scotrail travel together

• Getting to Scotland

Group fares

There are 3 main types of group fares within Scotland.  Scotrail offers a group ticket for 3 or more people travelling together, for a third off on the following routes:  Edinburgh/Glasgow via Falkirk High, Falkirk Grahamston, Airdrie, Shotts, and Carstairs.  Edinburgh or Glasgow to Dunblane, Stirling and Alloa.  These tickets are valid in the off peak hours - anytime at the weekend, and weekdays from 0915 until 1641, then from 1816 until last service.  Valid on Scotrail services, and also LNER's (London North Eastern Railway) Dunbar - Edinburgh - Motherwell/Glasgow/Falkirk/Stirling limited services.   No need to book in advance.  These can be bought at ticket offices only (onboard if the ticket office is closed), and can't be bought from Ticket Vending Machines.   Break of Journey is not permitted on these tickets - they are point to point only.   If 4 of you are travelling out, but only 2 are returning - that is fine, but no refunds for the 2 not returning.   Only one ticket is issued per direction for the group. 

London North Eastern Railway (LNER) offers group fares on their limited services from Edinburgh to Inverness and Aberdeen and most intermediate stations in standard class and first class.  They are offered on their advance purchase/fixed fares only, so make sure you want the times you book, 25% off the regular advance fare if booked at their website , or 20% off if using any ticket office, or the special "group advance" button on the "railcard" drop down menu on their red and grey Ticket Vending Machines at Edinburgh or Aberdeen stations .

Scotrail  offers "friends and family" fares for groups of 3 or 4  people travelling together, on the Edinburgh or Glasgow to Aviemore/Inverness/Arbroath/Montrose/Stonehaven/Aberdeen services.   There is very limited seat availability for these, especially on Fridays and Sundays, and during the prime summer months.   They can work out to be less than £8 per person per direction.  They are fixed tickets, and not changeable after purchased - so select carefully.   All must travel together. 

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Travel times & tickets

Get 1/3 off standard and first class anytime, off-peak and advance fares when you travel together from 09:30am monday to friday*, or anytime at weekends and public holidays with your two together railcard.  .

* If a train is scheduled to depart at 09:30am a Two Together Railcard discounted ticket will be valid.

**These tickets need to be booked before you travel.

Remember, some tickets are subject to availability, time or restrictions - so it's always best to check before booking and be sure to read the full terms and conditions for using your Railcard .  You can plan your next trip and book tickets at nationalrail.co.uk .

Your Two Together Railcard discount WON'T apply to:

• Season tickets, including Travelcard Season tickets
• Oyster pay as you go fares in London
• Eurostar tickets
• Tickets for special excursions or Charter trains and some coach/bus links, including Railair services
• Rail/sea journeys to Calais, Ireland, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man
• Most London Underground and Docklands Light Railway tickets
• Most Train Company, Community Rail Partnership and Passenger Transport Executive (PTE) specific tickets

***Discount is only available on tickets as part of a journey from/to a National Rail station and on combined rail/sea journeys from/to Ryde Hoverport.

Here you can buy a Railcard for you or someone else, update your details and report your Railcard as lost/stolen.

Time Restrictions

The only time you can't use your Two Together Railcard is at morning peak times, ie before 0930 Monday to Friday.

Remember, on weekends and public holidays this restriction doesn't apply, so you can get out and start having adventures whatever time you like.

Scotland by Train Itinerary (with Scenic Rail Journeys)

By: Author Tracy Collins

Posted on Last updated: February 4, 2024

Are you planning to visit Scotland? Have you considered a Scottish road trip but decided that’s not for you and would rather travel Scotland by train?

Over the years we have explored Scotland by both train and by car and as an alternative to our Scottish road trip itinerary, we decided to put together a detailed itinerary for those of you who would prefer to take the train.

You will be pleased to hear that travelling around Scotland by train is fairly easy as the railways operate on a route map that is not difficult to navigate in a generally circular direction (with a bus/car/taxi link in between as there are no trains on the Isle of Skye)

Our Scotland by rail itinerary also includes some of the most scenic rail journeys Scotland has to offer with breathtaking scenery and a welcoming rich history and heritage. 

Add this Scotland train itinerary to our best of Britain by rail itinerary for the holiday of a lifetime. Perfect for train lovers and those who like to sit back and enjoy the journey as much as the destination.

Map of the route

Edinburgh – day 1, edinburgh days 2 – 3, accommodation options in edinburgh (near waverley train station), accommodation options in glasgow, accommodation options in oban, day 6 – oban, accommodation options in fort william, day 8 – fort william, accommodation options in portree on the isle of skye, day 10 to 11 – isle of skye, accommodation options in inverness, day 13 – inverness, day 14 – inverness to edinburgh.

• Train Passes

More UK rail travel tips and inspiration

Overview of the scotland by rail itinerary.

✅ The itinerary starts in the beautiful Scottish capital city of Edinburgh before you set off west towards Glasgow.

✅ After a day in Glasgow head to Oban to explore the islands of Mull, Iona and Staffa before a train ride to Fort William (the gateway to the Scottish Highlands).

✅ Embark on a short ferry ride from Mallaig to Armadale and onto the stunning Isle of Skye (this bit of the itinerary has to be taken by bus, taxi or tour) .

✅ A bus from Skye over the bridge will take you back to rejoin the train line at the Kyle of Lochalsh and a scenic ride to Inverness.

✅ The final train journey to Edinburgh through the beautiful Cairngorms National Park completes the journey.

