THE SHORT VERSION
Inverness to Edinburgh at a glance.
- From
- Inverness
- To
- Edinburgh City of Edinburgh
- Road distance
- About 252 km
- Straight line
- 181 km
- Car time, no stops
- ~3 h 30 min buses take longer
- Return route
- Edinburgh to Inverness →
Ready to travel from Inverness to Edinburgh?
Check live availability, fares and departure times with 12Go.
THE DETAILS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Right place. Right bus. Better start.
Leaving Inverness
Boarding points depend on the operator: some use the local bus station, others collect from their office or your hotel. Your ticket shows the exact place and check-in time.
Arriving in Edinburgh
The bus station is a short walk from Princes Street and Waverley station; trams stop on St Andrew Square.
- Edinburgh Bus Station
St Andrew Square, very central. Citylink, National Express, Megabus and other long-distance services.
Keep the essentials offline
Save your ticket, the exact meeting point and the operator's phone number before you set off. Follow the check-in time on your confirmation.
- Some services also call at Edinburgh Airport, which can be a handy place to change.
KEEP GOING
From Edinburgh, the road continues.
Other ways to reach Edinburgh
More buses from Inverness
GOOD QUESTIONS
Before you take your seat.
How far is Inverness from Edinburgh by road?+
About 252 km by road (181 km in a straight line). Distance is an OpenStreetMap routing estimate, not an operator figure.
How long does the bus from Inverness to Edinburgh take?+
We don't publish timetables. As a guide, the drive takes roughly 3 h 30 min by car without stops; bus journeys are usually longer. Check the duration of your chosen departure on 12Go before booking.
Where does the bus leave from in Inverness?+
It depends on the operator: some use the local bus station, others collect from offices or hotels. Your ticket shows the exact boarding point.
Is there a bus back from Edinburgh to Inverness?+
Yes, 12Go also lists services in the opposite direction. See our Edinburgh to Inverness guide.
Where does the bus from Inverness arrive in Edinburgh?+
It depends on the operator. In Edinburgh, services use Edinburgh Bus Station. The bus station is a short walk from Princes Street and Waverley station; trams stop on St Andrew Square.
How do I get from the bus stop to the centre of Edinburgh?+
The bus station is a short walk from Princes Street and Waverley station; trams stop on St Andrew Square.
What kind of bus runs from Inverness to Edinburgh?+
It varies by operator and departure. Routes in this region are served by a mix of sleeper buses, seated coaches and smaller limousine vans. Check the vehicle type, seat layout and luggage allowance for your departure on 12Go before you book.
Can I book the Inverness to Edinburgh bus online?+
Yes. 12Go lists departures on this route. You choose a date, compare operators and pay online, and the provider issues the ticket. BusConnects doesn't sell tickets itself.
Where can I go next from Edinburgh by bus?+
Direct buses from Edinburgh include Manchester, Greater London, Kinross, Stirling, Glasgow and more. See all connections on our Edinburgh bus page.
Still deciding? Check today's departures, then book your seat.
Book Inverness → Edinburgh on 12GoFOLLOW THE INFORMATION
Clear sources. Better decisions.
Route listed in 12Go's public route index (checked 2026-10-09). Station information reviewed 2026-10-09. Distance: OpenStreetMap data via OSRM (approximate driving distance). Listings change and are not live inventory. Confirm the departure, pickup, price and conditions before paying.
12Go: Inverness to Edinburgh bus route listing ↗Wikivoyage: Edinburgh (Get in) ↗How BusConnects uses sources →