Travelling to and around Scotland

We have compiled the following information to help you when travelling to and around Scotland.

By Coach | Car hire | By Rail | By Air | By Sea

By Coach

There is a choice of companies offering express coach services to Scotland (both day and night) from many cities in England. These include Scottish Citylink Coaches (telephone 08705 505050) and National Express (telephone 08705 808080).

The main coach operator providing a service throughout the whole of Scotland is Scottish Citylink Coaches, telephone 0990 505050. The Citylink Explorer Pass offers a flexible way of visiting most areas of Scotland and give exceptional value for money, including 50% off Caledonian MacBrayne Ferry passenger fares and 50p discount off the first night's stay at many of the SIH hostels.

If using Citylink Coaches to visit the main centres you can explore the majority of the more remote areas and hostels in the Highlands and Islands by using the local buses and the Postbus service (telephone 01246 546329).

Several companies provide 3 and 6 day tours of Scotland including a "jump-on/jump-off" service. The itinerary of these tours does not cover all areas of Scotland.

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Car Hire

This can be the cheapest and most flexible way for 2--3 persons to tour Scotland. Travel at your own pace, visit the most remote areas and hostels of the Highlands and Islands and stop where and when you want. SIH recommend Arnold Clark as one of the best and cheapest car hire companies. Prices quoted may vary depending on the time of year. Always check requirements with regard to age and experience. Foreign nationals require a passport and a full driving licence.

• SIH recommend Arnold Clark as one of the best and cheapest car hire companies -- Telephone: 0845 6021895 (Please quote Ref 6610435)

With many of the international car hire companies it is normally cheaper to arrange and pay in advance in your own country for the car hire. It is always cheaper to hire a car in the major cities as rural garages often charge a higher basic daily rate plus a surchargeon distance travelled.

When travelling by road, travel news is obviously of vital importance, especially in winter when bad weather can close some of the higher routes. For up to the minutes travel news visit the RAC and AA websites.

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By Rail

There is a fast, efficient, cross-border rail service from England and Wales to Scotland. Apex bookings are the cheapest. National Rail Enquiries (0345 484950)

• Caledonian Sleeper -- Telephone: 08457550033
• GNER -- Telephone: 0845 7225225
• National Rail Enquiries -- Telephone: 0845 7484950
• Scotrail -- Telephone: 0845 7550033
• Trainline -- Telephone: 0845 3009000
• Virgin -- Telephone: 0845 7222333

Besides getting you around quickly and cheaply, Scottish trains can take you on some memorable journeys through scenery which is considered to be among the finest in the world. There are also several steam trains on popular scenic routes during the summer. The Freedom of Scotland Travelpass allows unlimited train travel with discounts available on many buses and ferries. International Student Discount Railcards may also be used; these are usually cheaper if bought in the country of origin before visiting Scotland. Many trains now transport bicycles (book 24 hours in advance).

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By Air

Air travel is becoming competitive with rail, particularly when using the cheap stand-by flights or the limited Apex bookings. Listed below are some airlines. Check prices.

• Scottish Airports Limited (BAA Scotland) Information on flights from Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen
  Telephone 0141 887 1111
• Highlands and Islands airports information for Inverness and the islands.
  Telephone 01667 464000
• British Airways: Heathrow and Gatwick to Glasgow and Edinburgh. Telephone 0845 7733377
• Flybe from Birmingham and London
  Telephone 0871 522 6100
• BMI from East Midlands and London
  Telephone 0870 607075
• EasyJet: Luton to Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Inverness.
  Telephone 0990 292929
• RyanAir: Stanstead to Prestwick, also Dublin - Prestwick.
  Telephone 08701 569569
• ScotAirways from London city and Cambridge
  Telephone: 0870 6060707
• Glasgow Airport Taxis : for taxi travel on arrival at Glasgow Airport, within Glasgow and further afield.

 

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By Sea

Travelling from Ireland to Scotland by sea has never been easier. The following companies provide a range of crossings.

As Scotland is surrounded by water on three sides, ferries play a major role in public transport in the Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland.

Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac), tel 01475 650100 (reservations) operate most of the ferries on the west coast, sailing to 23 islands and 3 peninsula areas. Most of the ferries carry cars, and it is advisable to make an advanced reservation if taking a car on popular routes during the peak holiday periods.

Western Ferries, tel 01369 704452, operate services across the Clyde Estuary, and to Islay and Jura, tel 0141 3329766.

Orkney & Shetland
North Link Ferries Telephone 0845 6000 449, sail to Orkney from Scrabster and Aberdeen and Shetland from Aberdeen.
Pentland Ferries Telephone 01856 872044, run to Orkney from Gillsbay, near John O'Groats.

The John O' Groats ferry, tel 01955 611353, operates a passenger only service during summer months between John O' Groats and Burwick, on Orkney. There are local inter-island ferry services in both Orkney and Shetland.

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