Everything you need near Edinburgh Waverley Station

Whether you’ve arrived at the station with some time to spare before your train, have 30 minutes between connections or have an hour to kill, here’s our guide to how to find everything you could possibly need in and around Edinburgh Waverley Station.

At the station: Beyond late this morning? Grab an espresso express-style from the Caffe Nero kiosk – super smooth coffee, served super-fast. 

Got time to kill? Say goodbye to the schlep for half-an-hour in the fully-fledged Nero. Sit back in a comfy chair and congratulate yourself for finding cheap train tickets to Edinburgh. 

A short walk away: Coffee snobs will love Wellington Coffee on George Street. It serves up brews from the award-winning Square Mile Roasters. The baristas really know their stuff too – well worth taking trains to Edinburgh.

Fast food: Burger or pastry? Waverley has both. Sink your teeth into a Burger King or wrap your tongue around a crimped Cornish at the Pasty Shop.

Sandwiches/deli: Find posh sandwiches aplenty and super-foodie salads at M&S Simply Food. Chomp down on a fully-loaded baguette at Upper Crust. Find heavenly bagels at the Bagel Factory – we love the halloumi melt. Get in my belly.

A short walk away: The guys at Pep & Fodder on Waterloo Place are serious about breakfast and brunch. Get your oats with a bowl of porridge made the traditional, Scottish way or bite into a hot bacon butty slathered in ketchup.

At the station: Find your next favourite novel, trashy holiday reads and every magazine under the sun (or not far off) at WH Smith. The daily papers are all there too.

A short walk away: A proper old-fashioned book shop. Blackwell’s is a haven for bookworms. The employees really know their Dickens from their Dostoevsky – and they’re happy to help. Saved cash with cheap train tickets to Edinburgh? Why not treat yourself?

Emails, Facebook – where can I get connected?
Browse the web and check emails on your smartphone, tablet or laptop by connecting to one of the available Wi-Fi networks. A number of different providers offer access, but The Cloud is probably your best bet as you get the first 15 minutes free.

Near the station: Swap the draughty train platform for a cosy corner in the Malt Shovel. A great place to lose yourself for half an hour in a book - it’s less than 5-minutes’ walk from the station.

A short walk away: Quirky old pubs are everywhere in Edinburgh. And at the Sheep Heid Inn you find one that’s 600 years old. Mary, Queen of Scots is said to have been a regular – ask the landlord how the pub got its name. It’s a 30-minute stroll from the station though.

Scottish National Gallery: Swot up on your art history between connecting trains. The gallery is just 5-minutes’ stroll from the station. It’s free to get in and houses one of the best collections of fine art in the world, including works by the likes of Rembrandt, Botticelli and Rubens.

Calton Hill: Could there be a better place to clear your head after a day of sightseeing? Clamber up Calton Hill’s rugged, windswept slopes and breathe in the majestic views of the city as well as Edinburgh Castle and Arthur’s Seat. The bracing air will slap your senses into gear.

Need trains to Edinburgh? We’ll get you sorted…

Edinburgh may be a bustling capital city, but the centre also boasts plenty of green spaces where you can sit back and relax.

Princes Street Gardens are in the heart of the city, located in the valley between the old and new towns. Highlights to keep your eyes peeled for as you stroll through the gardens include the renowned Floral Clock which was first planted in 1903, and a number of public memorials and monuments dedicated to influential Scottish figures and fallen soldiers.

Make the most of your trip to Edinburgh.