For each destination included in this Scotland by train itinerary, we have included recommendations of what to see and do, accommodation options plus practical tips and details to help you on your way.

We have also included the distances between destinations and the estimated time it will take you to travel each leg of the journey.

Scotland by train itinerary

Days 1-3  edinburgh.

Perhaps you are planning to fly into Edinburgh or take the train to Edinburgh from London (or another UK destination)?

If you arrive by plane it is good to know that the connection from Edinburgh airport to the city centre is served by a frequent tram service that takes around 30 mins. A single ticket is around £6.50 and a return is £9.  The return ticket is open for a return journey at any time (even months later).

If you arrive by train you will alight the train at Edinburgh Waverley Station which is located on Princes Street in the centre of the city.

There is much to see and do in Edinburgh. The city caters to all interests, including history, walking, royal and military fans as well as whisky fans.

It really is impossible to visit everything the city has to offer in 2 days so we recommend prioritising your must-see items when planning your itinerary.

Highlights of Edinburgh include

• Historic Edinburgh Castle
• The Royal Mile
• Climb Arthur’s Seat and look at the Views
• The Port of Leith and the Royal Yacht Britannia
• The Palace of Holyrood House. 
• Greyfriars Kirkyard
• Taking a ghost tour
• Edinburgh Botanic Gardens

Read – 27 things to do in Edinburgh

If this isn’t your first visit to Edinburgh (or you prefer to explore further afield and can base yourself in the city for a few more days) why not take a day trip by train? Destinations within easy reach of Edinburgh include

• Leuchars (for St Andrews golf course)

All are approx 1 hour from Edinburgh except Aberdeen which takes around 2.5 hours)

Read – Best day trips by train from Edinburgh

Alternatively, join an organised day tour from Edinburgh. Popular choices include this Outlander

• ⭐️  Best luxury hotel in Edinburgh –  The Balmoral
• 🛌  Best B&B in Edinburgh –  The Elder York Guest House
• 💰  Best budget accommodation in Edinburgh –  Holiday Inn Express Royal Mile

Day 4 – Edinburgh to Glasgow

📍 On Day 4 it’s time to depart from Edinburgh and head to Scotland’s most populous city – Glasgow.  

🕘 This is a short train journey and only takes around 50 minutes.

✅ There are multiple services available daily.

🔎 During the train journey look out for the Kelpies in Falkirk. These are the 30-metre-high equine sculptures in Helix Park, visible from the train on the right-hand side from Edinburgh. Look carefully, they are easily missed.

Highlights of Glasgow include

• The Kelvingrove Museum & Art Gallery
• Glasgow Cathedral & Necropolis
• Glasgow Street Art

Read more – One-day itinerary for Glasgow

• ⭐️  Best luxury hotel in Glasgow – Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel 
• 🛌  Best B&B in Glasgow – The Alamo
• 💰  Best budget accommodation in Glasgow – Ibis Styles George Square

Day 5 – Glasgow to Oban

📍 From the Queens Street station catch the train on the West Highland line which is THE number one scenic Scottish train journey (and one of our top 10 UK train trips ).  

🕘 Check your train times as there are only a few trains daily in each direction. The journey to Oban is around 3 hours.

The train heads north out of Glasgow. If possible try to sit on the left side of the train in the direction of travel as the train heads north for the best loch views.

The station at Balloch about 50 mins outside Glasgow is a change station for Loch Lomond if this is an area you want to explore further.

The train divides or splits at Crianlarich, about 90 minutes from Glasgow, with one portion of the train heading to Oban. The other portion of the train heads north to Fort William across the famous Rannock Moor. 

You will be told which part of the train to sit in to ensure you are heading in the correct direction.

On the train journey to Oban from Crianlarich enjoy spectacular views of Loch Lomond, Glen Lochy, Loch Awe and then the shores of Loch Etive.

Highlights of Oban include

• McCaig’s Tower and battery on the hill overlooking Oban.
• Oban is known as the seafood capital of Scotland
• Oban Distillery
• ⭐️  Best luxury hotel in Oban – No17 The Promenade
• 💰  Best budget accommodation in Oban – Glenmoore Guest House

One Day 6 take a tour from Oban to some of Scotland’s most stunning islands – Iona, Staffa, and Mull.

There are a number of tours available from Oban – most last all day. Also worth noting that these may not suit if you suffer from sea sickness! Check out Staffa Tours for more info

Day 7 – Oban to Fort William

Day 7 catch the train from Oban back to Crianlarich and change there for the train to Fort William.

🕘 Journey time is dependent on the service caught from Oban and the time to wait for the connecting service at Crianlarich. Overall time travel time is around 3 to 4 hours.

The train journey from Crianlarich will take you across Rannock Moor on the West Highland train line. 

The next train station stop is at Corrour which is the highest mainline UK train station at 1339 feet.  Here many walkers end/start their hikes over this amazing landscape.

After Corrour the train travels on to Fort William. Look out for the peak of Ben Nevis, Scotland’s highest peak at 4,411 feet.

Highlights of Fort William include

• Neptune’s staircase
• Ben Nevis Visitor Centre
• Glenfinnan Visitor centre and monument
• Glenfinnan Viaduct

Read more – Best things to do and see in Fort William

• ⭐️  Best luxury hotel in Fort William – Inverlochy Castle Hotel   (this is a taxi ride* from the train station)
• 🛌  Best B&B in Fort William – Glentower Lower Observatory
• 💰  Best budget accommodation in Fort William – Culacrick Guest House 

*Note that there are taxis generally available outside Fort William train station.

