Overseas Travel & Flights to Scotland

Find out more on how to travel to Scotland from overseas with details of Scotland's international airports and key flight routes from the USA and Canada, Europe, the Middle East, Australasia and more.

Scotland's Airports

Scotland's international airports - Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Glasgow Prestwick and Inverness - are all served by flights from a growing number of European and long haul destinations.

Many European airport hubs also provide fantastic onward connections to Scotland, including airports in London, Amsterdam, Paris, Madrid, Reykjavik and Frankfurt.

Read the UK Government advice on faster travel through the UK border

Eilean Donan Castle on Loch Duich at Dornie
© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

Flights from the USA and Canada

Find direct flights to Scotland from North America

Services by American Airlines, Aer Lingus, British Airways, KLM, Air France and Icelandair - among others, fly to many main European hubs, which can then be used for onwards travel to Scotland.

DIRECT FLIGHTS

From New York (Newark) to Edinburgh with United
From New York (JFK) to Edinburgh with Delta
From New York (JFK) to Edinburgh with JetBlue
From Chicago to Edinburgh with United
From Orlando to Edinburgh with Virgin Atlantic
From Washington DC to Edinburgh with United
From Boston to Edinburgh with Delta
From Atlanta to Edinburgh with Delta
From Toronto to Glasgow with Air Transat
From Toronto to Edinburgh with Air Canada
From Calgary to Edinburgh with WestJet

Flights from Europe

Scotland's international airports enjoy excellent year-round air links with most European and Scandinavian countries. There are also seasonal flights from Sumburgh Airport in Shetland to Norway, and from Inverness Airport to Switzerland.

For those flying to Scotland via a connecting airport in Europe, the major European hubs are London Heathrow, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Reykjavik-Keflavik Airport, Frankfurt am Main, Amsterdam Schiphol and Madrid Barajas airports.

We advise to check routes and air fares directly with the airlines.

The Black Ivy Hotel in Edinburgh
© VisitScotland / Luigi Di Pasquale

Flights from the Middle East

There are several direct routes linking the Middle East and Scotland.

From Dubai to Glasgow and Edinburgh with Emirates
From Doha to Edinburgh with Qatar Airways

FLIGHTS FROM AUSTRALASIA

The best way to get to Scotland from Australasia is to fly via the Middle Eastern hubs.

FLIGHTS FROM ASIA, AFRICA, CENTRAL AMERICA AND SOUTH AMERICA

The easiest way to get to Scotland from Asia and Africa is to travel via airport hubs in Europe or the Middle East.

The major European hubs are London Heathrow, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Frankfurt am Maine, Amsterdam Schiphol and Madrid Barajas airports.

Those travelling from South America are best to travel via the European hubs, whereas routes from Central America also fly via US hubs.

Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)

People travelling to the UK without a visa will soon need to get an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). This will give you permission to travel to the UK, and it is electronically linked to your passport.

Who will need an ETA

You’ll need an ETA if you are:

Visiting the UK for up to 6 months for tourism, visiting family and friends, business or study
Visiting the UK for up to 3 months on the Creative Worker visa concession
Transiting through a UK airport – including if you’re not going through UK border control

You will not need an ETA if you have either:

A British or Irish passport
Permission to live, work or study in the UK
A visa to enter the UK

Check if you’re eligible for a UK visa

Find out more about the ETA scheme

Get more information about the ETA scheme from the UK Government website

Travel to Scotland by ferry

Direct ferry services run between Scotland and Northern Ireland or you can travel from a number of European countries to seaports in England, which are all just a short drive, train ride or bus journey away from Scotland.

We advise to check timetables and fares directly with the ferry companies:

From Rotterdam to Hull or from Calais to Dover with P&O Ferries (Hull is around four hours' drive and Dover around seven hours’ drive to the Scottish border).
From Amsterdam (Ijmuiden) to Newcastle and from Calais, Dunkirk or Dieppe to Dover/Newhaven with DFDS Seaways (Newcastle is just over an hour's drive and Dover around seven hours’ drive to the Scottish border).
From France or Spain to Portsmouth, Plymouth or Poole with Brittany Ferries (all roughly 6 hours 30 minutes drive to the Scottish border)
From Hoek Van Holland or Rotterdam to Harwich with Stena Line (Harwich is around 6 hours’ drive to the Scottish Border)

Ideas for things to do

Once you arrive, why not try one of these tours or itineraries as a great way to see the best of Scotland?

Take an ancestral tour

Plan the holiday of a lifetime where your Scottish ancestors would have once travelled.

Castle tours

Join a castle tour for an in-depth look at some of our most interesting Scottish castles.

Whisky tours

Book a tour of a whisky distillery, or travel around Scotland visiting several whisky experiences.

Film & TV Tours

Explore a range of guided tours and trips that take you around Scotland's most popular film & TV locations.

Walking & Hiking Tours

Explore Scotland's trails and routes with an experienced and knowledgeable guide.

Train tours

Sit back and relax and watch the world go by on a train tour around Scotland.

Golf Tours

Book a golf tour or package and play on some of Scotland's most famous golf courses.

Boat charter & wildlife cruises

See what you can spot on Scotland’s coastline with these wildlife boat tours and cruises.

Browse all of Scotland's tours

Find experiences

Search a wide range of accommodation, events, food & drink options and things to do from indoor and outdoor attractions to activities, tours and more.

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Overseas Travel & Flights to Scotland