The capital of the Highlands needs to be on your Scottish itinerary.
But for the first-time visitor across the pond, Inverness looks a wee bit far from Edinburgh on the map, doesn’t it?
It’s not.
Start the clock and you’ll get there faster than you can get between Los Angeles and Las Vegas.
Mileage wise, it’s even shorter: like going from Philly to D.C.
Taking the train is the best way to get from Edinburgh to Inverness no matter if you’re doing a quick day from the Scottish capital or making a pit stop before heading to the Hebrides.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Gannet77. Image Location: Inverness Castle, Scotland
Need to know: best way to get from Edinburgh to Inverness
How do I get from Edinburgh to Inverness?
The best way to get from Edinburgh to Inverness is by train, and we’re trying to be as unbiased as possible. Air travel takes longer and taking a car means navigating the Highland roads without being able to let go of the wheel and actually enjoy the scenery. Plus, the train is speedy and far cheaper than the gas needed alone.
Is there a direct train from Edinburgh to Inverness, Scotland?
You betcha. You can catch a direct train from Edinburgh (Waverley) to Inverness every day that ends in ‘y’. And if you miss it? A single-connection train via Stirling will only add 30 minutes or so to your journey.
- 🚉 Edinburgh train station name: Edinburgh (Waverley)
- 🚉 Inverness train station name: Inverness
- 🚆 First Train: 07:37 a.m.
- 🚆 Last Train: 07:39 p.m.
- 🚅 Number of trains per day: 11
- 🕝 Journey time: From 3h 18m
- 💲 Ticket Cost: From $16.85
- 🦄 Probability of spotting a mythical creature: 0% Sober | 19% with Buckfast Tonic Wine
Image Credit: Getty Images, Craig Hastings. Image Location: Mountains near Inverness, Scotland
Dispelling the myths of Edinburgh to Inverness by train
Is a day trip to Inverness worth it?
❌ Myth: Nope, skip Inverness and head to Skye instead.
💯 Fact: Inverness is incredible, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
Even if you ignore nearby Urquhart Castle and the mythical Loch Ness Monster, you can still have an unforgettable experience in Inverness that rivals visits to Glasgow, Aberdeen, and Perth. Inverness has a modern castle (from the 1800s, which is “new” by Scottish standards), relaxed shopping (like The Victorian Market and the charming Leakey’s Bookshop) and loads of greenspace to explore (including golf courses). You get the Scottish experiences you came for, without as many tourists as the larger cities.
Can you go to Inverness without a car?
❌ Myth: Nope, it’s pretty far from Edinburgh on a map and UK trains are confusing.
💯 Fact: You can ride directly into Inverness city center by train with zero confusion.
If you have a full tank of gas and an empty bladder, you could get from Edinburgh to Inverness a few minutes faster by car, but the train is debatably much more convenient. A direct train takes between three and four hours, food is available for purchase on board, and you step right off into the city center without having to search for parking.
Is it faster to get from Edinburgh to Inverness by train or plane?
❌ Myth: Planes are always faster than trains and cars.
💯 Fact: Maybe in “journey time”, but not in overall time spent.
A two-hour flight is longer when you add in getting to Edinburgh Airport two hours early and getting to Inverness city center from Inverness Airport. Even if you book a four-hour train ride with a connection in Stirling (which is another underrated Scottish city that’ll never leave your heart) you’re still completing the journey door to door faster than a plane.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Gordie Broon Photography. Image Location: Loch Mullardoch, Scotland
Is the train from Edinburgh to Inverness pretty?
❌ Myth: Nae, just a bunch of hills and trees.
💯 Fact: Aye, it’s one of the best ways to see the Scottish Highlands.
Seriously, traveling through Scotland by train is one of the most astounding experiences you can have in the UK. Coastlines and countrysides, mixed with the occasional spotting of mountain creatures and picture-perfect towns, create a magical movie of Scotland’s landscape playing right outside your window.
Get me there!
See for yourself how utterly jaw-dropping the Scottish landscape is as you make your way into the Highlands. Download the Trainline app, buy cheap train tickets from Edinburgh to Inverness, Inverness to Edinburgh, or any combination of UK cities right from your phone.
Header Image Credit: Getty Images, Faba Photography. Image Location: Inverness, Scotland