Forth Bridge
Sustrans/Tony Marsh
Travel to Scotland from Europe
Check out all the direct routes by air, land and sea, and find out all you need to know about entry requirements.
Getting to Scotland from Europe
Whether you plan to travel to Scotland by plane, ferry, train or coach, there are loads of options available to you! You can hop on a quick flight, land on our shores after a picturesque ferry journey or cross the country by train, watching the countryside whizz past your eyes for a few hours. Which one will you choose?
Direct year-round flights from Europe
Scotland’s international airports enjoy excellent year-round links with most European countries. There are also seasonal flights from Scotland’s islands over the peak summer and winter months which fly to some European destinations. Here are the European airlines that operate direct flight to Scotland:
- KLM
- Lufthansa
- Eurowings
- Air France
- easyJet
- Ryanair
- Loganair
- Brussels Airlines
- edelweiss
- Icelandair
- Norwegian
- SAS Scandinavian
- Vueling
- Turkish Airlines
- Finnair
- Jet2.com
- Wizz Air
- airBaltic
- Widerøe
- Aer Lingus / Emerald Airlines
De luchthaven van Edinburgh
Ferries to Scotland
If you’re planning to take the ferry, you can travel to many seaports in England which is then just a short drive, train ride or bus journey away from Scotland.
Make sure to check timetables and fare prices directly with ferry companies.
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 is around seven hours drive to the Scottish Borders).
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 Borders).
From France or Spain to Portsmouth, Plymouth or Poole with Brittany Ferries (all roughly 6 hours 30 minutes drive to the Scottish Borders).
From Hoek Van Holland or Rotterdam to Harwich with Stena Line (Harwich is around 6 hours drive to the Scottish Borders).
Een veerboot van DFDS
© DFDS
Trains to Scotland
The Eurotunnel is another eco-friendly way to cross the English Channel. The undersea railway tunnel links Northern France to Southern England, with lots of onward travel options by coach, train or plane if you’re heading cotland.
If you’re travelling by car or coach, you can use the Eurotunnel LeShuttle between Folkestone and Calais. Foot passengers can travel with Eurostar, offering high speed direct and indirect routes between the UK, France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. As you are travelling across the English Channel, you will need to go through security, border and ticket checks. If you're arriving in the UK this way, LNER and Avanti West Coast connect to Scottish cities including Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Treinstel van de Scotrail Highland Explorer, Glasgow
© ScotRail
Travelling by coach
Although there are no direct coaches from Europe to Scotland, there are a few UK coach providers that offer accessible routes if you’re travelling to Scotland via England or Wales. There are also lots of domestic routes available if you’re planning to explore further afield.
- National Express – run routes to Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness.
- FlixBus – operating coach services from London to Edinburgh and Glasgow with domestic routes across Glasgow, Perth, Stirling and Aberdeen.
- Megabus – operates routes across Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness and Perth.
Find out more about travel from England and Wales to Scotland
Het busstation van Stornoway, Buiten-Hebriden
© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam
Prepare for your next trip to Scotland
Before you arrive, there’s plenty to still think about! What to see? Where to go? Where to eat? How to pay? From inspiration to practical information, here is all the info you need to plan your perfect trip to Scotland.
Plan your trip to Scotland
Start planning your Scottish adventure with travel tips, practical guidance and inspiration for every season.
Frequently asked questions about Scotland
Get ready for your trip to Scotland with practical answers on everything from weather to Wi-Fi.
Driving in Scotland - Practical information
Check out our guide to driving in and around Scotland by car. Including useful FAQs and top tips for a smooth journey.
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Scotland's destinations
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