Inverness is the capital of the Highlands and is a busy, bustling city with plenty of accommodation, restaurants and shops. The most attractive area is by the River Ness, where the main places to visit are clustered.
Most visitors to the Highlands will pass through Inverness, as it is the main gateway. Read on for details of the many visitor attractions in the city.
Inverness is also ideally placed for day trips. Read on for details of trips to the famous Urquhart Castle and Loch Ness; Culloden Battlefield, site of the last pitched battle on British soil; the popular Tomatin Distillery; the beautiful and peaceful Black Isle including one of the best places in Britain for viewing dolphins; and more!
Inverness is the beginning/end of the:
If you want to travel on the West Highland Line, see our guide to the Citylink journey from Inverness to Fort William. From Fort William you can then travel north to Mallaig on the Jacobite steam train or the normal train, or south to Oban and Glasgow.
If you want to visit Skye, you can take a Citylink coach from Inverness to Portree.
Inverness from the River Ness
Most visitors to the Highlands will pass through Inverness, as it is the main gateway to the Highlands. Also see our guide Getting to the Highlands for broader travel advice.
By train
Daytime trains to Inverness from Perth and stops on the Highland Main Line, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling and Aberdeen, as well as from London Kings Cross, Peterborough, Newark Northgate, Doncaster, York, Darlington, Newcastle and Berwick-upon-Tweed (Peterborough, Newark Northgate and Doncaster from 14 December 2025).
Caledonian Sleeper from London Euston, Birmingham International (from 15 January 2026), Crewe and Preston to Inverness.
By coach
Citylink from Glasgow, Edinburgh, Perth, Oban, Fort William, and Aberdeen to Inverness.
FlixBus from Glasgow, Edinburgh and Perth to Inverness.
Ember from Aberdeen, Perth and Glasgow to Inverness.
By plane
Inverness Airport: from Belfast City, Bristol, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, London Luton, Manchester and Amsterdam.
From the airport you can take the train to Inverness city centre – Inverness Airport Station is 15-20 minutes' walk from the airport. Alternatively you can take a bus from the airport to Inverness - see Stagecoach service 11.
Capital of the Highlands on the River Ness, home of Inverness Castle and Inverness Cathedral
Castles, distilleries, quaint villages and more, including Urquhart Caste and Loch Ness, and Culloden Battlefield
Page last updated 10 October 2025