ScotRail Train Times & Tickets 4+

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Book your train tickets quickly and easily with the ScotRail app. And just so you know, when buying tickets with us we don’t charge any booking or payment card fees. Where’s my train? • Save your favourite routes for easy access with Live Times • Get a snapshot of any disruptions on your journey with up to the minute live times • Get detailed progress updates on your specific train with our Journey Tracker Buy tickets • Buy your train ticket in just a few taps, including Flexipass & seasons! • We’ll make sure it’s the cheapest ticket for your journey • Pay with Apple Pay or by card • Safely store payment card details, to make buying even faster next time Download tickets to your phone • Download and access digital tickets directly from the My Tickets wallet • Tap your Smartcard to easily view tickets • Bought tickets from our website? You can download them as well

Version 4.3.6

Some users may notice that your travel experience just got easier as we test our new Travel Companion feature. Access all your journey details in one place, including your ticket information and train times. This release also includes several performance improvements and bug fixes.

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Simple and smooth. It’s always a good experience booking train tickets with Scotrail, and using the tickets is easy too, it downloads to your phone so you can open without connection.

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The ScotRail app is available free to download to help you plan your journey, purchase and store your tickets for travel and keep you up to date with real-time information.

The app cannot be used for travel on other train operators or other modes of transport.

We've refreshed our website design so things may look a little different if you've been here before. We'll be making more improvements soon so watch this space.

Getting Around Scotland by Train FAQs

Travelling around Scotland by train is often a rewarding way to see the very best of the country. Once aboard a train, you can sit back and enjoy your journey to some incredible destinations.

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A group of friends at Perth Train Station

Getting Around by Train Faqs

Top tip for train travel: you can get cheaper travel by booking your tickets in advance.

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Glasgow Central Station

WHERE CAN I GO BY TRAIN?

There are rail connections to each of Scotland's eight cities. The rail network links many towns and villages across the country, with more options across the central belt.

You can buy tickets:

  • At train stations
  • At ticket machines
  • From major travel agents
  • Over the phone

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.

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

  • Off-Peak tickets are valid on all trains at any time of day (until the trial ends, currently 27 Sept 2024).
  • Advance train tickets are available on selected routes, and can save you up to 60% on your journey.
  • First Class tickets allow for travel in quieter carriages with extra space and comfier seats.
  • Groupsave tickets allow for cheaper travel if you're travelling with a group of three or more.
  • Kids for a Quid tickets allow up to four children to travel for just £1 return each per paying adult.

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.

What's New

The new Levenmouth Rail Link opens on 2 June providing another sustainable travel option connecting passengers with Fife, Edinburgh and the wider Tay area. A daily service will run from Edinburgh to Leven and Cameron Bridge stations via Kirkcaldy with a travel time of 1 hour 15 minutes approx.

Learn more about the Levenmouth Rail Link

A couple enjoying an afternoon aboard the Borders steam train

A couple enjoying an afternoon aboard the Borders steam train

© VisitScotland / David N Anderson

DISCOUNT FARES AND PASSES

ScotRail trains offer ticket discounts for age, group travel, and advance bookings.

ScotRail also offer flexible travel passes and other passes for the benefits of travellers. These include:

  • Spirit of Scotland Travelpass  - gives unlimited train travel within Scotland. The pass is also valid for some coach, subway and tram travel, and gives discounts on Northlink ferries to Orkney and Shetland, some tours and car hire.
  • Highland Rover  and  Central Scotland Rover  - flexible tickets offering unlimited train travel in a particular region (Highlands or Central Scotland). 
  • Rail and Sail tickets  - combines rail and ferry tickets (to some islands) for great value in one ticket and can be purchased from ScotRail.

GLASGOW'S SUBWAY

Scotland's only  subway  is located in Glasgow and is known as 'the Clockwork Orange' due to its bright exterior. It's a cheap and efficient way to travel around the city and several stations also provide a park & ride facility.

Singles, returns, all day and 7-day tickets are available from all Subway ticket offices and automatic machines, but you can also purchase a Smartcard online from the  Strathclyde Partnership for Transport .

The Borders Railway

The Borders Railway

© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

TRAIN TRAVEL AROUND THE UK AND ON TO EUROPE

If Scotland is only a part of your itinerary, there are a range of  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.

Plan a Scenic Train Trip

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Train Holidays in Scotland - Getting Around by Rail

Hop on board a train, sit back and enjoy your journey to some incredible destinations.