If you are completing this Scotland by rail itinerary between April and October we recommend booking tickets on the world-famous Jacobite Express steam train to Mallaig (aka the Harry Potter train).

The train departs once a day in the morning from early April until late October. From May to September, an additional train service also runs every afternoon. The Jacobite train is operated by West Coast Railways.

Tip – Arrive at the train station in Fort William in plenty of time to soak up the fantastic atmosphere of the Harry Potter train and take plenty of photos and videos.

❗️Remember to book your tickets early as this sells out very quickly.

Read – How to ride the Harry Potter train in Scotland

Good to know – If you are unable to book tickets for the Jacobite (or are travelling out of season) the normal service train travels over the same train line.  This means you will still travel over the Glenfinnan viaduct and see the same spectacular views along the way to Mallaig.

🕘 The train ride between Fort William and Mallaig takes around 1 hour and 25 mins from Fort William to Mallaig.

What to do and see in Mallaig

The endpoint of the West Highland Train line is Mallaig. Look out for the beautiful views of the islands of Eigg and Rum and the white sands of Morar as the train line hugs the coastline on its way to Mallaig.

In Mallaig explore the beautiful restaurants and try some local seafood and wander around the harbour. For Harry Potter fans there is a dedicated shop also worth exploring.

Day 9 – Fort William (Mallaig) to Armadale (Isle of Skye)

Mallaig is the ferry terminal for the crossing to the truly breathtaking Isle of Skye.

The ferry carries road vehicles and foot passengers and is currently operated by Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac). CalMac also provides ferry services to the Western Isles including Barra, Bute, Arran, Harris, Iona and Eriskey from Mallaig.

🕘 The ferry journey takes 25 minutes before arriving at the ferry port at Armadale which is located in the southern part of the Sleat Peninsula on Skye. 

Whilst there is a road bridge to Skye via the Kyle of Lochalsh the ferry is the best option from Fort William for this rail trip.

How to travel from Armadale to your accommodation on Skye

On arrival at Armadale, you have a few options to get around the island. There are no trains on Skye so you will need to make alternative transport arrangements.

• Taxi to Portree* – takes 1 hour and costs £60+
• Rent a car – There is a small family-run car rental company located in Armadale. Organise a car pick here for the Skye leg of your trip before returning (for an additional fee) to the Kyle of Lochalsh.
• Bus –

*Public transport and tour options are easier from Portree so for this reason (if you do not hire a car from Armadale) we recommend basing yourself in Portree for the duration of your stay on Skye.

• ⭐️  Best luxury hotel on Skye – Cuillin Hills Hotel
• 🛌  Best B&B in on Skye – Canowindra B&B
• 💰  Best budget accommodation on Skye – Tianavaig View Apartments

Read – Complete guide to where to stay on Skye (area and accommodation)

With so much to see on Skye and places to visit visitors are often left thinking they might have wanted more time here (including us in 2022!)

For this reason, it is best to prioritise your must-see places and plan your itinerary accordingly. If you have not hired a car at Armadale your options to explore the island are the following:

• Catch local buses around the island
• Take a tour from Portree
• Hire a private driver tour guide to show you the highlights of the island

Highlights on the Isle of Skye include

• Fairy Pools
• Dunvegan Castle and gardens
• The Old Man of Storr
• Kilt Rock and Mealt falls
• Talisker Distillery
• Armadale Castle Gardens and museum.

Day 12 – Isle of Skye to Kyle of Lochalsh and Inverness

Leaving Skye over the bridge to the Kyle of Lochalsh is possible by taxi or by bus.  From Portree (Square) the 917 Citylink Service costs around £9 for one adult fare. 

The bus stops at Kyle of Lochalsh Old Slipway bus stop and takes around 1 hour. The bus stop is a few minutes walk to the train station.

What to see around the Kyle of Lochalsh

If you are dropping off the hire car you picked up at Armadale at the Kyle of Lochalsh consider exploring a little of the area before you do so.

• Eilean Donan Castle is 9 miles (about 15 mins drive away) along the coast of Loch Alsh.
• Manuela’s Wee Bakery

Train to Inverness

🛤 This is the beautifully scenic Kyle line.

🕘 The train to Inverness takes around 2.5 hours.

What to see on the train journey to Inverness

From Kyle, the train line hugs the coastline of Loch Carron and at the station of Plockton is the location setting of the popular UK TV program Hamish Macbeth (from the 1990s).

Look out for the Torridon Hills on the left-hand side of the train just after the station at Achnashellach. The line then rises and falls en route to Dingwall past Loch Garve, Loch Luichart and Loch a’Chuilinn with constantly stunning views. Dingwall is at the end of the Cromarty Firth. From here the line heads the 20 minutes journey south to Inverness.  

From Dingwall a change of train on the Far North Line would take you to the north tip of Scotland at Thurso and Wick train stations. From here if you wish to visit the John O’Groats or the Orkney Islands .

• ⭐️  Best hotel in Inverness near the train station – River Ness Hotel
• 🛌  Best B&B in Inverness – Moyness House
• 💰  Best budget accommodation in Inverness – Inverness Youth Hostel

Highlights of Inverness – including easy day trip ideas

• Loch Ness and Castle Urquhart
• Culloden battlefield
• Clava Cairns – Bronze Age Cairn
• Fort George- Artillery fortification
• I nverness to Thurso and Wick (Far North Line)

Good to know – the hop-on hop-off bus from Inverness has stops at Culloden and Loch Ness

Read more – Best day trips from Inverness

✅ On day 14 catch the train back to Edinburgh Waverley from Inverness. 

