Travel Scotland

Planning a trip to Scotland we have detailed below a few thoughts on travel to Scotland, I hope this helps get you to Scotland easily and also helps to get around once here.  
 
First getting to Scotland from overseas your easiest route will be flying into either Edinburgh or Glasgow airports.  There are other alternatives depending on your final destination for example Aberdeen, Inverness and Dundee.
 
Edinburgh CastleShould Edinburgh be your destination then view all incoming flights to Edinburgh.  This link to Edinburgh airport will also be able to help you with how to get into Edinburgh from the airport.  Main two options just now are bus or taxi.  The Edinburgh Airport bus runs every 10 minutes and costs £3.50 one way or £6 return.  The journey will take around 30 minutes.  There are also night buses to and from the airport.  Taxi will cost around £16.00 and take approximately 20 minutes depending on traffic.  Edinburgh is expecting a tram service to start in 2014 from the airport to St. Andrews Square, right in the centre of Edinburgh.
 
Should Glasgow be your destination view all incoming flights to Glasgow.  Similar to Edinburgh bus or taxi are your best bet for getting into the centre of Glasgow. There is a frequent bus service or a taxi will cost around £20 and take around 25 minutes into the centre of Glasgow.  
 
River Clyde Glasgow at nightAnother option for Glasgow is Glasgow Prestwick, view all incoming flights to Glasgow Prestwick. Prestwick is not that close to Glasgow but does offer a direct train service into Glasgow city centre.  The journey takes around 50 minutes.  There is also a regular bus service and taxis at the airport.  All your choices to and From Glasgow Prestwick airport.
 
Further north we have Aberdeen and Inverness airports.  For Aberdeen they have a varied selection of incoming flights.  There are a few buses that serve Aberdeen and the surrounding area, get full bus details.  Costs for a one way ticket £2.70 open return £4.  A taxi will cost around £15 and take 20-25 minutes depending on traffic.   
 
Highlands of ScotlandShould you be looking to visit the Highlands of Scotland then Inverness Airport could be your choice.  Much smaller than Glasgow and Edinburgh but still a good selection of incoming flights to Inverness.  Getting into the centre of Inverness is very easy just 15 minutes away.  There is a regular bus service as well as taxi's and car hire, for full details on everything you need to now please visit Inverness Airport.
 
Should you be looking to hire a car at any of the airports or anywhere in the UK we have teamed up with Auto Europe Car Hire, they guarantee to match any other price however I have found they tend to be the cheapest anyway.  
 
Should you be flying into London again you have a few choices.  You might wish to have a few days in London before heading north if so you could take the train from London's King's Cross up to Edinburgh or Glasgow.  Alternatively you could connect from your London airport to Scotland or lastly hire a car and drive north, around 400 miles (649 km) the drive will take around 7 hours plus stops so not an easy commute.  Should you decide to go by train please check out The Trainline they tend to have good offers.
 
Forth Rail Bridge ScotlandAnother alternative in getting to Scotland from London is the Caledonian Sleeper.  Travel overnight The Caledonian sleeper operates between London Euston and Glasgow or Edinburgh. Also services between London Euston and Aberdeen, Inverness and Fort William.  Caledonian Sleeper a great way to travel to Scotland.


Coming from the continent there is the option of bringing your own car and taking one of the many ferries across the English Channel.  If using this route I would highly recommend P&O Ferries and if using them upgrade to their club lounge and first on first off service, both worth the little extra.  They also run services from Rotterdam & Zeebruge to Hull (around 4.45 hour drive to Edinburgh) and Northern Ireland to mainland Scotland.  

Once in Scotland how do you get around, the answer really depends on the individual.  Do you want to be independent, is cost a major factor, how much time have you got, etc.  The easiest was is certainly to hire a car, as mentioned above we do recommend AutoEurope car hire, they tend to offer the best rates and if you find something cheaper like for like they will match the price. 

Scotland does have a good train service and all run by the same company Scotrail.  Unlike England where there are many different companies involved, having just one makes planning your route and timetable very easy.  Should a train not go to your final destination then you can check out Scotrails buslink to see your best options.

The cheapest option getting around Scotland is by bus unless of course you wish to hitch-hike. Traveline Scotland really is your best bet for getting from A to B or adding in many different locations.  You can plan your whole journey by plane. train, ferry bus or coach. Traveline the way to plan your own personal trip around Scotland or for just getting from the airport to your destination. 

Need any help please just ask MARK

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