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Low prices found by our customers
Each fare is the lowest adult economy ticket fare found by our customers on Trainline. Fares booked further in advance than the dates displayed may be cheaper. Prices are updated daily, subject to change and indicative of price last update. Limited availability. Discount cards and coach journeys excluded, prices exclusive of booking fee.

London to Inverness by train

It takes an average of 10h 56m to travel from London to Inverness by train, over a distance of around 444 miles (715 km). There are normally 6 trains per day travelling from London to Inverness and tickets for this journey start from £52.20 when you book in advance.

First train

11:00

Last train

21:30

Departure station

London

Arrival station

Inverness

Journey time

From 8h 4m

Distance

444 miles (715 km)

Frequency

6 trains per day

Changes

Direct trains available

Price

From £52.20

Train operators

Caledonian Sleeper, London North Eastern Railway

Travelling from London to Inverness by train

Want to find out more information about taking the train to Inverness from London? You’ve come to the right place!

On average, the train from London to Inverness takes around 10 hours and 11 minutes, but can take 8 hours and 4 minutes on the fastest services. If you’re travelling on this route, you’ll be taking a London North Eastern Railway (LNER) or Caledonian Sleeper service, who run around 5 trains between these two cities each day. Once you’re on board, you can relax and make yourself comfortable as there are direct services available between London and Inverness.

Train travel is significantly better for the environment than other modes of transport, such as car and plane. In fact, you save 67% on CO2 emissions when you choose train over car*.

Running up the East Coast, LNER’s fleet includes several state-of-the-art Azuma trains. Make sure you grab a window seat, so you can sit back and marvel at the breath-taking views as the train takes you through the heart of England, crossing the Peak District and the Lake District before heading into the Lowlands of Scotland. It doesn’t stop there though, as one of the best sights is saved for the final stretch of the journey. Just outside of Edinburgh, the Forth Rail Bridge offers spectacular panoramic views. Then, you’ll get the chance to see the wilderness of the Cairngorms National Park, the largest national park in the UK, before arriving in Inverness. 

If you want to save money on your trip from London to Inverness, we recommend you travel Off-Peak – tickets are generally cheaper during quieter times on weekdays and weekends. You can also get yourself a Railcard and save up to 1/3 on eligible journeys for a whole year. To compare ticket prices and get the cheapest fares, use our Journey Planner at the top of the page.

Keen to book your trip? Start your search for train tickets from London to Inverness with us today. Keep reading for tips on how to find cheaper train tickets, as well as check first and last train times in the timetable above.

Journey details

Want to know more about your journey from London to Inverness? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.

How long does the train from London to Inverness take?

The average journey time by train between London and Inverness is 10 hours and 56 minutes, with around 6 trains per day. The journey time may be longer on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner on this page to search for a specific travel date.

What's the fastest journey time between London and Inverness by train?

The fastest journey time by train from London to Inverness is 8 hours and 4 minutes.

How much does the train from London to Inverness cost?

Train ticket prices from London to Inverness can start from as little as £52.20 when you book in advance. The cost of tickets can vary depending on the time of day, route and class you book and are usually more expensive if you book on the day.

Is there a direct train from London to Inverness?

Yes, it is possible to travel from London to Inverness without having to change trains. There are 6 direct trains from London to Inverness each day. Though there may be fewer direct services available depending on your exact departure date.

What time does the first train from London to Inverness leave?

The first train from London to Inverness leaves at 11:00. Times and services may vary during weekends and holidays.

What time does the last train from London to Inverness leave?

The last train from London to Inverness leaves at 21:30. Trains that depart in the early morning hours or very late evening may be sleeper services, time and services may also vary during weekends and holidays.

What's the distance between London and Inverness by train?

Trains travelling from London to Inverness cover a distance of around 444 miles (715 km) during the journey.

Looking for more information?

If you’re looking for the return train journey, check out trains from Inverness to London. If you’re looking for other options, you can also catch the bus from London to Inverness.

Cheap train tickets from London to Inverness

Train tickets from London to Inverness start at £52.20 one way for a Standard Class ticket if you book in advance. As most UK train companies increase their prices as the departure date approaches, we’ll help you find the cheapest tickets.

Book in advance

Look out for Advance tickets – they usually come out up to 12 weeks before the departure date and can be cheaper than buying on the day. If you’re here a tad early, sign up for our Advance ticket alert today to get notified when your tickets are released.

Consider a Season Ticket

If you catch this train more than 3 times per week, you could save money with a Season Ticket. With annual, monthly and weekly options available, find out if a season ticket for London to Inverness is right for you.

Use your Railcard

National Railcards offer a 1/3 off eligible train tickets in the UK and can be a great investment if you travel a few times or more in a year. Find out how you can save with a National Railcard here.

Split your tickets

Download our app to find split tickets — courtesy of SplitSave, our handy feature which 'splits' your train tickets where possible to find you a better deal. Learn more about the clever tech behind split tickets, and how to spot SplitSave discounts in our app.

For more money-saving tips on UK and European train travel, read our cheap train tickets guide.

Advance adult single fare. Excludes booking fee. Prices seen by Trainline customers in the last 30 days. Availability limited.

Why should I travel by train from London to Inverness?

If you want to travel from London to Inverness, choose the more sustainable option - choose train!

Go green

Taking the train instead of driving lowers your CO2 impact by a whopping 67%.* Keep it simple, keep it low-carbon.

Save time & money

What's faster or cheaper than driving from London to Inverness? Ah yes, that'd be the train. Cheaper even without a Railcard, too. Win for you. Win for the planet.

Bikes on board

In the UK, you can take your bike on the train, for free! Cool, huh? And, thanks to our bike reservation feature, travelling with your bike has never been easier.

Travel in style

Unlike flying or driving, going by train means no extra luggage charges or parking costs. Plus, you step off the train, right into the city-centre. Aaaand relax.

* Calculations are based on CO2 / passenger km, comparing an average petrol car, using statistics and conversion factors published in the government’s greenhouse gas reporting conversion factors published 7 June 2023 and revised 28 June 2023. See here for more.

Between London and Inverness, 89% of journeys sold on Trainline from May 2022 to May 2023 were cheaper and faster by rail vs car.

† Average savings on advance fares booked at least one week before day of travel vs Anytime fares purchased on day of travel. Subject to availability. Excludes coach.

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