Easy commute: where to live near Edinburgh
Rising property selling prices in the Scottish capital, a reduced need for a daily commute coupled with an increased need for extra living space, and a desire to escape busy city life may all be reasons why you are looking to buy a home outside of Edinburgh, in a nearby commuter town.
However, if you've never lived outside of the city, it can be tricky to know which of Edinburgh's surrounding areas is right for you. We break down the approximate costs and commuter times in this handy article, to help you decide where to live near Edinburgh.
Commuting to Edinburgh from East Lothian
Commuting to Edinburgh from Midlothian
Commuting to Edinburgh from West Lothian
Commuting to Edinburgh from Fife
Commuting to Edinburgh from the Borders
Commuting to Edinburgh from East Lothian
With sandy beaches, picturesque towns and villages and plenty of things to do, East Lothian presents an excellent alternative to city living. And regular, fast train and bus routes make it even more attractive.
From August- October 2023, the average selling property selling price in East Lothian was £268,152.
Musselburgh
Positioned just to the east of Edinburgh, Musselburgh is a popular place to live, partially due to the excellent transport links available:
- Travelling by train from Musselburgh to Edinburgh takes less than ten minutes and an anytime day return costs from £3.80.
- Travelling by bus from Musselburgh to Edinburgh takes around 35 minutes and a return trip would cost approximately £5.00.
- Travelling by car from Musselburgh to Edinburgh can take from 20–45 minutes, depending on traffic.
Haddington
While not located on a train line, the popular historic market town of Haddington does have a direct bus service to Edinburgh:
- Travelling by bus from Haddington to Edinburgh takes approximately 45 minutes and would cost around £8.50 for a round trip.
- Travelling by car from Haddington to Edinburgh would take around 30 minutes to just over an hour, depending on traffic.
North Berwick
The seaside town of North Berwick is a hugely desirable place to live and it benefits from excellent transport links into the centre of Edinburgh:
- Travelling by train from North Berwick to Edinburgh takes just over 30 minutes and an anytime day return costs from £8.10.
- Travelling by bus from North Berwick to Edinburgh takes around 75 minutes and costs approximately £8.50 for a day ticket.
- Travelling by car from North Berwick to Edinburgh can take from 40 to 80 minutes, depending on traffic.
Commuting to Edinburgh from Midlothian
With easy access to the countryside and the Scottish Borders, as well as the capital, Midlothian is fast becoming a popular alternative base to the city. From December-March 2023, the average selling property selling price in Midlothian was £247,994.
Penicuik
Penicuik is positioned close to the Pentland Hills and within relatively easy commuting distance of the city centre:
- Travelling by bus from Penicuik to Edinburgh takes around 45 minutes and a day ticket costs approximately £5.00.
- Travelling by car from Penicuik to Edinburgh can take from 30 to 70 minutes depending on traffic.
Dalkeith
Home to plenty of family-friendly activities, such as Dalkeith Country Park and the Restoration Yard, Dalkeith is another popular commuter town:
- Travelling by train from the nearby Eskbank station to Edinburgh takes approximately 20 minutes and costs from £5.70 for an anytime day return.
- Travelling by bus from Dalkeith to Edinburgh takes around 40 minutes and a day ticket costs approximately £5.00.
- Travelling by car from Dalkeith to Edinburgh can take approximately 25 to 50 minutes, depending on traffic.
Bonnyrigg
Positioned eight miles southeast of Edinburgh, Bonnyrigg is another great option for those hoping for an easy commute. It isn’t on a train line, but there are regular and fast bus services to the city.
- Travelling by bus from Bonnyrigg to Edinburgh takes around 50 minutes during peak travel times and a day ticket costs approximately £5.00.
- Travelling by car from Bonnyrigg to Edinburgh takes about 25 to 45 minutes, depending on traffic.
Commuting to Edinburgh from West Lothian
Purchasing a home in West Lothian is great for those looking for more for their money along with an easy commute to either Edinburgh or Glasgow, being well-positioned in between both cities.
From August-October 2023, the average selling property selling price in West Lothian was £230,953
Broxburn
Located just to the west of Edinburgh, Broxburn offers easy road and rail links back into the centre of Edinburgh.
- Travelling by train from the nearby Uphall station to Edinburgh takes around 20 minutes and costs from £6.50 for an anytime day return.
- Travelling by bus from Broxburn to Edinburgh takes approximately 50 minutes and a day ticket costs £8.50.
