Getting to Inverness
How to reach Inverness by train, bus, taxi, or car.
By train
Inverness station is the end of the line for four routes: the Highland Main Line from Perth, Edinburgh and Glasgow, the line from Aberdeen, the Kyle of Lochalsh line and the Far North Line. ScotRail runs the station and most trains; LNER's Highland Chieftain runs through to London King's Cross, and the Caledonian Sleeper runs overnight to London Euston. The station is on Academy Street, almost opposite the Victorian Market.
- Station
- Inverness (CRS code INV), Academy Street, Inverness, IV2 3PY, as listed by National Rail
- Operator
- Station managed by ScotRail; LNER and Caledonian Sleeper also call
- Lines
- Highland Main Line, Aberdeen to Inverness line, Kyle of Lochalsh line and Far North Line, all terminating here
- Terminus
- Yes. Every train starts or ends here.
- Step-free access
- National Rail lists step-free category A, with step-free access to all platforms, and Changing Places toilets
- Ticket office
- Monday to Friday 06:30 to 20:30, Saturday 06:30 to 18:30, Sunday 09:15 to 20:20, per National Rail
- Facilities
- Toilets, public Wi-Fi, refreshments and bicycle storage, per National Rail
- Parking
- 60 spaces, including 4 accessible spaces, per National Rail
- Airport
- Inverness Airport station is on the Aberdeen line, about 11 minutes from Inverness, then about a 20-minute walk to the terminal on an uncovered path, per Highlands and Islands Airports
Tips
- •The station is about half a kilometre from the castle and a few minutes from the bus station on Margaret Street, so most of the centre is on foot from the train.
Useful Links
🚆 National Rail from Inverness
Live departures
National Rail service from Inverness. Updates every half hour.
By coach and bus
Inverness Bus Station is on Margaret Street, a short walk from the train station. Scottish Citylink lists coach routes from Inverness to Glasgow and Edinburgh via Perth, to Aberdeen via Elgin, to Skye, to Ullapool, and to Fort William and Oban. Stagecoach runs local buses, including services 1 and 13 to Inverness Airport.
- Bus station
- Margaret Street, Inverness, IV1 1LT
- Coaches south
- Scottish Citylink routes to Glasgow and to Edinburgh, both via Perth
- Coaches west and east
- Citylink routes to Skye, Ullapool, Fort William and Oban, and Aberdeen via Elgin
- Airport bus
- Stagecoach 1 and 13; the airport calls the 1 the most direct and notes a reduced Sunday service
- Loch Ness
- Jacobite's Temptation tour leaves from the bus station, stance 7, per its GetYourGuide listing
- Culloden
- The National Trust for Scotland gives no bus number on its page; check Traveline Scotland
Tips
- •Timetables change by season. Read the operator's page or Traveline Scotland for your date, not an aggregator.
Useful Links
By taxi
Highlands and Islands Airports says it partners with Inverness Taxis, with a taxi zone outside the terminal and a journey of about 20 minutes to the city centre.
- From the airport
- About 20 minutes to the city centre, per the airport
By car
Culloden is off the A9 and the B9006 about five miles east of the city, and Dochgarroch Lock, the main Jacobite cruise departure, is about 7 km south-west of the centre. A car makes it easy to combine the two in a day; in the city itself the centre is compact enough to walk.
- Culloden
- About five miles east of Inverness, off the A9 and B9006, per the National Trust for Scotland; car park £5 for non-members, 08:00 to 18:00
- Clava Cairns
- A short drive on from Culloden; the two pins are a little over a kilometre apart in a straight line
- Dochgarroch Lock
- Dochgarroch, IV3 8JG, per Jacobite
- Station parking
- 60 spaces at Inverness station, per National Rail
Tips
- •On the Loch Ness Marathon Sunday in late September, check the organiser's site before driving between the loch and the city.
Useful Links
From the Airport
Live options for reaching the village from the nearest airports. Times and fares are a guide and can change with traffic or operator schedules.
Inverness Airport (Dalcross)INV
13 km away- Duration
- Check the timetable for your day
- Cost
- Stagecoach fare
The airport calls the 1 the most direct route and notes a reduced service on Sundays.
Operator: Stagecoach
- Duration
- About a 20-minute walk, then about 11 minutes by train
- Cost
- ScotRail fare
The station is on the Aberdeen line; the walk to the terminal is on an uncovered path, per the airport.
Operator: ScotRail
- Duration
- About 20 minutes
- Cost
- Metered fare
The airport's partner taxi firm, per Highlands and Islands Airports.
Operator: Inverness Taxis
Edinburgh AirportEDI
- Duration
- Several hours including the transfer
- Cost
- Separate fares
ScotRail runs the Highland Main Line from Edinburgh via Perth, and Citylink lists an Edinburgh, Perth and Inverness coach route.
Glasgow AirportGLA
- Duration
- Several hours including the transfer
- Cost
- Separate fares
Citylink lists a Glasgow, Perth and Inverness route; trains run from Glasgow on the Highland Main Line via Perth.
EV & Essentials
Practical infrastructure on the ground: charging, water, and accessibility facilities worth knowing about before you arrive.
Accessibility Facilities
Inverness station Changing Places toilets
Changing Places · Inverness station, Academy Street, Inverness, IV2 3PY
Listed by National Rail along with step-free access to all platforms.
Inverness Cathedral all-access toilet
Accessible toilet · Ardross Street, Inverness
The cathedral's visiting page lists an all-access toilet and ramp access at the rear.
Culloden visitor centre hearing loop
Hearing loop · Culloden Battlefield visitor centre, Inverness, IV2 5EU
The National Trust for Scotland lists a hearing loop throughout the visitor centre, plus an accessible toilet.
Parking
Parking options in and around Inverness. On busy weekends, arriving early or taking the train is recommended.
Inverness station car park
Beside the station on Academy Street. National Rail lists the spaces; check the tariff on site.
Culloden Battlefield car park
£5.00 for non-members; free for National Trust for Scotland members. Open daily from 08:00 to 18:00, per the Trust. Parking can be limited at peak times, and there are bays for motorcycles, coaches and motorhomes.
Planning the wider trip?
Our country-level primer covers national rail, intercity buses, airports, the Leap Card, and whether you actually need a hire car for your trip around United Kingdom.
Getting Around United Kingdom →Top Tip
The train is the best way to get to Inverness. You arrive right in the heart of Inverness, there’s no parking hassle, and you can enjoy a meal and a drink without worrying about driving home.