🔀 There is a choice of train routes to take – the coastal route that takes in Aberdeen and Dundee or the central route that passes through Aviemore, Pitlochry and Perth.

🕘 The coastal route takes around 5 hours while the central route to Edinburgh takes between 3 hours 30 mins – 4 hours.

Both routes are scenic and have contrasting landscapes. There are merits to both depending on timescales or your specific interests such as the Whisky Trail from the station of Keith north of Aberdeen.

Both routes take in the iconic Forth Rail Bridge which is about 12 minutes away from Edinburgh.

The bridge was completed in December 1889 and spans over the Firth of Forth at South Queensferry. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Train ticket and passes – options for your Scotland rail itinerary

There are a number of options open to you when it comes to buying tickets for the Scotland by rail itinerary detailed above. The most cost-effective option for train tickets may be to compare the cost of a train pass or ticket discounts with a railcard.

Train Pass es

The two passes available are the BritRail Pass or the Global Eurail Pass (or Global Interail pass if you live in Europe).

Note – Unfortunately, the Scottish Highlands BritRail Pass and the Spirit of Scotland BritRail Pass are unavailable at the moment due to Covid – hopefully, they will be available again soon.

This means that you would need to buy a regular BritRail Pass for travel by trail in Scotland. The following types are available:

Flexible – 2 Day, 3 Day, 4 Day, 8 Day (valid within 1 month) and 15 Day (valid within 2 months)

Consecutive – 2 Day, 3 Day, 4 Day, 8 Day, 15 Day, 22 Day, 1 Month

The other alternative is a Global Eurail Pass . It offers consecutive travel for 15 or 22 consecutive days, or buy a pass valid for 1, 2 or 3 months. Or a flexible pass for 4, 5 or 7 non-consecutive days spread over a month; or for 10 or 15 days during a two month period. 

With 6 days of train travel (excluding the Jacobite which is not covered by either pass) a 7 day Global Eurail flexipass may be the most cost-effective for this itinerary.

Read – Global Eurail Pass versus BritRail Pass

Another option would be to purchase a d i g i t a l railcard and compare the cost of tickets with discounts from the railcard applied.

Examples of railcards include:

• Two Together Railcard – Costs £30 for the year. Two travellers are named on the same card and you must always travel together to get one-third off the normal ticket price.
• Senior Railcard – For the over 60s. Costs £30 for the year and offers one-third off rail fares.
• UK Train Travel Guide ebook
• Tips to save money on UK train travel
• Britrail vs Gobal Eurail Pass
• Best day trips from Glasgow by train
• Guide to the Caledonian Sleeper (and podcast episode)
• 9 Tips for travelling the UK by train
• Introduction to UK train travel podcast episode #2
• Best day trips from Edinburgh

How to Save Money on Train Tickets in Scotland

It’s always nice to save money on your holiday in Scotland, especially when travelling around the country is becoming more and more expensive. On average it costs a whopping £90 for an individual return train ticket from Edinburgh to Inverness and £75 to travel from Edinburgh to Aberdeen, which can put a serious dent in the holiday budgets of travelling families.

It’s certainly true that train travel is one of the most expensive ways to travel in Scotland but the fact is it doesn’t have to be – as you’ll discover in this information-packed article.

Avoid Peak Times and Expensive Upgrades

Like the rest of the UK, there are three different types of train tickets you can purchase for your rail journey in Scotland. These are:

• Off-peak : These tickets are restricted for use between the morning and evening peak times. These times are dependent on the train operator so check with them before making a purchase. These are the tickets to buy if you want the cheapest option.
• Anytime : These tickets are valid for use at any time of the day and are usually more expensive than off-peak tickets.
• First-class : These tickets are more expensive than the other two types but offer a higher standard of service with free Wi-Fi, food and drink, and entry to station lounges.

For more information about national rail times, fares and ticket types, view the National Rail Enquiries page .

It’s entirely up to you with regards to your preferred ticket types but I have to say I rarely travel first-class because it’s so expensive (often up to twice the price of a standard ticket). To give you an idea of rail prices in Scotland, for a single off-peak ticket from Edinburgh to Aberdeen it costs approximately £40, but that soars to nearer £90 if you upgrade to first class. You get tea, coffee, and a snack, but at more than a 100% price increase it’s safe to say it isn’t very good value for money.

That being said, those prices only apply if you purchase tickets directly from the operator and it’s usually much cheaper to book via an auction site instead – which I’ll go into detail about further down this page.

Always Book Early

You can occasionally get cheap tickets by buying in advance, and once or twice I’ve found early-bird first-class tickets that were even cheaper than standard-class anytime tickets.

To be in with a chance of finding discounted tickets you’ll have to check The Trainline website at least a month before your travel date instead of wandering up to the ticket kiosk on the day. Cheap tickets are usually released by the operators around 12 weeks before the date of travel but they tend to sell out quickly so try to book as early as you can.

The longer you leave the booking date, the more expensive your ticket will be. One handy tip for booking early is to go on the operator’s website 12 weeks or more in advance and search for your journey, then change the date to the furthest ahead that you can book. Keep checking daily until the furthest date matches your date of travel to secure the cheapest possible tickets.

You can also sign up for email alerts from the train company so you get notified when tickets go on sale as well as be the first to hear about special offers. Each operator has a different notification system but for Scotrail you can head to the News and Offers page and subscribe to their email which includes offers such as ScotRail 2 for 1 tickets and ScotRail £5 tickets.

Although I mentioned above that the cheapest tickets are the ones available months in advance, if you leave it till the absolute last minute you can also bag a bargain as operators look to offload empty seats. This is a gamble as sometimes the train will be fully booked and sometimes the discounts aren’t that great, but if you’re lucky then 20% or more savings can be made.

