Can I get to Inverness by train on a budget?

Inverness is the capital of the Highlands, and the most northerly city in Great Britain.  Whether you’re wanting to explore the city itself or use it as a starting point for further adventures, we’ve got you covered. We’ll give you tips on how to get there by train and find the best deals on tickets.

Can I get cheap fares to Inverness by train?

Yes, it’s possible to get a cheaper fare if you’re travelling to Inverness by train. Of course, the largest number of journeys will be from Edinburgh, Glasgow or further south. So, let’s take a look at what your options are.

Travelling from Edinburgh

There are two flexible fare options for travel from Edinburgh: “Any Permitted” and “Via Aviemore.” The “Via Aviemore” ticket is cheaper and ideal for direct trips between Inverness and Edinburgh, as most direct services use this route.

The “Any Permitted” ticket allows travel via Aberdeen and Elgin, which is slower but cheaper if you plan to break your journey in those locations or visit other stations along the route.

Alternatively, you can purchase cheaper Advance tickets for ScotRail services and the daily LNER train. Advance ticket prices are generally similar for both operators on one-way trips if you book around two weeks in advance. For ScotRail, Advance tickets must be purchased no later than the evening before travel. For LNER, cheap tickets can be purchased up until the train departs.

If you want a flexible ticket, then there are two different types of fare. They’ll either say ‘Any Permitted‘ or ‘Via Aviemore‘. The latter is cheaper. If you’re just making a direct trip to and from Inverness by train, then the ticket routed ‘via Aviemore’ is fine, as that’s the route that almost every direct service takes.

An ‘Any Permitted’ ticket will let you travel via Aberdeen and Elgin. This is a much slower route, but if you’re wanting to break your journey there (or visit another station along this line), then this would be a cheaper option compared to buying separate tickets.

Travelling from Glasgow

Fares from Glasgow to Inverness by train are fairly similar to Edinburgh.

In terms of flexible tickets, you’ll find they go ‘via Aviemore‘ or follow an ‘Any Permitted‘ route. You can also buy cheaper Advance tickets for this route and the price tends to be the same as from Edinburgh.

All trains from Glasgow to Inverness leave from Glasgow Queen Street. On some trips, you’ll need to change at Stirling or Perth.

Travelling from London

There’s a single direct train between London and Inverness (and vice-versa) every day. This means that you can get from the Capital to Inverness by train with one easy journey.

It runs from London King’s Cross every day around midday. On a Monday to Saturday, the Inverness to London train leaves at around 08:00, and it departs at 09:45 on Sundays. In terms of fares, it’s likely to be cheapest to buy an Advance ticket. 

This train is usually very popular, so the number of Advance tickets available can be quite limited. On a Friday, you might find that very few cheap tickets are available.

Is it easy to get to Inverness by train?

Well, we won’t deny that it can be a bit of a long journey! It typically takes around three and a half hours to get to Inverness by train from either Edinburgh or Glasgow. Meanwhile, the journey from London takes just over eight hours.

The good news is that trains are relatively frequent, considering the length of the journey. On a Monday to Saturday, you’ll find around 11 trains each way to either Edinburgh or Glasgow, and six each way on a Sunday. Trains will go to either Edinburgh or Glasgow, so you’ll need to change at Perth or Stirling if the train isn’t going to the place you’re after.

The journey up to Inverness (along the Highland Main Line route) is particularly beautiful:

 

Keep an eye out for wildlife as you pass through the Cairngorms National Park. If you’re travelling between October and April, then you’re likely to see some snow on the Mountaintops, particularly around Dalwhinnie and Newtonmore.

You can also change at Inverness for trains to Kyle of Lochalsh, Wick and Thurso. It’s essentially a hub for trains to the farthest reaches of Great Britain.

What can I do there?

So, you’ve reached Inverness by train. What now? You could start with a wander down to the River Ness (yes, the same as Loch Ness!)

 

From here, it’s possible to take a walk down to the Ness Islands, which are a series of small parks on the river. They’re the perfect place to have a wander, or just unwind a little.

You can’t miss Inverness Castle, either. It’s being refurbished at the moment, though. So, you’ll have to admire it from afar:

 

Finally, why not pay a visit to the Inverness Museum and Art Gallery to learn more about this wonderful Highland City and its past?

Of course, like we said, Inverness is the perfect base to go exploring. You could take bus 17 or 919 and take a trip down to Loch Ness proper.

Is there anything else I should know?

The final thing we’d recommend is using the Railsmartr website to book your next trip to Inverness by train. We’re completely independent, so we’re happy to ‘tell you like it is’ when it comes to rail fares. Not only that, but we’ll show you the slower, cheaper options that some websites won’t.

Don’t forget that we don’t charge any fees, either. That includes if you change your mind and want to travel on a different day. If your ticket is refundable, we’ll refund it fee-free, too.

^{_{All fare and timetable references stated on this page are for ONE adult with no Railcard discount and were correct at 15:00 25/08/23. They’re subject to change at any time and Railsmartr are not responsible for any loss or disappointment incurred as a result of the information provided.}}