Viral Video: YouTuber Tests What Is Faster, British Airways Flight Or Train From Edinburgh To London

Travellers have long questioned whether flying genuinely offers a significant time advantage over taking the train between Edinburgh and London. A recent experiment by a UK travel YouTuber has brought that debate back into focus, revealing that the two options are far closer in overall journey time than many assume.

How The Test Was Conducted

Scott Manson, creator of the channel Planes, Trains, Everything, set off from Edinburgh's Princes Street with a stopwatch and measured both journeys door to door. This included the walk to the station or airport, transfers, security queues and the final stretch into central London. He stopped the clock near Oxford Street, ensuring that the comparison reflected the journey as it actually unfolded rather than relying on scheduled timings.

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Train Versus Plane: The Timings

According to detailed timings reported by AviationAnalysis.net, the rail journey took 4 hours, 53 minutes and 25 seconds, just under the commonly accepted five-hour benchmark. The British Airways flight completed the same city-centre-to-city-centre journey in 4 hours, 49 minutes and 22 seconds, handing the flight a lead of only a few minutes.

Comfort And Predictability

Despite the narrow time difference, Manson described the train as the more relaxing option. As summarised by HeadTopics, he found London City Airport crowded and less predictable, mainly due to security queues and congestion. The train offered a calmer, more straightforward experience.

The Environmental Contrast

One of the most striking differences emerged in emissions. Manson calculated that the train produced around 12.5 kg of CO2, while the flight generated about 165 kg. When the time savings delivered by flying are so limited, the rail option's environmental advantage becomes even more pronounced.

How Prices Compare

Cost played an important role too. When booked in advance, the train was cheaper at around 60 pounds, compared with approximately 95 pounds for the flight. As the travel date drew closer, fares for both rose sharply, but flying became even more expensive once the additional cost of airport transfers was included.

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The Final Verdict

Although the flight technically recorded the faster time, the margin was so slim that even a minor delay could have reversed the result. For travellers seeking a calmer, greener and often more cost-stable choice, the train remains a highly competitive option on the Edinburgh-London route.