How to travel from Chester to Inverness, United Kingdom

The distance between Chester and Inverness is around 623km (387 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to drive which takes around 6h 40m.

4 routes found

We've found 4 different ways to get from Chester to Inverness by train, bus and car. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.

👋 Also check out InvernessChester if you're planning a return trip.

1
train
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train
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Train

Take the train to Haymarket and then to Inverness.

  • Duration6h 45m
  • Departs5 times a day
  • Typical cost
    £160($190)
Operated by

Multiple train operators

1 similiar route

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

💰 Cheapest
2
3 x bus
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Bus

Take the bus to Manchester Airport then Buchanan Bus Station and then to Inverness.

  • Duration10h 10m
  • Departsonce daily
  • Typical cost
    £41($48)
Operated by

Multiple bus operators

🚀 Fastest
3
car
+

Drive

Drive to Inverness.

  • Duration6h 40m
  • Distance623km (387 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Chester and Inverness

There are several options for getting from Chester to Inverness by train, bus and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around £41 ($48) and will take around 10h 10m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can drive and arrive in approximately 6h 40m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately £71 ($84).

The distance between Chester and Inverness is around 623km (387 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 484km (301 miles)

It takes around 6h 45m to get from Chester and Inverness by train. If you are travelling by car it will take around 6h 40m to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Chester to Inverness is to drive which takes around 6h 40m and will set you back approx £71 ($84).

The cheapest way to travel between Chester and Inverness, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around £41 ($48) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Chester and Inverness. It typically takes around 6h 45m and departs 5 times a day.

There are no direct train services that runs from Chester to Inverness. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Warrington Bank Quay and Haymarket. These services run 5 times a day and will take a minimum of 6h 45m.

Avanti West Coast, First ScotRail Service, LNER, Northern Rail, TransPennine Express Service and Caledonian Sleeper run train services between Chester and Inverness. Trains depart 5 times a day and will take around 6h 45m, 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 Chester and Inverness. It typically takes around 10h 10m and departs once daily.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Chester to Inverness. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Manchester Airport and Buchanan Bus Station. These services run once daily and will take a minimum of 10h 10m.

National Express, Megabus UK and Scottish Citylink run regular bus services between Chester and Inverness. Buses run once daily and take around 10h 10m on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Chester to Inverness. We recommend that you take the train to Haymarket and then to Inverness. instead which will take 6h 45m.

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 Chester and Inverness. The distance is around 623km (387 miles) by road and it will take around 6h 40m in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Chester to Inverness is to take the train which takes, on average, 6h 45m and will usually cost around £160 ($190).

How do I get from Chester to Inverness

Compare travel optionsbetween Chester and Inverness

Transport options from Chester to Inverness
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Train + 1 similar
6h 45m
£160($190)
5 times a day673km (418 miles)
Train via Preston9h 10m
£69($82)
6 times a week688km (428 miles)
Bus
10h 10m
£41($48)
once daily705km (438 miles)
Drive
6h 40m
£71($84)
on demand623km (387 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Chester 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