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Easy Ways To Get From Edinburgh to Inverness (Train, Car + More!)
Looking for the easiest and best ways to get from edinburgh to inverness.
I’ve got you covered! I have personal experience traveling all across Scotland – including riding Scotland’s public transport like trains and buses, driving a rental car through the Highlands, designing itineraries, guiding groups of students, and even taking tours!
Based on these experiences in Scotland, I recommend driving from Edinburgh to Inverness. Renting a car and driving will allow you so much freedom to explore incredible places along the way, such as Cairngorms National Park (one of my favorite places in Scotland)!
⭐ At a Glance: Quick Tips on Getting to Inverness from Edinburgh
- The fastest way to get to Inverness is by car, it takes around 3 hours.
- They drive on the left-hand side in Scotland and the speed limit is typically 60 mph.
- The train is another great option, a direct train from Edinburgh to Inverness takes 3.5 hours and has scenic views along the way!
- To see some of the best sites without worrying about transportation, take a guided tour from Edinburgh to Inverness and the Scottish Highlands
This post will share everything you need to know about driving from Edinburgh to Inverness, including what route to take, things to see on the way, and some general tips for the drive.
However, if you aren’t sure about driving in Scotland, I’ll also share some other great options for getting to Inverness such as taking the train, bus, flying, or taking a guided tour- all of which I’ve done myself over the past few years! There are even some unique ways to get to Inverness, such as taking the Caledonian Sleeper Train .
Driving From Edinburgh to Inverness By Car (My Most Recommended)
The best way to travel to Inverness is by car because it gives you the freedom and flexibility to make stops along the way and explore some of the most beautiful places in Scotland, like Cairngorms National Park.
Another benefit of driving to Inverness is that once you are there, you have a car to explore other places nearby. This means you can easily get to places like Loch Ness , or take a few days to travel up to the Isle of Skye.
To rent a car in Edinburgh, I recommend checking out Discover Cars because it allows you to easily find a rental car by comparing prices and ratings of local car companies. We picked ours up from the Enterprise location right at Edinburgh Waverley Station and returned it there with no issue!
🚗 Rental Car Tip: Always check reviews when renting a car. You’ll want to make sure the local rental company is rated at least 8/10 stars.
The Best Driving Route From Edinburgh to Inverness
The quickest and easiest driving route is to take the A9 road, which takes a little over 3 hours without making any stops. However, you may want to plan on 5-6 hours because that will give you time to make a couple of stops along the way. If you’re worried about driving so far in a foreign country, just know that the A9 is a super easy drive to make from Edinburgh to Inverness! It’s a straight shot, with many places to stop for amenities along the way. I’ve driven this route personally a few times now, and I always stop in Aviemore!
Some things to see on this route include Dunfermline Abbey , the Forth Bridges , the town of Perth , the villages of Dunkeld and Pitlochry , and last but certainly not least, the scenic Cairngorms National Park.
The A9 route is a popular road, and so depending on the time of year, there can be some traffic. In general, the road is well-maintained and it varies between a single and dual carriageway. The speed limit is mostly 60 mph but increases to 70 mph on the dual carriageway sections.
When driving this route, it is important to stay focused on the road because, of course, the scenery can be a bit distracting! You’ll also want to pay attention to when the road switches from dual carriageway to single carriageway.
Easiest Ways to Get From Edinburgh to Inverness Via Public Transportation
Another way to get to Inverness is by taking public transportation from Edinburgh . The most popular and convenient public transportation option is to take the train, but it is also possible to take the bus or fly to Inverness.
1. Edinburgh to Inverness by Train
If you prefer not to drive, taking the train from Edinburgh to Inverness is likely the best option. The train is an easy way to get to Inverness and is also affordable, with prices starting around £19 for a one-way journey.
The trains are clean and comfortable, and there are plenty of scenic views along the way. They also have food and drinks available, so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride. If you’ve never ridden a train in Europe, expect an awesome experience. They’re so much better than trains here in the United States!
✅ Is There a Direct Train From Edinburgh to Inverness?
There is a direct train from Edinburgh to Inverness, which makes taking the train a convenient option. The train leaves from Edinburgh’s Waverly Station and reaches Inverness in about 3.5 hours.
