How to travel from Inverness to Edinburgh

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Travel Information

Compare train, bus, and flight for Inverness to Edinburgh

Omio 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 $13. 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 $13, and a train costs an average of $33.

Distance: 112 miles (181 km)

Compare train with

Most popular
Train
Bus
Driving

$57

Average price

$20

Average price

Cheapest

$103

Average price

(fuel + tolls)

4h 29m

Average total duration

3h 59m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

4h 26m

Average total duration

Fastest

3h 56m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

3h 13m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

0.1 - 0.2kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest

0.2 - 0.5kg

CO2 emissions

-

CO2 emissions

Scotrail

Most popular train company

FlixBus

Most popular bus company

Your own car or car rental

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.

The cheapest way to travel from Inverness to Edinburgh is a bus with an average price of $20.

This is compared to other travel options from Inverness to Edinburgh:

A bus is $37 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Inverness to Edinburgh costing on average $57.

A bus is $500 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Inverness to Edinburgh costing on average $520.

The fastest way to travel from Inverness to Edinburgh is by bus with an average journey time of 3h 56m.

Other travel options to Edinburgh take longer:

Train takes on average 3h 59m.

Flight takes on average 5h 13m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 3 ways to travel between Inverness and Edinburgh including taking a train, bus, and flight.
We recommend using the train as it is the most popular way to get from Inverness to Edinburgh among Omio's users.

Travel options
from Inverness to Edinburgh

How to get from Inverness to Edinburgh by train, bus or flight.

Our recommendation

bus

The best way to travel from Inverness to Edinburgh is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.

  • FlixBusFlixBus
    1:20 PM4h05
    Inverness, Bus Station
    5:25 PMEdinburgh, Bus Station
    $191One-way
    0 transfers

Cheapest

  • FlixBusFlixBus
    1:20 PM4h05
    Inverness, Bus Station
    5:25 PMEdinburgh, Bus Station
    $191One-way
    0 transfers

Fastest

  • LoganairBA7865+Emerald Airlines IrelandBA8984
    1:45 PM2h35
    Inverness Airport
    4:20 PMEdinburgh Airport
    $4841One-way
    1 transfer

Other options

  • ScotrailL88106 · W83259
    8:22 PM3h55
    Inverness station (INV)
    12:17 AMEdinburgh Waverley (EDB)
    $221One-way
    1 transfer
  • ScotrailC14588 · L87087
    6:01 PM5h29
    Inverness station (INV)
    11:30 PMEdinburgh Waverley (EDB)
    $241One-way
    1 transfer
  • ScotrailL87055
    6:52 PM3h23
    Inverness station (INV)
    10:15 PMEdinburgh Waverley (EDB)
    $301One-way
    0 transfers
  • FlixBusFlixBus
    3:20 PM4h05
    Inverness, Bus Station
    7:25 PMEdinburgh, Bus Station
    $191One-way
    0 transfers
  • FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus
    12:50 PM4h10
    Inverness, Bus Station
    5:00 PMEdinburgh, Bus Station
    $201One-way
    1 transfer
  • FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus
    7:20 AM5h28
    Inverness, Bus Station
    12:48 PMEdinburgh, Haymarket Station (Stop HB)
    $201One-way
    1 transfer
  • LoganairBA7865+Emerald Airlines IrelandBA8888
    1:45 PM5h40
    Inverness Airport
    7:25 PMEdinburgh Airport
    $4841One-way
    1 transfer
  • British AirwaysBA1421+BA CityflyerBA8712
    11:10 AM7h30
    Inverness Airport
    6:40 PMEdinburgh Airport
    $5661One-way
    1 transfer
  • British AirwaysBA1421 · BA1458
    11:10 AM7h35
    Inverness Airport
    6:45 PMEdinburgh Airport
    $6201One-way
    1 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 Inverness to Edinburgh: Journey Details

The main city of the Highlands, Inverness is around 200 kilometers from the Scottish capital Edinburgh. Trains are usually the quickest transportation option for travelers in the UK, with the fastest direct routes taking around 3 hours and 15 minutes. However, some ride share services may be a faster option.

Return trips from Edinburgh to Inverness are also available.

