- Must visit
National Museum of Scotland
Scotland’s flagship museum covering science, world cultures, design, fashion, and Scottish history in one major city-centre complex.
Cheapest price
$18
Average price
$23
Fastest journey
4 h 5 m
Average duration
4 h 7 m
Buses per day
26
Distance
181 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Inverness to Edinburgh is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Inverness to Edinburgh will cost around $23 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $18.
Of the 26 buses that leave Inverness for Edinburgh on Thu, Jul 09, 3 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Thu, Jul 09 the direct buses cover the 181 km distance in an average of 4 h 7 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 4 h 5 m .
On Thu, Jul 09 the slowest buses will take 4 h 10 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBusOmio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Inverness to Edinburgh among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $14. For those with little time consider booking a bus which can get you there in 3h 56m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.2kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $14, and a flight costs an average of $181.
Distance: 112 miles (181 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$21 Average price Cheapest | $73 Average price | $454 Average price | $99 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 26m Average total duration Fastest 3h 56m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 30m Average total duration 4h 0m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 8h 46m Average total duration 5h 46m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 3h 13m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.2 - 0.5kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Inverness to Edinburgh:
A bus is $52 (€43) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Inverness to Edinburgh costing on average $73 (€60).
A bus is $433 (€356) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Inverness to Edinburgh costing on average $454 (€373).
Other travel options to Edinburgh take longer:
Train takes on average 4h 0m.
Flight takes on average 5h 46m.
Tickets start at around $21 (€17) compared to roughly $99 (€82) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $78 (€64). The journey takes 3h 56m versus 3h 13m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can use the time productively rather than spending it behind the wheel. No parking to sort, no fuel stops, and most coaches have Wi-Fi and power outlets.
Direct services are operated by Megabus, FlixBus, Park's of Hamilton, Ember, Scottish Citylink Coaches Ltd.
Driving is worth considering if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), or want the flexibility to stop along the way.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 07:20AM | Arrival Time 11:30AM | Duration 4h10 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $18 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 09:15AM | Arrival Time 01:20PM | Duration 4h05 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $18 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 10:45AM | Arrival Time 03:00PM | Duration 4h15 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $18 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 12:50PM | Arrival Time 05:00PM | Duration 4h10 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $17 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 01:20PM | Arrival Time 07:25PM | Duration 6h05 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $16 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 03:20PM | Arrival Time 07:25PM | Duration 4h05 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $17 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:50PM | Arrival Time 09:00PM | Duration 4h10 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $17 |
The table below shows live departures for Inverness to Edinburgh buses for today, Wednesday, July 8. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus · FlixBus | 10:45 AM Inverness, Bus Station | 4h15 | 3:00 PM Edinburgh, Bus Station | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 10:45 AM Inverness, Bus Station | 6h15 | 5:00 PM Edinburgh, Bus Station | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 10:45 AM Inverness, Bus Station | 5h26 | 4:11 PM Edinburgh, Drum Brae South | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 10:45 AM Inverness, Bus Station | 5h38 | 4:23 PM Edinburgh, Haymarket Station (Stop HB) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 10:45 AM Inverness, Bus Station | 5h44 | 4:29 PM Edinburgh, Princes Street West (Stop PF) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 12:50 PM Inverness, Bus Station | 4h10 | 5:00 PM Edinburgh, Bus Station | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 12:50 PM Inverness, Bus Station | 5h36 | 6:26 PM Edinburgh, Haymarket Station (Stop HB) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 12:50 PM Inverness, Bus Station | 5h41 | 6:31 PM Edinburgh, Princes Street West (Stop PF) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 12:50 PM Inverness, Bus Station | 5h26 | 6:16 PM Edinburgh, Drum Brae South | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus | 1:20 PM Inverness, Bus Station | 4h05 | 5:25 PM Edinburgh, Bus Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 1:20 PM Inverness, Bus Station | 6h05 | 7:25 PM Edinburgh, Bus Station | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 1:20 PM Inverness, Bus Station | 5h19 | 6:39 PM Edinburgh, Drum Brae South | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus | 3:20 PM Inverness, Bus Station | 4h05 | 7:25 PM Edinburgh, Bus Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 3:20 PM Inverness, Bus Station | 5h11 | 8:31 PM Edinburgh, Drum Brae South | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 4:50 PM Inverness, Bus Station | 4h10 | 9:00 PM Edinburgh, Bus Station | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 4:50 PM Inverness, Bus Station | 5h43 | 10:33 PM Edinburgh, Drum Brae South | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 4:50 PM Inverness, Bus Station | 5h51 | 10:41 PM Edinburgh, Haymarket Station (Stop HB) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 4:50 PM Inverness, Bus Station | 6h30 | 11:20 PM Edinburgh, Bus Station | 1 transfer | |