Useful Information

Find out which destinations are on the rail network and get routes, timetables and tickets with ScotRail, as well as accessible train travel info.

Book train tickets with ScotRail

Find out which destinations are on the rail network and get routes, timetables and tickets.

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ScotRail Accessible Travel

ScotRail is dedicated to assisting disabled customers and anyone who needs support to travel.

National Rail Accessible Travel

It's possible to reserve a seat which is accessible, or even book assistance at a train station. See accessibility information.

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Accessible Travel Hub

The Accessible Travel Hub can provide you with information and resources about accessible travel in Scotland.

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Thistle Assistance App

Download the Thistle Assistance app to help you during your journey.

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At some train stations in Glasgow and Stirling you can pick up bicycles at nextbike at any time of the day.

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How to Save Money on Train Tickets in Scotland

How to Save Money on Train Tickets in Scotland

It’s always nice to save money on your holiday in Scotland, especially when travelling around the country is becoming more and more expensive. On average it costs a whopping £90 for an individual return train ticket from Edinburgh to Inverness and £75 to travel from Edinburgh to Aberdeen, which can put a serious dent in the holiday budgets of travelling families.

It’s certainly true that train travel is one of the most expensive ways to travel in Scotland but the fact is it doesn’t have to be – as you’ll discover in this information-packed article.

Scotland Train Station

Avoid Peak Times and Expensive Upgrades

Like the rest of the UK, there are three different types of train tickets you can purchase for your rail journey in Scotland. These are:

  • Off-peak : These tickets are restricted for use between the morning and evening peak times. These times are dependent on the train operator so check with them before making a purchase. These are the tickets to buy if you want the cheapest option.
  • Anytime : These tickets are valid for use at any time of the day and are usually more expensive than off-peak tickets.
  • First-class : These tickets are more expensive than the other two types but offer a higher standard of service with free Wi-Fi, food and drink, and entry to station lounges.

For more information about national rail times, fares and ticket types, view the National Rail Enquiries page .

It’s entirely up to you with regards to your preferred ticket types but I have to say I rarely travel first-class because it’s so expensive (often up to twice the price of a standard ticket). To give you an idea of rail prices in Scotland, for a single off-peak ticket from Edinburgh to Aberdeen it costs approximately £40, but that soars to nearer £90 if you upgrade to first class. You get tea, coffee, and a snack, but at more than a 100% price increase it’s safe to say it isn’t very good value for money.

That being said, those prices only apply if you purchase tickets directly from the operator and it’s usually much cheaper to book via an auction site instead – which I’ll go into detail about further down this page.

save money on tain tickets in Scotland aberdeen station

Always Book Early

You can occasionally get cheap tickets by buying in advance, and once or twice I’ve found early-bird first-class tickets that were even cheaper than standard-class anytime tickets.

To be in with a chance of finding discounted tickets you’ll have to check The Trainline website at least a month before your travel date instead of wandering up to the ticket kiosk on the day. Cheap tickets are usually released by the operators around 12 weeks before the date of travel but they tend to sell out quickly so try to book as early as you can.

The longer you leave the booking date, the more expensive your ticket will be. One handy tip for booking early is to go on the operator’s website 12 weeks or more in advance and search for your journey, then change the date to the furthest ahead that you can book. Keep checking daily until the furthest date matches your date of travel to secure the cheapest possible tickets.

You can also sign up for email alerts from the train company so you get notified when tickets go on sale as well as be the first to hear about special offers. Each operator has a different notification system but for Scotrail you can head to the News and Offers page and subscribe to their email which includes offers such as ScotRail 2 for 1 tickets and ScotRail £5 tickets.

Although I mentioned above that the cheapest tickets are the ones available months in advance, if you leave it till the absolute last minute you can also bag a bargain as operators look to offload empty seats. This is a gamble as sometimes the train will be fully booked and sometimes the discounts aren’t that great, but if you’re lucky then 20% or more savings can be made.

The only caveat is that you have to travel on the train you’re booked on so there’s no flexibility to change times. A good resource for finding information about different rail operators and their advance ticket purchasing times is the National Rail Enquiries website .

Jacobite Steam Train

Be Flexible With Your Dates and Routes

It’s going to be more expensive to travel on a train at rush hour on a Monday morning than the same journey on a Sunday afternoon, so if you’re ok with changing the dates you travel you’ll save a bundle by going for less busy times.

