Train hopping around Scotland's cities

Travel Scotland by train and enjoy an array of breathtaking landscapes. For the ultimate train travel adventure, we’ve curated a route connecting all eight cities in Scotland, showcasing just how easy it is to get to each one and explore everything in between. Whether you have a couple of weeks, or just a long weekend, this route offers the flexibility to completely tailor your experience and make the most of Scotland by train.

Visit ScotRail's website to find exact routes and book tickets

The ScotRail Highland Explorer carriage

The ScotRail Highland Explorer carriage

© ScotRail

Travelling to Scotland from England

Glasgow Burrell Collection

Train between Glasgow and Edinburgh

If you just want to enjoy two of the biggest Scottish cities and spot the differences, the train ride is short and frequent taking around 1 hour 20 minutes. But don’t rush past everything in between – take it slow, and you’ll be rewarded with some incredible history. 

Dunfermline Abbey

Train between Edinburgh and Dunfermline

Combining urban charm with rural tranquility, this short train journey takes around 35 minutes and offers an opportunity to sit back and relax, especially if the visit to Edinburgh involved a visit to a whisky distillery!  

Scone Palace

Train between Dunfermline and Perth

The journey from Dunfermline to Perth is around 1 hour 45 minutes. It passes through the Firth of Forth, providing passengers with the calming and scenic backdrop of tranquil waters.  

V&A Dundee

© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

Train between Perth and Dundee

Even though it’s only a short train journey of 25 minutes, this trip unfolds against a backdrop of rolling hills and lush landscapes, providing a serene and relaxing ambiance throughout the train journey. As you approach the city, the silhouettes of the Tay Rail Bridge and the Tay Road Bridge come into view. 

Aberdeen Art Gallery

© VisitScotland

Train between Dundee and Aberdeen

On the journey from Dundee to Aberdeen which takes around 1 hour 15 minutes, the views of the River Tay continue and you’ll be able to spot where the river flows elegantly toward the North Sea.  

View of Loch Ness from Urquhart Castle

Train between Aberdeen and Inverness

If you continue your journey onwards towards Inverness which takes around 2 hours 20 minutes, you’ll be able to see the lush greenery and beautiful landscapes of north east Scotland. You might even spot some livestock nibbling away in the distance.  

Stirling Castle

Inverness to Stirling

This journey is on the longer side, generally taking around 2 hours and 50 minutes, but travelling Scotland by train is such a unique experience that time will fly by. Expect to see scenic views of the Scottish Highlands, tranquil lochs reflecting the surrounding mountains and an array of historic landmarks that will truly teleport you back in time.  

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