The only caveat is that you have to travel on the train you’re booked on so there’s no flexibility to change times. A good resource for finding information about different rail operators and their advance ticket purchasing times is the National Rail Enquiries website .

Be Flexible With Your Dates and Routes

It’s going to be more expensive to travel on a train at rush hour on a Monday morning than the same journey on a Sunday afternoon, so if you’re ok with changing the dates you travel you’ll save a bundle by going for less busy times.

Following on from this you’ll also often find competing operators running trains between the same destinations so it’s always a good idea to compare services. A great resource for this is Red Spotted Hanky which does all the heavy lifting for you by comparing all times and routes when you enter your departure and destination points on their website.

Red Spotted Hankey charges no additional fees and they have a bonus points scheme for return users. In addition, they also have a very handy app that allows you to book online and view details about the journey including all stops, station changes, and times between the start and endpoints. Alternatively, you can perform the same search on The Trainline website which displays all upcoming trains on any given date with the cheapest fares highlighted in yellow.

The only negative is that the latter website doesn’t give recommendations for split tickets (described further down the page), although their app does allow you to submit refund requests with a single tap and even submit expense receipts for business travellers.

Get a Railcard

You can save a packet on Scotland’s rail fares with a railcard , though bear in mind if you’re a visiting tourist they’re not much use as you have to pay an annual fee upfront which makes them more suited to frequent UK travellers.

That being said, if you live in Britain and want a discount on your fare you should probably get one depending on your circumstances. I’ll list the most popular rail cards below:

Two Together Railcard . Gives you a third off all rail travel on off-peak journeys for any two people over the age of 16 – but only when they travel together. It costs around £30 for a year which is easily recouped if you do just a few trips – but make sure you keep your card with you as you’ll need it as proof of purchase when you buy your discounted ticket.

Friends and Family Railcard . This discount card is similar to the Two Together card except that it also includes a 60% discount on children’s fares. The card is valid for up to 4 adults and up to 4 children who are aged between 5 and 15. Note that adults and children do not have to be related to benefit from the Friends and Family discount.

As a top tip, when ordering your next rail card get a digital pass instead of a plastic card (you can’t have both). While you might forget your wallet, I bet most people will always have their phones with them.

26-30 Railcard . This card is designed for 26 to 30-year-olds (obviously) and can be ordered here . Like the Two Together card, it costs around £30 per year and gives a third off rail travel.

16-25 Railcard . As above but for people aged 16 to 25.

Disabled Persons Railcard . This card costs around £20 per year and gives 1/3 off rail fares for disabled people and one person travelling with them. Cards are available in digital and plastic formats and can be used without restrictions at any time of the day.

Senior Railcard . Just because you’re a senior doesn’t mean you have to miss out on Scotland’s railways and with this card, you’ll save 1/3 on fares as long as you’re age 60 or over. Unlike the other cards I’ve listed, you can purchase a Senior Railcard that lasts up to 3 years for a discounted price of around £70.

Highland Railcard . Those living in the wilds of the Scottish Highlands can often feel isolated from the rest of the country which is one of the reasons this money-saving card makes so much sense. Only available to people living in selected postcodes, the Highland Railcard allows owners to travel for a flat rate as well as giving a generous 50% off travel on selected routes.

Young Scot National Entitlement Card . This railcard is designed to give discounts of 1/3 off most rail fares and 50% off weekly and monthly tickets for anyone aged 16-18. The card is ideal for use by travelling students who live in Scotland as it can double up as a smartcard by loading tickets onto it via a booking office.

Buy Scotrail Travel Passes

For visiting tourists a travel pass is the best way to get your ticket as it offers an all-in-one solution across a specific rail network.

You can stick to one region of the country with a single pass or combine two to see even more sights, but my recommendation is to just get one travel pass and buy separate train tickets as and when required because most travel passes are rather expensive.

Spirit of Scotland Rover : Offers unlimited rail travel throughout Scotland for either four or eight days. Four days of unlimited travel over eight consecutive days costs around £149, while eight days of unlimited travel over fifteen consecutive days costs around £189.

Note that these prices change regularly so check the ScotRail website before you buy the pass.

Scottish Grand Tour : Touted as one of the great rail journeys of the world, the Scottish Grand Tour is a circular route that passes lochs, mountains, forests and countryside. You’ll pass some truly dramatic scenery with the Scottish Grand Tour pass including the West Highland Line and the Highland Main Line, and you’ll also see the country’s top cities of Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Inverness .

As an all-in-one package to see the best of Scotland in one trip, it really does take some beating.

Highland Rover : Gives you four days of unlimited travel over eight consecutive days across the Scottish Highlands for around £100. Although it’s only valid for standard class you can travel at any time of the day and you’ll also get 20% off  Northlink ferry services to Orkney and Shetland.

Central Scotland Rover : Allows you to take unlimited journeys between Glasgow, Edinburgh, and the surrounding area for around £60. The pass lasts for three days and is valid for standard class journeys on ScotRail trains, but unfortunately, you can’t use it on the new Borders railway line.

Note that this is the pass to get if you just want to explore the main cities as it covers Edinburgh and Glasgow which are a mere 1 hour apart by train.

Rail and Sail : Getting to the north and west coast islands has never been easier thanks to ScotRail’s Rail and Sail, which combines rail and ferry travel in one ticket. These tickets take the hassle out of exploring Scotland as you can break the journey up to go and see different regions as you see fit.