Following on from this you’ll also often find competing operators running trains between the same destinations so it’s always a good idea to compare services. A great resource for this is Red Spotted Hanky which does all the heavy lifting for you by comparing all times and routes when you enter your departure and destination points on their website.

Red Spotted Hankey charges no additional fees and they have a bonus points scheme for return users. In addition, they also have a very handy app that allows you to book online and view details about the journey including all stops, station changes, and times between the start and endpoints. Alternatively, you can perform the same search on The Trainline website which displays all upcoming trains on any given date with the cheapest fares highlighted in yellow.

The only negative is that the latter website doesn’t give recommendations for split tickets (described further down the page), although their app does allow you to submit refund requests with a single tap and even submit expense receipts for business travellers.

scotrail travel tickets

Get a Railcard

You can save a packet on Scotland’s rail fares with a railcard , though bear in mind if you’re a visiting tourist they’re not much use as you have to pay an annual fee upfront which makes them more suited to frequent UK travellers.

That being said, if you live in Britain and want a discount on your fare you should probably get one depending on your circumstances. I’ll list the most popular rail cards below:

Two Together Railcard . Gives you a third off all rail travel on off-peak journeys for any two people over the age of 16 – but only when they travel together. It costs around £30 for a year which is easily recouped if you do just a few trips – but make sure you keep your card with you as you’ll need it as proof of purchase when you buy your discounted ticket.

Friends and Family Railcard . This discount card is similar to the Two Together card except that it also includes a 60% discount on children’s fares. The card is valid for up to 4 adults and up to 4 children who are aged between 5 and 15. Note that adults and children do not have to be related to benefit from the Friends and Family discount.

As a top tip, when ordering your next rail card get a digital pass instead of a plastic card (you can’t have both). While you might forget your wallet, I bet most people will always have their phones with them.

26-30 Railcard . This card is designed for 26 to 30-year-olds (obviously) and can be ordered here . Like the Two Together card, it costs around £30 per year and gives a third off rail travel.

16-25 Railcard . As above but for people aged 16 to 25.

Disabled Persons Railcard . This card costs around £20 per year and gives 1/3 off rail fares for disabled people and one person travelling with them. Cards are available in digital and plastic formats and can be used without restrictions at any time of the day.

Senior Railcard . Just because you’re a senior doesn’t mean you have to miss out on Scotland’s railways and with this card, you’ll save 1/3 on fares as long as you’re age 60 or over. Unlike the other cards I’ve listed, you can purchase a Senior Railcard that lasts up to 3 years for a discounted price of around £70.

Highland Railcard . Those living in the wilds of the Scottish Highlands can often feel isolated from the rest of the country which is one of the reasons this money-saving card makes so much sense. Only available to people living in selected postcodes, the Highland Railcard allows owners to travel for a flat rate as well as giving a generous 50% off travel on selected routes.

Young Scot National Entitlement Card . This railcard is designed to give discounts of 1/3 off most rail fares and 50% off weekly and monthly tickets for anyone aged 16-18. The card is ideal for use by travelling students who live in Scotland as it can double up as a smartcard by loading tickets onto it via a booking office.

Glenfinnan Viaduct Train

Buy Scotrail Travel Passes

For visiting tourists a travel pass is the best way to get your ticket as it offers an all-in-one solution across a specific rail network.

You can stick to one region of the country with a single pass or combine two to see even more sights, but my recommendation is to just get one travel pass and buy separate train tickets as and when required because most travel passes are rather expensive.

Spirit of Scotland Rover : Offers unlimited rail travel throughout Scotland for either four or eight days. Four days of unlimited travel over eight consecutive days costs around £149, while eight days of unlimited travel over fifteen consecutive days costs around £189.

Note that these prices change regularly so check the ScotRail website before you buy the pass.

Scottish Grand Tour : Touted as one of the great rail journeys of the world, the Scottish Grand Tour is a circular route that passes lochs, mountains, forests and countryside. You’ll pass some truly dramatic scenery with the Scottish Grand Tour pass including the West Highland Line and the Highland Main Line, and you’ll also see the country’s top cities of Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Inverness .

As an all-in-one package to see the best of Scotland in one trip, it really does take some beating.

Highland Rover : Gives you four days of unlimited travel over eight consecutive days across the Scottish Highlands for around £100. Although it’s only valid for standard class you can travel at any time of the day and you’ll also get 20% off  Northlink ferry services to Orkney and Shetland.

