Heading to Inverness for Loch Ness, Culloden or the start of the North Coast 500? Here is every realistic way to make the trip from Glasgow, with honest times, costs and trade-offs. Written by Constantine Chauffeurs, a Glasgow chauffeur service. Our private driver takes your group door to door in one car, with stops on the way if you want them.
Mercedes V-Class, up to 6 passengers: from £760 one way from Glasgow city centre to your Inverness address. Pickups from Glasgow Airport or outside the city are quoted on request.
Here are the four ways to make the trip, at a glance and then in detail.
| Option | Journey time | Typical cost | Best for |
|---|
| Train (Queen Street, direct) | ~3h30 | from about £15 booked ahead | Solo travellers and couples |
| Coach (Citylink, Megabus or FlixBus) | 3h30–4h | Book ahead for the lowest fare | The lowest fare |
| Car hire / self-drive | ~3h15 + depot | £40+ a day, fuel | Touring the Highlands |
| Private chauffeur | ~3h15 | from £760 per car | Groups up to 6, door to door |
Fares are indicative one-way prices for 2026. They change with the time of day and how far ahead you book. Journey times are typical and vary with traffic and stops.
Train, direct from Queen Street
ScotRail runs trains from Glasgow Queen Street to Inverness through the day, several of them direct. Most journeys take about 3 hours 30 minutes by Perth, Pitlochry and Aviemore. Inverness station is in the city centre. For one or two people travelling light it’s the easy choice.
Coach, the cheapest way
Coaches leave Buchanan Bus Station for Inverness through the day and take between 3 hours 30 minutes and 4 hours. It’s usually the lowest fare. Book ahead in summer.
Car hire & self-drive
About 170 miles on the M80 and A9 by Stirling, Perth and Aviemore. Much of the A9 north of Perth is single carriageway with average speed cameras, so the time is steady but it’s a long stint at the wheel. It’s worth it if you plan to tour the Highlands from Inverness.
Private chauffeur
A private chauffeur collects you from your hotel or home in Glasgow and drives you straight to your Inverness address in a Mercedes V-Class. The price is agreed in advance (from £760 with Constantine), with room for up to 6 passengers and their luggage. For a family or a group, that’s one car for everyone with no timetable to chase.
Stops on the way
- Dunkeld and The Hermitage, an hour and a quarter from Glasgow.
- Pitlochry, the usual coffee and lunch stop near the halfway point.
- The House of Bruar, just north of Blair Atholl.
- Aviemore and the Cairngorms, 40 minutes before Inverness.
Tell us which stops you want when you book and we’ll build them into the day. Want Loch Ness as a day out from Glasgow instead? See our Loch Ness tour.
So which should you choose?
Travelling light on your own? The train is quick and simple. With a group, a lot of luggage or a long-haul flight behind you, one car door to door is easier. A pre-booked chauffeur settles the price and the pickup before you set off.
Common questions
How long does it take to drive from Glasgow to Inverness?
Around 3 hours 15 minutes on the M80 and A9 without stops. Allow longer with a stop at Pitlochry or Aviemore.
Is there a direct train from Glasgow to Inverness?
Yes. ScotRail runs direct trains from Glasgow Queen Street. Most journeys take about 3 hours 30 minutes.
How much is a chauffeur from Glasgow to Inverness?
From £760 one way in a Mercedes V-Class for up to 6 passengers with Constantine Chauffeurs, priced from Glasgow city centre and agreed before you travel.
Can we go by Loch Lomond and Glencoe instead of the A9?
Yes. The scenic route up the A82 by Glencoe, Fort William and Loch Ness adds about two hours. Tell us when you book and we’ll quote it.
Can you collect us from Glasgow Airport?
Yes. We quote pickups from Glasgow Airport, or anywhere outside the city centre, separately. Send us your flight and we’ll confirm one price.