Currently, the pass opens up the Orkney and Shetland islands along with Mull and the Outer Hebrides, and with children aged 5-15 getting a 50% discount they offer a great way to have a cheap(ish) family holiday by train.

Split Your Tickets

This train travel tip has been doing the rounds for a few years now but it’s just as popular as it ever was, purely because it works and is almost always guaranteed to give you big savings on rail fares. So what, exactly, is split ticketing?

Well, it basically means that instead of purchasing a single ticket from say London to Edinburgh (approx £80 in total), you purchase two or more separate tickets along the same line instead, so for example, London to Crewe and another ticket for Crewe to Edinburgh (approx £50 in total). This might seem overly complicated at first glance but the fact is you can save up to 90% on a long-distance rail journey by splitting your tickets, with the biggest savings coming from splitting the journey multiple times.

Be aware that while sometimes you will have to change stations, for the majority of journeys you stay on the same train the entire time and it’s just the tickets that get split.

Although planning routes around split tickets used to be a hassle there are now several websites that are dedicated to offering a free service where you just enter the departure and destination stations, the date and time of travel, and leave the website to book the separate tickets for you. The downside is that you could end up with ten different tickets, but as long as you keep track of them all for the conductor it shouldn’t have any impact on your journey.

Two of the best split ticketing websites in the UK are Train Split and Split My Fare , and having used both I can confirm they do exactly the same job and offer pretty much exactly the same level of service.

Purchase Groupsave Tickets

If you haven’t heard of Groupsave before it’s a booking scheme which does what the name says – you save money when purchasing train tickets as a group. You don’t need to do anything special to make a Groupsave booking as the offers are activated automatically as soon as more than 3 people are added at the checkout.

ScotRail has a three-tier system for group tickets starting with Friends Fare for 3 to 4 people, then Groupsave for 3 to 5 people, and finally Groupsave for more than 10 people. When combined with booking your tickets as early as possible you can save a bundle on travel costs, but bear in mind that group tickets have limited availability and they sell out fast in the peak tourist season.

Most operators offer Groupsave tickets of some kind and they’re usually pretty flexible – except for ScotRail which in my opinion is a wee bit stingy with their conditions:

Friends Fare: Discounts vary. Only available on Aberdeen to Inverness, Aberdeen to Edinburgh or Glasgow, and Inverness to Edinburgh or Glasgow. Return tickets only. Non-refundable. No additional railcard discounts.

Groupsave 3-5 people: Up to 1/3 off travel. Only available on Glasgow to Edinburgh, Dunblane/Stirling to Glasgow or Edinburgh, Alloa to Glasgow or Edinburgh, and Motherwell to Edinburgh. Off-peak journeys only. Non-refundable. No additional railcard discounts.

Groupsave 10+ people: 10-30% discount. Off-peak journeys only. Must be booked at least 28 days in advance. Non-refundable.

Grab a Bargain First-Class Upgrade

First-class tickets have traditionally been reserved for business people and luxury travellers due to the significant extra costs on top of standard class, but there are now services that aim to bring these upgraded tickets to the masses.

One of the best is Seatfrog which allows you to bid on first-class tickets on their own online auction which you access via their phone app. Think along the lines of eBay for first-class train tickets. You enter your standard ticket booking reference, enter a bid price, and if you win you just pay the additional fee. Seatfrog will then send you a new upgraded seat number along with a QR code to prove your purchase.

The extra fee is often a fraction of what the upgrade would cost directly from the operator and you don’t have to pay a penny more if you don’t win the auction so there really is nothing to lose. In fact, you could end up saving money on your journey when you consider that first-class tickets include free food and drinks and many also include entry to first-class lounges at the station.

Upgrade prices can be as low as £10 for a cross-country journey and as you already have a ticket you know you’ll still have a seat if your bid doesn’t win.

The big downside with Seatfrog is that they currently don’t offer upgrades on Scottish railways, but this will hopefully change soon. Still, if you’re intending to travel by train for a UK-wide tour it could be a nice way to upgrade part of your journey.

Can you save money with a Railcard?

Discounts on train tickets are available for eligible railcard holders. Each card applies to specific demographics such as students, over-60s, couples, Highland residents, and young adults. Discounts are usually 1/3 off the full ticket price. See the National Rail Enquiries website for further details.

How do I get free rail travel in Scotland?

Free train travel in Scotland is dependent on the local council area in which an individual lives. Some councils offer free rail travel for the disabled and over-60s. Other councils offer discounted fares.

Free bus travel across Scotland is possible with a National Entitlement card. To apply, see the Transport Scotland website .

How can I get the cheapest train tickets to Edinburgh?

The easiest ways to find the cheapest train tickets to Edinburgh are to: 1. Get a railcard which can save up to 1/3 off ticket costs. 2. Book in advance. ScotRail usually releases tickets 12 weeks before the date of travel. 3. Travel off-peak as tickets are around 1/3 cheaper than peak times. 4. Book as a group to save around 1/3 on standard ticket prices.

Can you get the train to Edinburgh?

Trains run directly into Edinburgh city centre from across the country. The main stations are Waverley and Haymarket. Travelling by rail from London to Edinburgh takes around 4.5 hours.

Can I use my National Entitlement Card on ScotRail?

The National Entitlement Card (NEC) can be used on several public transport networks across Scotland. The NEC is not valid as a ScotRail discount card. Young Scot NECs can be used on Scotrail for people aged 16-18.

