Arrival & Transport

Airports

Scotland has four international airports:

• Edinburgh (EDI): Scotland's largest airport with the most international connections. Direct flights from Frankfurt, Munich, Berlin, Zurich, and Vienna. Flight time from Germany: 2–2.5 hours. To the center: Airlink 100 Bus (30 min., £5.50) or Tram (35 min., £7).
• Glasgow (GLA): Second largest airport, good connections to North America. To the center: Bus 500 (15 min., £9).
• Glasgow Prestwick (PIK): Ryanair base, 50 km southwest of Glasgow. Cheap flights, but far out.
• Inverness (INV): Small but convenient for Highlands travel. Direct flights from London, Amsterdam, and seasonally from Germany.

Prices: Ryanair and easyJet from €30 one-way from German cities. Lufthansa, Eurowings, and BA fly from €100 return (early booking). Prices are significantly higher in summer and during the festival (August).

From London to Scotland

The train from London King's Cross to Edinburgh Waverley (LNER/Avanti) takes 4.5 hours and is a beautiful journey — especially the last hour along the North Sea coast (right window seat!). Prices: from £30 (Advance), £100+ (Anytime). Caledonian Sleeper: The night train from London to Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, and Fort William — pure sleeper car romance. Tickets from £50 for a seat, from £150 for a cabin.

Within Scotland

ScotRail operates the rail network with good coverage in the Central Belt (Edinburgh–Glasgow in 50 min., from £15) and scenic routes:

• West Highland Line: Glasgow–Fort William–Mallaig. One of the most beautiful train routes in the world! Rannoch Moor, Loch Treig, Glenfinnan Viaduct.
• Kyle of Lochalsh Line: Inverness–Kyle (for Skye). 2.5 hours through spectacular Highland scenery.
• Edinburgh–Inverness: Over the Cairngorms Pass, 3.5 hours.

Rental Cars

For the Highlands and islands, a rental car is the best choice — many places are hardly accessible without a car. Important: In the UK, you drive on the left! This requires concentration but becomes second nature after a few hours. Automatic vehicles are recommended if you've never driven on the left before.

Prices: from £35/day (small car) to £65/day (SUV). Providers: Enterprise, Hertz, Avis, Arnold Clark (local Scottish provider, often cheaper). Petrol: about £1.45–1.60/liter. In the Highlands and on the islands, petrol stations are rare — always fill up when you have the chance!

Single Track Roads

In the Highlands and on the islands, many roads are single track with Passing Places (passing bays). The rules:

• If a vehicle approaches: Whoever is closer to a Passing Place stops.
• Passing Places are always on the left side — never drive into the Passing Place on the right side (oncoming traffic!).
• Faster vehicles behind you? Stop at the next Passing Place and let them pass.
• A wave to oncoming drivers is Highland etiquette.

Buses

• Citylink: Main connections between cities. Edinburgh–Glasgow from £7, Edinburgh–Inverness from £12.
• Megabus: Cheapest option, from £5 between cities.
• Stagecoach: Local and regional buses in the Highlands. Fewer connections, but the only option in some rural areas.

Ferries

CalMac (Caledonian MacBrayne) operates all West Island ferries, NorthLink Ferries the Orkney and Shetland connections. In summer, book in advance, especially for cars!