The distances in Scotland are small. It can take hours if you factor in the glens, lochs and mountains in the way. Large parts of Scotland lie off the mainland in the North Sea and the Atlantic.
Time is the most important factor when planning a trip to Scotland. Try not to be too ambitious about how much ground you can cover, and plan train journeys and ferry trips in advance so you are not caught off guard by the limited schedules inoutlying areas.
Squeeze every moment out of your next vacation with tips and tricks from Lonely Planet in our weekly newsletter delivered to your inbox.Getting around in Scotland can be more expensive than in other European countries. If you want to get off the tartan-and-bread tourist trail, the easiest option is to travel with your own car. If you plan on taking your car on the ferry, the costs can go up.
Ferries and flights to the Scottish islands can be found at Traveline Scotland.
You'll need to switch to road transport in the Highlands and the Southern Uplands if you want to travel by train.
The Scottish government's decision to take Scotrail into public ownership is one of the challenges. At the time of writing, trains were on a reduced schedule with many services stopping early in the evening. It is hoped that full service will resume once these issues are fixed.
Two of the world's most scenic rail journeys are the West Highland line and the Kyle of Lochalsh line. Information on fares and routes can be found on the ScotRail website.
Most of the country is served by the bus network. In rural areas, services are geared to the needs of locals and may not be convenient for visitors.
Buses run into towns and cities in the morning and return tooutlying villages in the afternoon, which is inconvenient for day trips. On the islands, the local bus services are not very frequent. Passengers traveled in a van with the mail on the last postbus.
National Express and Megabus have long-haul routes to destinations in England. Scottish Citylink has a network of buses that run to main towns. You will need to switch to local buses if you want to travel away from the main roads.
Scotland's roads are well-maintained and are not as busy as those in England, which means you can concentrate on the scenery. Speed traps are common, so stick to the limit.
You can rent a car in Britain if you have a non-UK license for at least a year, but you have to be at least 21 years old. It is cheaper to hire a car in town than it is at the airport.
If you are bringing your own car from Europe, you should always drive on the left and be aware of local speed limits. Car ferries from Scotland to Northern Ireland allow you to travel through the UK and the Republic of Ireland before returning to Scotland. Before you head back to the UK, make sure your insurance covers the fact that you passed through a European country.
Motorways are toll-free and limited to the south and central part of Scotland. When you drive north of Perth, you'll see their absence. The A9 from Perth to Inverness is one of the busiest main roads in the UK.
In the Highlands and islands there is a risk of sheep wandering onto the road in the spring, but life on the road is more relaxing and interesting. Food, water, and blankets should be kept in the car in case of a breakdown in the winter.
The price of petrol is similar to the rest of Western Europe. As you get further away from the main centers, prices can go up more than 10% in remote areas, where petrol stations are often closed on Sundays. You can fill up on the islands.
Inter-island car ferries can be expensive. If you're going to visit the Outer Hebrides, Orkney or Shetland, it's a good idea to hire a car instead of taking a hire car on the ferry.
Smaller local ferries link the islands of the Inner Hebrides to the mainland and serve the west coast.
Northlink Ferries go from Aberdeen to Orkney, from Orkney to Shetland, and from Aberdeen to Shetland. Waterbus services ferry passengers across some of Scotland's larger Lochs.
CalMac's useful Hopscotch tickets have been suspended, but the company offers some pre-bundled inter-island tickets on their website. Ferry services are reduced in winter.
Pick up a hire car on arrival on the islands instead of taking your car across because tickets for foot passengers are less expensive than for cars.
Bicycles can be carried for free by foot passengers on ferries. It's helpful when exploring smaller islands by ferry. Children under five are free on most routes, while kids five to fifteen pay half the adult rate.
Business travelers and remote island communities rely on domestic air services for their transportation needs. If you're short of time and want to visit the Outer Hebrides, Orkney or Shetland, flying is a good option. The shortest flight in the world is the one between Westray and Papa Westray.
There are many smaller destinations in Scotland that can be reached via flights from Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Inverness. Inter-island flights are operated by it. Hebridean Air Services flies from the airfield to the islands.
Traveling around Scotland by bicycle is a great idea if you have the time and the desire. It's cheaper to ride a bike around the islands than it is to drive, and it's better suited to the islands' short distances. There will be wind and weather in the spring and summer.
Visit Scotland has information about bike hire and the National Cycle Network. The Hebridean Way runs between Vatersay and the Butt of Lewis.
There are a few passes that allow travel on trains, buses, ferries and other forms of transport. unlimited travel on trains, buses and ferries for foot passengers can be had for either four days travel over eight days or eight days travel over fifteen days. They offer several other passes for train travel across Scotland or within specific regions.
Scotland is part of the same scheme of railcards as the rest of the UK, with various options giving up to a third off standard rail fares, usually for a one-off annual fee.
The free transport scheme for young people in Scotland is only open to Scottish residents, but visitors can get discounts using the railcards. The Family & Friends railcard is a good investment for travelers with children. Train travel across the UK is covered by all these cards.
Transport passes are offered by several bus companies. The Megarider is a savings of at least 40% compared to buying daily tickets and is valid for seven or 28 days. The Explorer Pass allows unlimited travel on their buses for three days over five days, five days over ten days, or eight days over 16 days.
Scotland can be both easy to navigate and difficult to navigate for travelers with disabilities. In larger cities, buses and local trains are wheelchair accessible, the pavement and buildings have ramps, and most things are set up.
Most major tourist sights in the country cater to those with mobility issues, but historic buildings and ancient sights can be hard to visit for the less mobile. Even in the middle of Edinburgh, getting around the hills can be difficult. There are nature trails that are wheelchair friendly in some areas.
It's a good idea to check the accessibility of newer buses away from the cities. The Scotrail website has information on how to file a request an hour or more ahead of travel to get assistance at older train stations.
Eligible travelers and a companion can take advantage of the disabled persons railcard. Large boats usually have accessible toilets and cabins, as well as boarding assistance at staffed ports.
There are parking spaces for drivers with disabilities at tourist attractions. Many places, such as ticket offices, have hearing loops that help the hearing-impaired. Information on accessible transportation and accommodations can be found at Visit Scotland.
The accessible travel guide is free.
Smaller boats are better for boat travel in Scotland. The small ferries linking outlying islands in Shetland and Orkney are not much bigger than fishing boats and will make you feel like wearing a wooly jumper and trading the modern world for a life of salted fish and sea- spray. There are seals by the boat jetty that will keep you company for a long time.
The article was last updated about 2 hours ago.
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