How do I get to Inverness?
“What time does the tour start?” is one of the questions guests ask when arranging their journey to the North Highlands. Just as importantly, they want to know when it finishes, particularly if there is a train or flight to catch afterwards. My answer is that we can be flexible. Several guests have taken a train from Inverness to Edinburgh at the end of their tour, and we plan the final day to fit their chosen departure. It might be mid-afternoon or early evening. Knowing your arrangements in advance lets us build them into the itinerary, so the journey and the holiday work together.
Almost all our multiple-day tours start and finish in Inverness or the surrounding area because it is the main transport hub for the North Highlands. Some guests drive, especially those based in the UK or already exploring elsewhere in Britain. The A9 provides the main road north from the Edinburgh and Glasgow areas, joining Inverness with the rest of their journey. But you don’t need to bring a car to enjoy a private tour with us. Arriving by train or plane gives you other possibilities, and the most suitable choice depends on where you are travelling from and what fits your plans.
Daytime trains connect Inverness with Edinburgh and Glasgow, while a direct service also links the city with London King’s Cross. The Caledonian Sleeper offers another way to travel from London, arriving in Inverness in the morning, with an evening departure available for the return journey. If flying suits you better, Inverness has connections with several UK cities, including London, Manchester, Birmingham and Bristol. International guests can also consider routes through Amsterdam or Dublin, rather than assuming they must change planes in London. What matters is finding a connection that works from your starting point on the dates you intend to travel.
If you fly in, we can arrange to collect you at the airport. Alternatively, you might stay overnight at the airport hotel or travel into Inverness and have us collect you the following morning. Your arrival time helps determine what we can include on the first day, just as your onward transport gives shape to the last. Tell us what you are considering while we are planning, and we can discuss those arrangements together. I want you to know where we will meet and how your journey connects with the holiday ahead.
To learn more, book one of our North Coast Explorer private tours.