How to get from Inverness to Edinburgh

The Best Way According to our Users

Whether it is for business or leisure, in order to travel from Inverness to Edinburgh, 100,00% of our customers choose the train as their preferred mode of transportation. By traveling by train on this route, you can enjoy the comfort of spacious seats, spectacular views—and in some cases free Wi-Fi—in both second and first class. Our customers have decided that the train is the best way to get from Inverness to Edinburgh and have chosen to enjoy this fast, safe and efficient way to arrive at their destination. Taking the train also avoids long lines or potential expenses for transfers to/from the station—especially since most main railway stations are located in the city center. Train companies in Europe vary from country to country, but most of them offer high-speed train routes, therefore when you add up at the end-to-end journey time, the train is often also the fastest way to get to your destination.

Search on Omio to find cheap tickets from Inverness to Edinburgh. It’s easy to find the most attractive prices and choose your preferred route for your journey. Book on web or app, and travel with your mobile ticket —without the stress of printing your ticket.

More than 1,000 travel companies trust us to sell their tickets all in one place.

Trenitalia
Easyjet
Deutsche Bahn
SNCF

FAQs: Travel from Inverness to Edinburgh

Travel to Edinburgh 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 Inverness to Edinburgh.

FAQs
There are 3 options to travel between Inverness and Edinburgh including taking a train, bus, and flight.
The cheapest way to travel from Inverness to Edinburgh is a bus with an average price of $20.

This is compared to other travel options from Inverness to Edinburgh:

A bus is $37 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Inverness to Edinburgh costing on average $57.

A bus is $500 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Inverness to Edinburgh costing on average $520.

The fastest way to travel from Inverness to Edinburgh is by bus with an average journey time of 3h 56m.

Other travel options to Edinburgh take longer:

Train takes on average 3h 59m.

Flight takes on average 5h 13m.

The distance from Inverness to Edinburgh is approximately 112 miles (181 km).
The average frequency per day from Inverness to Edinburgh is:
  • Around 21 buses per day.
  • Around 8 flights per day.
  • Around 6 trains per day.

However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Inverness and Edinburgh as scheduled services by train, bus, and flight can vary by season or day of the week.

These are the most popular departure and arrival points from Inverness to Edinburgh:
  • Flights mostly depart from Inverness Airport and arrive in Edinburgh Airport.
  • Trains mostly depart from Inverness station (INV) and arrive in Edinburgh Waverley (EDB).
  • Buses mostly depart from Inverness, Bus Station and arrive in Edinburgh, Bus Station.
If finding a good deal is your main consideration for your trip from Inverness to Edinburgh, then we'll help you find the best value travel companies for you:
  • Travel with FlixBus, Megabus, Park's of Hamilton, Ember, Scottish Citylink Coaches Ltd to go to Edinburgh by bus.
  • Travel with Scotrail, London North Eastern Railway, CrossCountry, London North Eastern Railway Limited (LNER), Caledonian Sleeper, ScotRail to go to Edinburgh by train.
Yes, there are direct services available from Inverness to Edinburgh with the following travel companies:
  • 4 direct buses per day with FlixBus, Megabus, Park's of Hamilton, Ember, Scottish Citylink Coaches Ltd.
  • 3 direct trains per day with Scotrail, London North Eastern Railway, London North Eastern Railway Limited (LNER), Caledonian Sleeper, ScotRail.
Omio customers who travel from Inverness to Edinburgh often also extend their vacation to go to London, Glasgow, Manchester, Paris, Aberdeen. Omio can help you plan your trip by finding the best connections between Edinburgh and these popular destinations at a great price.
Most travelers need at least three days in Edinburgh to see the main sights at a comfortable pace. If you want day trips or a slower itinerary, consider adding extra time.
In Edinburgh, visitors can explore the vibrant atmosphere of Grassmarket, enjoy a ghost tour of the haunted streets, attend shows at the Edinburgh Festival Theatre, and visit the Royal Botanic Garden. Discover hidden gems at the Stockbridge Market. Key sights include Edinburgh Castle, Arthur's Seat, The Royal Mile, Holyrood Palace, and The National Museum of Scotland.
For a fulfilling experience, spending 2 to 3 days in Edinburgh allows you to explore its historic sites, such as Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile, enjoy cultural attractions, and immerse yourself in the local atmosphere.
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