Free Tool · 2026
UK Journey Time Calculator
Pick two cities to see an approximate direct train journey time — handy for roughing out an itinerary before checking live times.
These are approximate typical journey times for a common direct or fastest route, not live schedules. Times vary by operator, time of day and whether changes are needed — always check National Rail before booking.
Why It Matters
Planning Multi-City UK Trips
Getting a rough sense of journey time before you plan is often more useful than an exact fare or timetable — it tells you whether two cities work as a single-day trip, a comfortable overnight base, or are simply too far apart to combine without losing a day to travel.
FAQ
Common Questions
No — these are approximate typical journey times for a fastest direct or common route. Actual times vary by operator, time of day, and whether changes are required, so always check National Rail or Trainline for live times before booking.
No, this tool only estimates journey time. For booking, use National Rail Enquiries, Trainline, or the relevant operator's website directly.
Some city pairs don't have a direct line, requiring one or more changes, which adds time compared to a straight-line distance estimate.
The calculator covers 13 major UK cities: London, Edinburgh, Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, York, Bath, Oxford, Glasgow, Bristol, Leeds, Newcastle and Cardiff.
The fastest direct trains from London King's Cross to Edinburgh Waverley take around 4 hours 20 minutes. Most direct services take 4.5 to 5 hours.
Direct trains between Manchester and Liverpool take roughly 45 to 55 minutes, depending on the operator and route.