- Travelling by car from Broxburn to Edinburgh can take from 35 to 75 minutes, depending on traffic.
Livingston
With two stations with services to Edinburgh and Glasgow and other towns in the central belt, (Livingston North and Livingston South), it’s no wonder Livingston is popular place to live.
- Travelling by train from Livingston to Edinburgh takes between 20 - 30 minutes (depending on which station and route) and costs from £6.40 for an anytime day return.
- Travelling by bus from Livingston to Edinburgh takes around 75 minutes and costs around £5.50 for a day ticket.
- Travelling by car from Livingston to Edinburgh can take from 40 – 80 minutes depending on traffic.
Linlithgow
Perhaps most famous for its iconic palace, this pretty town is a desirable place to live thanks to lovely local amenities, highly regarded schools and great transport links. Linlithgow is conveniently located on the fast Edinburgh to Glasgow train route, meaning regular services are available to transport you to either city.
- Travelling by train from Linlithgow to Edinburgh takes just 20 minutes and an anytime day return costs from £9.60.
- Travelling by car from Linlithgow to Edinburgh can take 40 to 80 minutes, depending on traffic.
Commuting to Edinburgh from Fife
Located over the Firth of Forth from the capital, many Fife towns are popular bases for those that work in Edinburgh.
From August-October 2023, the average selling property selling price in West Fife & Kinross was £216,806 and £315,180 in East Fife.
Dunfermline
Dunfermline is a popular place to live for many different people, from first-time buyers to families, with a fast and regular rail service to Edinburgh, as well as good bus links.
- Travelling by train from Dunfermline to Edinburgh takes around 40 minutes and an anytime day return costs from £7.50.
- Travelling by bus from Dunfermline to Edinburgh takes just over an hour and costs around £6.10 for a return ticket.
- Travelling by car from Dunfermline to Edinburgh takes from 35 to 85 minutes, depending on traffic.
St Andrews
The university town of St Andrews is one of the most desirable towns to live in Scotland, appealing to golfers, those who want to live near the sea and families due to great schooling options. The nearest train station is in Leuchars, around a 10 minute drive or bus journey away.
- Travelling by train from Leuchars to Edinburgh takes from 60 to 80 minutes and costs from £20.10 for a return ticket.
- Travelling by bus from St Andrews to Edinburgh takes just over two hours and costs around £11 for a day ticket.
- Travelling by car from St Andrews to Edinburgh takes from 75 minutes to two hours, depending on traffic.
Kirkcaldy
Perched on the banks of the Firth of Forth, Kirkcaldy is home to a number of shops, restaurants, cafes and bars. Commuting to Edinburgh is made relatively easy with a fast and regular rail service:
- Travelling by train from Kirkcaldy to Edinburgh takes around 45 minutes and an anytime day return costs from £11.10
- Travelling by bus from Kirkcaldy to Edinburgh takes just over an hour and costs approximately £7.20 for a return ticket.
- Travelling by car from Kirkcaldy to Edinburgh can take from 45 to 90 minutes depending on traffic.
Commuting to Edinburgh from the Borders
When the Borders Railway reopened a few years ago, it made the peaceful towns and villages of the beautiful Scottish Borders much more accessible for commuters. For those who love the countryside and spending time outdoors, a home in the Borders can be a great choice.
From August-October 2023, the average selling property selling price in the Borders was £211,071.
Galashiels
In the heart of the Borders, the popular town of Galashiels benefits from a direct rail service to Edinburgh Waverley.
- Travelling by train from Galashiels to Edinburgh takes around 50 minutes and costs from £12.30 for a return ticket.
- Travelling by bus from Galashiels to Edinburgh takes from 90 minutes to two hours and costs £10.15 for a return trip.
- Travelling by car from Galashiels to Edinburgh takes from 55 to 90 minutes, depending on traffic.
West Linton
The lovely village of West Linton is well-positioned 18 miles south-west of Edinburgh city centre. There is a direct bus service between the village and St Andrew Square in the capital:
- Travelling by bus from West Linton to Edinburgh takes around an hour and a round trips costs around £6.70
- Travelling by car from West Linton to Edinburgh takes from 35 to 70 minutes depending on traffic.
The travel times and prices mentioned are rough estimates and do not take into account different ticket options that may alter pricing. Exact times and fares, and the best ticket options, should be checked with the relevant travel providers.
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