Inverness is the transport hub of the Highlands: an airport, direct trains from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and London, and coaches to Skye, Fort William, Ullapool and the far north.
Routes at a glance
| From | How | Time | Rough cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edinburgh | ScotRail train (Highland Main Line) | about 3½ hours | from around £20 booked ahead |
| Edinburgh | Car on the A9, or express coach | about 3–3½ hours / 3¾–4 hours | coach from around £15 |
| Glasgow | ScotRail train or Citylink coach | about 3¼–4 hours | from around £15–25 |
| London | Flight, or Caledonian Sleeper overnight | 1½ hours / about 11–12 hours | varies widely |
| Inverness Airport | Bus or taxi to the city centre | about 25–30 min | bus around £5–6 |
| Inverness | Citylink coach or car to Urquhart Castle | about 30–35 min | coach around £5–10 |
Times and prices are approximate and change with season and booking date — check operators for current timetables and fares.
By air
Inverness Airport is at Dalcross, nine miles east of the city, with flights from London, Amsterdam and other British and Irish cities, and connections to the islands. Buses run to the city centre about every half hour, and there is a railway station a short walk or shuttle ride from the terminal on the Inverness–Aberdeen line. Car hire desks are in the terminal — handy if you are starting the North Coast 500.
By train
The Highland Main Line from Edinburgh and Glasgow climbs through Perthshire and over the Drumochter Pass past Aviemore — a fine journey in itself. There are also direct trains from Aberdeen (about 2¼ hours), a daily through train from London King’s Cross (about eight hours) and the Caledonian Sleeper from London Euston. Inverness station is in the middle of the city, and is the starting point of the scenic lines to Kyle of Lochalsh and to Thurso and Wick.
By car or coach
The A9 from Perth is the main road north: about 155 miles and three to three and a half hours from Edinburgh. Much of it is single carriageway with average-speed cameras; do not be tempted to overtake rashly. From Fort William, the A82 along Loch Ness takes about two hours. Citylink and megabus coaches from Edinburgh and Glasgow arrive at the bus station beside the railway station.
Getting to Loch Ness and around
The loch begins about seven miles south-west of the city. Without a car, Citylink coaches towards Fort William and Skye stop at Drumnadrochit and Urquhart Castle, and local buses serve Dores and Foyers on the south side; or take one of the many tours. Culloden is reached by local bus. Inverness itself is compact enough to walk, and taxis are easy to find at the station.
