4.9
4.6
Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for Edinburgh to Inverness
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Edinburgh to Inverness among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $16 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 4h 11m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.2kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $16, while a flight costs an average of $450.
Distance: 112 miles (181 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$62 Average price | $16 Average price Cheapest | $450 Average price | $98 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 11m Average total duration Fastest 3h 41m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 49m Average total duration 4h 19m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 13m Average total duration 3h 13m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 3h 12m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.2 - 0.5kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
 Most popular train company |  Most popular bus company |  Most popular airline | Your own car or car rental |
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 Edinburgh to Inverness:
A bus is $46 (€39) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Edinburgh to Inverness costing on average $62 (€52).
A bus is $434 (€364) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Edinburgh to Inverness costing on average $450 (€378).
Other travel options to Inverness take longer:
Bus takes on average 4h 49m.
Flight takes on average 5h 13m.
Tickets start at around $62 (€52) compared to roughly $98 (€82) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $36 (€30). The journey takes 3h 41m versus 3h 12m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can work, read, or sleep along the way rather than spending the time behind the wheel. You'll also save the hassle of parking at the other end.
Driving is worth it if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group, or want to stop somewhere en route.
Travel optionsfrom Edinburgh to Inverness
How to get from Edinburgh to Inverness by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Edinburgh to Inverness is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
- FlixBus6:40 AM4h05Edinburgh, Bus Station10:45 AMInverness, Bus Station$181One-way0 transfers
Cheapest
- FlixBus6:40 AM4h05Edinburgh, Bus Station10:45 AMInverness, Bus Station$181One-way0 transfers
Fastest
- L872751:33 PM3h29Edinburgh Waverley (EDB)5:02 PMInverness station (INV)$891One-way0 transfers
Other options
G802304:33 PM3h32Edinburgh Waverley (EDB)8:05 PMInverness station (INV)$411One-way0 transfers- L872847:35 PM3h42Edinburgh Waverley (EDB)11:17 PMInverness station (INV)$441One-way0 transfers
- L87728 · L872816:38 PM4h04Edinburgh Waverley (EDB)10:42 PMInverness station (INV)$441One-way1 transfer
- FlixBus9:10 AM4h10Edinburgh, Bus Station1:20 PMInverness, Bus Station$181One-way0 transfers
- FlixBus3:10 PM4h10Edinburgh, Bus Station7:20 PMInverness, Bus Station$181One-way0 transfers
- FlixBus · FlixBus6:35 AM4h15Edinburgh, Bus Station10:50 AMInverness, Bus Station$241One-way1 transfer
BA8973+
BA78668:25 AM6h45Edinburgh Airport3:10 PMInverness Airport$4491One-way1 transfer
Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .
Compare prices and tickets Prices for trains, buses and flights
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Travel from Edinburgh to Inverness: Journey Details
Inverness, the transport hub of the Highlands, is around 250 kilometers north of the Scottish capital Edinburgh. Trains and buses are the easiest way for travelers in the UK to make the journey. Train travel is usually the faster option, although some express buses can offer similar journey times. ScotRail and London North Eastern Railway (LNER) provide rail services between the two cities, with most journeys taking around 3 hours and 30 minutes. Scottish Citylink buses offer regular connections from Edinburgh to Inverness with travel times ranging from 3.5 to 4.5 hours.
Return trips from Inverness to Edinburgh are also available.
How to get from Edinburgh to Inverness
The Best Way According to our Users
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FAQs: Travel from Edinburgh to Inverness
Travel to Inverness easily. Whether you want fast, cheap or something entirely different, our travel experts have collected everything you need to know so you can find the best option from Edinburgh to Inverness.
This is compared to other travel options from Edinburgh to Inverness:
A bus is $46 (€39) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Edinburgh to Inverness costing on average $62 (€52).
A bus is $434 (€364) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Edinburgh to Inverness costing on average $450 (€378).
Other travel options to Inverness take longer:
Bus takes on average 4h 49m.
Flight takes on average 5h 13m.
- Around 20 buses per day.
- Around 6 trains per day.
- Around 5 flights per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Edinburgh and Inverness as scheduled services by train, bus, and flight can vary by season or day of the week.
- Flights mostly depart from Edinburgh Airport and arrive in Inverness Airport.
- Trains mostly depart from Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) and arrive in Inverness station (INV).
- Buses mostly depart from Edinburgh, Bus Station and arrive in Inverness, Bus Station.
- Travel with Scotrail, London North Eastern Railway, CrossCountry to go to Inverness by train.
- Travel with British Airways, Loganair, BA Cityflyer to go to Inverness by flight.
- Travel with FlixBus, Megabus to go to Inverness by bus.
- 3 direct trains per day with Scotrail, London North Eastern Railway.
- 3 direct buses per day with FlixBus, Megabus.
Travelling from Edinburgh to Inverness: related information
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
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