Travel Information
Compare train and bus 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 prices starting from $12. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 3h 45m. 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 $12, and a train costs an average of $32.
Distance: 112 miles (181 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus |
|---|---|
$69 Average price | $19 Average price Cheapest |
4h 15m Average total duration Fastest 3h 45m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 20m Average total duration 3h 50m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.2 - 0.5kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
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.
FlixBus · FlixBus12:45 PM4h15Edinburgh, Bus Station5:00 PMInverness, Bus Station$271One-way1 transfer
Cheapest
FlixBus · FlixBus12:45 PM4h15Edinburgh, Bus Station5:00 PMInverness, Bus Station$271One-way1 transfer
Fastest
Y387808:38 AM3h28Edinburgh Waverley (EDB)12:06 PMInverness station (INV)$931One-way0 transfers
Other options
Y3878510:32 AM3h44Edinburgh Waverley (EDB)2:16 PMInverness station (INV)$931One-way0 transfers
Y39145 · Y387829:39 AM3h46Edinburgh Waverley (EDB)1:25 PMInverness station (INV)$931One-way1 transfer
Y387871:32 PM3h30Edinburgh Waverley (EDB)5:02 PMInverness station (INV)$931One-way0 transfers
FlixBus3:10 PM4h10Edinburgh, Bus Station7:20 PMInverness, Bus Station$311One-way0 transfers
FlixBus · FlixBus10:39 AM6h21Edinburgh, Drum Brae South5:00 PMInverness, Bus Station$311One-way1 transfer
FlixBus · FlixBus4:15 PM4h40Edinburgh, Bus Station8:55 PMInverness, Bus Station$271One-way1 transfer
BA1453 · BA14264:35 PM5h00Edinburgh Airport9:35 PMInverness Airport$5601One-way1 transfer
BA1449 · BA14263:10 PM6h25Edinburgh Airport9:35 PMInverness Airport$5601One-way1 transfer
BA1439 · BA142410:05 AM4h45Edinburgh Airport2:50 PMInverness Airport$6261One-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
Compare train and bus 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.
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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 $20 (€17) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Edinburgh to Inverness costing on average $32 (€26).
Other travel options to Inverness take longer:
Bus takes on average 4h 5m.
- Around 28 buses per day.
- Around 6 trains per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Edinburgh and Inverness as scheduled services by train and bus can vary by season or day of the week.
- 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, Caledonian Sleeper, ScotRail to go to Inverness by train.
- Travel with Megabus, FlixBus, Scottish Citylink, Park's of Hamilton to go to Inverness by bus.
- 3 direct trains per day with London North Eastern Railway, Caledonian Sleeper, ScotRail.
- 8 direct buses per day with Megabus, FlixBus, Scottish Citylink, Park's of Hamilton.
Travelling from Edinburgh to Inverness: related information
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