A Comprehensive Guide to Hassle-Free, CAR-free Travel in Scotland
Scotland is a land of winding, narrow roads, dramatic landscapes and charming villages tucked into hillsides. If you’re planning to adventure here; travelling Scotland without a car – this guide is 100% for you!
A stunning view of Inverness Castle, Inverness, Scotland, in the summer sunshine.
While these roads might look picture-perfect in photographs, I totally understand how overwhelming it can feel to navigate them — especially if you’re not used to driving on the left-hand side!
As a local, I’ve seen, first-hand, how stressful it can be to explore Scotland by car, particularly in remote areas but, don’t worry—this guide is all about giving you the alternatives so you can make the most of your trip, ‘stay in the driver’s seat’ of your adventure (without the actual driving), and discover Scotland in the most relaxed, efficient way possible.
Key Tips for Exploring Scotland Without a Car
1. Public Transport is Your Friend
Scotland boasts a surprisingly well-connected public transport network, making it more than possible to get around, whether you’re visiting bustling cities or rural villages. Trains, buses, ferries—there are plenty of options, so you don’t need a car to experience everything this beautiful country has to offer.
Traveline Scotland is a great site for planning routes around Scotland and her towns
Tools like Traveline Scotland provide real-time updates on buses, trains, and ferries. Trust me, you’ll want to check your routes in advance, especially if you’re venturing into rural areas where schedules can be more limited.
Buses are plentiful throughout Scotland and run by a multitude of different companies. This is important to know as buying a bus pass without planning ahead may mean you are limited to which buses you can use.
Within cities, you’re likely to find Citylink, Lothian and First and a couple of others, most frequently. These offer reasonable fares and will all have day and multi-day tickets available if you are staying local for a little while. You will also find hop-on-hop-off tour buses throughout the major centres and these will get you round the centres and main attractions with the added bonus of guides or audio guides.
Intercity routes are run by National Express and Megabus, as well as a number of others, but these offer the more direct routes between major centres as well as more remote locations, with less stops between towns and villages.
2. Stick to the Train Network for Efficient Yet Scenic Routes
If you’re looking for a fast, but still beautiful way to travel around Scotland, trains are your best bet. They’re a fantastic option for traveling between major cities like Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Aberdeen and more, and they offer some truly scenic routes.
For example, the West Highland Line is a must-do for anyone wanting to experience Scotland’s rugged countryside from the comfort of a train.
There are a number of rail networks to choose from, ScotRail being the main rail network provider, and always a good deal to be had. You may want to consider taking advantage of their combined travel passes. While a little more to pay all at once, they may be a cost-effective solution if you are spending a good deal of time in Scotland without a car, and definitely less costly than hiring a vehicle.
If you’re looking for something SPECIAL, The Jacobite Steam Train runs April to September between Fort William and Mallaig.
3. Private Tours or Small-Group Tours for Those Hard-to-Reach Spots – Tours of Scotland
While public transport can get you to the big cities and highly sort after places, there are some truly special spots that can be a little tricky to reach.
If you’re looking for a few days or more where you can get away from the crowds of tourists, and find those hidden gems, this is where private/small-group tours come in handy.
Whether you want to explore the Scottish Highlands and Islands, visit beautiful Lochs and remote castles, or just want to enrich your experience with first-hand information about the culture and countryside, tours allow you to cover more ground without the stress of logistics.
VisitScotland are a fantastic resource for all things Scotland but, as a shameless plug, you may want to look at Scottish Odyssey for a taste of what’s possible with our bespoke small group tours from wherever you’re based on arrival.
4. Flights – the forgotten but often easiest/ fastest routes
This seems to be a forgotten about way of travelling, but for some locations, its worth doing the comparison.
For example, if you have limited time and want to get up to Inverness from Edinburgh to do a short trip to the Highlands, this can be super cheap and easy!
To keep costs low, I recommend storing your main suitcase in the many luggage lockers in Edinburgh, and take hand luggage only. Conversely, if you’re looking to soak in some of Scotland’s neolithic history with a trip to Orkney, you can save yourself 20+ hours by flying there and back.
Taking flights to the more remote locations is not cheap, but to maximise your time, this is a great option. While many airlines do the route, your best bet is with a flight of a little over an hour, with LoganAir.
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Summary Breakdown of Public Transport
1. Trains: The Scenic and Efficient Choice
Scotland’s train network is not only efficient but also offers some of the most beautiful views you’ll ever see from a train window.
If you’re based in a city like Edinburgh or Glasgow, you’ll have easy access to the main routes. For instance, the West Highland Line will take you from Glasgow to Oban or Mallaig.
If you’re visiting Scotland from abroad, you can hop on the train from ScotRail for a scenic journey across the country, and take all your luggage with you.
