Glasgow to Inverness train

Trains from Glasgow to Inverness

The train line between Glasgow and Inverness is well served with connections. On weekdays and Saturdays, passengers can find six direct trains and six indirect trains with one change, and seven connections on Sundays.

Glasgow to Inverness Train Time: Daily departures

Passengers wishing to travel between Glasgow and Inverness can choose from 12 trains every day from Monday to Saturday. As six of these are indirect services, they will require a change at Perth or Stirling, but there are also six direct services available. The first train of the day leaves Glasgow just after 7:00 a.m. and the last shortly after 7:30 p.m. On Sundays, service is reduced, but there are still seven connections available between the two cities, including three direct trains.

How long is the journey by train from Glasgow to Inverness?

The train from Glasgow to Inverness generally takes around three and a half hours to travel from the central belt up to the Highlands. Most train connections complete the journey in three hours 13 minutes or up to half an hour longer. There is also a direct train that takes nearly five hours. Passengers should check the journey times and be aware that sometimes services with changes may be quicker than direct trains.

What are the departure and arrival stations for trains from Glasgow to Inverness?

Departure train station: Trains from Glasgow to Inverness leave from Glasgow Queen Street. Queen Street is located in the centre of Glasgow and serves the trains to and from the north. It is within a seven-minute walk from both Glasgow Central Station and Buchanan Street Bus Station, making it convenient for those coming from further afield. The station has the usual facilities expected in a large city, including a ticket office, left-luggage, a waiting room, various food outlets and toilets.

Arrival train station: All trains from Glasgow to Inverness arrive at Inverness Station. Situated in the centre of the Highland Capital, Inverness Station is as conveniently located for the city itself as it is for onward travel. There is a taxi rank just outside and the bus station, with onward connections to the rest of the Highlands and beyond, is just a short walk. The station has left-luggage facilities, a newsagent, a café, a ticket office and ample waiting areas.

Which train companies travel from Glasgow to Inverness?

ScotRail operates most of the services between Glasgow and Inverness. However, the longer, second leg of one connection a day is offered by LNER.

ScotRail Glasgow to Inverness

ScotRail operates 11 of the 12 services between Glasgow and Inverness on weekdays and Saturdays. Sundays see a reduction in service, but passengers can still choose from six ScotRail connections, including three direct trains. All trains have an on-board catering trolley that offers hot and cold drinks and light snacks to passengers at their seats.

LNER Glasgow to Inverness

LNER runs half of one connection a day between Glasgow to Inverness; the first part of the journey from Glasgow to Stirling is operated by ScotRail. The ScotRail connection to the LNER train leaves Glasgow just after 4:40 p.m. each day of the week. As the LNER connection is a long-distance train that has travelled up from London, it has a high standard of comfort on board, which includes a café bar and catering trolley. Passengers in first-class receive a complementary hot meal served to them at their seat.

Glasgow to Inverness Trains: Services on board

Seats can be reserved for free on all ScotRail and LNER trains between Glasgow and Inverness in first or standard-class carriages.

Bikes can be carried on both ScotRail and LNER services without an additional fee, but as space is limited, it must be booked ahead of time. Bicycles should only be carried in the bicycle storage area.

Up to two pets can accompany each passenger on both ScotRail and LNER trains. They should, however, be on a lead or in a travel container. Should passengers wish to bring an additional pet on board, a small fee is payable.

Three items of luggage are permitted per person on both providers. ScotRail also offer the carriage of additional luggage for an extra fee.

LNER trains offer wheelchair accessible spaces and toilets in both first and standard-class carriages; currently, ScotRail only offers this in standard class. Assistance at the start and end stations can be booked in advance for those who need it, regardless of the train operator.

How do I find cheap train tickets from Glasgow to Inverness?

Booking in advance is the best way to find the cheapest train tickets between Glasgow and Inverness. Passengers should be aware that particularly busy services, such as those at peak times, are likely to be more expensive, so they should consider travelling at quieter times of the day.