Central Scotland Rover : Allows you to take unlimited journeys between Glasgow, Edinburgh, and the surrounding area for around £60. The pass lasts for three days and is valid for standard class journeys on ScotRail trains, but unfortunately, you can’t use it on the new Borders railway line.

Note that this is the pass to get if you just want to explore the main cities as it covers Edinburgh and Glasgow which are a mere 1 hour apart by train.

Rail and Sail : Getting to the north and west coast islands has never been easier thanks to ScotRail’s Rail and Sail, which combines rail and ferry travel in one ticket. These tickets take the hassle out of exploring Scotland as you can break the journey up to go and see different regions as you see fit.

Currently, the pass opens up the Orkney and Shetland islands along with Mull and the Outer Hebrides, and with children aged 5-15 getting a 50% discount they offer a great way to have a cheap(ish) family holiday by train.

Highland Train Station

Split Your Tickets

This train travel tip has been doing the rounds for a few years now but it’s just as popular as it ever was, purely because it works and is almost always guaranteed to give you big savings on rail fares. So what, exactly, is split ticketing?

Well, it basically means that instead of purchasing a single ticket from say London to Edinburgh (approx £80 in total), you purchase two or more separate tickets along the same line instead, so for example, London to Crewe and another ticket for Crewe to Edinburgh (approx £50 in total). This might seem overly complicated at first glance but the fact is you can save up to 90% on a long-distance rail journey by splitting your tickets, with the biggest savings coming from splitting the journey multiple times.

Be aware that while sometimes you will have to change stations, for the majority of journeys you stay on the same train the entire time and it’s just the tickets that get split.

Although planning routes around split tickets used to be a hassle there are now several websites that are dedicated to offering a free service where you just enter the departure and destination stations, the date and time of travel, and leave the website to book the separate tickets for you. The downside is that you could end up with ten different tickets, but as long as you keep track of them all for the conductor it shouldn’t have any impact on your journey.

Two of the best split ticketing websites in the UK are Train Split and Split My Fare , and having used both I can confirm they do exactly the same job and offer pretty much exactly the same level of service.

Glenfinnan Jacobite Train Carriages

Purchase Groupsave Tickets

If you haven’t heard of Groupsave before it’s a booking scheme which does what the name says – you save money when purchasing train tickets as a group. You don’t need to do anything special to make a Groupsave booking as the offers are activated automatically as soon as more than 3 people are added at the checkout.

ScotRail has a three-tier system for group tickets starting with Friends Fare for 3 to 4 people, then Groupsave for 3 to 5 people, and finally Groupsave for more than 10 people. When combined with booking your tickets as early as possible you can save a bundle on travel costs, but bear in mind that group tickets have limited availability and they sell out fast in the peak tourist season.

Most operators offer Groupsave tickets of some kind and they’re usually pretty flexible – except for ScotRail which in my opinion is a wee bit stingy with their conditions:

Friends Fare: Discounts vary. Only available on Aberdeen to Inverness, Aberdeen to Edinburgh or Glasgow, and Inverness to Edinburgh or Glasgow. Return tickets only. Non-refundable. No additional railcard discounts.

Groupsave 3-5 people: Up to 1/3 off travel. Only available on Glasgow to Edinburgh, Dunblane/Stirling to Glasgow or Edinburgh, Alloa to Glasgow or Edinburgh, and Motherwell to Edinburgh. Off-peak journeys only. Non-refundable. No additional railcard discounts.

Groupsave 10+ people: 10-30% discount. Off-peak journeys only. Must be booked at least 28 days in advance. Non-refundable.

Train Carriage

Grab a Bargain First-Class Upgrade

First-class tickets have traditionally been reserved for business people and luxury travellers due to the significant extra costs on top of standard class, but there are now services that aim to bring these upgraded tickets to the masses.

One of the best is Seatfrog which allows you to bid on first-class tickets on their own online auction which you access via their phone app. Think along the lines of eBay for first-class train tickets. You enter your standard ticket booking reference, enter a bid price, and if you win you just pay the additional fee. Seatfrog will then send you a new upgraded seat number along with a QR code to prove your purchase.

The extra fee is often a fraction of what the upgrade would cost directly from the operator and you don’t have to pay a penny more if you don’t win the auction so there really is nothing to lose. In fact, you could end up saving money on your journey when you consider that first-class tickets include free food and drinks and many also include entry to first-class lounges at the station.

