Travel to Inverness
Inverness is a destination in itself but it is also a base for exploring the Highlands of Scotland with so much of the area within reach.
Inverness has good transport links with travel to Inverness by plane, train, bus and car. There are also long distance walking and biking routes.
Travel to Inverness by Car
The main route from the south is the A9. This road is noted for its beauty as it cuts through the Highlands and rises to 462m above sea level at the Drumochter Summit. It is also notorious for being quite a dangerous road. However, average speed cameras have been introduced in an effort to reduce accidents. It is mostly single carriageway with some dual. Journey times to Inverness from Edinburgh are approximately 3 hours 30 minutes (156 miles) and 3 hours 50 minutes Glasgow (169 miles) but that’s a guide! It doesn’t account for rest breaks and roadworks etc.
Car parking
Like many cities car parking can be quite expensive. One of the best and cheaper option is the Rose Street multi-storey car park. It’s situated next to the bus station and convenient for the town centre with reasonable parking fees. It has also started to introdice wider parking spaces. Rose Street multi-storey car park, Farraline Park IV1 1NQ.
Whereve you park in Inverness, make sure you understand the terms and conditions of where you park. Make sure any app you download to pay for parking is legitimate.
Travel to Inverness by Train
There are two main routes to Inverness from Glasgow and Edinburgh. The line through the middle of Scotland takes you through stunning Highland scenery. The coastal route via Aberdeen is quite different but also picturesque. It is possible to buy tickets to use any route. Train fares can seem expensive however, booking in advance often yields significant savings. It is worth checking the Scotrail website to see details of travel passes, bike facilities and travel offers.
- Glasgow to Inverness (varies but approximately 3 hours 20 minutes)
- Edinburgh to Inverness (varies but approximately 3 hours 40 minutes)
Scotrail is now in public ownership (operated by the Scottish Government).
Local Tip: Consider buying food and drink before travelling as catering facilities on board are relatively limited and expensive.
The train and bus station in Inverness are situated very close to each other. They are centrally located, close to the Victorian Market and the Eastgate shopping centre.
Travel to Inverness by Bus
Bus travel from other major cities is usually inexpensive, especially if booked in advance. Journey times similar to train journey durations can be achieved.
Megabus and Citylink provide connections from Edinburgh and Glasgow. Citylink journeys tend to be slower due to more frequent stops. There is another option FliXBUS which also offers long er distance bus routes includind Edinburgh & Glasgo departures to Inverness.
Stagecoach operates a service between Aberdeen and Inverness with low fares available city to city especially when booked in advance.
FLiXBUS is now providing bus service to and from Inverness to otherScottish cities including Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Fly to Inverness
Inverness Airport is situated 9 miles to the
East of Inverness. The airport terminal is compact and easy to move quickly through with onward transport links including taxis, buses and car parks just outside the main door.
There are quite a few connecting flights between the rest of the UK and Inverness however direct flights from mainland Europe are more limited especially outwith the summer months. Flybe and Easyjet are the main operators.
Fly to Orkney, Shetland, Lewis and Benbecula
Inverness Airport acts as a hub for flights to the Scottish Isles. For the time pressed traveller looking to explore the Isles of Orkney, Shetland, Lewis and or Benbecula there are regular flights from Inverness (operated by Flybe).
Direct flights to Inverness from the rest of the UK include:
England: Bristol, London Luton, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, Manchester and Birmingham. Northern Ireland: Belfast
These are mainly operated by Flybe and Easyjet.
From Europe:
Flight routes are limited from Europe. However there are regular flights between Inverness Airport and Amsterdam Schiphol operated by KLM.
Inverness Airport Transfer
Transfer by bus from Inverness Airport to Inverness Bus Station (city centre) takes around 25 minutes. The Jet 11 bus service runs hourly throughout the day and the bus stop is about thirty metres from the front entrance of Inverness airport.
To plan your transfer navigate to Stagecoach where you will find a journey planner. A single adult ticket is from £5.00 from the airport to Inverness bus station.
There is now a regular train service from Inverness Airport. It’s about 15 minutes walk from the terminal. Walk out the terminal and bear left. Look for the signs, however it is a path that follows the perimiter fence.
Inverness Airport Taxis
There is a taxi service from the front entrance of Inverness Airport. Expect to pay a fare of around £25 to Inverness. Taxis have meters and fares are set by Highland Council. Ask for an estimate when you book the taxi. There is no UBER taxi service in Inverness.
FAQ
Is UBER operating in Invnerness.? Not at this time.