How to plan Scotland trip from London [2024 Guide]

Planning a trip to Scotland from London is very exciting as Scotland offers a great combination of historic cities and natural beauties. This guide on “How to plan Scotland trip from London” will ensure you get the most out of your Scotland trip and help you plan your journey from booking the trip to planning the itinerary in the most effective & cost-efficient way.

How To Get To Scotland from London?

So first things first! There are multiple options to get to Scotland from London & I will list all the options below so that you can make an informed decision.

There are 3 major options to reach Scotland from London- Flights, Trains & Buses. If you own a private car, you also have an option to drive along the highway but it will be a long drive.

Flights:

The fastest way to reach Scotland from London is via flight but this can be an expensive option. Cities like Edinburgh attract a lot of tourists around the year so the flight prices are mostly on the higher side.

A one-way trip to Edinburgh may cost you somewhere between 80-120 pounds and would take 1.5 hours to reach. The prices vary around the year but in my personal experience, it ranges between those numbers.

I have taken multiple trips from London to Edinburgh and have found that flights to Edinburgh are a bit cheaper as compared to other cities like Glasgow.

I would recommend to take British Airways if you are flying out from London Heathrow as it offers direct flights to Edinburgh or Scotland as compared to other carriers. British Airways also allows 23kg of check-in luggage.

Local Tip: As per my first-hand experience, I would suggest taking a flight from London Gatwick Airport to Edinburgh (or any other city in Scotland) as it will reduce your expenses considerably. You can book low-cost carriers like EasyJet from London Gatwick and fly out to Scotland under 50 pounds (see screenshot below). Please note you might still need to pay a bit extra for luggage but a good option to consider.

So if you are flexible, you can consider the tips that I provided above to make a cost-effective plan for your trip to Scotland.

Trains:

When it comes to Trains, it is a bit cheaper than flying out to Scotland but not very cheap. A typical train from London Kings Cross to Edinburgh would cost you somewhere between 40 to 70 pounds depending on the timing of the train.

You need to book your tickets from Kings Cross Station London to Edinburgh Waverly if you plan to get to Edinburgh, Scotland. The one-way train journey from London to Edinburgh and vice versa would take approximately 5 hours to reach but offers great views of the sea (so that’s a bonus).

The screenshot below shows the ticket prices from Trainline for LNER trains.

Local Tip: From my first-hand experience, I would suggest taking trains early in the morning or late in the evening as that’s when you get the cheapest prices.The more convenient the time, the higher the rates.

Ticket prices to Glasgow are also around the same range. You can either take a train to Glasgow or Edinburgh as the two cities are quite nearby.

Also read ✅ Top Places To Visit In Scotland In 3 Days (Itinerary included)

Bus:

For Buses, you have the option to take Flixbus or Megabus and the price ranges from 15 to 30 Pounds. This is the cheapest mode of transport and a one way trip will take almost 10 hours to reach.

The buses are installed with toilets and wifi for you to have a comfortable journey.

Most of the buses leave from Victoria Coach Station, so if your hotel is near to London Victoria Coach Station that’s a bonus. The buses will drop you in Edinburgh City center (St. Andrews/Edinburgh Bus Station) & then you can take public transport or a Cab to your hotel.

If your hotel is near Princes Street, then it will be within walking distance of the dropping points.

Local Tip: Try to book a hotel in and around Princes Street or in city center. This will help you to save cab expenses to reach your hotel or accommodation as both the Train & Bus Stations are located near Princes Street (city center).

When To Visit Scotland?

This is a tricky question but here is my suggestion. I would recommend visiting Scotland between mid-April to May or in mid-September (Autumn). While most travelers and tourists visit Scotland during the months of June, July & August, I recommend avoiding these months due to overcrowding and visiting in Autumn (Fall).

If you are like me and you like to enjoy a peaceful time enjoying the views, then better to avoid June, July & August as these months will be too crowded.

You can find more data on tourist inflows here.