Upgrade prices can be as low as £10 for a cross-country journey and as you already have a ticket you know you’ll still have a seat if your bid doesn’t win.

The big downside with Seatfrog is that they currently don’t offer upgrades on Scottish railways, but this will hopefully change soon. Still, if you’re intending to travel by train for a UK-wide tour it could be a nice way to upgrade part of your journey.

Can you save money with a Railcard?

Discounts on train tickets are available for eligible railcard holders. Each card applies to specific demographics such as students, over-60s, couples, Highland residents, and young adults. Discounts are usually 1/3 off the full ticket price. See the National Rail Enquiries website for further details.

How do I get free rail travel in Scotland?

Free train travel in Scotland is dependent on the local council area in which an individual lives. Some councils offer free rail travel for the disabled and over-60s. Other councils offer discounted fares.

Free bus travel across Scotland is possible with a National Entitlement card. To apply, see the Transport Scotland website .

How can I get the cheapest train tickets to Edinburgh?

The easiest ways to find the cheapest train tickets to Edinburgh are to: 1. Get a railcard which can save up to 1/3 off ticket costs. 2. Book in advance. ScotRail usually releases tickets 12 weeks before the date of travel. 3. Travel off-peak as tickets are around 1/3 cheaper than peak times. 4. Book as a group to save around 1/3 on standard ticket prices.

Can you get the train to Edinburgh?

Trains run directly into Edinburgh city centre from across the country. The main stations are Waverley and Haymarket. Travelling by rail from London to Edinburgh takes around 4.5 hours.

Can I use my National Entitlement Card on ScotRail?

The National Entitlement Card (NEC) can be used on several public transport networks across Scotland. The NEC is not valid as a ScotRail discount card. Young Scot NECs can be used on Scotrail for people aged 16-18.

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Craig Neil is the author, photographer, admin, and pretty much everything else behind Out About Scotland. He lives near Edinburgh and spends his free time exploring Scotland and writing about his experiences. Follow him on Pinterest , Facebook , and YouTube .

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The Best Ways to Find Cheap Train Tickets in Scotland

  • Published on: June 8, 2023

Cheap Train Tickets in Scotland

A train trip is an excellent way to explore Scotland. If you’re planning a trip t his article is going to give you 4 tips on how to find cheap train tickets in Scotland.

This site uses affiliate links and I may earn a small commission when you use my links and make a purchase without incurring an additional fee yourself. Many thanks for supporting this website. Please see my legal page for more details.

There are many factors to consider when planning a train journey . One of the most important is the cost. This guide will help you find the cheapest ticket for your route and show you how to get it.

It doesn’t have to be difficult to visit Scotland . Scotland by train is a great way to explore, and we are here to help you .

Grab Scotland by train itinerary which takes you from Edinburgh Castle and out through Perthshire to the Highlands, all in less than you can imagine!

One of the best ways to find cheap train tickets in Scotland is by looking at the rail company’s website .

Train companies often have promotions and discounts on certain days or times of the day so it is worth checking the site before buying a ticket.

Another way to find cheap train tickets in Scotland is by using an app such as Omio , which has a lot of information about trains and tickets available.

It can be used to search for specific journeys and then show all the prices for that journey, including any discounts that are available.

Scotland by train The Essential Guide for Independent Travellers

4 Tips for Finding Cheap Train Tickets in Scotland

1. book in advance “booking in advance will allow you some peace of mind and comfort knowing what your trip will cost.”.

Train tickets in the UK usually go on sale 3 months (12 weeks) before the date of travel.

Advanced tickets are usually cheaper when they’re released but can sell out quickly on busier routes. For example, Advance Single tickets let you save up to 65%.

2. Travel on Off-Peak When possible

When travelling by train in the UK, you can save on tickets by travelling during off-peak times and for trains that are less busy. Available all day on any service at the weekend, and Monday to Friday on trains departing after 09:15. 

So choose the departure time after 09.15 am or avoid rush times in the afternoon, which are typically 16-18.

Super Off-Peak gets the cheapest fares and flexibility when trains are less busy between 11:00-15:00 and return from 20:00. Omio shows you all the available tickets & prices and will highlight the cheapest ones.

