Scotland has everything - bustling cities, beautiful landscapes, and friendly locals. It is a great destination for romantic getaways, family holidays and short city breaks. Travelling by train to Scotland is one of the quickest and easiest ways to get there, whether you’re heading up to the Highlands or enjoying a city break in some of the best cities in the UK.
Popular routes to Scotland
Scotland is a popular place to visit, and it’s easy to see why! We provide many services to Scotland from across the network. We service many of the big cities in Scotland, and picturesque towns and villages between them.
FAQs
If you’re planning to travel to Scotland by train, then you might be wondering how easily you can get between major cities. With CrossCountry, it is easy to hop between each of the major destinations. It takes around 1 hour to get from Edinburgh to Glasgow, less than 3 hours from Edinburgh to Aberdeen, and Dundee is around 1 hour 30 minutes from the capital.
There are five main airports in Scotland, all of which are located near big cities. It is easy to get from the train station to the airport in all five destinations:
- Edinburgh Airport: If you’re travelling from Edinburgh Waverley, hop on the Airlink100 bus and it will take you directly to the airport in around 40-minutes. If you’re coming from Haymarket, you can take the Airlink100 or TRAM, both taking around 30-minutes.
- Glasgow: The 500AirportExpress departs a two-minute walk from Glasgow Central and goes directly to Glasgow Airport in 20-minutes.
- Glasgow Prestwick: Glasgow Prestwick is a little further away. Passengers can take a train or the X77 bus, both taking around 40-minutes.
- Aberdeen: Aberdeen International Airport is a 45-minute bus ride from Aberdeen train station. Passengers can take the 727 or X27.
- Inverness: Inverness Airport can be reached via the 11 or 11A bus that departs from the bus station, a few minutes’ walk from Inverness train station. The journey takes around 30-minutes.
There are ways that you can save money on your train to Scotland. Take a look at our cheap train ticket page. There you’ll find loads of suggestions, including seeing if you’re eligible for a railcard, booking in advance and travelling off-peak.
If you have any further questions about any of the stations in Scotland, find more information via our stations page - simple type in the name of the station you want to visit.
Culture in Scotland
Scotland has a cultural scene all of its own. Immerse yourself in the local history at The National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh, which houses a spectacular array of fascinating artefacts. There are many other great museums across the country. Visit the Aberdeen Maritime Museum and learn all about the history of the city’s connection with the North Sea, or spend some time exploring Scotland's Jute Museum at Verdant Works in Dundee, where you can visit the restored textile factory and learn about the 19th century jute industry. Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow is also a family favourite, and the V&A Dundee, Scotland's first design museum and the only V&A location outside of London is sure to be a hit.
Scotland is also well known for its music, from traditional bagpipe music all the way through to The Proclaimers. If you’re hoping to catch a live gig while you’re travelling through the country check out our guide to the music scene in Edinburgh.
Shopping in Scotland
Edinburgh is one of the shopping capitals in Europe – Princes Street, just a stone’s throw from Edinburgh Waverley station, is home to all your high street favourites, or head out of the city centre to Grassmarket for amazing vintage and second-hand finds.
Glasgow also offers some of the best shopping in the UK. Indulge in some retail therapy as you explore the 'Style Mile', where you'll find all your favourite designers. For something a little different, the West End is a treasure trove of unique, quirky stores and boutiques.
Whatever your price point or style, you’re sure to find something spectacular whilst shopping in Scotland.
Food & Drink in Scotland
Food and drink in Scotland isn’t all Irn-Bru and deep-fried Mars Bars! Choose from the gourmet Michelin-starred food, which you can find in abundance in Edinburgh, the local delicacies on offer in Aberdeen, or a quality curry in Glasgow. Foodies will be in their element in Scotland with the huge array of fresh local delicacies on offer. Why not tie your trip in with a food and drink event – there’s plenty on throughout the country.
There’s nothing our neighbours to the north love more than a good whisky. The Scotch Whisky Experience in Edinburgh allows you to take a barrel ride through the replication of a fine distillery as you experience the process of making the nation’s favourite tipple, or check out some of Scotland's newest whisky distilleries. Sip along the way, as you familiarise yourself with the different flavours tantalising your taste buds throughout the journey.
Catching a train to Scotland
CrossCountry trains cover much of Scotland, including major cities like Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Aberdeen. You can hop on board trains around Scotland using the CrossCountry network. If you need any travel inspiration, our UK Holiday hub has plenty of ideas to make your trip a great one.
To find out more for your visit to Scotland, such as things to do, local tips and places to stay, then go to VisitScotland.com.
Inspired? Start your search for cheap train tickets to Scotland now using the 'Find your train' panel at the top of the page or by downloading the CrossCountry trains app.
If you're visiting Scotland in winter, check out Visit Scotland's video on Winter in Scotland's cities!
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