Train schedules vary, but several trains per day run from Edinburgh to Inverness, with about 6 or 7 of those being direct trains. What makes this option particularly enticing is that the train stations in both Edinburgh and Inverness are both in the middle of the city center. Once you arrive, you can easily walk to many accommodations or attractions without much fuss as you’ll already be where the action is! In fact, my last hotel in Inverness was literally steps away from the train station!
✅The Caledonian Sleeper
A sleeper train is a great way to save time in your Europe itinerary, and The Caledonian Sleeper is a unique way to travel around the United Kingdom. This sleeper train goes all the way from London to various cities in Scotland, including Inverness and Edinburgh.
Since this is an overnight train ride, it is best for longer distances such as London to Inverness. If you are flying into London at the start of your trip, it might be fun to take the sleeper train to Inverness, and then take the regular train back to Edinburgh.
If you do decide to take the Caledonian Sleeper Train, you can choose to have regular train seats or a private sleeper room.
There are three different types of private rooms: a classic room with bunk beds, a club ensuite with bunk beds and a bathroom, or a double ensuite with a double bed and bathroom.
If you are taking a journey on the Caledonian Sleeper Train, I recommend a private room with a bathroom, as it is a comfortable way to enjoy this unique experience!
✅ Purchasing Train Tickets to Inverness
I personally purchase my train tickets online with Rail Europe , or I use an app called Omio to because it is user-friendly and allows you to easily buy your tickets in advance and have access to them on your phone. You can also set seat preferences, and trust me – you will want a window seat.
Train tickets typically are released around 3 months in advance. In general, it is best to book in advance as you can get the lowest price that way and guarantee your seat. However, booking train tickets directly at the station is also possible.
2. Flying to Inverness From Edinburgh
Inverness has a small airport, so it is possible to fly there from Edinburgh. However, there aren’t typically direct flights between the two cities. Instead, most flights will connect through bigger airports like London Heathrow.
Since there aren’t direct flights between the two cities, flying tends to be a less time-efficient option than taking the train or driving from Edinburgh to Inverness. As such, I do not recommend you fly from Edinburgh to Inverness.
3. Edinburgh to Inverness by Bus
Another option to get from Edinburgh to Inverness is by taking the bus. Two bus companies run this route regularly: Scottish Citylink and Megabus UK. These are large coach buses, and they are quite clean and comfortable.
There are 2 main bus stations in Edinburgh and 1 in Inverness. Getting from Edinburgh to Inverness by bus takes around 3.5 to 4 hours. Several buses run this route each day, and there are direct routes available.
One of the benefits of taking the bus is that it is a great budget-friendly option, with ticket prices starting at around £20 for a roundtrip journey.
Guided Tours From Edinburgh to Inverness
One thing to keep in mind about visiting Inverness is that while it is easy to get to the city by train or bus, it isn’t as easy to get to some of the places you will want to see. For example, Culloden Battlefield, Loch Ness, and Clava Cairns are all too far outside the city center to walk to.
Therefore, if you don’t want to rent a car and drive, the best option may be to take a guided tour that will show you all of the incredible places around Inverness. Below are some of the highest-rated and best-guided tours.
These tours leave from Edinburgh , which makes it super easy and convenient to see this part of Scotland without having to worry about transportation.
🚐 Loch Ness, Glencoe, and the Highlands Day Trip
On this day trip from Edinburgh , you will get to explore some of the best places in Scotland, including the beautiful Scottish Highlands, the village of Glencoe, and the famous Loch Ness .
During the trip, you’ll get to hear more about Scottish history from your expert guide as you admire the incredible views. You will even have a chance to take a boat ride around Loch Ness and search for the legendary Nessie, the Loch Ness monster.
This is a memorable and fun way to experience the Scottish countryside in just 1 day from Edinburgh.
🚐 Day Loch Ness and Inverness Small-Group Tour
If you have more than one day, I recommend doing a 2-day tour where you will stay overnight in Inverness. There’s just so much to see in and around Inverness!
This 2-day tour is very comprehensive and explores many of the best sites in detail. Plus, it includes accommodation at a Bed & Breakfast in Inverness! It is also a small-group tour, which makes it a much more personalized experience.
On this tour, you will get to see a mix of everything, including castles, lakes, villages, and even Cairngorms National Park. Of course, there are plenty of fun activities to do along the way such as taking a boat ride on Loch Ness or exploring Urquhart Castle.
