How to Get to Loch Ness from Edinburgh

The north of Scotland has a wealth of natural beauty that makes it one of the most popular destinations for tourists. Of all the wonderful places to see, the Loch Ness region is the one that takes most of the limelight.

If you're spending a few days touring all there is to see in Edinburgh, but don't want to leave the country without getting up close and personal with this famous loch, I'm going to tell you about all the possibilities you have to get to the Highland region and search for the mythical monster that inhabits Loch Ness.

The best option

Loch Ness and The Highlands Day Trip from Edinburgh

Book a trip to Loch Ness and the Highlands from Edinburgh

Perfect for getting to know all the secrets of Loch Ness and discovering the Highlands, with stops at Stirling Castle and Glencoe Nature Reserve in comfort and free time to explore at your leisure.

From £63 at Hellotickets

On this 12-hour tour you will have time to explore the Scottish countryside and learn more about the area with an expert local guide. During the day you'll be able to take beautiful photographs of the stunning views across the Highlands and visit the cinematic Stirling Castle, famous for being the site of Mel Gibson's fight in the film 'Braveheart'.

Later, you'll take an hour-long cruise on Loch Ness where, if you're lucky, you might catch a glimpse of Nessie, the famous monster. You will also have some free time at some of the stops to discover some of the typical Scottish pubs.

Recommended if... you want to experience the wonders of the Scottish Highlands first hand and in comfort.

I'm not going to lie to you; Loch Ness is not exactly close to Edinburgh. It's 270 kilometres north of the city, so if you're not familiar with the area, it can be tricky to get to. That's why one of the best recommendations to go to this enigmatic loch is to hire an organised tour.

With this type of activity, you are sure to go with a person who will act as your guide at all times and will be responsible for taking you there and picking you up, showing you all the sights and using the most expeditious routes.

Edinburgh has a lot to see, but I assure you that dedicating a part of your holiday to get to know these natural places will be well worth it. With this type of tour, it will take you around 3 hours to get there and you'll have the whole day to explore the area and visit the famous Highland Mountains.

Loch Ness Day Trip

Of all the tours available to visit Loch Ness, the most popular are the full day tours, which last between 9 and 12 hours and include in the price not only the transfer to the area, but also a guided tour and various stops in areas of interest such as the Glencoe Valley or the Highland Mountains.

2 or 3 day trips to the north of Scotland

If you have more time and, in addition to Edinburgh, you want to get to know the north of Scotland in depth, you can find other types of organised tours in which you will spend between 2 and 3 days getting to know the area.

With this type of tour, you can take it easy and spend as much time as you like getting to know the loch area and Inverness, the capital of the region. You can also visit other areas such as the Isle of Skye.

Practical information

• Price: The average price for a day trip is €60, while a two- or three-day trip costs around €200.
• Time: It takes approximately 3 hours to get to Loch Ness from Edinburgh.
• Recommended if... You want to get to know the area in depth and be guided by a guide.

If you want to go to Loch Ness from Edinburgh independently and without organised tours, one of the quickest options is probably by train, as you'll avoid any traffic jams or road diversions.

However, bear in mind that Loch Ness is in a natural setting and the train only goes as far as the nearest town, which is Inverness, so from there you'll need to take a regional bus. Therefore, if you are planning to spend the day at the loch, I recommend that you take the first train in the morning and return on the last train in the afternoon, as the journey time is usually 3 hours plus a half hour bus ride between Inverness and the loch, and you should plan to see it all.

Trains to the Highland region run from Edinburgh's city-centre Edinburgh-Waverley station and usually have several departures a day so you can choose the timetable that suits you best.

Practical information

• Price: Around £30 (£60 return) plus about £5 for the bus to the loch.
• Time: 3.5 hours between train and bus.
• Companies: The national company is Scotrail.
• Recommended if... You want a quick way to travel and you want to travel independently.

