Travelling to Linlithgow

Our Nearest Airports

Linlithgow is just 12 miles (approx 20 minutes) by car from Scotland’s busiest airport – Edinburgh Airport and is 43 miles (50 minutes – 1 hour) by car from Glasgow Airport.  If you are travelling from Edinburgh airport:

By Car
  • Drive along the airport road towards the Ratho Roundabout.  Join the M9 motorway from its start (heading towards Stirling) then turn off at junction 3, signposted Linlithgow. From there turn left at the junction and follow the road straight into the town. You will can’t miss Linlithgow Palace on your right as you come into the town and this will let you know you are on the right road.  A taxi from the Airport to Linlithgow will cost about £40-£50.
By Public Transport
  • Combine tram or bus and rail to get to Linlithgow within one hour.   You can get the tram from the Airport to Edinburgh Park Train Station (about 10 minutes journey).  Change there for a train direct to Linlithgow.   Alternatively you can get the tram or the Airport Express Bus (Service no 100) into Edinburgh Haymarket Railway Station.  You can get a train direct to Linlithgow from here.

If you are travelling from Glasgow airport:

By Car
  • By car – join the M8 at exit 29 heading towards Edinburgh and Glasgow.  Take the M80 exit towards Stirling & Kincardine Bridge.  Next join the M876 and then merge onto the M9.  Come off at junction 4 at Polmont and then take the 3rd exit at the roundabout on the A803.  This is signposted for Linlithgow.
  • A taxi from Glasgow Airport to Linlithgow will cost approximately £80- £100.
By Public Transport
  • Glasgow Airport Express service 500 is Glasgow Airport’s official bus service connecting the airport and the city centre in just 15 minutes.  Get off at the George Square stop for Glasgow Queen Street Station.  Direct trains run from here every 30 minutes to Linlithgow.   Alternatively use the direct number 38 Royal Route bus link (see below).
Picture of a Sign showing distance to Glasgow and Edinburgh from LinlithgowTravelling by Rail

Linlithgow is well served by fast and frequent trains connecting the town with Edinburgh, Glasgow, Falkirk, Stirling and Cumbernauld.  There are only 2 Platforms at the station.

  • Platform 1 heads east and use this for trains towards Edinburgh Park (and the Airport), Edinburgh Haymarket and Edinburgh Waverley stations.
  • Platform 2 heads west and use this for trains towards Polmont, Falkirk, Larbert, Stirling, Dunblane, Cumbernauld  and Glasgow Queen Street stations.
  • Get up to date information on train departures from Linlithgow here.  You can also use the Trainline website. Alternatively download the national rail App
Travelling by Bus

Linlithgow is well served by bus, with direct and regular services run by various national and local providers.

  • The Royal Route (number 38) is run by First Group linking Edinburgh to Stirling.  To download timetables click here.  There are several bus stops throughout the high street. If you are unsure head to Linlithgow Cross where all of the routes will stop.
  • Local bus services are also provided by SD Travel (running the local town service L1 on an hourly circular route).  E&M Horsburgh (EMH) run Route 31 which links Linlithgow to Bathgate and,Livingston.
  • First Scotland East also runs a circular service from Linlithgow to Bo’ness – service 45.
  • If you want to get to BeeCraigs Country Park without a car then you can book a taxibus service from Linlithgow.   To pre-book the taxibus, call 01506 44 44 44.
Discounts for Public Transport Travel
  • For all your public transport journey planning, head to www.travelinescotland.com or call 0871 200 22 33.
  • If you are using both rail and bus then PLUSBUS is a discount price bus pass that you buy with your train ticket. You can buy this at any National Rail station ticket office or online.  A Linlithgow PLUSBUS ticket gives you unlimited bus travel on participating operators’ services, around the whole urban area of Linlithgow town and to/from Bo’ness.
  • For unlimited travel on bus and rail in East Central Scotland you can purchase ONE-TICKET.
Travelling by Car/ Taxi

Linlithgow is well connected to the main Motorway Network. The M9 motorway passes just to the north of Linlithgow, with two junctions serving the town:

  • Junction 4 – This 4-way junction lies to the west of Linlithgow and provides a link to the main routes south (M74) and north (A9) in Scotland.
  • Junction 3 – This is only a two-way junction and provides links to and from Edinburgh and the Forth Bridge / Queensferry Crossing. The junction lies to the east of the town.
  • Access to both junctions is direct from the High Street – keep driving west for junction 4 towards Polmont; drive east for junction 3 via Blackness Road.

Because it’s a small town, taxis don’t sit in ranks (not even at the railway station or on the high street) so you will need to call to arrange a pick-up in advance – however they tend to be really quick in getting to you (within 10-15 minutes – except perhaps on Friday & Saturday nights).  Find a list of local taxis in our directory under travel.

Travelling by Bicycle and Walking

There are a number of ways you can cycle to Linlithgow.  The Union Canal runs through the heart of Linlithgow and a National Cycle Network route (754), on the canal towpath runs from Falkirk to Edinburgh.  For route 754 and other local routes use Open Cycle Map

John Muir Way CyclistsOne of Scotland’s Great Trails, The John Muir Way offers walkers and cyclists of any ability a unique journey through Scotland’s landscapes, history and heritage. Traversing central Scotland coast to coast in 134 miles, it links Helensburgh in the west with Dunbar in the east (birthplace of ‘father of national parks’ John Muir).  The John Muir Way visits Linlithgow on its way between Falkirk and Bo’ness via the signposted ‘Linlithgow Link’ path, which follows the Union Canal into the centre. Several of the town’s historic attractions also serve as ‘stamping stations’ for the John Muir Way passport, which allows walkers and cyclists to collect stamps as they complete each of the ten sections. (Linlithgow Palace, Burgh Halls and Linlithgow Museum).  The trail is fully way-marked and provides a great way to explore the Linlithgow area on foot or by bike, tackling the local sections on day trips or as part of a full coast to coast expedition.

Once you are in Linlithgow – its easy to get around and everything is within cycling or walking distance.  You can plan your trip at www.walkit.com or download the WalkIt app.