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Travelling To Scotland From Overseas

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.

Flights from the USA and Canada

Fly direct 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 4 March
  • From New York (JFK) to Edinburgh with Delta from 1 May
  • From Chicago to Edinburgh with United from 6 May
  • From Orlando to Edinburgh with Virgin Atlantic from 30 March
  • From Washington DC area (Dulles Airport) to Edinburgh with United from 6 May
  • From Boston to Edinburgh with Delta from 27 May
  • From Toronto to Glasgow with Air Transat from 2 June and WestJet from 20 May
  • From Toronto to Edinburgh with Air Canada from 1 June and WestJet from 2 June
  • From Halifax to Glasgow with WestJet from 30 April

Border Force Advice

Check out this government guide for advice on faster travel through the UK Border.

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 UK left the EU on 31 January 2020 and has entered into a year-long transition period, as the UK and EU negotiate their future relationship.

From 1 October 2021, all EU, EEA and Swiss nationals (except Irish citizens) will need a valid passport to enter the UK.

We're open, and a holiday here will be just as magical as ever. For the latest information, please see the advice on visiting Scotland after Brexit.

Flights from the Middle East

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

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.

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 or Zeebrugge to Hull with P&O Ferries (Hull is around four hours' drive from the Scottish border).
  • From Amsterdam (Ijmuiden) to Newcastle with DFDS Seaways (Newcastle is just over an hour's drive from the Scottish border).
  • From France or Spain to Southern English seaports with Brittany Ferries.