Related Posts

A Guide to Scotland’s Winter Weather

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A Guide to The Best Clothes to Wear When Visiting Scotland

Craig Neil is the author, photographer, admin, and pretty much everything else behind Out About Scotland. He lives near Edinburgh and spends his free time exploring Scotland and writing about his experiences. Follow him on Pinterest , Facebook , and YouTube .

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Two Together Railcard

1/3 off train tickets when you both travel together.

Must travel together

For ages 16+

Great for: Friends, couples, flatmates, or colleagues who regularly travel together

Digital only Railcards live in your account in the Trainline app so you can use them on any of your compatible devices . No download codes are needed!

How to buy a digital Two Together Railcard online with us

We're here to help make your next digital Two Together Railcard purchase as easy as possible.

Save 1/3 with your digital Two Together Railcard

Official retailer of Railcards by National Rail . Buy a digital Two Together Railcard online with us – it's stored directly in the Trainline app, so you can use it right away to get 1/3 off eligible journeys for a whole year.

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What our customers say about digital Two Together Railcards

Read what our customers have been saying on Trustpilot about Two Together Railcards. Got something to say? Leave your feedback on Trustpilot . To find out more about how we collect reviews please visit our customer support page .

What are the benefits of a Two Together Railcard?

Save 1/3 off train travel all year round

Two adults travel together for less

Travel First Class for less

What is a Two Together Railcard?

The Two Together Railcard is a discount card that allows you and another person to get 1/3 off rail travel for a year when you travel together across the National Rail network. The Railcard discount is valid on Standard and First Class Anytime , Off-Peak , Super Off-Peak Single and Return and Advance tickets throughout Britain.

How much is a Two Together Railcard?

The Two Together Railcard costs just £30 – that's £15 each – and you can use it as many times as you like throughout the year.

When can I use a Two Together Railcard?

A Two Together Railcard can be used to buy discounted tickets for travel from 09:30 Mondays to Fridays, and at any time on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays. The only time you can't use your Two Together Railcard is at morning peak times, i.e. before 09:30 Monday to Friday. To see the full list of tickets a Two Together Railcard discount is valid for, visit our Railcards terms of use guide .

Who can use a Two Together Railcard?

Anyone aged 16+ can use a Two Together Railcard – the only requirement is that you must travel together with the other cardholder for the discount to apply. Although it's often thought of as a 'couples Railcard', it's also great for friends, family members, flatmates or colleagues who regularly travel together.

How to buy and use your digital Two Together Railcard

You'll need to have iOS 15.0 and above or Lollipop on Android to get your digital Two Together Railcard on your phone. Don’t have our app yet? Download it now and follow these easy steps to buy your Two Together Railcard today with us.

Tap 'Buy 1-year for £30' or 'Buy 3-year for £70' (if applicable) to get the Railcard you want on your phone

Enter your first and last name (and date of birth if you need to prove your age)

Upload a digital passport-style photo for your Railcard from your phone

Sign in to your Trainline account on the app and buy your digital Railcard

You’ll find your new Railcard under 'Railcards' in the Account tab of the app. Please make sure you're signed into the app with the same account you used to buy your Railcard

Enter your departure and arrival station, select the start date of your ticket and the number of people travelling, then select your new Railcard from the drop-down menu – the 1/3 savings will be applied automatically to your booking.

Popular journeys booked with a Two Together Railcard

Check out some of the most popular rail journeys our customers are booking with a Two Together Railcard at the moment.

Manchester to London

Off-Peak Single

£87.20 ‡ with a Railcard

£132.20 without

You save £45.00

London to Edinburgh

£143.20 ‡ with a Railcard

£217.00 without

You save £73.80

London to Manchester

London to york.

Anytime Day Single

£184.80 ‡ with a Railcard

£280.00 without

You save £95.20

London to Bath

£141.30 ‡ with a Railcard

£214.20 without

You save £72.90

Digital Railcards live on our app

Digital Railcards are added to your Trainline account, so you can access them on any compatible device you travel with. Please be aware that the minimum Operating System (OS) your Railcard would be available on is iOS 15.0 and above or Lollipop on Android . There are no device limits or download codes needed.

Can I have more than one Railcard?

Absolutely. In fact, having more than one Railcard can help you save even more. You can store and manage multiple Railcards easily in our app.

The Two Together Railcard goes well with a 16-25, 26-30 or Senior Railcard

Must travel together 1/3 off train travel for you and a friend/companion when travelling together. Conditions apply

Digital only Railcards live in your account in the Trainline app so you can use them any of your compatible devices . No download codes are needed!

26-30 Railcard

For ages 26-30 Get 1/3 off train travel across Great Britain. Minimum fare applies

Great for: Millennials, graduates, and young professionals

16-25 Railcard

For ages 16-25 Get 1/3 off train travel across Great Britain. Minimum fare applies

Great for: Teenagers, students, graduates, and young professionals

1- or 3-year validity available Save £20 with a 3-year Railcard

Senior Railcard

For ages 60+ Get 1/3 off train travel across Great Britain. Conditions apply

Great for: Seniors, grandparents, and retirees

Other Railcards available in the UK

16-17 saver.

Great for: School and college students

Family & Friends Railcard

Great for: Anyone who travels in groups with children - no relation necessary

Disabled Persons Railcard

Great for: People with a disability that makes travelling by train difficult

Veterans Railcard

Great for: UK Veterans and Merchant Mariners

Network Railcard

Great for: Commuters and Londoners

Frequently asked questions

Using a two together railcard, can you travel alone with a two together railcard.

No, you cannot travel alone with the Two Together Railcard – you must travel with the second named adult on your Railcard. The two named cardholders must travel together for the entire journey for the discounted tickets to remain valid.

