- Recommended
Nairn Museum
A small local heritage museum about Nairnshire life, with displays on fishing, farming and domestic history in the old courthouse.
Cheapest price on 20 Sept
£13
Average ticket price on 20 Sept
£13
Fastest journey on 20 Sept
7 h 15 m
Average journey duration on 20 Sept
7 h 15 m
Buses on 20 Sept
1
Distance
186 km
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Edinburgh to Nairn is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Edinburgh to Nairn will cost around £13 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £13.
On Sun 20 Sept, we found 1 buses from Edinburgh to Nairn, including 1 direct services.
These direct buses cover the 186 km distance in an average of 7 h 15 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 7 h 15 m .
The slowest buses will take 7 h 15 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 train as it is the most popular option from Edinburgh to Nairn among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £17 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 4h 33m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £17, while a flight costs an average of £586.
Distance: 186 km
| Coach | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
£17 Average Price Cheapest | £61 Average Price | £586 Average Price | £43 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 51m Average total duration 4h 21m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 33m Average total duration Fastest 4h 3m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 8m Average total duration 3h 8m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 3h 20m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Edinburgh to Nairn:
A coach is £44 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Edinburgh to Nairn costing on average £61.
A coach is £568 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Edinburgh to Nairn costing on average £586.
Other travel options to Nairn take longer:
Train takes on average 4h 3m.
Coach takes on average 4h 21m.
Tickets start at around £17 compared to roughly £43 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £26. The journey takes 4h 21m versus 3h 20m 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.
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 Nairn coaches for today, Saturday 19 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 | 4h15 | 17:00 Inverness, Bus Station | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 12:45 Edinburgh, Bus Station | 8h10 | 20:55 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 | 15:02 Edinburgh, Haymarket Station (Stop HH) | 5h53 | 20:55 Inverness, Bus Station | 1 change | |
FlixBus | 15:10 Edinburgh, Bus Station | 4h10 | 19:20 Inverness, Bus Station | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 15:11 Edinburgh, Drum Brae South | 5h44 | 20:55 Inverness, Bus Station | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 16:15 Edinburgh, Bus Station | 4h40 | 20:55 Inverness, Bus Station | 1 change | |
![]() | 6:55 Edinburgh | 7h15 | 14:10 Nairn | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare coach, flight and train 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 Nairn run on average 21 times per day, taking around 4h 21m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £10 if you book in advance.
There are 3 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 06:30, the last at 20:10. The fastest coach covers the 186 km distance in 4h 0m.
Distance 186 km |
Average bus duration 4h 21m |
Cheapest ticket price £10 |
Buses per day 21 |
Direct buses 3 |
Fastest bus 4h 0m |
First bus 6:30 |
Last bus 20:10 |
Cheapest Month Oct |
Cheapest Day Mon |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Mon |
Discover the best of Nairn — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Nairn trip today.
A small local heritage museum about Nairnshire life, with displays on fishing, farming and domestic history in the old courthouse.
Historic battlefield site with interpretation on the 1645 Battle of Auldearn, useful for understanding the area’s military past.
A compact local archive and exhibition venue where visitors can explore documents, photographs and stories from Nairn’s past.
A broad sandy beach backed by dunes and promenade, popular for walking, sea views and sunsets close to the town centre.
A quieter stretch of shoreline east of town with dunes, birdlife and spacious sands, ideal for a more peaceful beach walk.
Riverside paths through woodland and open banks along the River Nairn, favoured for gentle walks and wildlife spotting.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Edinburgh to Nairn 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 Nairn, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Edinburgh to Nairn buses use the Edinburgh, Bus Station to Inverness, Bus Station station pair. Use this guide to compare Edinburgh and Nairn 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