The month of August attracts the most number of tourists due to the warm temperatures and happening festivals like the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Typical Monthly Temperatures:

In terms of temperature June, July & August are the warmest with long daylight extending till almost 9 pm (yes that is right). It’s definitely a great time to visit Scotland but you have to enjoy with the crowd.

Note: Scotland’s temperatures are very unpredictable and can change at any time. So please carry warm clothes & an umbrella at all times.

Where To Visit In Scotland?

For a trip from London, I would highly suggest coming down to Edinburgh first as it is like the central location to go to anywhere in Scotland.

Scotland is diverse in the options it offers, so it is up to you what is your priority. Scotland has Historic cities, Beautiful Castles, Amazing Lochs (lakes), Arching Highlands, Legendary Distilleries and much more.

I have written a detailed 3-day itinerary for Scotland trip, however, here are my few suggestions & itineraries for your London to Scotland trip depending on how many days you have planned.

3 to 5 days in Scotland:

If you are wondering ‘How to plan Scotland trip from London’ for a week, then here is my recommendation on the places to visit and things to do:

Day 1/Day 2: Edinburgh:

Land in Edinburgh on Day 1 or the previous day and explore the city for the first couple of days. Edinburgh is a beautiful city with Gothic architecture, castles, beaches and much more. Public transport is great in Edinburgh and you can reach anywhere in and around the city within 30 to 40 mins taking a bus or tram.

I would recommend covering Edinburgh Castle, Calton Hill & Portobello beach on Day 1. On Day 2, I would recommend taking a hike to Arthur’s Seat in the morning to enjoy the amazing views and enjoy Edinburgh’s Old Town & lively Princes Street.

Day 3: Inverness:

You can take a train to Inverness to be near the Scottish Highlands & enjoy the beautiful city. I would recommend exploring the city, River Ness and Ness Islands, Inverness Castle & head to Loch Ness.

I am sure you have heard about the Loch Ness monster so I highly suggest visiting the place & taking a boat ride in River Ness to spot Nessie. Loch Ness is about a 40 min drive from Inverness so don’t miss it.

Day 4/Day 5: Glencoe

For Day 4 & Day 5, I would recommend staying in Glencoe to enjoy the beauty of the Scottish highlands.

For places to visit, I would recommend Loch Leven, The Three Sisters( perfect for hiking and photography), Glencoe Lochan Trail & visit the famous White Cottage & Buachaille Etive Mor.

7 to 10 days in Scotland:

So if you are planning a good 10 days for your Scotland trip from London, then I would highly suggest you keep aside 2-3 days for Isle Of Skye. It is a magical place with majestic mountains, fairy Waterfalls, scenic views & a great outdoor experience.

So in addition to my ‘3 to 5 days in Scotland’ suggestion above, I would recommend adding the Isle Of Skye to the itinerary aswell so that you cover all the best spots of Scotland.

How to reach Isle Of Skye?

Choose Inverness: If you prefer a shorter, more direct route with good public transport options and are starting from a major city with an airport.

Choose Glencoe: If you value a scenic, adventurous journey and are already in the southern Highlands or looking to explore more diverse landscapes along the way.

See the short video below to get a feel:

Traveling from Glencoe to the Isle of Skye involves a scenic journey through some of Scotland’s most beautiful landscapes. Here are the main options for reaching the Isle of Skye from Glencoe Vs Inverness:

This table provides a quick overview of the different transport options, their approximate durations, and keynotes for traveling from Glencoe and Inverness to the Isle of Skye.

Where to Stay In Isle Of Skye?

Portree is the capital of Skye & I would suggest nesting in Portree as the town has all the required facilities for food & accommodations. However, you can stay in the nearby areas aswell if you want to enjoy the wild & experience nature closely.

I have listed the Accommodation options available for both Portree and the nearby areas so that you can decide for yourself.

Here’s a table listing hotels in Portree, the largest town on the Isle of Skye:

This table provides an overview of hotels in Portree, from budget-friendly options to boutique style & scenic views.

Other Hotel options in the Isle Of Skye:

Here’s a table summarizing the four best accommodations/hotels in the Isle of Skye:

These hotels provide exceptional accommodations and amenities, ensuring a memorable stay on the Isle of Skye.

