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After speaking at KubeCon Europe 2025, I was excited to venture into Scotland, making it my 9th country! When I learned about my speaking engagement at KubeCon, I knew extending my UK trip to include Edinburgh was non-negotiable. While my London tickets were booked well in advance, the specifics of my Scottish adventure remained fluid until I actually landed in the UK.
In this blog post, I’ll take you through my train journey from London to Edinburgh and share my first impressions of this breathtaking Scottish city.
Post-KubeCon Plans: Heading to Edinburgh
It was a Friday evening when I wrapped up at KubeCon a bit early. The conference had been a whirlwind of tech discussions, networking, and knowledge-sharing (you can read all about my KubeCon experience here), but now I was ready for a different kind of adventure. I hurried to catch the tube to my friend’s place before we headed to Edinburgh.
One of the things I love about travel is the anticipation of experiencing a new place. Having already fallen in love with several European cities in my previous travels, I was eager to see how the city would compare.
Would it match the charm of Hyderabad that I experienced last year? Only time would tell.
London to Edinburgh: Choosing Your Mode of Transport
Edinburgh is about 550 km from London, towards the north. It’s also the capital of Scotland and is home to many UNESCO World Heritage sites. Both cities are well-connected, and there are different ways you can reach the Scottish capital.
- Train: The journey takes approximately 4.5-5 hours, and the views along the way are spectacular. We booked tickets on LNER (London North Eastern Railway) for about Rs 15,000 (£145) per person for a return journey. These are comfortable, similar to those I experienced during my European tour last year.
- Flight: For those short on time, a flight from London to Edinburgh takes just about 1.5 hours. It’s quicker, but you’ll miss out on the stunning landscapes.
- Bus: The most economical option, but also the longest. The journey takes around 9-10 hours, but tickets can be significantly cheaper.
- Car: Renting a car gives you flexibility to stop along the way, but it’s a long drive (7-8 hours), and parking in the city can be challenging.
At the time we were booking the tickets, flights were relatively expensive. Further, unlike India, most countries abroad don’t have free check-in luggage, and since I had a huge suitcase, the fares were quite high. Hence, we opted for the train, and I totally recommend taking one.
The Train Journey: A Visual Treat
We boarded our LNER train at King’s Cross at 4 PM. If you’re a Harry Potter fan, you might know this station for its famous Platform 9¾, though we didn’t have time to check it out. The carriage was sleek and modern, reminding me of the ones I’d taken during my European adventures last year.
Did you know? King’s Cross Station has a fascinating history dating back to 1852 when it was built as the hub for the Great Northern Railway. Its distinctive Victorian architecture has made it one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks.
As our train pulled away from the King’s Cross station, the urban landscape gradually gave way to the most picturesque green meadows and rolling hills. The weather was surprisingly sunny, casting a golden glow over everything. The countryside looked like it had been painted by an artist with a particularly vivid palette – deep greens, bright yellows of rapeseed fields, and the occasional splash of wildflowers.
We passed through several cities along the way, including Durham and Newcastle. Until that moment, these names had only registered in my mind as football clubs, thanks to countless hours spent playing FIFA and following the English Premier League! It was surreal to actually see these places and connect them to something beyond football.
The five-hour journey flew by as we pulled into Edinburgh Waverley Station at around 9:20 PM, and my heart skipped a beat – I was officially in Scotland, my 9th country! The station itself was impressive, nestled in a valley between the Old and New Towns. The architecture immediately reminded me of other European stations I’ve visited in Lucerne, Zurich, Milan, and Rome – grand, historic, and full of character.
First Impressions: Edinburgh’s Climate and Architecture
Stepping out of the station, the first thing that hit me was the cold. Compared to London, it was significantly chillier, with a brisk wind that seemed to cut right through my jacket. It had rained earlier in the day, adding an extra layer of coolness to the air. And I didn’t have any because I always sweat, but this was super chilly. I don’t know if this has something to do with the location of Edinburgh on the Earth? 🤔
The station, which appeared to be housed in what looked like a historic palace, was just the beginning. Everywhere I turned, there were stunning Victorian and Gothic buildings, their intricate details accentuated by strategically placed lighting.
Edinburgh’s architecture is a fascinating blend of medieval Old Town and neoclassical New Town, which together form a UNESCO World Heritage site. The city’s distinctive appearance owes much to the local sandstone used in construction, which gives buildings their characteristic greyish hue.
We had booked a charming B&B in Pilrig, about 2.5 kilometres from the station. Like many European cities, the city has excellent public transportation. If you have a contactless payment card, getting around is incredibly straightforward – you simply tap and go.
Late Night Hunger: Finding Dinner in Edinburgh
As we drove through the streets of Edinburgh, I noticed something – most shops and restaurants were already closing down despite it being only around 9:45 PM. The city seemed unusually quiet for a Friday night. We weren’t sure if this was normal or if there was some special reason, but our growling stomachs didn’t care about the why – they just wanted food!
After checking into our B&B and dropping off our luggage, we immediately set out in search of dinner. Most restaurants had indeed closed their kitchens, but we eventually stumbled upon Adaa, a Turkish restaurant that was still serving.
As we entered Adaa, the server immediately noticed my Kubernetes hoodie and we had a quick chat about tech – turns out he was a recent graduate focusing on DevOps! After our brief tech conversation, we ordered a vegetarian feast: falafel, hummus, vegetable casserole with pilaf, and Turkish beverages – Gazoz and Ayran. The meal was exactly what we needed after our long journey.
Anticipating Scottish Adventures
As I drifted off to sleep that first night, my mind was already racing with plans for the following days. Would I fall in love with the famous Royal Mile? Would Edinburgh Castle live up to the hype? Would I find vegetarian versions of traditional Scottish dishes? (Spoiler alert: haggis can be made vegetarian, and it’s surprisingly good!)
Stay tuned for more posts about my Edinburgh adventures, including detailed guides to the main attractions, food recommendations, and day trip ideas. The city had already captured a piece of my heart in just a few hours – I could only imagine what the next few days would bring.
If you’ve got any queries or suggestions, drop them in the comments below. You can also tweet to me at @Atulmaharaj or DM @Atulmaharaj on Instagram or Get In Touch.
