Inverness Travel Guide (including essential tips, itinerary & map)
By: Author Tracy Collins
Posted on Last updated: February 5, 2024
Our Inverness Travel Guide includes recommended places to visit and things to do, accommodation options, tips and more for the beautiful Highland city. Everything you need to plan your visit and essential reading for any visitor to Inverness!
Plan your visit to Inverness
The Scottish city of Inverness is the perfect base to explore the Highlands of Scotland. If you enjoy road trips the North Coast 500 is recognised as one of the most spectacularly scenic drives around the world.
Inverness is one of our recommended top 19 attractions, sights and landmarks to see in Scotland.
What you will find in this complete Inverness Travel Guide
Map of Inverness
When is the best time of year to visit inverness, how many days do you need in inverness, what is the best way to explore inverness, 🚆 by train from london, 🚗 by car (road trip option), ✈️ fly to inverness airport, attractions and things to do in inverness, attractions and things to do in scotland, inverness accommodation quick picks, inverness travel guide -tickets, tours & attractions, best day trips from inverness, best multi-day tours from inverness, best pubs, cafes and restaurants in inverness, books to read before visiting inverness, enjoy your visit to inverness.
Inverness travel guide – Visiting Inverness FAQ’s
The best time to visit Inverness is during the late spring and summer. These are the busy times of the year with warmer weather and long light days.
If you prefer to avoid crowds aim for September and October. The weather can still be good during these months and you will find better deals on accommodation.
Make sure to pack for the weather – layers are always recommended (and waterproofs too) whatever time of year you plan to visit.
If you are visiting in winter note that the weather can be particularly brutal with low temperatures, snow and of course short dark days the norm.
Read more about the best time to visit the UK in my detailed guide.
Inverness is a fantastic base from which to explore the Highlands. Catch the train to Thurso and Wick or to the Kyle of Lochalsh for Skye and the Hebrides. Alternatively, pick up a tour to the Isle of Skye from Inverness.
The North Coast 500 begins in Inverness and follows a circular route through some of Scotland’s most spectacular scenery. Plan to spend at least 5 days to make the most of this fantastic Scottish road trip .
- Inverness is a compact, walkable city easy to get around.
- There is a hop on hop off bus available as well as taxis and buses to get you around the city.
- Hire a car from Inverness train station or Inverness airport. Alternatively, there are taxis available to transfer into the city or you can book a private transfer here .
🚗 There are a multitude of car rental companies to choose from in the UK. We recommend comparing prices and deals Discover Cars before making your booking.
What is the best way to travel to Inverness from London?
For timetables and tickets, we recommend the trainline .
We recommend booking the Caledonian Sleeper service to Inverness from London. Leave London in the evening and arrive in Inverness the following morning.
This is a fabulous trip and although not cheap it is the perfect way to travel between the 2 cities by train.
Alternatively, take the East Coast Mainline from London to Edinburgh. Once in Edinburgh, you have 2 options – read more in our guide to the top 10 scenic train journeys in the UK.
🔀 Distance from London : 715 km (444 miles)
🕐 Time taken by sleeper train: 11 ½ hours
📍 Leave from: London Euston (Caledonian Sleeper)
Tip – If this is your first time catching a train in the UK read our complete guide to UK train travel which includes all the information you need to know to make travelling around the UK by rail a relaxing and stress-free experience.
If you are taking a road trip around the UK and plan to include Inverness in your itinerary make sure you book hotels & accommodation well ahead of time especially if you are visiting during the busy summer months.
I recommend checking car hire options through Rentalcars.com who compare the prices from a number of companies to secure the best deal for you.
If you want to fly directly to Inverness from London Gatwick, Luton or Heathrow. We recommend checking skyscanner for flights,
Click here for transfers from Inverness airport
THINGS TO DO IN INVERNESS
BEST DAY TRIPS FROM INVERNESS
SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS TRAVEL GUIDE
19 PLACES TO VISIT IN SCOTLAND
SCOTTISH ISLANDS TRAVEL GUIDE
EDINBURGH TRAVEL GUIDE
NORTHUMBERLAND TRAVEL GUIDE
ISLE OF SKYE TRAVEL GUIDE
Accommodation in Inverness
There is a variety of accommodation options in Inverness to suit every budget. These are my choices of some of the best hotels in the city based on location and customer reviews.
