Edinburgh airport
© VisitScotland / Paul Tomkins
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.
Year-round flights
DFDS Seaways
© DFDS
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 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).
The ScotRail Highland Explorer carriage
© ScotRail
Travelling by train
The Eurotunnel is another eco-friendly way to cross the channel. The undersea railway tunnel links Southern England and Northern France with lots of direct travel options by coach, train or plane if you’re heading to Scotland.
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’re travelling across the channel, you’ll need to go through security, border and ticket checks. If you're arriving to the UK this way, LNER and Avanti West Coast connect to Scottish cities including Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Stornoway Bus Station
© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam
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 – runs 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
