Scotland Without a Car: How to Get Around by Train, Taxi, and Tour

When planning our trip to Scotland, one of the biggest questions we faced was how to get around. Scotland is a place where one size definitely doesn’t fit all when it comes to transportation. In the cities, walking is great, or you can grab a rideshare if your feet get tired. Between cities, trains offer a scenic way to travel. But once you hit the Highlands (where the real magic is) your options narrow to either renting a car or hiring someone who knows the twisty roads.

We decided to skip the rental car altogether and rely on a mix of trains, Ubers, a local taxi app, a private driver in the Highlands, and a budget bus to the airport. Each mode had its ups and downs, but all together, it surprisingly worked very well. We’ll break down all our experiences to help you plan your Scotland Adventure.

At a Glance: Getting Around Scotland

Transport	Best For	Cost Range	Book Ahead?
ScotRail Train	Traveling between Edinburgh, Inverness, and Glasgow	Budget to mid-range	Yes
Uber	Getting around Edinburgh and Glasgow	Mid-range	No
SafeKab	Getting around Inverness	Mid-range	No
Private Driver	Full-day Highland and Isle of Skye tours	Splurge (about $500 per couple)	Yes
Guided Day Tour	Highlands, Isle of Skye, Hogwarts train	Mid-range to splurge	Yes
Megabus	Glasgow to Edinburgh Airport direct	Budget	Yes
Rental Car	Extended stays in the Highlands or remote areas	Mid-range	Yes

Should You Rent a Car in Scotland?

📌 When we first started planning, renting a car felt like the perfect way to get around and explore at our own pace. The idea of pulling over at random castles or taking detours down country lanes sounded perfect. If you’re planning a longer trip or want full flexibility, a car makes total sense.

👎 But then reality sank in. Driving on the left, roundabouts, and all those unfamiliar road rules made us a bit uneasy. We’d read about narrow, single-lane roads with passing places in the Highlands, and the thought of encountering a stray lamb or unexpected tour bus on a curve was concerning. Plus, parking in cities like Edinburgh and Glasgow looked expensive and limited, potentially making the whole thing more hassle than it was worth.

👍 In the end, we knew a rental car would save us a bit of money and give us more flexibility, but we opted to save our sanity instead. For this trip, we wanted to kick back, gaze out the window, and let someone else deal with the driving headaches.

📌 Read our full Scotland 1-week itinerary here

Getting Around Edinburgh and Glasgow Without a Car

🙋‍♀️ Uber Availability: Both Edinburgh and Glasgow are super walkable, which we thoroughly enjoyed. But after wandering for hours, sometimes the last thing you want is another hill or figuring out when the next late-night bus comes. That’s when we turned to Uber. Drivers were readily available, prices were reasonable, and it took a lot of the stress away from navigating the cities, especially late at night after too many pints. But we did have some longer wait times that we expected.

🚕 Taxi App Alternative: In Inverness, Uber didn’t exist, but thanks to a local recommendation, we found SafeKab. Using it was straightforward, and drivers came quickly in Inverness itself, though the wait was significantly longer in other locations, as expected in the small surrounding towns. While all of Inverness was easily walkable (if you’re fine with a lot of steps and hills), SafeKab made it easy for us to get to the kitschy Nessieland for our Loch Ness boat ride. We had to wait about an hour for our ride back to town, but we just planned ahead and waited at a small restaurant.

Taking the Train in Scotland: What to Expect

🚂 Taking the train between cities was easy, comfortable, and scenic. The route from Edinburgh to Inverness took us through the open countryside, through the hills, and around some gorgeous lochs.

💰 We splurged on first-class tickets figuring it would mean more space and comfort, guaranteed assigned seats together, and ample snacks. The seats were absolutely more spacious and comfortable, but we were informed on both legs that there were no assigned seats, even in first class, and we were unable to sit together as a group unless we raced onto the train first to stake our claim. It also caused some conflict with other passengers who didn’t realize the assigned seats were not enforced.

🕔 The real test came on our Inverness to Glasgow leg. The train was delayed on the tracks for a considerable amount of time due to an employee illness, then it was fully canceled en route about an hour from our destination. We all had to shuffle onto a different train, which was chaotic and confusing for everyone. Despite the mess, we arrived only about an hour late, and ScotRail did compensate after a simple phone call.

⚖ We would definitely take the train again, but these are important downsides to note.

Central Glasgow is walkable from Queen Street station

Getting Around the Scottish Highlands Without a Car

🌄 While trains and buses work well for connecting cities, they don’t serve the more remote areas that make Scotland so special. We knew we wanted to spend a day exploring the Highlands beyond Inverness and into the Isle of Skye.

🚗 Instead of renting a car for just a day or two, we decided to hire a private driver. It turned out to be a great decision. Our driver picked us up in Inverness and took us through the winding roads, past gorgeous lochs, and for side trips to waterfalls and other hidden gems, despite being on a major tourist route.