Pentahotel Inverness
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Located 100 m from the city’s train and bus stations
Ness House B&B
Located in the centre of Inverness, Ness House has free WiFi and free private parking.
Wee Ness Lodge
Boasting a patio with river views, a garden and a terrace
➡️ Area and accommodation guide to Inverness
Find more special stays in my Accommodation Guide for Scotland.
This is our selection of the best tours and attractions available in Inverness .
Click here for more tickets, tours and attractions for Inverness
Best day & multi-day trips from Inverness
I have handpicked the best tours available from Inverness through Get Your Guide (we book most of our day tours and organised activities through Get Your Guide due to their great customer service and cancellation policy) and Viator (another tour company we have used during our travels).
You will find even more options to choose from in our guide to the best day trips and multi-day tours from Inverness.
There are so many fantastic places to eat in Inverness you are spoilt for choice. These are our top picks:
- MacGregors Bar – local and seasonal dishes
- Scotch and Rye – Gastropub with craft beers
- The Grumpy Chef – Best brunch in town
- The Mustard Seed – Beautiful food in a stunning setting
- Castle Tavern – Terraced beer garden with castle views
- Cafe 1 – locally sourced produce
For more Scottish literary inspiration check out my selection of 25 of the best books to read before you visit Scotland.
This guide will provide inspiration plus practical information to help plan your visit to Inverness . You will find more inspiration and ideas to help plan your travels around Scotland in these travel guides:
Best castle hotels in Scotland
Aberdeen Travel Guide
St Andrews Travel Guide
Glasgow Travel Guide
Edinburgh Travel Guide
Things to do in Edinburgh
10 virtual tours of famous landmarks in the UK
Northumberland Travel Guide (including tips, itinerary + map)
Find more inspiration for your travels in my Scotland Travel Guide which includes information about what to see, where to stay, how to get around, travel tips, recommended reading and more to make the most of your trip.
COMMENTS
Inverness Travel Guide (including essential tips, itinerary & map) Last updated: February 5, 2024. Our Inverness Travel Guide includes recommended places to visit and things to do, accommodation options, tips and more for the beautiful Highland city. Everything you need to plan your visit and essential reading for any visitor to Inverness!
Inverness. Take a trip to the capital of the Highlands, Inverness. Explore this compact city and discover a slower way of life, but still with interesting things to do and events. Use Inverness as a base to explore Highland scenery, iconic castles, majestic mountains and unique wildlife, including the famous Loch Ness monster.
The official website for the Inverness & Loch Ness tourism destination. Everything you need in one place to plan the perfect holiday, day out or most exciting adventure! Discover the best places to stay in Inverness and Loch Ness, explore all the exciting food and drink options of Inverness city or in the rural communities surrounding Loch Ness ...
Europe. Inverness has a great location astride the River Ness at the northern end of the Great Glen. In summer it overflows with visitors intent on monster hunting at nearby Loch Ness, but it's worth a visit in its own right for a stroll along the picturesque River Ness, a cruise on Loch Ness, and a meal in one of the city's excellent restaurants.
For budget travelers, a little planning will help your wallet stretch further. You can catch trains from Edinburgh to Inverness one-way for as little as £10 if you book far enough in advance. Typically, however, standard off-peak train tickets from Edinburgh to Inverness cost £54. where to stay in Inverness ↴.
The magnificent Cawdor Castle & Gardens were built as a private fortress by the Thanes of Cawdor in the late 14th-century and is one of the most popular attractions to visit while in Inverness. At the Castle's very centre sits a legendary holly tree, said to have been a part of the estate since 1372 AD!
Culloden Battlefield Memorial. Located just outside of Inverness, the Culloden Battlefield Memorial stands as a poignant tribute to the Battle of Culloden, the final battle of the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745. In a few short hours, over 1,500 Jacobite highlander soldiers lost their lives, forever changing the landscape of Scottish history.
Eden Court Theatre and Cinema is nestled on the banks of the River Ness in the heart of the city, and offers up a range of performances, from drama, dance, and shows, to opera, musicals, comedy, music and more. It's also the biggest entertainment venue in the Scottish Highlands. Visit Eden Court Theatre and Cinema.
Take a Guided Tour of Inverness. Kick off your visit with a city tour. This is a great way to explore Inverness and get an overview of the area's history - as well as some of the city's main attractions. Guided Walking Tour - 1.5 hours, from £14pp. 24-Hour Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour - from £12.
