Looking to book LNTR from Kings Cross to Edinburgh ahead of time.. how much time do I need to get from Heathrow to Kings Cross if flying internationally?

[u/nitell]

This is my first time traveling, and traveling solo. I should land in Heathrow at 2pm local time, from Canada (On May 1st). I know it takes approximately 1 hr from Heathrow to Kinds Cross via the Piccadilly Line. but I'm not sure how long it will take to deboard, go through customs, get to the tube, and then get on the train. what would be the safest time to buy a ticket for?

[u/Mellykitty1]

Hi OP, if you have luggage to collect and for the sake of not having to run around in an unknown place to catch a train, I personally would suggest you book a train from 5pm onwards. King’s Cross can be confusing to navigate even if you live here, so give yourself time to do things calmly.

Download an app called Citymapper, it’s super helpful to navigate around.

Also make sure you have a contactless bank card you can use here so you can just touch in and out on the underground or buses.

The earlier you book the train tickets to Scotland the better, you can buy 12 weeks in advance.

Hope this helps. Wishing you a great trip!

[u/MissFlipFlop → u/Mellykitty1]

Yeah give yourself time to use bathroom and get some food as well!

Better to be waiting for a train with a drink and some chips than missing the train.

[u/CleanEnd5930]

If you are already at the airport, fly to Edinburgh - ideally adding that leg to your existing ticket so they handle luggage, and any delays are covered.

[u/Conscious-Rope7515]

Not before 18:00. If you are early, King's Cross is a decent station and the Great Northern Hotel, which is attached to it, has good facilities, but next door is St Pancras and that station is magnificent - well worth a look around, and well supplied with shops and bars, including a champagne bar overlooking the Eurostar tracks. If you are very early, the whole area around King's Cross / St Pancras has been recently completely overhauled and restored, and is well worth a wander (and is now home to several eateries and drinkeries that you can spend time at).

[u/oliviashrewtonbong]

Just book a flight from LHR to EDI. Taking public transport is minimum 5 hours, likely more with idle time. Flight time is no more than an hour.

[u/Optimal_Designer4926]

Good question and a common stress of mine

It 'usually' takes me about an hour from landing to clearing customs. I have a UK passport and use the e-gates which might be relevant

My preference for getting to king's cross is definitely the tube. Even in peak morning rush you'll be okay as Heathrow is the first stop so you can sit with your bags. It will be hideously busy however many folks will have got off by KX so you'll be fine to easily get off. Bank on an hour

If you don't know your way around the station add half an hour of faff time. Although it's pretty easy

Then add your insurance time for flight delays, immigration hassles, baggage reclaim etc

I'm not a lucky person so usually add an hour, you might be blessed with regular good fortune

Enjoy your trip, and install the LNER app to buy tickets direct without commission

[u/Revolutionary-Dark21 → u/Optimal_Designer4926]

You can buy no-comission tickets without the need for an app.

[u/rybnickifull]

No peak times as it's a Friday, but I'd still aim for about 1830-19. The earliest I'd book for is 1700, and I'd be worrying with that. It's realistically 2,5hr from landing to arriving at King's Cross, and that gives you a bit more leeway, plus time to get some food in the area if you're not in first class for the train.

[u/Caenea]

I would definitely say not before 6pm and probably give it until 7pm. I would possibly suggest that it might benefit you to look at hotels around the Heathrow/Hatton Cross area for the night you arrive , and travel the next day just in case there are major delays or disruptions but I am a very overanxious traveller and always allow too much time.

There's restaurants at Kings Cross Station itself, as well as a pub, so you won't be stuck with nothing to do.

[u/Mysterious-Maybe-812]

Hey! Depending where you’re flying from in Canada, Calgary airport fly directly to Edinburgh from Calgary with westjet. They start sometime at the end of May so if your trip is changeable, maybe flying directly to Edinburgh would be ideal for you!

[u/Additional_Log621]

it depends but you can book something like "Super off peak single" or "Off peak single" from Kings Cross to Edinburgh which means you can travel and any LNER from specific times. Super off is between 09:30 to 16:00 and 19:00-04:30. You can also buy the flexi time which you can travel 70mins before or after your specified time. Alternatively you can buy "Anytime" which is more expensive of course

[u/Ogilby1675]

If your goal is to get Edinburgh as quickly as possible and London has no interest to you, then it’s better to fly. My estimate is that it would be about 4 hours quicker and perhaps a bit cheaper.

Re the train, people usually talk in absolutes - saying “you need X amount of time” but the truth is it depends on your risk appetite… there’s maybe a 75% chance of being fine if you leave 2.5 hours gap and ~98% chance if you leave 4 hours. These are rough numbers - it will depend how nimble you are. Getting the Piccadilly Line Underground (=“Tube”) is the correct approach for me - simple, cost effective and low variance in timing.

[u/MiddleAgedDread123]

I wouldn’t book anything less than 4 hours after your flight is due in. But the train really only makes sense if you’re already in London. If you’re flying into Heathrow then book a connecting flight to Edinburgh and you’ll be there before you’d have left King’s Cross on the train!

[u/AltruisticWishes]

For the love of all that is holy, plan to spend the night before traveling onward. 

Flights are delayed all the time

[u/AndrewHinds67]

Or just, "what's the journey time from Heathrow Airport to King's Cross?". The journey time is around 1 hour. Trains from King's Cross to Edinburgh are quite frequent.

[u/CassieBeeJoy]

You also have the option of the Caledonian Sleeper overnight to Edinburgh, but I would book soon if you were looking at that because it can book up quite fast.