If you're looking for a cheap way to get to Loch Ness, one of the best options is to go by bus. Be warned, it won't be the quickest, as there is no direct line from Edinburgh city centre to Loch Ness, so you'll have to change buses. However, if you have the time and are willing to spend the night in Inverness, it can be an economical way to see more of the north of the country.

For buses to Highland, head to New Town in central Edinburgh, where the city's bus station is located and which has several departures each day. From here, the journey will take around 5 hours, as you'll be making stops along the way and taking slightly slower regional routes.

Once you arrive in Inverness, head to Queensferry Street, just a short walk from the station, to catch the second bus which will take you to the lake in less than 30 minutes.

Practical information

• Price: The two buses cost approximately €25 (50 return).
• Time: In total it will take you about 6 hours to get there.
• Companies: The main companies are First, Stagecoach and National Express.
• Recommended if... You want to travel at a leisurely pace and spend the night in the capital at a very economical price.

If you like adventure and want to visit Scotland in a much freer way and without being tied down by schedules or group plans, one of the best options is to hire a car and drive yourself to Loch Ness. Be warned, however, that this is not the cheapest option as, in addition to the rental costs, you will have to pay for petrol and tolls.

Nevertheless, it is a good option, for example, if you are travelling with friends or family and want to travel in a private and flexible way. This way, you can make as many stops as you want and discover not only the Loch Ness area, but the whole route in general.

In addition, there are a number of companies offering hire so you can choose the one that best suits your needs. All you need is a valid driving licence and you can get behind the wheel.

Practical information

• Price: With car hire, petrol and tolls included, it can cost around €60 (€120 return).
• Time: Following the fastest routes you can get there in 4 hours.
• Companies: The main car rental companies are Sixt, Europcar and Hertz.
• Recommended if... You are looking to travel with your group in a private and flexible way.

The best ways to get to Loch Ness from Edinburgh are via an organised tour and then you can choose between train, bus and private car. However, I'm sure at some point you may have considered other means of transport such as a plane or private transport.

However, neither of these two options are very convenient due to their routes or high prices and I'm going to explain why I don't recommend them below.

Taxis are too expensive

Sometimes, if you are travelling in a group, it can be convenient to hire a private car service such as taxis for transfers to other cities. However, as well as the fact that taxis in Scotland are already expensive due to the fact that they are over 200 kilometres long, even if you can split the cost between the rest of your group, the total cost of the journey won't be less than €400.

By plane, nothing connected

Air travel isn't the best option either. Sure, a plane can get you to a place before anyone else, but in the case of Loch Ness there is no direct connection that can get you anywhere near it, and most flights will have stopovers.

So, to get there, you would have to travel from Edinburgh to Inverness airport, which can take up to 6 hours, and from there take a bus to the city centre and then a bus to the loch in half an hour. In total, more than 6 hours and almost 300 euros spent.

Scotland is an incredible place to see and well worth a visit. However, if we head north, where its most spectacular natural parks are, such as Loch Ness and the Highlands, I have to warn you that winter is not one of its best times.

Although it is tempting to see all the snowy landscapes, if you are not well prepared it can be very cold and you will not enjoy the experience.

Ideally you should take advantage of the summer holidays, during the months of June, July and August, when the weather is warmer and there is less chance of rain and strong winds. If you're coming in winter, I recommend you opt to stay in Edinburgh, where, at Christmas time, you'll be able to find plans much more suited to the cold weather.

You've already got a general idea of all the ways to get to Loch Ness from Edinburgh. However, to help you decide which is best for your next holiday to Scotland, here's a comparison table with all the transport options and their main features:

Whichever way you decide to come to the north of Scotland, you won't regret it. If Edinburgh has already left you open-mouthed with its impressive castle and medieval lanes, a wilder and more natural environment will make you fall in love.

From cheap and flexible options to fast and comfortable options, to more intimate and exclusive transport, Scotland offers many ways to enjoy it in depth. If you've got the idea of such a trip in your head, don't think twice and set off on an adventure to see Scotland's unique landscapes.