Trains to Edinburgh Fringe Festival

The Edinburgh Fringe Festival is an annual three-week event offering an explosion of creativity from performances all around the world. Whether you’re travelling alone, with family or alongside a group of friends, it’s an event you’re sure to remember.

Hop aboard Avanti West Coast trains to the Fringe Festival and immerse yourself in a celebration of performance arts.

How to get to Edinburgh Fringe Festival by train

Taking the train to Edinburgh Fringe Festival is simple, with trains taking you right into the heart of Edinburgh where the festival is held. Even considering alternative methods, rail travel is the most convenient way to get there.

Reaching Edinburgh is easy, with many routes available from all major UK train stations. You’ll want to travel to Edinburgh Waverley Station, which is located in the middle of the city centre.

From the station, you’ve got lots of options for seeing everything the festival has to offer. You can visit the central attractions right off the train or take short walks or bus rides to the surrounding festival events.

What to do at Edinburgh Fringe Festival

There is plenty to do at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, from shedding tears at a play or crying in laughter at a comedy show. The Fringe Festival is all about celebrating performing arts, whether you take part in the action or attend one of the many shows and experiences.

Check out a glamorous cabaret, listen to live music, or watch professional dancers soar across the stage. There is something for everyone, with hundreds of events and performers to see across the festival.

Planning your visit is easy too. There’s a venue map and a full calendar of events available ahead of the festival, enabling you to choose the best dates to visit.

If you’re keen to travel farther afield, Fringe by the Sea in North Berwick forms part of the Festival and can be reached via train in just half an hour.

About Edinburgh Fringe Festival

The Edinburgh Fringe Festival, also known as the Edinburgh International Festival, takes place in August every year. In 2023, it will run from the 4th to the 28th of August.

The free Fringe Festival began in 1947 but was officially formed by the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society in 1958. It has since grown to become a real spectacle of the arts.

Held over three weeks, The Edinburgh Fringe Festival provides plenty of opportunities to experience everything from theatre, comedy, and dance to opera, spoken word, and children’s shows.

Hundreds of stages are set up all over the city. They host big names in the world of entertainment, as well as unknown artists just beginning their careers.

Ways to save on your train ticket to Edinburgh Fringe Festival

Taking the train to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival is a way to simplify your commute and keep it affordable. And when you book with Avanti West Coast, there are multiple ways to save.

Booking in advance is a great way to save money, with many journeys available to book up to 12 weeks in advance. You can even choose your seat to ensure you’re travelling in comfort the whole way.

Plus, you can save even more when you book directly as there are no booking fees.

Another way to save is to travel on off-peak trains. The Edinburgh Fringe Festival is a busy event with people travelling from all over the world. However, it’s still possible to hop aboard a quieter train if you time it right.

Frequent rail travellers can save with a Railcard too. These personalised passes offer savings of around a third of the standard fare on regular tickets. Many different people can invest in a Railcard for savings on every trip.

If you’re travelling as a group with children, take advantage of the Family and Friends Railcard. Groups of up to four adults and four children can save a third of the cost on adult fares and 60% on children’s fares.

Get the app

Download the Avanti West Coast app today to find the best deals on train tickets to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and beyond.

Purchase your tickets straight from the app and choose your seats in advance. Pay your way with your mobile wallet and track your train from the palm of your hand. You can even make changes to your trip, or cancel and get a refund if your plans change.

Getting to Edinburgh

Ready for an amazing time at Edinburgh Fringe? Plan your visit

Avanti West Coast Trains

Edinburgh at a glance

  • Accessible Public Telephones

    Available in part on the main concourse during Station Opening times

  • Accessible Taxis

    Taxi ranks are located on Waverley Bridge and also Market Street. Market Street can be accessed step free via available lifts.

  • Accessible Ticket Machines

    All Virgin Trains East Coast machines are DDA compliant in the Travel Centre

  • Customer Help Points

    There is a Customer Information Point in the Main Concourse opposite the main departure boards.

  • Impaired Mobility Set Down

    A drop off area is located at Calton Road, an assistance call point is located beside the lift.

    Assistance is available to and from platforms, please call in advance to use this service. Please contact customer services of the relevant train operator:

    • LNER - 03457 225 333
    • Avanti West Coast - 03453280253
    • ScotRail - 0845 6015 929
  • Induction Loop
    Yes
  • National Key Toilets

    At entrance to Public Toilets

  • Ramp For Train Access
    Yes
  • Staff Help Available

    Monday to Friday – 04:00 to 00:45
    Saturday – 04:00 to 00:45
    Sunday – 06:00 to 00:45

    Assistance is available from welcome hosts, the travel centre, and the mobility assistance office as well as the customer information point in the main concourse.

    The Mobility Assistance Room is located opposite platform 4.

  • Step Free Access

    There is step free access to all parts of the station with lifts and escalators giving access to the platforms

  • Wheelchairs Available
    Yes
  • This station does not offer

    Height Adjusted Ticket Office Counter

  • Buying / collecting tickets
  • Getting to / from the station
  • Station Facilities