Inverness Airport (INV) sits about 8 to 9 miles north-east of the city, near Dalcross, and it is the gateway to the northern Highlands, Loch Ness and the road to Skye.
Into Inverness
Bus. Stagecoach runs the airport into Inverness (service 11 / 11A), taking about 30 minutes to the city bus station for roughly GBP 3 to 5. Frequency is about every 30 to 60 minutes, with a reduced Sunday service.
Train. Inverness Airport has had its own railway station since 2023, on the Aberdeen to Inverness line, with trains reaching the city in about 11 to 15 minutes. The catch: the station is not attached to the terminal, so allow around a 20-minute walk or a short bus hop to reach it, which matters if you are carrying luggage.
Taxi. About 20 minutes to the centre for roughly GBP 25, from the rank outside the terminal.
| Option | Journey time | Approx one-way | Luggage | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stagecoach bus (11 / 11A) | ~30 min | ~GBP 3 to 5 | Racks, low floor | Budget travel into Inverness |
| Train (airport station) | 11 to 15 min | Local rail single | Standard, but ~20 min to station | Fastest rail if timings align |
| Taxi | ~20 min | ~GBP 25 | Best, door to door | Direct arrival, heavy bags |
| Hire car | Self-drive | Rental plus fuel | Best | The NC500, Loch Ness, Skye |
Why most Highland visitors hire a car here
The River Ness and Inverness Castle · Illustration generated with AI Inverness is the conventional start and finish of the North Coast 500, and Loch Ness and the road to the Isle of Skye both radiate out from the city. Highland public transport is sparse, so a hire car collected at the airport is the usual choice for anything beyond Inverness itself.
Hire a car for the Highlands
Standard rental fleets in Scotland are compact manuals. Secure an automatic AWD or SUV early if you are travelling with heavy luggage or golf clubs.
See our Inverness Airport guide for airlines and destinations.
Sources: Highlands and Islands Airports (Inverness), Stagecoach and ScotRail information. Fares and times are approximate 2026 figures and change; confirm before travelling.
