logo-railwayhero-small

Scotland by Train

Trains - Tickets - Tours
[rank_math_breadcrumb]

A Travel Guide For Train Travel In Scotland.

Here you will find information for Scotland about trains, routes, tours, connections, where to buy train tickets, and more.

[shariff]

Useful Information

Population: 5.43 million

Currency: Pound Sterling (GBP)

Language: English

Capital: Edinburgh

Country Code: +44

Time Zone: Western European Time Zone / GMT

Train Companies

Most of the country’s trains are operated by ScotRail; however, there is an abundance of smaller, private train operators around Scotland and connecting it to the rest of the United Kingdom. Some other well-known companies are listed below:

  • Avanti West Coast
  • Caledonian Sleeper
  • CrossCountry
  • London North Eastern Railway

 

Scotland rail map

Copyright: RAILWAYHERO

Train Tickets

Buy your train tickets for Scotland online on the ScotRail official homepage.

OMIO-logo-250

Buy your train tickets online at OMIO and compare trains, buses & flights.

Rail Passes

Interrail / Eurail Pass

Do you want to travel throughout Europe flexibly and comfortably? Then the Interrail Pass is perfect for you. With the Interrail Pass, you can visit 40,000 destinations in 33 countries in Europe. You can travel for up to 3 months by train.

Britrail Pass

Explore Great Britain by train. You can use all national trains in Great Britain with the Britrail Pass. The Britrail Pass is valid in England, Wales, and Scotland.

Scotrail Pass

Check out the highlights of Scotland by rail. Experience culture and breathtaking landscapes in the highlands and the lowlands. The Spirit of Scotland Pass will allow you to use trains, buses, and ferries throughout the country.

TrAIN tYPES

Regional Trains

InterCity trains connect Edinburgh and Glasgow to Inverness and Aberdeen.

  • 1st and 2nd Classes offered.
  • 1st Class includes complimentary snacks and drinks served to your seat, electrical sockets at every seat
  • Reservations not required.
  • Trains are equipped with WiFi and air-conditioning. InterCity also offers an on-board catering trolley with a range of hot drinks and snacks.
  • Bicycles are free to take on the train but may require a space reservation

Pendolino operates on routes from Edinburgh and Glasgow south to Birmingham and London Euston by Avanti West Coast

  • 1st Class: Rows of three seats (2+1), access to the first-class lounge
  • 2nd Class (Standard): Rows of four seats (2+2)
  • Reservations not required, but optional
  • Trains are equipped with power sockets, free WiFi, and air conditioning. Some trains have a shop carriage offering snacks as well as a refreshment trolley.

SuperVoyager connects Scotland to North Wales and to England as far south as London, operated by Crosscountry and Avanti West Coast

  • 1st Class: Rows of three seats (2+1)
  • 2nd Class (Standard): Rows of four seats (2+2)
  • No reservations required, but optional
  • Trains are equipped with power sockets, free WiFi, and air conditioning. Trains have a shop carriage offering snacks as well as a self-catering trolley.

Transpennine Express connecting Scotland to northern England

  • 1st Class: Some trains have rows of four seats (2+2), otherwise rows of three seats (2+1)
  • 2nd Class: Rows of four seats (2+2)
  • No reservations required
  • Trains are equipped with WiFi and air-conditioning. offers an on-board catering trolley with a range of hot drinks and snacks.

CrossCountry Trains operate routes from Edinburgh north to Aberdeen, south to London, and west to Glasgow.

  • 1st and 2nd Classes offered
  • 1st Class includes complimentary snacks and drinks served to your seat, electrical sockets at every seat
  • No reservations required
  • Trains are equipped with WiFi and air-conditioning. Offers an on-board catering trolley with a range of drinks and snacks.

Caledonian Sleeper

  • Routes:
    • Inverness – Glasgow – London Euston
    • Aberdeen – Edinburgh – London Euston
  • Sleeping Carriages: All rooms are sold like a hotel room, you book the whole room, and prices differ on single or double occupancy. Every room comes stocked with soap, towels, USB ports, power sockets, and WiFi.
    • Classic Room includes an upper and lower berth with a washbasin.
    • Club Room includes has an upper and lower berth with a washbasin, shower, and toilet.
    • Caledonian Double includes a double bed with a washbasin, shower, and toilet.
    • Accessible twin or double includes wheelchair accessible twin bunks or double bed as well as a washbasin.
  • Seat: reclining seat with no access to club car.

**Tip: with an Avanti West Coast Sleeper ticket, 2nd Class passengers may gain access to the 1st Class Lounge at the end of their journey, but while still on the train ask the train manager for a voucher.

Belmond Royal Scotsman
Northern Belle
The Strathspey Steam Railway
The Bo’Ness and Kinneil Railway
The West Highland Line
Jacobite Steam Train

Routes

Frequently Travelled Routes In Scotland

National

From > To
Duration (h) Changes Transport
Edinburgh to Glasgow 0:49 Direct Intercity
Edinburgh to Aberdeen 2:18 Direct Intercity
Inverness to Aberdeen 2:20 Direct Intercity

 

International

From > To
Duration (h) Changes Transport
Glasgow to Manchester, England 3:13 1 Train
Glasgow to Bristol, England 7:45 Direct Train
Edinburgh to London, England 4:29 Direct Train
Edinburgh to York, England 2:24 Direct Train
Cairnryan to Belfast, Northern Ireland 2:22 Direct Ferry

 

 

Scotland travel routes

Scotland: Highland Games And A Fairytale Steam Train

Scotland: Highland Games And A Fairytale Steam Train

Main Train Stations

  • Edinburgh Waverly
  • Glasgow Central Station
  • Aberdeen
  • Dundee Station
  • Perth Station

Train Tours in Scotland

Good to know

Best Time To Travel To Scotland

We recommend traveling anytime between May and September. Although Scotland is notorious for its rain, there are fewer rainy days in the summer and plenty of festivals to attend to such as the Fringe Festival, Royal Military Tattoo, and the Highland Games. The best way to take advantage of a sunny day in Scotland is to go hillwalking in the Highlands.

  • High Season: June – August
  • Low Season: September – May

 

Accommodation In Scotland

Booking

The best place to find cheap hotels for is to book by www.booking.com. There you will find a large selection of cheap hotels, hostels, and apartments. > BOOK HERE

booking-logo

Hostelworld

If you are looking for a low budget accommodation, then go on www.hostelworld.com. They have the best choice of cheap hostels for backpackers and low budget travelers. > BOOK HERE

Hostelworld Logo

Guidebooks For Scotland

Travel with a guidebook ease your journey to find best sights and things to do. Buy it on Amazon.

Cookie Consent with Real Cookie Banner