Getting Around By Train
Train
Getting Around Scotland By Air | Getting Around by Road | Getting around by Sea | Travelling Around Scotland by Train
The rail network in Scotland is limited and train travel is comparatively expensive, but trains are a fast and effective way to get around and also provide some beautifully scenic journeys. The West Highland line to Fort William and Mallaig and the journey from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh are amongst the most beautiful rail journeys in the world and well worth doing. Services in the central belt, between Glasgow, Edinburgh, Stirling, Perth, Dundee and Aberdeen are fast and frequent, and there are frequent trains to and from Inverness.
ScotRail operates most train services. For information on fares and timetables, contact National Rail Enquiries, Tel. 0345-484950, open 24 hours. You can buy train tickets at the stations, from major travel agents, or over the phone with a credit/debit card. For advance credit/debit card bookings call Tel. 0345-550033, or Scottish Rail For busy long-distance routes it's best to reserve a seat. Seat reservations to Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen or Inverness are included in the price of the ticket when you book in advance. If the ticket office is closed, there's usually a machine on the platform. If this isn't working, you can buy your ticket on the train.
Cyclists should note that though train companies have a more relaxed attitude to taking bikes on trains, reservations for bikes (£3.50) are still required on some services.