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EdinBurgh train station luggage storage
Why choose EdinBurgh train station luggage storage?
If you're arriving from the National Rail, our prime location offers hassle-free 24/7 luggage storage, just a short one-minute walk from the station.
At just £5/bag per day, our simple flat-rate service is ideal for both brief and extended storage needs. Whether you need to store your items for a few hours or a few weeks, we’ve got you covered.
EdinBurgh train station luggage storage
Edinburgh Waverley (also known simply as Edinburgh;[3] Scottish Gaelic: Waverley Dhùn Èideann) is the principal railway station serving Edinburgh, Scotland.[4][5] It is the second busiest station in Scotland, after Glasgow Central. The station serves as the northern terminus of the East Coast Main Line, 393 miles 13 chains (393.16 miles; 632.7 kilometres) from London King's Cross, although some trains operated by London North Eastern Railway continue to other Scottish destinations beyond Edinburgh
Edinburgh's Old Town, perched on a steep-sided sloping ridge, was bounded on the north by a valley in which the Nor Loch had been formed. In the 1750s overcrowding led to proposals to link across this valley to allow development to the north. The "noxious lake" was to be narrowed into "a canal of running water", with a bridge formed across the east end of the loch adjacent to the physic garden.
This link was built from 1766 as the North Bridge and at the same time plans for the New Town began development to the north, with Princes Street to get unobstructed views south over sloping gardens and the proposed canal. The loch was drained as work on the bridge proceeded.
In 1770 a coachbuilder began work on properties feued at the corner between the bridge and Princes Street, and feuers on the other side of the street strongly objected to this construction blocking their views to the south.
A series of court cases ended with the decision that the buildings nearing completion could stay, immediately to the west of that some workshops would be allowed below the level of Princes Street, and further west a park would be "kept and preserved in perpetuity as pleasure ground" in what became Princes Street Gardens
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Edinburgh and Glasgow railway
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In the mid-1830s proposals for a railway from Glasgow running along the gardens to a station at the North Bridge were set out in a prospectus with assurances that the trains would be concealed from view, and smoke from them "would scarcely be seen".
Key Features and Advantages
- •An association of "Princes Street Proprietors" who had feued houses in the street, and had spent large sums turning the "filthy and offensive bog" of the Nor Loch into quiet gardens, strongly opposed the railway and in late 1836 put forward their case against the Act of Parliament for the railway.
- •The Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway opened in 1842 with its terminus at Haymarket railway station, stopping short of Princes Street. In the Railway Mania of the 1840s, the railway sought another Act of Parliament allowing access along the gardens, and at the same time two other railways proposed terminus stations at the North Bridge site.
- •By then several of the Princes Street properties were shops or hotels with an interest in development, and agreement was reached in 1844 on walls and embankments to conceal the Edinburgh and Glasgow railway line in a cutting, with compensation of almost £2,000 for the proprietors.
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North Bridge Station
The North Bridge station was opened on 22 June 1846 by the North British Railway as the terminus for its line from Berwick-upon-Tweed. The Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway's General station opened on 17 May 1847, on the same day as the Canal Street station of the Edinburgh, Leith and Newhaven Railway, serving Leith and Granton via a long rope-hauled tunnel under the New Town. The collective name "Waverley", after the Waverley Novels by Sir Walter Scott, was used for the three from around 1854 when the through "Waverley" route to Carlisle opened. Canal Street station was also known as Edinburgh Princes Street,[1] not to be confused with the Caledonian Railway railway station later built at the West End which was named Princes Street station from 1870.
From 1866 to 1868, the North British Railway acquired the stations of its rivals, demolished all three and closed the Scotland Street tunnel to Canal Street. The present Victorian station was built on the site. Along the tracks of this first station, Hanna, Donald & Wilson built some very impressive roofs. The station was extended in the late 19th century. In 1897, the impressive glass dome was added.[9] Waverley has been in continual use since, under the auspices of the North British, the LNER, British Railways (rebranded as British Rail after 1965), Railtrack and now Network Rail. From its opening in its current form by the eastward tunnelled extension from Haymarket, Waverley has been the principal railway station in Edinburgh. From 1870 to 1965, the city had a second major station, Princes Street, operated by the rival Caledonian Railway, but this was never as important as Waverley.
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This was my second time using their services, and they never disappoint! I booked with them on the 21st of November for 3 suitcases. The process was seamless—I received the tickets promptly, and they even helped us carry our suitcases up and down the stairs. They kindly informed us about another location that would stay open until midnight, but since 7 PM worked perfectly for us, we stuck to that plan.
Highly recommend. This place is affordable, literally across the street from Kings Cross, fast, friendly and professional. I was so impressed with the owner who helped carry my heavy suitcase up and down the stairs. Will definitely use again. Thanks so much!