Getting around Inverness. Central Inverness is fairly compact and easy to get around on foot. Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle are 30 minutes' drive away, or you can get there on the Citylink 919 bus or Jacobite Cruises' Temptation tour, which costs £37 adults (£33.50 seniors, £27.50 children 5-15).
Enjoy a round of golf at Torvean, Fairways, or Inverness Golf Club or rent a bicycle and explore the banks of the River Ness and the Ness Islands. Less energetic visitors may prefer a gentle stroll on the Caledonian Canal towpath or a drive over Moray Firth via the A9 and Kessock Bridge. 4. It's a Winter Wonderland.
The small city of Inverness is a popular stop to kickoff your Scottish Highlands adventures or use a base from which to explore several famous sites. Our guide has you covered on the best things to do in Inverness, plus where to stay, eat, and drink. ... Independent Travel to Loch Ness. If you have your own car or a rental, then heading out for ...
Inverness Castle was built in 1836 and is one of Scotland's most modern castles. Today, it houses the Inverness Sheriff Court, so tourists are not allowed inside. The only part of the castle open to the public is the north tower, and for only £5 you can climb to the top for a 360-degree view of Inverness!
How I Spent 3 Days in Inverness . I spent three days in Inverness as a solo traveller. As this was a car-free vacation, I took affordable excursions operated by the excellent Rabbie's Tours to maximise my time.. DAY 1: Explored Inverness DAY 2: Day trip to Culloden, Clava Cairns, Beauly and Glen Affric | CLICK HERE FOR TOUR INFO DAY 3: Loch Ness & Fort Augustus | CLICK HERE FOR TOUR INFO
Inverness is located on Scotland's northeast coast and is considered the cultural capital of the Scottish Highlands. In this article, we highlight the most important things to know, best places to stay and eat, and 10 fun things to do in and around Inverness, which are best combined in a 2 to 3-day visit. ... Inverness, Scotland: A Travel ...
Although Inverness is well-connected by air and road, the ideal way to commute within the city is by buses (operated by Stagecoach and Rapsons Highland). Cycling and walking are quite common and welcomed here. From April-September, the city sight-seeing buses are the perfect way to explore Inverness. Priced at 10 GBP per adult, these hop on ...
17. Discover Fort George. Just a 20-minute drive outside of Inverness is Fort George. It's the largest artillery fortification in Britain and the imposing buildings will seize children's imaginations! Fort George was built in the 18th century and is an impressive complex of fortified walls and garrison buildings.
In 2020 Inverness had a population of 47,790. VisitScotland iCentre is the tourist office, at 36 High Street ( ☏ +44 1463 252401 ), open daily 9AM-5PM. They'll point you towards Loch Ness a few miles north, but the River Ness through town had the first recorded sighting of the monster, in the 5th century AD.
One of Scotland's most iconic locations, Loch Ness is just a 30-minute car or bus journey south from Inverness. Take a boat trip to find "Nessie", the Loch Ness Monster, and also pay a visit ...
Get information on Inverness Travel Guide - Expert Picks for your Vacation hotels, restaurants, entertainment, shopping, sightseeing, and activities. Read the Fodor's reviews, or post your own.
63 Academy Street, Caledonia House, Inverness, Scotland. $116. $140 total. includes taxes & fees. Apr 7 - Apr 8. Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Inverness. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
Inverness in Scotland is known as the 'Highland Capital', it still retains its market town feel to it, dating back to its early development. Today tourism is a very important part of the economy. Inverness is in the north of Scotland and is one of the smallest cities in Scotland with some 55,000 people. The City is growing fast due to Inverness ...
Discover the allure of Inverness, Scotland, with our comprehensive travel guide. From the iconic Inverness Castle to the legendary Loch Ness and historic Culloden Battlefield, delve into the rich history and natural beauty of this enchanting city and its surrounding Highlands. Indulge in traditional Scottish cuisine, find the perfect ...
Discover the allure of Inverness, Scotland, with our comprehensive travel guide. From the iconic Inverness Castle to the legendary Loch Ness and historic Culloden Battlefield, delve into the rich history and natural beauty of this enchanting city and its surrounding Highlands. Indulge in traditional Scottish cuisine, find the perfect ...
Expect to pay $3.48 per gallon in Inverness (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $41.79 and $55.72. The most frequently booked car type in Inverness is Mini (Chrysler Pacifica or similar). If you're looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Full-size ...