g Need to Know g Contents
Getting
Around
Public transport connects Scotland's cities, while trains and buses serve the regions and flights and ferries connect the mainland and islands.
Arriving by Air
Three main international airports serve Scotland: Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Aberdeen. All are near their respective cities, with adequate transport links, including tram service between Edinburgh Airport and the city. Glasgow Prestwick Airport handles mainly holiday flights to and from European destinations. Inverness Airport has a small number of flights from Amsterdam in addition to flights from London and other UK airports. Dundee has flights from London Stansted. Other mainland airports include Wick, Campbeltown and Oban. The islands are served by Kirkwall Airport in Orkney Sumburgh Airport in Shetland, Stornoway Airport on Lewis, and smaller airports on Islay, Tiree, Benbecula and Barra.
Train Travel
International Train Travel
Edinburgh and Glasgow are the main hubs for rail travel to Scotland from the rest of the UK. There are connections at London St Pancras International for Eurostar services from mainland Europe. London North Eastern Railway then runs from London to Edinburgh, Dundee and Aberdeen. Virgin Trains operates from London Euston to Glasgow and onward to Edinburgh with some trains continuing to Inverness. The Caledonian Sleeper operates overnight services from London Euston to Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Inverness and Fort William. The Interrail Great Britain Pass offers a good deal on travel throughout Scotland and the rest of the UK for 3, 4, 6 or 8 days within a one month period.
Caledonian Sleeper
Eurostar
Interrail Great Britain Pass
Virgin Trains
London North Eastern Railway
Regional Trains
Lines within Scotland are coordinated by National Rail, with main stations in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Stirling, Perth, Dundee, Aberdeen, Inverness, Fort William and Oban. Thurso is Scotland’s northernmost railway station. The West Highland Line terminates at Mallaig.
National Rail
Long-Distance Bus Travel
Long distance coaches connect major towns and cities with each other and with rural areas. Main operators are Megabus and Citylink.
Megabus
National Express
Public Transport
Public transport in Scotland is a combination of private sector and city-operated services, and fares are relatively inexpensive compared to London and many European countries.
Most cities operate only bus systems. In Edinburgh buses are complemented by a single tram line and in Glasgow by a single subway circuit and a suburban rail network, all controlled by Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT).
Traveline Scotland provide ticket information and timetables for all public transport services across Scotland.
Traveline Scotland
Public Transport Operators
Aberdeen: First Aberdeen
Dundee: Xplore Dundee
Edinburgh: Lothian Buses
Glasgow: SPT
Bus
Urban bus networks are generally fast, frequent and reliable. In most cities, a single fare applies for all bus travel within city limits. Multiple trip tickets and one-day travel passes are available in major cities. These can be bought online and stored on your phone. Single-trip tickets can also be bought from the driver when boarding your bus but change is not given so you must pay the exact fare. Public transport in rural areas is less extensive. Timetables are often designed around the needs of local workers and school students, so schedules are less convenient for visitors, with departures early in the morning and in late afternoon or early evening.
Tram
Scotland’s only tram line, opened in 2014, connects Edinburgh International Airport with the city centre. There are plans to extend it as far as Leith by 2020.
Edinburgh Trams
Subway
Glasgow’s SPT subway, the only underground rail service in Scotland, comprises a 7 mile (10 km) loop connecting 15 stations around the city centre. Trains run every 4 minutes at peak times, and it takes 24 minutes to ride a complete loop. Tickets can be bought at any subway station. Single tickets are a fixed price and are valid on any journey. Savings can be made by purchasing a return (£3.20) or an all-day pass (£4.10).
Taxis
Cabs can be picked up at taxi ranks or hailed on the street. London-style black cabs display a yellow “taxi” sign which is lit up when the taxi is free. Fares are metered. “Private hire” cars must be booked by phone:
Driving
Travelling by car is by far the easiest way to explore beyond major cities.
Driving to Scotland
The journey to Edinburgh or Glasgow from London or main English ferry ports via the M1 and M6 motorways takes around 8–9 hours. If arriving by car ferry to Newcastle the A1 brings you to Edinburgh in around 2.5 hours.
Driving in Scotland
Scotland’s roads are generally good, with motorways or dual carriageway highways connecting all major towns and cities. In remote areas some roads are single carriageway, with designated passing places. Convoys of slow-moving caravans can slow up traffic in peak summer holiday season. Be aware that weather can change rapidly and driving conditions can deteriorate suddenly at any time of year. Driving in cities is not recommended; traffic is heavy and parking scarce.
Car Rental
To rent a car in Scotland you must be at least 21 years old (some renters insist on a minimum age of 25) and have held a valid licence for one year. Car rental agencies have outlets at main airports and in major towns and cities.
Rules of the Road
Drive on the left. Seat belts must be worn at all times and children must travel with the correct child restraint for their weight and size.
Mobile telephones may not be used while driving, except with a handsfree system, and third party insurance is required by law.
Overtake on the outside or right-hand lane, and give priority to traffic approaching from the right. Give way to emergency service vehicles. It is illegal to drive and park in bus lanes.
