburgh excursions? Check out my top hotels for mid-range budgets!

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