3. Consider a Railcard

They’re types of train discount cards you can buy for £30 for unlimited use. You can get up to 1/3 off the price of Off-Peak train tickets when using a Railcard .

From kids to elderly people , there are great discounts out there to be had.

Scotland’s railway fares are cheaper the more you use the trains, but if you’re a visitor beware. For first-time travellers, there is an annual fee upfront, which would make these railcards better suited to regular UK travellers.  

scotrail travel tickets

The most popular railcards are below:

Two Together Railcard

Get 30% off when you travel off-peak for any two people over the age of 16 travelling together.

When you purchase an annual ticket it comes at about £30 per year which is negligible considering the savings you get through discounts on tours. You’ll need your card with you to get the discounted prices too.

26-30 Railcard 

This card is perfect for 26 to 30-year-olds and like the Two Together card, this also costs around £30 and gives a third off rail travel. Order it here

Senior Railcard

Great for seniors, grandparents, and retirees . What do you get with this card? Well first and foremost, if you’re aged 60 or over, you’ll save 30% on standard fares as long as it’s a senior fare.

Unlike the other railcards listed here, you can purchase a card that lasts up from 1 to 3 years and you can save £20 with a 3-year Railcard (as of 2022) .

Disabled Persons Railcard

If you are someone with a disability and meet the appropriate requirements, then you can get 1/3 discounted railway tickets for yourself and a friend or companion via the Disabled Persons Railcard.

Just £20 for 1 year or £54 for 3 years, discounts are applicable on both peak and off-peak tickets.

Family & Friends Railcard

GroupSave is a discount for passengers travelling together. You can save up to 34% when you travel with 3 – 9 people with Off-Peak tickets on selected routes.

Great for families and groups of friends , you can find this option in the Railcards drop-down menu when booking your train tickets .

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4. Buy ScotRail travel passes

Scotrail travel passes offer a big deal of flexibility. The freedom to roam around Scotland does not always come cheap but can be incredibly liberating.

However, for those committed to keeping costs to a minimum, provided they book well in advance and do not change their itinerary, a Scotrail travel pass may seem an expensive luxury. 

There are several passes to choose from:

Cheap Train Tickets in Scotland

Scotland Travel passes

You can buy a Scotland travel pass from the ticket office at any staffed station or As an M-Pass Mobile ticket  

Other passes

Rail and Sail:

One ticket for the train and ferry . Travel to Orkney, Shetland, Mull,  the Outer Hebrides, Clyde coast and Belfast. No need to book in advance (unless you’re going to Belfast)

Rail and bus  

Rail and bus tickets allow you to book train and bus travel together, making it easier to travel to far-flung places and get out of town. Includes: 

  • The PlusBus ticket
  • Borders Explorer
  • Rail & City Bus Tour ticket rail travel from Glasgow or Edinburgh combined with a Hop-on, Hop-off open-top city bus tour.

How to book your ticket

There are four different ways available for you to book train tickets in Scotland.

  • Buying online is a great way of looking at Advance ticket options and train times picking up travel tips along the way. The best savvy option
  • Using the app to book your tickets means you’ve got more control over your train travel.
  • In the UK, you still have the choice of buying printed “paper tickets” from a machine at the station
  • On the train In some rural and quiet areas of the UK, there won’t be ticket machines. Trains in these parts of Scotland will travel with a conductor who’ll be able to sell you a ticket. It’s the most expensive option

Can I reserve seats on trains in Scotland?

If you book a flexible ticket, you may be given the option to reserve a seat and travel time for your outbound journey, but you won’t be guaranteed a reserved seat if you don’t travel on the train you’ve booked the ticket for. 

You can’t choose your exact seat like you can when booking a plane ticket, but you can only request services like an aisle or window seat, a forward or rear-facing seat, a seat in a quiet carriage, a table seat, or a seat near a toilet.

If you do not reserve your seat, there are sometimes unreserved seats on trains, so don’t hesitate to walk up and down the aisle looking for a place without a ticket.

The seats on a train are often reserved only for certain parts of the journey. There may be a printed slip on the headrest.

If nobody is sitting in that seat, then you may be able to sit there for some parts of the journey. 

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How to collect your tickets

There are several options for you to pick up, and they’re all quick and easy.

