Getting to Portree
How to reach Portree by train, ferry, bus, or car.
Nearest railway stations
There is no railway on Skye, so Portree has no station. The nearest is Kyle of Lochalsh, on the mainland, about 32 km from Portree in a straight line. National Rail lists it as Kyle of Lochalsh (KYL), managed by ScotRail, at Railway Pier, Kyle of Lochalsh, IV40 8AH, step-free to all platforms. From Kyle, the Scottish Citylink 917 calls at the Harbour Slipway stop, about 165 metres from the station building measured between the two published coordinates, and reaches Portree in a little over an hour on the October 2026 timetable. The other way in by rail is Mallaig (MLG), then CalMac's ferry to Armadale and the Stagecoach 52 bus up the island.
- Nearest station
- Kyle of Lochalsh (CRS KYL), about 32 km from Portree in a straight line; managed by ScotRail
- Station to bus
- Citylink 917 and 915 stop at Kyle of Lochalsh Harbour Slipway, about 165 metres from the station
- Kyle to Portree by bus
- Citylink 917: four journeys a day in each direction on the October 2026 timetable, about 1 hour 5 minutes
- Via Mallaig
- Mallaig station (CRS MLG), then CalMac Mallaig to Armadale, then Stagecoach 52 Armadale to Portree, about 1 hour 15 minutes on the bus
- In Portree
- No station. The Citylink coaches use Somerled Square, Stand 1.
Tips
- •Neither station has a through ticket to Portree; buy the train and the bus or ferry separately.
- •CalMac says to book the Mallaig to Armadale crossing in advance, even as a foot passenger.
- •The Stagecoach 52 timetable for October 2026 shows two journeys each way on weekdays and none at weekends, so check it before relying on the Mallaig route.
By ferry from Mallaig
CalMac's Mallaig to Armadale route links the mainland railhead at Mallaig to Armadale in the south of Skye. CalMac says booking in advance is essential, even for foot passengers, and asks foot passengers to check in 10 minutes before departure and vehicles 20 minutes before. The winter timetable runs from 19 October 2026 to 25 March 2027. From Armadale pier, the Stagecoach 52 runs to Portree in about 1 hour 15 minutes on the October 2026 timetable.
- Route
- Mallaig to Armadale, CalMac, MV Lochnevis on the route page
- Booking
- Book in advance, even as a foot passenger, per CalMac
- Check-in
- 10 minutes for foot passengers, 20 minutes for vehicles
- Winter timetable
- 19 October 2026 to 25 March 2027
- Onward to Portree
- Stagecoach 52 from Armadale pier, about 1 hour 15 minutes, two journeys each way on weekdays in October 2026
Useful Links
By coach and local bus
Somerled Square is Portree's bus station in all but name. Scottish Citylink coaches from Inverness (917) and from Glasgow via Fort William (915) stop at Stand 1. Stand 2 has the island services: the Stagecoach 57A and 57C round Trotternish, which serve the Old Man of Storr car park, Staffin and Uig; the 52 to Broadford and Armadale; the 56 and 56X towards Glendale; and the MacDonald's Coaches 607 and 608 towards Carbost and Fiskavaig.
- Inverness to Portree
- Citylink 917 from Inverness Bus Station, Stance 3, via Drumnadrochit, Kyle of Lochalsh, Broadford and Sligachan; about 3 hours 20 minutes, four journeys a day on the October 2026 timetable
- Glasgow to Portree
- Citylink 915 from Buchanan Bus Station via Fort William and Kyle; between six and seven hours on the published Sunday timetable, with some journeys calling at Glasgow Airport
- Old Man of Storr
- Stagecoach 57A or 57C to the Old Man of Storr car park stop, about 15 minutes from Somerled Square
- Staffin and the Quiraing
- 57A to Brogaig, near Staffin, about 34 minutes; the Quiraing car park is 3 km uphill from there, per Walkhighlands
- Towards the Fairy Pools
- MacDonald's Coaches 608 to Merkadale, opposite the Glenbrittle junction, weekdays only in October 2026; no bus reaches the Fairy Pools car park on that timetable
- Sundays
- The October 2026 Stagecoach timetables for the 57A, 57C and 52 show no Sunday journeys
Tips
- •Island timetables change with the seasons. Check the operator's own timetable or Traveline Scotland for the week you travel, not last year's.
By car, and over the Skye Bridge
Portree is on the A87, which comes onto Skye over the Skye Bridge and carries on north to Uig, per Wikipedia; the A855 runs north from the town round the east side of Trotternish past the Storr. Wikipedia gives the town as about 119 km from Inverness. Town parking is Highland Council pay and display, and the Storr has its own charged car park at the foot of the path.
- Road
- A87 from the Skye Bridge to Portree and on to Uig; A855 north past the Storr to Staffin
- Storr car park
- £6 up to 6 hours, £8 up to 12 hours, per the Storr's own parking page; no motorhomes in the main car park and no overnight stays
- Town car parks
- Highland Council pay and display at Somerled Square and The Green; check the machine for the current charge
- Quiraing
- Highland Council car park at the top of the Staffin to Uig road
- Fairy Pools
- A paid car park on the road into Glen Brittle, busy in high season per Walkhighlands
Tips
- •The car parks at the Storr, the Quiraing and the Fairy Pools fill early in summer. The bus to the Storr avoids the problem.
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 AirportINV
129 km away- Duration
- About 3 hours 20 minutes on the coach, plus the transfer from the airport
- Cost
- Separate fares; check Citylink
Four 917 journeys a day on the October 2026 timetable. The distance given is a straight line from the airport to Portree; the road is longer.
Operator: Scottish Citylink
- Duration
- Check a route planner
- Cost
- Fuel and parking
The A87 comes onto Skye over the Skye Bridge and runs to Portree.
Glasgow AirportGLA
203 km away- Duration
- Between six and seven hours from Buchanan Bus Station on the published timetable
- Cost
- Check Citylink
Some 915 journeys call at Glasgow Airport terminal building. The distance given is a straight line; the road is much longer.
Operator: Scottish Citylink
Parking
Parking options in and around Portree. On busy weekends, arriving early is recommended.
Storr car park (Old Man of Storr)
£6 up to 6 hours, £8 up to 12 hours. Per the Storr's own parking page (last modified April 2026). Pay by cash, card or the Ringo app. Motorhomes cannot use the main car park because of a height restriction, and no vehicle may stay overnight. Toilets on site.
Somerled Square and The Green car parks, Portree
Highland Council short-stay car parks in the centre. The council's tariff document is undated, so check the machine for the current charge.
Quiraing car park
Highland Council car park at the top of the minor road between Staffin and Uig. Check the machine for the current charge.
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