On single-track roads which are wide enough for only one vehicle, pull into the nearest designated passing place on your left, or wait opposite a passing place on your right, to allow an oncoming vehicle to pass. You should also use passing places to allow drivers to overtake.
Scotland’s legal alcohol limit for drivers is lower than the rest of the UK’s, at 50 mg of alcohol per 100ml (0.05 per cent BAC). Avoid drinking alcohol completely if you plan to drive.
Hitchhiking
Hitchhiking is a common way for tourists and backpackers to get around on a budget, and locals are often fairly accommodating. Always consider your own safety before entering an unknown vehicle.
Cycling
The trails of the Highlands are perfect for off-road riding,and there are great networks for mountain bikers and gentle trails following old canal towpaths or former railway lines. 7Stanes trails spanning the entirety of southern Scotland. Find traffic-free city and countryside bike routes on the website of the UK’s National Cycle Network, Sustrans.
7Stanes
Sustrans
Bicycle Hire
Off road, touring and city bikes, bikes for younger children, and electrically-assisted e-bikes can be rented from companies like Biketrax in Edinburgh and EBS Cycle Centre in Dundee. Nextbike is a cycle sharing scheme with 500 bikes available from more than 60 locations around Glasgow.
BikeTrax
EBS Cycle Centre
Nextbike
Bike Touring
Several companies operate guided and self-guided bike tours around Scotland.
Wilderness Scotland offers guided cycling tours in areas including the Cairngorms, the Hebrides and the Great Glen, with a support van to carry your luggage.
Wilderness Scotland
Walking and Hiking
Walking is an enjoyable way to explore compact city centres such as Edinburgh, Glasgow and Stirling, where key sites are within easy reach of each other, and smaller cities such as Aberdeen, Dundee, Inverness, Perth and Stirling.
Scotland’s mountains and glens are easy to reach but bad weather can strike at any time, so planning and preparation are essential. Ensure you have good hiking boots, warm waterproof clothing, a map and a compass. Tell someone where you're going and when you plan to return.
Boats and Ferries
There are no international car ferries direct to Scotland. However DFDS Seaways sails from Amsterdam to Newcastle in the north of England, only 100km (64 miles) from the Scottish border. P&O Ferries sails between Larne in Northern Ireland and Cairnryan, around 80 miles south of Glasgow and Stena Line sails from Belfast to Cairnryan.
For island hoppers, Caledonian MacBrayne (Calmac) offers passes valid for 8 days, 15 days or one month on its routes to western isles including Arran, Barra, Coll, Eigg, Harris, Islay, Mull, Raasay, Skye and Tiree. NorthLink Ferries sails to Stromness in Orkney from Scrabster and from Aberdeen to Orkney and Shetland. Pentland Ferries offers car ferries to South Ronaldsay in Orkney from Gill’s Bay, west of John O’Groats. John O’Groats Ferries operates a passenger-only service to South Ronaldsay. Smaller, independent ferry services operate between smaller islands and the mainland.
Caledonian MacBrayne
DFDS Seaways
John O’Groats Ferries
NorthLink Ferries
P&O Ferries
Pentland Ferries
Stena Line
Need to know Getting Around
At a Glance
Public Transport costs
Need to know Getting Around
Speed Limit
Need to know Getting Around
GETTING TO AND FROM THE AIRPORT
| Airport | Distance to City | Public Transport | Journey Time | Price |
| Edinburgh | 8 miles (13 km) | Airlink 100 Bus | 45 mins | €4.50 |
| Tram | 30 mins | €6.00 | ||
| Glasgow | 8 miles (13 km) | Airport Express 500 Bus | 15 mins | €8.00 |
| Aberdeen | 7 miles (11 km) | Jet Service 727 Coach | 30 mins | €3.70 |
Need to know Getting Around
JOURNEY PLANNER
Plotting the main driving routes by journey time, this map is a rough guide to driving between Scotland’s main towns and cities. The times given reflect the fastest and most direct routes. Allow extra time for driving in bad weather and beware of rapidly changing weather conditions.
| Aberdeen to Inverness | 2.5 hrs |
| Edinburgh to Glasgow | 1.25 hrs |
| Edinburgh to Dundee | 1.25 hrs |
| Edinburgh to Aberdeen | 3 hrs |
| Edinburgh to Inverness | 3.5 hrs |
| Edinburgh to Stirling | 1 hr |
| Glasgow to Stirling | 3.5 hrs |
| Glasgow to Oban | 2.5 hrs |
| Inverness to Fort William | 1.5 hrs |
| Inverness to Wick | 2.75 hrs |
| Perth to Inverness | 2.5 hrs |
Need to know Getting Around
SCOTLAND BY BOAT
|
Cruising on the Caledonian Canal and around the island and mainland ports of Scotland's scenic northwest coast is a fabulous way to see some of the country's finest scenery in comfort. |
|
Caledonian Discovery |
|
Operating two 12-passenger hotel barges, Caledonian Discovery offers one-week cruises on the Caledonian canal and the Great Glen Lochs. |
|
Hebridean Island Cruises |
|
If you are looking to explore Scotland’s Isles in style, these luxury all inclusive cruises tour the Western Isles aboard the Hebridean Princess, an elegant small cruise ship with just 30 cabins. |