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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
If you want to travel from London to Inverness, choose the more sustainable option - choose train!
Taking the train instead of driving lowers your CO2 impact by a whopping 67%.* Keep it simple, keep it low-carbon.
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.
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.
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.