Fast (pay online or tap your card once there), kind (super kind staff who reminded us when they were closing) , effective and cheap (4£ per bag). The best luggage storage near St Pancras and King Cross. Just note that you will have to go down some stairs with your bag.
Great option if you need to leave your bags for a bit whilst in London. Friendly, efficient service at a fraction of the cost compared to the place in Kings Cross station (4 bags £20 compared to KC Station @ £60. Quick shout out to Hussam who served us.
Travel like an insider. This tiny shop is right across from Kings Cross and Kings Cross left Luggages. 4 minute walk. Super inexpensive to stash your luggage here. It is a tiny entrance between restaurants and then down the stairs. The nice attendant helps you with your luggage. Quick and easy! MUCH less expensive than the in-station option.
Fantastic service all around! We needed a place to store our luggage while we enjoyed a day out, and this facility exceeded our expectations. The staff was warm and welcoming, and they helped us with our heavy bags without any hesitation. The process was quick and efficient, which we really appreciated.
Highly recommend. This place is affordable, literally across the street from Kings Cross, fast, friendly and professional. I was so impressed with the owner who helped carry my heavy suitcase up and down the stairs. Will definitely use again. Thanks so much!
This place is great. I was late by 2 hrs in picking up my luggage and they were super cool about it and even helped me up with my luggage to the main street! I will def be using them again!
Much cheaper than the ones in the station (£5). It’s cash only for walk in, so you need to have some cash prepared. There’s also lots of baggages in the storage, so may take sometime to find yours when picking up. Just be careful if you are in hurry!
1. When was Edinburgh Waverley station first established?
Edinburgh Waverley's origins date back to 1846, when the North British Railway opened the North Bridge station on June 22, 1846. This was followed by the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway's General station and the Edinburgh, Leith and Newhaven Railway's Canal Street station, both opening on May 17, 1847. The collective name 'Waverley' began to be used around 1854, and the present Victorian station was built between 1866-1868 when the North British Railway demolished the original stations.
2. Why is the station named 'Waverley'?
The station is named after Sir Walter Scott's Waverley Novels. The collective name 'Waverley' was used for the three original stations (North Bridge, General, and Canal Street) from around 1854 when the through 'Waverley' route to Carlisle opened.
3. What is the historical significance of the station's location?
The station is built in the valley that once contained the Nor Loch, a body of water that separated Edinburgh's Old Town from the planned New Town. In the 1750s, this 'noxious lake' was drained to allow development northward, with North Bridge built from 1766 to cross the valley. There was significant opposition from Princes Street property owners when railways were first proposed along this valley, as they had spent considerable sums turning the 'filthy and offensive bog' into quiet gardens and feared the railways would spoil their views and gardens.
4. What major renovations has Edinburgh Waverley undergone in recent years?
Edinburgh Waverley has undergone several major renovations in recent years. Between 2010 and 2012, the entire roof glazing was replaced with new strengthened clear glass panels as part of a £130 million upgrade. From 2012 to 2014, improvements included new covered escalators at Waverley Steps, a rebuilt entrance from Market Street, restored canopies, renovations to the ticket hall, and improved access from Calton Road. In 2017-2019, platform 12 was extended and platforms 5 and 6 were developed to accommodate additional London North Eastern Railway services. Work began in 2020 to reopen a corridor from the ticket office to the eastern concourse and replace the toilets.
5. How important is Edinburgh Waverley as a railway station in the UK?
Edinburgh Waverley is the principal railway station serving Edinburgh and the second busiest station in Scotland, after Glasgow Central. It serves as the northern terminus of the East Coast Main Line, 393 miles from London King's Cross. In 2023-24, it handled 21.3 million passengers. The station is served by multiple train operating companies including London North Eastern Railway, CrossCountry, Avanti West Coast, TransPennine Express, Lumo, Caledonian Sleeper, and ScotRail, connecting Edinburgh to destinations throughout the UK.
6. What is the layout of Edinburgh Waverley station?
Edinburgh Waverley has 20 numbered platforms arranged around a large island that contains the main station facilities. The layout includes: two tracks on the north side (split between platforms 20/1 and 19/2), four east-facing bay platforms (3-6), four tracks on the south side (platforms 7-11, with 8 and 9 subdivided into east and west sections), and seven west-facing bay platforms (12-18). The station is situated in a steep, narrow valley between Edinburgh's Old Town and New Town, with North Bridge passing high above the central section.
1. What future developments are planned for Edinburgh Waverley?
In March 2019, Network Rail announced the Waverley Masterplan to redevelop the station to meet anticipated passenger demand increases by 2048. The plan, drawn up by Arup Group, proposes creating a new mezzanine level concourse above the main platforms to improve passenger circulation, with a link to the neighboring Waverley Mall shopping center. The entrance ramps from Waverley Bridge would be removed, and the new concourse would be enclosed in plate glass to provide panoramic views over the Old Town. The plans also reference a 'transport hub,' though a direct interchange with Edinburgh Trams is not specifically detailed.