2. Buses and Coaches: Accessing the More Remote Areas
For places that are a little off the beaten track, buses are the way to go. Companies like Stagecoach and Citylink operate routes throughout Scotland, including to towns and villages not served by trains.
These buses are often your best option for reaching the likes of the Isle of Skye or the quiet corners of the Scottish Borders.
3. Ferries: Essential for Island Hopping
Scotland’s islands are some of the country’s most magical destinations, and ferries are an essential part of exploring them. Whether it’s the Isle of Skye, the Orkney Islands, or the Isle of Mull, you’ll want to catch a ferry to experience these remarkable places.
4. City-Specific Transport
Walking! Unlike many huge states and cities in the US, Edinburgh city centre is really quite small, so don’t underestimate what you can do on your own two feet.
Glasgow Subway: If you’re based in Glasgow, the Subway system is quick, reliable, and perfect for exploring the city without needing a car, with day tickets and multi-day tickets available.
Edinburgh buses: In Edinburgh, the bus service is some of the best public transport you will find in the UK. You can use google maps to show you the easiest routes and it will also show you when walking or getting a taxi might be a better option.
Additional Recommendations
Plan Ahead: Some rural bus and train routes have limited schedules, so always double-check timetables, especially if you’re planning to visit remote locations.
Combine Walking with Public Transport: Scotland is a fantastic destination for walkers, and many of the country’s best attractions are easily accessible on foot once you’ve taken a bus or train to the nearest station. Plus, by walking, you discover the plethora of mysterious and quaint spots you would never notice otherwise!
Consider Guided Tours: For those truly hard-to-reach places, a more curated/ hassle free experience, or if you’re nervous about hiking into Scotland’s rugged countryside alone, private or small-group tours are the way to go. Tours can take the stress out of traveling, offering a chance to see the best of Scotland without worrying about the logistics. Beware of the cheap tours that load enormous numbers of people onto a coach – you may end up visiting many lay-bys and queuing for photos!
Top Car-Free places to visit in Scotland
1. Edinburgh
Scotland’s capital is incredibly walkable, with most of the city’s main attractions easily accessible without a car. You can hop on a tram from the airport to the city centre, or take a bus to the nearby Scottish Borders for an easy day trip.
2. Glasgow
Glasgow is bigger than Edinburgh, but its city centre is still very walkable. The Glasgow Subway and reliable bus routes make it easy to get around, plus it’s a great base for venturing out on day trips via bus and train to the likes of Loch Lomond or the Isle of Arran.
3. Fort William
Scottish lochs are best explored in the wild and not from a lay-by
Scottish lochs are best explored in the wild and not from a lay-by. Known as the “Outdoor Capital of the UK,” Fort William offers easy access to Ben Nevis and the West Highland Way. You can travel by train from Glasgow or Edinburgh, or jump on a bus from nearby Inverness for an outdoor adventure.
4. The Cairngorms
Craigellachie National Nature Reserve is like no other, with birch woodland, open glades and the gentle incline leading to a rocky summit – there’s views of the entire Cairngorms National Park. The Train from Edinburgh is easy and fast.
5. Pitlochry
Easily accessible from Glasgow and Edinburgh, Pitlochry is perfect for a day or two. The train takes under 2 hours to get there, and its well worth the wait. For the charming small-town feel, this is a perfect way to soak in Scottish Culture in a more intimate setting.
6. Inverness
I know so many of you will want to try and catch a glimpse of Nessie! A quick flight up to Inverness for a night will give you enough time to visit Loch Ness, the beautiful Inverness castle and more via boat. There are some wonderful, small/ independent companies running boat tours like “Loch Ness Rib Rides”, you can get a public bus to Dores in just 35 minutes.
While public transport can take you far, sometimes the best way to explore Scotland without a car is to jump on a small-group tour or book a private tour.
Whether you’re looking for a day trip to the Highlands or a deeper exploration of Scotland’s rugged landscapes, a tour can help you access harder-to-reach spots without the hassle of planning.
The benefit of a small group is that you can still enjoy a more personal, intimate experience compared to larger coach tours, with “less time driving and maximum exploration time”.
From the wilds of the Highlands to the beauty of the islands, our tours are designed to give you a true Scottish experience, minus the stress of logistics. Whether you’re a solo traveller or in a group, we’ve got something for you. AND, we don’t stick to visiting just the well-known historic places – we know that truly experiencing Scotland involves an authentic, hands-on adventure.
Whether you love the water and imagine kayaking, paddleboarding or boating on a Scottish loch; hiking through the mountains or gorge-walking through waterfalls – we make it happen!
Perhaps some among your party just can’t wait to try Scottish malt whisky? We do that too!
We don’t expect you to manage any of the logistics and make sure every journey is included with each of our tours – from start to finish, no matter where we’re headed.
