- Must visit
The Loch Ness Centre
Modern Loch Ness centre using immersive displays to explain the loch, its science, and the famous monster legend in a clear, engaging way.
Cheapest price on 18 Sept
£11
Average ticket price on 18 Sept
£15
Fastest journey on 18 Sept
4 h 5 m
Average journey duration on 18 Sept
5 h 11 m
Buses on 18 Sept
6
Distance
173 km
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Edinburgh to Drumnadrochit Loch Ness is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Edinburgh to Drumnadrochit Loch Ness will cost around £15 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £11.
On Fri 18 Sept, we found 6 buses from Edinburgh to Drumnadrochit Loch Ness, including 6 direct services.
These direct buses cover the 173 km distance in an average of 5 h 11 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 4 h 5 m .
The slowest buses will take 6 h 40 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.










Omio recommends booking the coach as it is the most popular option from Edinburgh to Drumnadrochit Loch Ness among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £10 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 4h 6m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £10, while a flight costs an average of £216.
Distance: 173 km
Most popular Coach | Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
£10 Average Price Cheapest | £34 Average Price | £216 Average Price | £78 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 44m Average total duration 4h 14m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 6m Average total duration Fastest 3h 36m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 13m Average total duration 5h 13m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 3h 37m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Edinburgh to Drumnadrochit Loch Ness:
A coach is £24 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Edinburgh to Drumnadrochit Loch Ness costing on average £34.
A coach is £206 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Edinburgh to Drumnadrochit Loch Ness costing on average £216.
Other travel options to Drumnadrochit Loch Ness take longer:
Coach takes on average 4h 14m.
Flight takes on average 5h 13m.
Tickets start at around £10 compared to roughly £78 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £68. The journey takes 4h 14m versus 3h 37m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can use the time productively rather than spending it behind the wheel. No parking to sort, no fuel stops, and most coaches have Wi-Fi and power outlets.
Direct services are operated by FlixBus.
Driving is worth considering if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), or want the flexibility to stop along the way.
The table below shows live departures for Edinburgh to Drumnadrochit Loch Ness coaches for today, Thursday 17 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus · FlixBus | 6:35 Edinburgh, Bus Station | 4h15 | 10:50 Inverness, Bus Station | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 6:40 Edinburgh, Bus Station | 6h40 | 13:20 Inverness, Bus Station | 1 change | |
FlixBus | 6:40 Edinburgh, Bus Station | 4h05 | 10:45 Inverness, Bus Station | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 7:55 Edinburgh, Bus Station | 7h15 | 15:10 Inverness, Bus Station | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 7:55 Edinburgh, Bus Station | 9h05 | 17:00 Inverness, Bus Station | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 9:09 Edinburgh, Drum Brae South | 6h01 | 15:10 Inverness, Bus Station | 1 change | |
FlixBus | 9:10 Edinburgh, Bus Station | 4h10 | 13:20 Inverness, Bus Station | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 10:50 Edinburgh, Bus Station | 10h05 | 20:55 Inverness, Bus Station | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 10:50 Edinburgh, Bus Station | 4h20 | 15:10 Inverness, Bus Station | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 10:50 Edinburgh, Bus Station | 6h10 | 17:00 Inverness, Bus Station | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 11:09 Edinburgh, Drum Brae South | 5h51 | 17:00 Inverness, Bus Station | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 11:35 Edinburgh, Bus Station | 5h25 | 17:00 Inverness, Bus Station | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 11:35 Edinburgh, Bus Station | 9h20 | 20:55 Inverness, Bus Station | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 12:45 Edinburgh, Bus Station | 8h10 | 20:55 Inverness, Bus Station | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 12:45 Edinburgh, Bus Station | 4h15 | 17:00 Inverness, Bus Station | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 14:09 Edinburgh, Drum Brae South | 5h11 | 19:20 Inverness, Bus Station | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 14:15 Edinburgh, Bus Station | 6h40 | 20:55 Inverness, Bus Station | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 14:41 Edinburgh, Drum Brae South | 6h14 | 20:55 Inverness, Bus Station | 1 change | |
FlixBus | 15:10 Edinburgh, Bus Station | 4h10 | 19:20 Inverness, Bus Station | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 16:15 Edinburgh, Bus Station | 4h40 | 20:55 Inverness, Bus Station | 1 change | |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare coach, train and flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Buses from Edinburgh to Drumnadrochit Loch Ness run on average 20 times per day, taking around 4h 14m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £8 if you book in advance.
There are 3 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 06:35, the last at 20:21. The fastest coach covers the 173 km distance in 4h 5m.
Distance 173 km |
Average bus duration 4h 14m |
Cheapest ticket price £8 |
Buses per day 20 |
Direct buses 3 |
Fastest bus 4h 5m |
First bus 6:35 |
Last bus 20:21 |
Cheapest Month Jul |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Mon |
Best time to book 1 day |
Discover the best of Drumnadrochit Loch Ness — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Drumnadrochit Loch Ness trip today.
Modern Loch Ness centre using immersive displays to explain the loch, its science, and the famous monster legend in a clear, engaging way.
Long-running exhibition on Nessie folklore with displays, film, and local stories. A nostalgic stop for visitors curious about the legend.
Small local heritage display within the village area, highlighting Glen Urquhart history, archaeology, and community life.
Forestry viewpoint above Loch Ness, known for elevated loch panoramas and photo opportunities. A favourite short stop near Drumnadrochit.
Popular forest walk leading to a dramatic waterfall and river gorge. It combines woodland scenery, geology, and an accessible path network.
Woodland and hill paths close to the village, offering varied walking routes, nature, and viewpoints across Glen Urquhart.
Cullen skink is a rich smoked haddock, potato and onion soup from north-east Scotland, widely loved across the Highlands for its warming flavour.
Haggis is Scotland’s classic savoury pudding of sheep offal, oats and spices, traditionally served with neeps and tatties and deeply tied to national food culture.
Neeps and tatties are mashed swede and potatoes, a traditional Highland side dish usually paired with haggis and other hearty Scottish meals.
Well-known local café for light lunches, home baking, coffee and soups, with a friendly informal atmosphere.
Popular casual spot for fish and chips, burgers and takeaway favourites, handy for a simple meal near Loch Ness.
Traditional village inn serving hearty Scottish pub food and local drinks in a relaxed, historic setting.
Moderate for the Highlands: lodging and tourist dining cost more than in nearby villages, while local buses are limited and car travel adds fuel and parking costs.
Tipping is optional. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is usual for good service if not already added. Round up taxi fares. Cafés usually do not expect tips, but small change is appreciated.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Edinburgh to Drumnadrochit Loch Ness by coach. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest coach, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Drumnadrochit Loch Ness, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Edinburgh to Drumnadrochit Loch Ness buses use the Edinburgh, Bus Station to Inverness, Bus Station station pair. Use this guide to compare Edinburgh and Drumnadrochit Loch Ness bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Edinburgh, Bus Station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Café at the Station (in the station), Sandwich Shop (in the station).
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the main entrance.
Ticket office support is available at Edinburgh, Bus Station.
Available at Edinburgh, Bus Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Edinburgh, Bus Station: Elevators, ramps.
Edinburgh, St Andrew's House has practical services for this route, including Accessibility.
Accessibility facilities are available at Edinburgh, St Andrew's House: The place has an entrance that is wheelchair-accessible.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need