FAQ: How to Get From Edinburgh to Inverness
The first time I traveled from Edinburgh to Inverness, I had a ton of questions. After all, there are many things to consider when making a trip in a foreign country.
How Do I Get From Edinburgh to Inverness Without a Car?
There are several ways to get from Edinburgh to Inverness without a car, but the most popular is to take the train. Each day several direct trains run between Edinburgh and Inverness, and it is an affordable and fun way to travel. Other options for getting to Inverness include taking the bus, flying, or taking a guided tour.
Is it Better to take the train or bus From Edinburgh to Inverness?
Taking the train from Edinburgh to Inverness is the most convenient and comfortable way to travel. There are several direct trains each day, and the route takes around 3.5 hours. Taking the bus is an alternative option, but the bus ride is slightly longer and takes around 4 hours to reach Inverness.
Is the Train From Edinburgh to Inverness Scenic?
The train ride from Edinburgh to Inverness is very scenic, so you will definitely want a window seat. This train route goes through the Scottish countryside, passing by rolling hills, forested areas, and small villages along the way. The northern section of the route is especially pretty as you will head into the Scottish Highlands.
How Long is It From Edinburgh to Inverness?
It is 251 km (156 miles) from Edinburgh to Inverness. The quickest way to get there is to drive the A9 road, which takes around 3 hours without making any stops. Other popular ways to get to Inverness include taking the train which is around a 3.5-hour journey, or taking the bus which is typically around a 4-hour ride.
Wrapping Up: Traveling From Edinburgh to Inverness
Inverness is considered the gateway to the Highlands, and it is an incredible place to visit. Since it is easy to get from Edinburgh to Inverness, it is worth checking out on your next trip.
The best way to get to Inverness from Edinburgh is by driving because it gives you the ability to fully explore this part of Scotland at your own pace.
However, if you don’t want to drive you can still easily get to Inverness by taking the train, bus, or flying. Out of these options, taking the train is typically the most convenient and best way to get to Inverness.
Last but not least, taking a guided tour from Edinburgh to Inverness and the Highlands is a perfect way to see this part of Scotland without having to worry at all about transportation.
So, whether you choose to drive to Inverness, take public transport, or go on a guided tour, you are sure to have an incredible time exploring this area of Scotland.
Taylor Beal, owner and author of Traverse With Taylor, has been traveling in Europe for more than a decade and helps others explore Europe easily through amazing guides and itineraries. She has adventured through more than 20 countries, searching for the best experiences, must-try foods, and delicious beers! She spends a lot of time in Scotland and Amsterdam, two of her favorite places! Taylor is also a Holocaust educator focused on raising awareness around WWII historical sites.
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COMMENTS
The best way to get from Edinburgh to Inverness is to train which takes 3h 43m and costs $60 - $170. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $45 - $65 and takes 3h 51m. Mode details
How long does it take to travel from Edinburgh (Waverley) to Inverness by train? The average journey time from Edinburgh (Waverley) to Inverness is 4 hours 50 minutes. Journey times might be slightly longer on weekends and Bank Holidays.
ScotRail operates a train from Edinburgh Waverley to Inverness 5 times a day. Tickets cost $60–140 and the journey takes 3h 43m. Two other operators also service this route. Alternatively, Scottish Citylink operates a bus from Queensferry Street to Bus Station Stance 3 hourly.
There are 4 ways to get from Inverness to Edinburgh by train, bus, night train, or car. Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio's travel planner. best. Train. 3h 38m. $60–170. cheapest. Bus. 3h 42m. $23–35. Night train. 4h 11m. $60–140. Drive 155.7 mi. 2h 54m. $52–74.
The fastest way to get to Inverness is by car, it takes around 3 hours. They drive on the left-hand side in Scotland and the speed limit is typically 60 mph. The train is another great option, a direct train from Edinburgh to Inverness takes 3.5 hours and has scenic views along the way!
It takes an average of 3h 37m to travel from Edinburgh (Waverley) to Inverness by train, over a distance of around 113 miles (181 km). There are normally 11 trains per day travelling from Edinburgh (Waverley) to Inverness and tickets for this journey start from £14.30 when you book in advance.