Getting around Scotland by train FAQs

Where can I go by train?

There are rail connections to each of Scotland's eight cities, as well as links to many towns and villages across the country. Whether you fancy a city, coast or countryside, the train can take you there.

You can buy tickets:

• Online
• At train stations
• At ticket vending machines
• Over the phone
• Via the free ScotRail app
• Buy your ScotRail ticket before you board

If the ticket office at the station is closed, there is usually an automatic ticket machine, but you can also buy a ticket on board from the inspector using cash or a credit/debit card. However, the inspector cannot always issue discounted or special offer tickets.

Discount fares and passes

There are different types of train tickets available for most journeys:

• Off-Peak - great value tickets every day
• Advance - save up to 60% on train travel across Scotland with Advance Single tickets
• GroupSave - save up to 1/3 when you travel together on selected routes as a group of 3, 4 or 5
• Kids for a Quid - children aged 5-15 travel for just £1 return with a paying adult
• Railcards - these can be a great way to save money when you travel regularly or longer distance
• First Class tickets allow for travel in quieter carriages with extra space and comfier seats

ScotRail’s range of travel passes and rovers offer access to every corner of the country, giving you unlimited travel on a set number of days across trains, coaches and buses.

• Spirit of Scotland travel pass - 1-2 weeks of train and coach travel covering the whole country
• Central Scotland Rover - three days of unlimited travel within the central belt

Explore ScotRail’s full range of travel and rover passes

Not sure which ticket to get? When you search for your journey, different tickets will be shown if available. Be sure to check the luggage, bicycle and animal guidelines in advance if you wish to use these facilities.

National Rail luggage, bicycle and animal guidelines

Train travel around the UK and on to Europe

If Scotland is only a part of your itinerary, there are a range of ticket types and passes available that allow unlimited travel across Scotland, England, Ireland and Wales.

You can purchase a BritRail pass before you leave your own country, through local travel agents or online. Look out for various discounts available for young travellers under the age of 26 or over the age of 60, and for families.

If you've been resident in a European country other than the UK for at least 6 months, an InterRail pass, allowing unlimited train travel within Britain, could save you money, if you're visiting Scotland as part of a longer European trip.