Scotland is a very easy country in terms of transportation services. Their public transportation is one of the best and the most reliable way of getting around Scotland. Of course, there is Uber and Lyft that you could use, which would work just as well, especially in Edinburgh. Here are a few different ways you could get around Edinburgh and Scotland…
Walking
Walking is an easy mode of transportation. We walked the whole time we were in Edinburgh. We think it is a good way to see the city and the weather was gorgeous for us, so we took advantage! It is a relatively small city, although it has quite a few hills. Bring good walking shoes! From Edinburgh Castle to the Holyrood Palace it is about 1 mile, hence The Royal Mile. It takes about 40 minutes to an hour to walk the whole mile, depending on how many shops you stop at.
Taxi
Taxis are the easiest mode of transportation and way to get around the city, in our opinion. They can always be seen waiting outside hotels or you can just wave one down at the corner of an intersection. You can also have the hotel service call one, and it can be waiting for you out front for whatever time you need. They usually use the meter system, so it can get pricy the farther you go. So, we would recommend using it just for city transportation services. Or walk half of the way and take the taxi the rest of the way.
Bus
Another great mode of transportation is the bus! We took a tour bus throughout the Highlands. Now, you might be thinking ugh a tour bus? Too many people and you only see the touristy places. You could not be more wrong, in a good way! We were able to go to hidden waterfalls, and beautiful overlooks, and have a picnic at Loch Lubnaig. No tourists in sight, besides us. We would not have known to go to many of these places if it were not for our wonderful tour guide!
You do not have to use the tour company we did, although we highly recommend it! There are many day trips that leave out of the bus station. You can visit the Isle of Skye, down to southern Scotland and into England, or visit Glasgow for the day. The bus station has a small café and store you can buy water, snack, etc. It also has lockers, if you want to store your larger luggage as you take day trips.
Metro
There is no underground metro system in the capital of Edinburgh. However, there is a light underground system in Glasgow, Scotland. the SPT Subway is an underground rail system with stations around the city center. At peak times, services run every 4 minutes. At off-peak times, trains run every 6-8 minutes. Every train stops at all 15 stations and runs on a circular route on the north and south of the Clyde River.
Edinburgh has a system of Trams that run from Edinburgh Airport in the west to York Place in the city center. The Trams run along the route every 7-9 minutes, during the daytime. There is a total of 16 Tram stops with most stops allowing connections to other bus or rail services.
Train
Some of the most scenic railway journeys are in Scotland. It is also one fast way of transportation. There is a train station right beside Princess Gardens, Edinburgh Waverley Station. You can buy a ticket in advance or purchase one at the front booth. A train ticket to Glasgow, from Edinburgh, is about 12 Euros. So, it is fairly cheap. And a great way from getting to multiple cities in a short time.
When boarding the train here are a few tips! When entering the train station, go to the Departure board and look for your train number (most important) and train line logo.
After you have spotted your train number, check the destinations. Keep in mind, your final destination may not be the same as your train’s. Example: You are going to Oban, but may be traveling on a train destined for Mallaig that stops in Oban on the way. As long as your train number match, you are on the right train.
Then check which platform your train will be leaving from as well as your car and seat number. Train doors will close one minute prior to departure and access to the train will not be permitted after that. Snacks are provided in the Bistro car or pack some before boarding.
If you are wanting a more scenic route, check out these train itineraries below!
West Highland Line – travel from Glasgow to Oban or Mallaig. This route is most popular for taking Harry Potter fans from Platform 9 3/4 all the way to Hogwarts!
The Far North Line – travel from Inverness to Thurso or Wick passing by unspoiled landscapes and varied coastlines.
The Kyle Line – travel from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh for some amazing mountain views and charming Highland villages.
Driving
Driving is a great way of transportation. However, it is going to be the biggest challenge, not because renting a car is hard, but because they drive on the left side of the road. Now, depending on where you are from, this may not be backward to you. But for others, it could take some time to get used to. Edinburgh is probably the best city you want to learn in. Yes, it gets crowded, but the whole time we were there, Sam and I never heard one car horn. It is the friendliest and most patient city we have ever been to! Definitely not like DC or NYC drivers.
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