Can I use a Two Together Railcard on Transport for London services?

You can use a Two Together Railcard to get a 1/3 discount on Off-Peak Day Travelcards for you and the person named on your railcard. That allows you to travel at any time on weekends and bank holidays, and after 9:30am from Monday to Friday.

Can I use the Two Together Railcard on Eurostar services?

No, you cannot use the Two Together Railcard on Eurostar services . Other exceptions in the UK include Heritage Railways and Charter services.

Do Two Together Railcards work on older iPhone models?​

Two Together Railcards bought through Trainline will only work on iPhones using iOS 15.0 and above. As such, some older iPhone models running iOS versions below iOS 15.0 may not be able to support Railcards. Make sure you check which software version your iPhone is running before purchasing a Railcard.

Buying a Two Together Railcard

How much does a two together railcard cost.

A Two Together Railcard costs £30 for a year. Split between two, that's just £15 for a year's worth of savings.

Can I get a discount on Season tickets with a Two Together Railcard?

No, unfortunately the Two Together Railcard discount won't apply to Season tickets, including Travelcard Season tickets.

If I buy a Two Together Railcard with Trainline, can I use it with tickets bought elsewhere?

Yes. Although your Railcard will live in your Trainline App, it can still be used with tickets bought elsewhere.

Easy savings on train travel with a Two Together Railcard

A couple of weeks ago we were planning a trip to London at the weekend and we were looking for cheaper train tickets when we came across the Two Together Railcard.

The fare at the time would have been £38 but with the Two Together card, we could save £13 on our first journey. As we often travel by rail and plan trips to Bristol, Norwich, and Exeter before Christmas it was an easy investment to make – we’d make our £30 outlay back in just two trips, bargain!!

Buying the Railcard with Trainline was easy and straightforward as well. In a couple of minutes, we had input our details, uploaded photos (passport-style but not so formal), and downloaded the card to the Trainline app for use.

For the savings alone – an easy 5-star experience!

About Richard

Richard is one of our trusted, hand-picked travel writers. The information for this article was recorded first-hand, based on his own genuine experience of the journey.

Where will your Two Together Railcard discount take you?

Planning your next trip with your friend or partner and not sure where to go? Our travel hub is full of inspirational days out you can take by train using your Two Together Railcard. Take full advantage of getting 1/3 off rail travel and enjoy exploring the UK!

7 of the best UK city breaks for couples

Day trip to London – a one-day itinerary

The best day trips in England

11 of the best hikes in Scotland

How to travel from London to Wales by train

How to get from London to the Lake District

Best beaches near London by train

‡Applies to selected train fares. See Trainline's  Railcard terms  for full details of each railcard, eligible tickets and travel times.

Discounted rail travel

Kids for a quid.

Families can benefit from the Kids for a Quid offer that not only reduces the cost of rail travel but also brings additional benefits through free entry to visitor attractions.

ScotRail also offers a number of other fares initiatives throughout the year .

Free train travel for jobseekers

The Scottish Government understands that the cost of public transport can be difficult for job seekers and for hard-pressed families. That is why we work with ScotRail to try to ease the burden a little, particularly during the current cost of living crisis.

This includes supporting jobseekers across Scotland with free travel to interviews and a Monthly Season ticket for their first month at work .

Veterans Railcard and additional discount for Scottish residents

Scottish veterans can now benefit from a new railcard which not only allows a 34% discount on travel but also sees an introductory discount scheme.

The Veterans Railcard , initially priced at £21, allows holders to travel across the country at reduced fares.

To encourage uptake, the Scottish Government is also funding a further discount scheme. Residents of Scotland can register between now and 31 March 2021 to be eligible for a £6 rail voucher - making the initial cost just £15.

We are committed to providing the best possible support for our veterans and their families, ensuring they can benefit from the same discounted travel as serving members of our Armed Forces.” Veterans Minister Graeme Dey

Other railcards

A number of other railcards offer UK-wide discounts for rail travel, including:

• 16-25 Railcard
• Senior railcard
• Two Together Railcard
• Disabled Persons Railcard
• 26-30 Railcard
• Family and Friends Railcard

Find more information and apply for discounts at the Railcard website .

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The trains and stations of the Moscow Metro

2 Comments · Posted by Alex Smirnov in Cities , Travel , Video

The Moscow Metro is the third most intensive subway system in the world after Tokyo and Seoul subways. The first line was opened on May 15, 1935. Since 1955, the metro has the name of V.I. Lenin.

The system consists of 12 lines with a total length of 305.7 km. Forty four stations are recognized cultural heritage. The largest passenger traffic is in rush hours from 8:00 to 9:00 and from 18:00 to 19:00.

Cellular communication is available on most of the stations of the Moscow Metro. In March 2012, a free Wi-Fi appeared in the Circle Line train. The Moscow Metro is open to passengers from 5:20 to 01:00. The average interval between trains is 2.5 minutes.

The fare is paid by using contactless tickets and contactless smart cards, the passes to the stations are controlled by automatic turnstiles. Ticket offices and ticket vending machines can be found in station vestibules.

Tags:  Moscow city

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Tomás · August 27, 2012 at 11:34 pm

The Moscow metro stations are the best That I know, cars do not.

Alberto Calvo · September 25, 2016 at 8:57 pm

Great videos! Moscow Metro is just spectacular. I actually visited Moscow myself quite recently and wrote a post about my top 7 stations, please check it out and let me know what you think! :)

http://www.arwtravels.com/blog/moscow-metro-top-7-stations-you-cant-miss

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