Nestled in the northern Highlands, Inverness is often the starting point for a Scottish road trip or an exploration of Loch Ness. Wherever you come from, there are several options for reaching this human-sized town, gateway to the wild northern landscape.
Here we share the best ways to get to Inverness, with the pros and cons of each solution, depending on your budget, timing and travel itinerary.
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
How to get to Inverness: quick answer
To reach Inverness, your main arrival points are :
- Inverness Airport, 15 minutes from the city center, served by domestic flights (from London, Manchester, Dublin…) and a few international connections via stopovers.
- Inverness station, well connected to Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen or London (via the Caledonian Sleeper night train).
- Inverness bus station, centrally located, with regular long-distance bus services.
- There are no ferries to Inverness, as the city is not served by a passenger shipping service. Ferries to the Scottish islands depart from ports further west or north.
Here’s a map of Scotland to help you locate Inverness:
Option 1: by plane
Inverness airport has a few direct flights from London, Manchester, Bristol, Dublin or Amsterdam, otherwise you’ll have to plan to fly via Edinburgh or Glasgow.
Flights with stopover
You may need to plan a stopover in London (Heathrow, Gatwick or Luton), Amsterdam or Belfast. The most frequent airlines are British Airways, KLM and Aer Lingus. Some low-cost airlines, such as EasyJet, offer flights from London or Bristol.
Flying is not the fastest option, but it may be worth considering if you wish to land directly in the north of Scotland.
From Edinburgh airport
- Many travelers prefer to land in Edinburgh, which offers direct flights from several European cities.
- You can then reach Inverness by train, bus or car.
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- Choose a car that’s not too wide, as some roads have only one lane.
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See our tips (coming soon)
Option 2: by train
The train remains an excellent way to reach Inverness from other Scottish cities, with magnificent scenery across the Highlands.
From Edinburgh or Glasgow
- There are direct connections from Edinburgh to Inverness in around 3h30, 4h from Glasgow.
- The route is operated by ScotRail, with several departures a day. Tickets can be booked here.
- For the best rates, book in advance.
From London
- It’s also possible to reach Inverness from London by train, but the journey takes around 8 hours.
- The Caledonian Sleeper night train can be an interesting alternative: you leave London in the evening and arrive in Inverness in the morning, without losing a day’s sightseeing. Book your ticket here.
Option 3: by car
Hiring a car to get to Inverness is particularly relevant if you then want to visit the region, including Loch Ness, the Isle of Skye or the North Coast 500.
Common routes
- From Edinburgh: approx. 3h30 on the A9.
- From Glasgow: also around 3h30, with the option of passing through Loch Lomond and Glencoe for a more spectacular route.
- From Aberdeen: approx. 2h30 through the Cairngorms National Park.
Road conditions are generally good, but you need to be careful on minor roads (single tracks, animals…). Driving is on the left, and some tourist routes can be busy in summer.
Car rental
There are rental agencies in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and even directly in Inverness. To reduce costs, it’s best to return the car to the place of departure.
Option 4: by bus
Long-distance buses (including Scottish Citylink) connect Inverness to major Scottish cities.
- Edinburgh – Inverness: approx. 4h15
- Glasgow – Inverness: approx. 3h45
Comfort is decent, with Wi-Fi on board in some cases. This is the most economical solution, but also the slowest. It may be suitable if you’re traveling on a tight budget, or if you don’t wish to drive.
Book your ticket here.
From abroad: which arrival city is best?
Here are our recommendations for your travel plans:
- For a stay focused on the north of Scotland: choose a flight with a stopover in Inverness.
- For a broader itinerary including Edinburgh or Glasgow: land in one of these two cities, then reach Inverness by train, bus or car.
- For a cross-Scotland trip: consider arriving in Edinburgh and departing from Inverness (or vice versa), renting a car or combining with public transport.
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Getting around Inverness
Inverness is a human-sized city, easy to explore on foot, but several transport options are available to get around more quickly or reach places a little further afield.
- On foot or by bike: ideal for the city center. The main attractions (castle, cathedral, museums, Ness quays, etc.) are grouped together in a small area. For cycling enthusiasts, a number of cycle paths run along the river, providing access to residential areas and nearby sites such as the Caledonian Canal.
- By bus: to outlying districts. The city bus network is operated mainly by Stagecoach Highlands. It links the city’s various districts, shopping centers (such as Inverness Retail Park) and the airport.
- By cab: available but few in number. Cabs can be found at the ranks near the station or Eastgate shopping center. Reservations can also be made by telephone.