| Thursday, July 9 | |||||
FlixBus · FlixBus | 7:20 AM Inverness, Bus Station | 5h05 | 12:25 PM Edinburgh, Bus Station | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 7:20 AM Inverness, Bus Station | 4h10 | 11:30 AM Edinburgh, Bus Station | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 7:20 AM Inverness, Bus Station | 5h19 | 12:39 PM Edinburgh, Drum Brae South | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 7:20 AM Inverness, Bus Station | 5h28 | 12:48 PM Edinburgh, Haymarket Station (Stop HB) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 7:20 AM Inverness, Bus Station | 5h34 | 12:54 PM Edinburgh, Princes Street West (Stop PF) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 9:15 AM Inverness, Bus Station | 8h10 | 5:25 PM Edinburgh, Bus Station | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus | 9:15 AM Inverness, Bus Station | 4h05 | 1:20 PM Edinburgh, Bus Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 9:15 AM Inverness, Bus Station | 5h26 | 2:41 PM Edinburgh, Drum Brae South | 1 transfer | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train, bus, and flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Buses from Inverness to Edinburgh run on average 24 times per day, taking around 3h 56m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $14 (€11) if you book in advance.
There are 6 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:02, the last at 23:55. The fastest bus covers the 112 miles (181 km) distance in 4h 5m.
Distance 112 miles (181 km) |
Average bus duration 3h 56m |
Cheapest ticket price $14 (€11) |
Buses per day 24 |
Direct buses 6 |
Fastest bus 4h 5m |
First bus 12:02 AM |
Last bus 11:55 PM |
Cheapest Month Sep |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Best time to book 28 days |
Discover the best of Edinburgh — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Edinburgh trip today.
Scotland’s flagship museum covering science, world cultures, design, fashion, and Scottish history in one major city-centre complex.
The principal national art gallery in central Edinburgh, known for Scottish and European masterpieces and an easy-to-visit Princes Street Gardens setting.
A striking neo-Gothic gallery dedicated to portraits of figures from Scottish history, with strong permanent displays and temporary exhibitions.
Edinburgh’s most famous historic street, linking the castle and Holyrood, lined with closes, monuments, museums, and major visitor sights.
One of Edinburgh’s essential viewpoints, known for sunrise and sunset city panoramas and its concentration of monuments.
A curving, colorful Old Town street that is heavily photographed and widely associated with Edinburgh’s most social-media-friendly streetscape.
Scotland’s national dish made from minced offal, oats, suet, and spices, traditionally served with neeps and tatties. It is closely associated with Edinburgh and Burns Night suppers.
A rich Scottish soup of smoked haddock, potatoes, and onions, often finished with milk or cream. It is a classic warming dish found in many Edinburgh pubs and restaurants.
A small double-crust meat pie, usually filled with seasoned minced lamb or mutton. It is a traditional Scottish snack commonly found in bakeries and football kiosks.
A long-established local favourite serving modern Scottish dishes with local produce in a relaxed setting. Popular for haggis, seafood, and dependable service.
A well-known gastropub by Tom Kitchin offering refined Scottish pub food in a warm neighbourhood atmosphere. Good for elevated classics and seasonal ingredients.
A reliable city-centre seafood restaurant known for Scottish mussels, oysters, and fish dishes. Casual and lively, it is a strong choice for local coastal flavours.
Edinburgh is pricey by UK standards, especially in August. Dining and hotels cost more than in many other British cities.
Service is sometimes included. If not, tip 10-12.5% in restaurants for good service. Round up in taxis. Tipping is not expected for pubs or takeaway, but small change is appreciated.
Official public transport app
Edinburgh Bus Station, Edinburgh -> Edinburgh Waverley Station, Edinburgh
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Inverness to Edinburgh by bus. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest bus, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Edinburgh, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Inverness to Edinburgh buses use the Inverness, Bus Station to Edinburgh, Bus Station station pair, with some services arriving at Ingliston, Airport (Stance C). Use this guide to compare Inverness and Edinburgh bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Edinburgh, Bus Station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Café at the Station (in the station), Sandwich Shop (in the station).
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the main entrance.
Ticket office support is available at Edinburgh, Bus Station.
Available at Edinburgh, Bus Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Edinburgh, Bus Station: Elevators, ramps.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need