How To Return To London From The Isle Of Skye?

There are multiple options for returning to London from Skye, so don’t worry as I have got you covered. There is no airport on the Isle of Skye and the nearest options you have is Inverness Airport or Glasgow Airport.

For the fastest travel time, driving or taking a bus to Inverness or Glasgow airports and then flying to London is the best choice however direct Trains & Buses are also available from Inverness & Glasgow.

For a scenic journey, driving or taking a bus to Inverness or Glasgow followed by a direct train to London is ideal. The Table below shows you all the available options to get to London from the Isle Of Skye with approximate duration.

Additional Cities and Towns You Can Cover:

If you are planning a long trip from London to Scotland for 7 to 10 days or more, then you can also cover a few other cities along the way. Since most of the cities are nearby in Scotland, you can take day trips to cover the cities & return to your accommodation.

Glasgow:

You can cover Glasgow if you are staying in Edinburgh or while returning from Skye on your way back to London.

From Edinburgh, you can take a day trip to Glasgow via any touring company or can go alone by taking a direct train or bus from the city center. Glasgow is close to Edinburgh & you can reach there within 45 mins by Train and 1.5 hours by Bus.

You can enjoy the city, check out the cool universities, and visit the Botanic Garden before calling it a day. You can also take the Hop-on Hop-Off Bus for 15 pound to have a relaxed city tour. If you are visiting Skye, then you could come back to Glasgow and take a flight or train back to London.

St Andrews:

St Andrews is a picturesque coastal town with medieval ruins, sandy beaches, and scenic coastal walks.

It’s located on the east coast of Scotland, approximately 80 kilometers northeast of Edinburgh. So this is another great option you can cover if you are staying in Edinburgh for 2-3 days.

Falkirk (Stirling):

Many tourists visit Falkirk due to the famous ‘Kelpies’ (horse head sculptures located in The Helix parkland) to get a picture and enjoy the unique sculpture.

You can also visit The Falkirk Wheel and The Antonine Wall (UNESCO World Heritage) which are popular tourist spots.

Falkirk is situated between Edinburgh and Glasgow. So you can cover Falkirk from either Edinburgh or Glasgow. Traveling to Falkirk from either city by car or train typically takes around 30-45 minutes.

Sterling also offers other beautiful towns & areas like Trossachs National Park. If you are taking a day trip to Kelpies then I highly recommend including Trossachs National Park in your itinerary as it is easily reachable from Kelpies.

You can also take a pit stop in one of the restaurants in Aberfoyle town to enjoy a quick meal with a view of the mountains before you head for Trossachs National Park.

Aberdeenshire:

If you are fascinated with castles, then this is the place to be. Aberdeenshire is famous for its castles and is known as “Scotland’s Castle Country”. There are many famous castles & ruins located in this region and it can take 2 to 3 days to explore all.

The table below shows the most famous castles in Aberdeenshire:

These castles are among the most famous and iconic landmarks in Aberdeenshire, each offering a unique glimpse into Scotland’s rich history and heritage. If you are planning to cover Aberdeenshire, then I would suggest the following itinerary:

Packing Tips For Your Trip To Scotland From London:

You need to pack well if you are planning to visit Scotland from London as Scotland’s weather is very unpredictable and can be very drastic sometimes.

I have made a table below to give you a high level overview of the things you need to consider before visiting Scotland from London.

This table covers the essentials for a trip to Scotland, making it easy to reference and ensure you have everything you need for your adventure.

Conclusion- How to plan Scotland trip from London

If you are visiting for the first time from London, then I would highly suggest doing Edinburgh, Glencoe and Isle Of Skye. These places in Scotland are filled with natural beauties and are very favorable for an amazing outdoor experience.

If you have been to Scotland before or you want to have the Castle experience, then I would suggest covering Aberdeenshire and the related itinerary as mentioned above.

Also, these places are opposite to what you see in London as there are no skyscrapers or busy city life but what they do have is pure magic. You need to experience with your own eyes to believe it & I am sure Scotland will leave you with an everlasting impression.

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