2. How does the station connect to other forms of transport in Edinburgh?
Edinburgh Waverley is well-connected to other transport options, though some require a short walk. The nearest Edinburgh Trams stop is at St Andrew Square, about 200 meters from the station, which serves the route between Edinburgh Airport and Newhaven. This tram stop also connects to the adjacent Edinburgh bus station. Additional bus services stop outside the station at Princes Street. Taxi ranks are located outside at Market Street. The station has multiple pedestrian entrances, including the Waverley Steps, which lead to Princes Street, and access points from Market Street and Calton Road.
3. What is the significance of the glass dome at Edinburgh Waverley?
The impressive glass dome at Edinburgh Waverley was added in 1897 as part of the Victorian expansion of the station. It remains one of the station's most distinctive architectural features. Between 2010 and 2012, the dome, along with the entire roof glazing of the station, was replaced with new strengthened clear glass panels as part of a £130 million upgrade. This renovation greatly increased the amount of natural light in the station while preserving its historic character.
4. What was the Balmoral Hotel's original connection to the railway station?
The Balmoral Hotel was originally built by the railway company as the North British Hotel, adjacent to their station at the corner between Princes Street and North Bridge. It opened in 1902 to provide accommodation for rail travelers. The hotel was constructed on the site of a former coachworks. After closing in 1988, it was reopened under new ownership as the Balmoral Hotel in 1991. The hotel and station maintain their historical connection as prominent landmarks in Edinburgh's city center.
5. How did the Railway Mania of the 1840s affect the development of Waverley station?
The Railway Mania of the 1840s significantly influenced Waverley's development. During this period of intense railway investment and speculation, multiple railway companies sought Acts of Parliament to build terminus stations at the North Bridge site. The Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway, which had previously been forced to terminate at Haymarket, obtained permission to extend its line along Princes Street Gardens to North Bridge. This period of competition and expansion led to the establishment of the three separate stations (North Bridge, General, and Canal Street) that would eventually be consolidated into Waverley station.
6. What is the Scotland Street tunnel and how did it relate to Waverley station?
The Scotland Street tunnel was a long rope-hauled tunnel under Edinburgh's New Town that connected the Canal Street station (part of what would become Waverley) to Leith and Granton. It was used by the Edinburgh, Leith and Newhaven Railway from 1847. When the North British Railway acquired its rivals' stations between 1866-1868 and began construction of the unified Waverley station, they closed the Scotland Street tunnel to Canal Street. This marked the end of this unique underground rail connection from the heart of Edinburgh to its port areas.
7. What architectural features make Edinburgh Waverley a Category A listed building?
Edinburgh Waverley was designated as a Category A listed building on November 12, 1991, recognizing its special architectural and historic interest. Its notable features include the Victorian glass dome added in 1897, the impressive roof structures built by Hanna, Donald & Wilson, and the overall design of the station that evolved from 1866-1868. The station's integration into Edinburgh's dramatic topography, with bridges spanning above it and its position in the valley between the Old and New Towns, also contributes to its architectural significance and protected status.
8. What is the Scotland Street tunnel and how did it relate to Waverley station?
The Scotland Street tunnel was a long rope-hauled tunnel under Edinburgh's New Town that connected the Canal Street station (part of what would become Waverley) to Leith and Granton. It was used by the Edinburgh, Leith and Newhaven Railway from 1847. When the North British Railway acquired its rivals' stations between 1866-1868 and began construction of the unified Waverley station, they closed the Scotland Street tunnel to Canal Street. This marked the end of this unique underground rail connection from the heart of Edinburgh to its port areas.
9. What architectural features make Edinburgh Waverley a Category A listed building?
Edinburgh Waverley was designated as a Category A listed building on November 12, 1991, recognizing its special architectural and historic interest. Its notable features include the Victorian glass dome added in 1897, the impressive roof structures built by Hanna, Donald & Wilson, and the overall design of the station that evolved from 1866-1868. The station's integration into Edinburgh's dramatic topography, with bridges spanning above it and its position in the valley between the Old and New Towns, also contributes to its architectural significance and protected status.
10. What is the 'Flying Scotsman' service that operates from Edinburgh Waverley?
The Flying Scotsman is a prestigious express passenger train service operated by London North Eastern Railway from Edinburgh Waverley to London King's Cross. It departs Edinburgh at 05:40, calls only at Newcastle, and arrives at London at exactly 09:40—completing the journey in precisely four hours. This iconic service has a long and distinguished history on the East Coast Main Line, with its name dating back to 1862. It represents one of Britain's most famous train services and continues to be a flagship route connecting Scotland's capital with London.