  • eticket is fast and secure – simply store the PDF (portable document format) on your phone and portable device or print at home
  • Mobile Ticket Skip the queues at the machine and get your ticket straight in the Trainline app. Simply scan the barcode at the gates.
  • Collect at the station Print a paper ticket at the ticket machine at the station using a unique collection code. You’ll need to bring any credit or debit card to collect the tickets.
  • By post tickets, they’ll be delivered straight to your door. (Additional postage fees apply). I will not recommend this option. If tickets get lost in the post, you will not get a refund. 

Examples of train tickets – single-way fares (2023 )

Cheap Train Tickets in Scotland

Examples of train tickets – single-way fares (2022)

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My name is Kate and I created Scotland Itinerary Planning to give you those life-changing experiences right in the beautiful country I call home.

I’m proud to live in Edinburgh, Scotland , one of the world’s most beautiful capital cities. Living in Edinburgh has provided me a base to explore extensively around this magical little country.

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IMAGES

  1. ScotRail

    scotrail travel tickets

  2. Off Peak Day Return Ticket from Edinburgh To Dalmeny on ScotRail

    scotrail travel tickets

  3. ScotRail Train Times & Tickets

    scotrail travel tickets

  4. ScotRail Train Times & Tickets

    scotrail travel tickets

  5. Leisure ticket options

    scotrail travel tickets

  6. ScotRail train times and tickets:Amazon.co.uk:Appstore for Android

    scotrail travel tickets

COMMENTS

  1. ScotRail

    Book nowBook now return ticket from GLQ to DEE for £47.80. toInverness. £71.50Return. Book nowBook now return ticket from GLQ to INV for £71.50. toStirling. £12.10Return. Book nowBook now return ticket from EDB to STG for £12.10. toDundee. £35.00Return.

  2. Buy Railway tickets

    ScotRail Highland Explorer Station & train facilities Open. Car parking Free Wi-Fi Luggage and pets On-train catering Shops and cafes ... Unlock Scotland by train, coach and bus with our range of combined tickets, travel passes and rovers. Railcards Railcards are great value if you travel regularly and we have a wide range for you to choose from.

  3. Scotland & Highland Rover Train Tickets

    Our range of travel passes and rovers offer access to every corner of our beautiful country. They entitle you to unlimited travel on a set number of days and are valid across trains, coaches and buses. You simply decide how long you would like to be away for and how much of the country you would like to see. Most of the tickets are flexible so ...

  4. Find The Right Ticket For You

    Find The Right Ticket For You. Between 2 October 2023 and 27 September 2024, customers can travel at any time of the day on Off-Peak tickets. Click here to find out more about this government-funded trial and what it means for all tickets. Frequent rail traveller, exploring Scotland on holiday, or looking for a day out with friends and family?

  5. ScotRail: Train tickets, travel information, train times and train

    None 16-17 Saver 16-25 Railcard 26-30 Railcard Annual Gold Card Cambrian Railcard Club 50 Club 50 Web - Greater Anglia Club 50 Web - ScotRail Cotswold Line Railcard Dales Railcard Devon & Cornwall Railcard Disabled Child Railcard Disabled Persons Railcard Durham Concessionary Travel Permit Esk Valley Railcard Family & Friends Railcard GroupSave Heart of Wales ...

  6. Spirit of Scotland

    Head for the Highlands or explore Scotland's west coast and islands. The freedom of Scotland is yours from just £149. Wherever you choose to go, the Spirit of Scotland travel pass makes it easy to get around. It includes travel on trains, buses, coaches, Edinburgh Trams and the Glasgow Subway. Choose from four days unlimited travel over ...

  7. Rail & Bus Combination Tickets

    Rail and bus tickets allow you to book train and bus travel together, making it easier to travel to far-flung places and get about town. There are two main options for travel across Scotland: PLUSBUS, a bus pass to go along with your train ticket; and RailBus, which gives you a single ticket to a specific destination.

  8. Buy Before You Board Your Train in Scotland

    There are ticket machines at 179 ScotRail stations. Get to the station in plenty of time to buy your ticket before the train arrives. ... When you purchase a ticket to travel on the National Rail network you enter into agreement with the train companies whose trains you have the right to use. The National Rail Conditions of Travel (formerly ...

  9. ScotRail

    Super Off-Peak tickets are only available to Smartcard Holders - unfortunately, we're still working to integrate Smartcards with our booking system. ScotRail offer Super Off-Peak tickets as Day Returns only, for travel to/from Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen. The Super Off-Peak window is open from Monday to Friday between 11:00 and 15:00 ...

