TransPennine Express (TPE) will run up to two extra services a day for passengers travelling to and from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. The additional trains will operate from Monday, August 3, until Friday, September 4, alongside the usual timetable to support those returning from shows including live music, comedy, and dance.
Weekday and Saturday services
On weekdays, an evening service departs Newcastle at 7.15pm, calling at Morpeth, Alnmouth, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Reston, Dunbar, and East Linton before arriving at Edinburgh Waverley. A late-night return train departs Edinburgh Waverley at 11.24pm, stopping at East Linton, Dunbar, Reston, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Alnmouth, and Morpeth before arriving in Newcastle.
On Saturdays, a service leaves Newcastle at 7.31pm, calling at Morpeth, Alnmouth, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Reston, Dunbar, and East Linton on its way to Edinburgh Waverley. An extra return train departs Edinburgh Waverley at 9.57pm, serving East Linton, Dunbar, Reston, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Alnmouth, and Morpeth before arriving in Newcastle.
Sunday services and passenger advice
On Sundays, a late-evening service departs Newcastle at 10.59pm, calling at Morpeth, Alnmouth, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Reston, Dunbar, and East Linton before reaching Edinburgh Waverley. A further return service departs Edinburgh Waverley at 11.34pm, stopping at East Linton, Dunbar, Reston, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Alnmouth, and Morpeth en route to Newcastle.
Andrew McClements, customer experience and transformation director at TransPennine Express, said: “We are pleased to be able to offer these extra services for those travelling during the Fringe Festival and to support the city of Edinburgh during this popular event. Travelling by train is one of the easiest ways to enjoy the festival, allowing customers to avoid city-centre traffic and parking challenges while arriving right in the heart of Edinburgh. These additional services will give people even more flexibility to make the most of everything the Fringe has to offer.”
More than two million people are expected to travel to the Scottish capital for the festival, with thousands of shows taking place across more than 250 venues. Train services may be busier than usual. Mr McClements added: “Given the event’s popularity, we’re asking our customers to allow extra time to complete their journey to the festival.”
Fringe ticketholders who have not yet purchased rail tickets can do so via TPE’s website. The Edinburgh Festival Fringe community now has a new permanent home, Fringe Central, at 6 Infirmary Street in Edinburgh, following a year of refurbishment.