👨‍✈️ Our driver also acted as a guide, sharing stories about the area’s history, pointing out details we otherwise would have missed, and suggesting scenic stops. It made the day feel richer, though it was very long.

📸 This option wasn’t cheap, but we came away with a deeper appreciation for the Highlands and a better experience than what we could have managed on our own. For us, it was money well spent. We got to relax, snap photos, and just enjoy the breathtaking scenery with no worries about missing a turn or scraping a rental car mirror on a stone wall. Our full-day Highland tour with a driver/guide and private shuttle for our group and ran about $1,000 total, which worked out to $500 per couple.

How to See the Hogwarts Train Bridge in Scotland

The Glenfinnan Viaduct, made famous by the Harry Potter films, is one of the most searched destinations in Scotland and one we didn’t make it to on our trip. It didn’t fit our itinerary, but it’s absolutely on our list for next time.

The good news is you don’t need a car to see it. The Jacobite Steam Train crosses the viaduct on its route from Fort William to Mallaig and is the iconic experience most Harry Potter fans are after. Several guided day tours from Inverness include the steam train as part of a full Highland day, which is the easiest way to experience it without renting a car.

The Hogwarts Express and Scenic Highlands Day Tour from Inverness covers Loch Ness, ancient ruins, a hidden waterfall, and beautiful beaches before boarding the Jacobite Steam Train one-way from Fort William to Mallaig. The tour includes the train ticket, lunch, hotel pickup and drop-off, and a local guide. It runs about 12 hours and has nearly 1,800 reviews with 93% of travelers recommending it.

Pro Tip: Book this one well in advance. The Jacobite Steam Train runs seasonally and spots on guided tours fill up fast, especially in summer.

Getting to Edinburgh Airport From Glasgow: Megabus

🚌 At the end of our trip, we wanted something hassle-free to get to the airport, and Megabus offered an affordable, direct ride from Glasgow to Edinburgh Airport. The bus wasn’t fancy, but it was comfy enough and saved us from taking an expensive Uber ride. And honestly, we kind of like being on a big bus rather than in the back of a sedan for a ride that takes an hour.

The train from Glasgow to Edinburgh city center is fast and easy, but if you’re flying home from Edinburgh Airport, that puts you in the city center and still 30 minutes from the terminal. The Megabus runs direct from Glasgow to Edinburgh Airport, which cuts out that extra step entirely.

Tips for Getting Around Scotland Without a Car

🔍 Looking back, piecing together our transportation worked better than expected. We didn’t have the flexibility of a rental car, but we also didn’t have the stress. The trade-off was worth it for this trip.

✅ Here are a few things we learned along the way:

Trains are scenic and comfortable, but delays happen, and reserved seats aren’t always honored. It’s smart to plan with some flexibility.
In the cities, rideshare apps save energy and time, especially after long days of exploring.
In smaller towns like Inverness, local taxi apps such as SafeKab offer an easy solution. Ask your hotel or local host for transportation tips.
To really see the Highlands without renting a car, a private driver is an excellent option. It costs more but eliminates stress and adds context you wouldn’t get on your own.
For getting to the airport, budget buses like Megabus are hard to beat for convenience and price.

🚙 If we had more time or a longer stay, we might consider renting a car for just the Highland portion of the trip, while still using trains for city travel. On a longer stay, for example, we may have rented a car in Inverness and stayed a few nights in Portree and Glencoe, then returning the car in Glasgow or Edinburgh.

Frequently Asked Questions: Traveling Scotland Without a Car

Can you travel Scotland without a car?

Yes. We did it across three cities and the Highlands. Trains connect the main cities well, rideshares handle city transport, and private drivers or day tours cover the Highlands. The main limitation is flexibility in remote areas, particularly in the Highlands.

Is Scotland easy to travel by train?

Mostly yes. ScotRail connects Edinburgh, Inverness, and Glasgow with scenic routes and reasonable fares. Book in advance for better prices and note that reserved seats aren’t always enforced, even in first class.

Do you need a car for the Scottish Highlands?

Not necessarily. A private driver or guided day tour handles the Highlands well and adds local context you wouldn’t get driving yourself. If you want full flexibility over multiple days, a rental car makes more sense.

How do you see the Hogwarts train in Scotland?

The Jacobite Steam Train crosses the Glenfinnan Viaduct and was made famous by the Harry Potter films. It runs seasonally from Fort William. Several Viator day tours from Inverness include the viaduct and steam train as part of a full Highland day.

What is the best app for taxis in Inverness?

Uber doesn’t operate in Inverness. SafeKab is the local alternative and worked well for us. Download it before you arrive.

Have you been to Scotland? How did you get around? Share your tips or experiences in the comments. We’d love to hear!

Check Out More of Our Scotland Travel Guides

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2 Comments

Tamara says:

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This is why I’m not doing a car in Ireland either .

1. LiAnn & Theo says:
  
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  Exactly. We have several friends who did not love driving in Ireland. That informed our decision!