How to travel from Cardiff to Inverness, United Kingdom

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.

12 routes found

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 InvernessCardiff if you're planning a return trip.

🚀 Fastest
1
train
+
plane
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Train and Plane

Take the train to Bristol Temple Meads then fly from Bristol (BRS) to Inverness (INV).

  • Duration3h 5m
  • Flight time1h 30m
  • Typical cost
    £105($125)
Operated by

Multiple operators

6 similiar routes

We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.

2
3 x train
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Train

Take the train to Crewe then Haymarket and then to Inverness.

  • Duration9h 25m
  • Departs5 times a day
  • Typical cost
    £235($280)
Operated by

Multiple train operators

2 similiar routes

We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.

💰 Cheapest
3
3 x bus
+

Bus

Take the bus to Abington then Buchanan Bus Station and then to Inverness.

  • Duration9h 30m
  • Departsonce a week
  • Typical cost
    £55($65)
4
car
+

Drive

Drive to Inverness.

  • Duration9h 10m
  • Distance867km (539 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Cardiff and 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.

Train travel

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.

Bus travel

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.

Flights and Airlines

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.

Drive yourself

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).

How do I get from Cardiff to Inverness

Compare travel optionsbetween Cardiff and Inverness

Transport options from Cardiff to Inverness
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Train and Plane + 6 similar
3h 5m
£105($125)
every 2 hours780km (484 miles)
Train to Birmingham New Street, Fly4h 10m
£240($285)
every 2 hours788km (490 miles)
Train to Bristol Temple Meads, plane4h 55m
£320($380)
every 3 hours884km (549 miles)
Plane and Train5h 50m
£260($310)
5 times a day834km (518 miles)
Train to Birmingham New Street, plane5h 55m
£260($310)
every 3 hours879km (546 miles)
Train to Bristol Temple Meads, plane6h 15m
£140($165)
every 3 hours886km (551 miles)
Train to Bristol Temple Meads, plane6h 20m
£160($190)
5 times a day889km (552 miles)
Train + 2 similar
9h 25m
£235($280)
5 times a day905km (562 miles)
Train via Birmingham New Street10h 35m
£210($250)
once daily1,022km (635 miles)
Train via Crewe11h 35m
£130($155)
6 times a week909km (565 miles)
Bus
9h 30m
£55($65)
once a week908km (564 miles)
Drive
9h 10m
£100($115)
on demand867km (539 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Cardiff and Inverness

Train operators

Bus companies

Airports near Inverness

The following major airports near Inverness offer regular flights to various popular destinations within United Kingdom and internationally.

INV
Inverness Airport (INV)
International Airport
Distance
12km (7 miles) from Inverness
ABZ
Aberdeen Airport (ABZ)
International Airport
Distance
125km (78 miles) from Inverness
DND
Dundee Airport (DND)
Domestic Airport
Distance
136km (84 miles) from Inverness