The distance between Cardiff and Inverness is around 780km (484 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to take the train and then fly which takes around 3h 5m.
We've found 12 different ways to get from Cardiff to Inverness by train, plane, bus and car. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.
👋 Also check out Inverness → Cardiff if you're planning a return trip.
Take the train to Bristol Temple Meads then fly from Bristol (BRS) to Inverness (INV).
Multiple operators
6 similiar routes
We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.
Take the train to Crewe then Haymarket and then to Inverness.
Multiple train operators
2 similiar routes
We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.
Take the bus to Abington then Buchanan Bus Station and then to Inverness.
There are several options for getting from Cardiff to Inverness by train, plane, bus and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around £55 ($65) and will take around 9h 30m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can take the train and then fly and arrive in approximately 3h 5m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately £105 ($125).
The distance between Cardiff and Inverness is around 780km (484 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 670km (416 miles)
It takes around 3h 5m to get from Cardiff and Inverness by train and plane. If you are travelling by car it will take around 9h 10m to drive there.
The quickest way to get from Cardiff to Inverness is to take the train and then fly which takes around 3h 5m and will set you back approx £105 ($125).
The cheapest way to travel between Cardiff and Inverness, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around £55 ($65) for a standard one-way ticket.
Yes there is a train service that runs between Cardiff and Inverness. It typically takes around 9h 25m and departs 5 times a day.
There are no direct train services that runs from Cardiff to Inverness. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Crewe and Haymarket. These services run 5 times a day and will take a minimum of 9h 25m.
Transport for Wales, Avanti West Coast, First ScotRail Service, LNER, CrossCountry and Caledonian Sleeper run train services between Cardiff and Inverness. Trains depart 5 times a day and will take around 9h 25m, however, this may vary depending on the particular service and whether it runs express or stops all stations.
Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Cardiff and Inverness. It typically takes around 9h 30m and departs once a week.
There are no direct bus services that runs from Cardiff to Inverness. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Abington and Buchanan Bus Station. These services run once a week and will take a minimum of 9h 30m.
Megabus UK, Stagecoach West Scotland and Scottish Citylink run regular bus services between Cardiff and Inverness. Buses run once a week and take around 9h 30m on average but will vary depending on you book with.
It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Cardiff to Inverness. We recommend that you take the train to Bristol Temple Meads then fly from Bristol (BRS) to Inverness (INV). instead which will take 3h 5m.
The closest major airport to Inverness is Inverness Airport (INV) (INV) which is approximately 12km (7 miles) from Inverness. Aberdeen Airport (ABZ) (ABZ) and Dundee Airport (DND) (DND) are also nearby and might be a better alternative airport depending on where you are flying from.
Yes it is possible to drive from Cardiff and Inverness. The distance is around 867km (539 miles) by road and it will take around 9h 10m in normal traffic conditons.
If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Cardiff to Inverness is to take the train and then fly which takes, on average, 3h 5m and will usually cost around £105 ($125).
Transport option | Duration | Cost | Frequency | Distance |
---|---|---|---|---|
Train and Plane + 6 similar | 3h 5m | £105($125) | every 2 hours | 780km (484 miles) |
Train to Birmingham New Street, Fly | 4h 10m | £240($285) | every 2 hours | 788km (490 miles) |
Train to Bristol Temple Meads, plane | 4h 55m | £320($380) | every 3 hours | 884km (549 miles) |
Plane and Train | 5h 50m | £260($310) | 5 times a day | 834km (518 miles) |
Train to Birmingham New Street, plane | 5h 55m | £260($310) | every 3 hours | 879km (546 miles) |
Train to Bristol Temple Meads, plane | 6h 15m | £140($165) | every 3 hours | 886km (551 miles) |
Train to Bristol Temple Meads, plane | 6h 20m | £160($190) | 5 times a day | 889km (552 miles) |
Train + 2 similar | 9h 25m | £235($280) | 5 times a day | 905km (562 miles) |
Train via Birmingham New Street | 10h 35m | £210($250) | once daily | 1,022km (635 miles) |
Train via Crewe | 11h 35m | £130($155) | 6 times a week | 909km (565 miles) |
Bus | 9h 30m | £55($65) | once a week | 908km (564 miles) |
Drive | 9h 10m | £100($115) | on demand | 867km (539 miles) |
First ScotRail Service
LNER
Caledonian Sleeper
Loganair
Stagecoach West Scotland
Scottish Citylink
The following major airports near Inverness offer regular flights to various popular destinations within United Kingdom and internationally.