  10. ScotRail Train Times & Tickets

    Buy tickets on your phone with the free ScotRail train times and tickets app. Buy tickets on your phone with the free ScotRail train times and tickets app. Games. Apps. Movies & TV. Books. Kids. google_logo Play ... Some users may notice that your travel experience just got easier as we test our new Travel Companion feature. Access all your ...

  11. ScotRail Train Times & Tickets 4+

    ‎Book your train tickets quickly and easily with the ScotRail app. And just so you know, when buying tickets with us we don't charge any booking or payment card fees. ... Some users may notice that your travel experience just got easier as we test our new Travel Companion feature. Access all your journey details in one place, including your ...

  12. ScotRail Train Times & Tickets 4+

    What's New. Version 4.3.6. Some users may notice that your travel experience just got easier as we test our new Travel Companion feature. Access all your journey details in one place, including your ticket information and train times. This release also includes several performance improvements and bug fixes.

  13. Scotrail M-Ticket App

    The ScotRail app is available free to download to help you plan your journey, purchase and store your tickets for travel and keep you up to date with real-time information. The app cannot be used for travel on other train operators or other modes of transport. Get the app. There are many brilliant options for travelling smart in Scotland ...

  14. ScotRail M tickets.

    open the ScotRail app and scan your mTicket at the gate. You don't print out M tickets. You just scan the barcode to get access to the platform and then show that to the conductor when asked. You do have to activate them the day of travel but you don't need internet for that. I last used them on Friday.

  15. Cheap Train Tickets

    Book in Advance: Whenever possible, book your train tickets in advance to secure lower fares, preferred seats, and travel times. Use Railcards: Choose from one of our many brilliant railcards, and bring the cost of your train tickets down by up to 50%. Seek Group Discounts: If you're travelling with a group, inquire about group discounts, which ...

  16. Advantages of ScotRail pass vs. individual tickets?

    As far as I can tell from the ScotRail site, ... If I buy advance tickets now for specific trains/times then the total price is $430, and buying flexible tickets is $630. ... Travel out of London and have a fun weekend getaway featuring stunning scenery, top-tier art, and fun outdoor activities. By E-lyn Tham.

  17. Getting Around Scotland By Train

    DISCOUNT FARES AND PASSES. ScotRail trains offer ticket discounts for age, group travel, and advance bookings. ScotRail also offer flexible travel passes and other passes for the benefits of travellers. These include: Spirit of Scotland Travelpass - gives unlimited train travel within Scotland. The pass is also valid for some coach, subway and ...

  18. ScotRail Train Tickets and Timetables

    ScotRail offers quite a large array of tickets such as Advance tickets, Group tickets known as Friend's Fare, Anytime tickets which offer full flexibility regarding timing, Family tickets for your family travel needs, as well as Off-peak tickets. Passengers may elect to travel in Standard or in First Class where they can enjoy extra leg room ...

  19. Scotrail Season Tickets

    Scotrail Monthly Season Tickets. If you need to travel by train on the same route for more than a week, consider buying the Scotrail Monthly Season Ticket - it allows you to travel between two stations as much as you want within a full calendar month. This option is cheaper than buying four Weekly Season Tickets.

  20. How to Save Money on Train Tickets in Scotland

    Get a railcard which can save up to 1/3 off ticket costs. 2. Book in advance. ScotRail usually releases tickets 12 weeks before the date of travel. 3. Travel off-peak as tickets are around 1/3 cheaper than peak times. 4. Book as a group to save around 1/3 on standard ticket prices.

  21. The Best Ways to Find Cheap Train Tickets in Scotland

    You can save up to 34% when you travel with 3 - 9 people with Off-Peak tickets on selected routes. Great for families and groups of friends, you can find this option in the Railcards drop-down menu when booking your train tickets. 4. Buy ScotRail travel passes. Scotrail travel passes offer a big deal of flexibility.

  22. Navigating the Scotrail ticket purchases

    Scotrail are posting advance tickets 8 weeks before travel, supposedly on a daily basis, so that should be in about 3 weeks time. I know other sources say different things but that is the official release schedule. Yes the advance fares are outstanding value, even if they have substantially increased in price since Covid.

  23. ScotRail fares to be hiked from July as freeze ended

    Ticket prices to travel on ScotRail services will rise by 4.8 per cent from July 3 Fares to travel on ScotRail services will increase from next month in an end to the freeze on ticket prices, in a ...