Inverness to Helmsdale train with ScotRail

Sun 21 Dec
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ScotRail
ScotRail
Avanti West Coast
Great Western Rail
Deutsche Bahn
1,000+ travel companies
ScotRail
ScotRail
Avanti West Coast
Great Western Rail
Deutsche Bahn
1,000+ travel companies
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The cheapest and fastest trains from Inverness to Helmsdale

Showing times and prices for 21 Dec

Cheapest price

£29

Average price

£29

Fastest journey

2 h 38 m

Average duration

2 h 38 m

Trains per day

1

Distance

78 km

Cheap tickets

The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Inverness to Helmsdale is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.

The average ticket from Inverness to Helmsdale will cost around £29 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £29.

Fast trains

Of the 1 trains that leave Inverness for Helmsdale every day 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.

These direct trains cover the 78 km distance in an average of 2 h 38 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 2 h 38 m .

The slowest trains will take 2 h 38 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.

ScotRail
17:542h38
Inverness
20:32Helmsdale
£291One-way
0 changes

Travel Information

Compare train and coach for Inverness to Helmsdale

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Inverness to Helmsdale among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £16. For those with little time consider booking a coach which can get you there in 1h 47m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £16, and a train costs an average of £20.

Distance: 78 km

Compare train with

Most popular
Train
Coach

£25

Average Price

£16

Average Price

Cheapest

3h 6m

Average total duration

2h 36m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

2h 17m

Average total duration

Fastest

1h 47m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

Direct Options

Direct Options

Live departures

Inverness to Helmsdale train times

The table below shows live departures for Inverness to Helmsdale trains for today, Saturday 20 December. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.

Last updated at 09:07
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesChanges
Tickets
ScotRail10:41 Inverness
2h30
13:11 Helmsdale0 changesdirect
ScotRail14:00 Inverness
2h35
16:35 Helmsdale0 changesdirect
ScotRail18:31 Inverness
2h36
21:07 Helmsdale0 changesdirect

This is the last train of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Inverness to Helmsdale by train or coach

Compare train and coach 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.

Sun
21 Dec
Mon
22 Dec
Tue
23 Dec
Wed
24 Dec
Thu
25 Dec
Fri
26 Dec
Sat
27 Dec

Journey information

Overview: Train from Inverness to Helmsdale

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of train

Trains from Inverness to Helmsdale run on average 3 times per day, taking around 2h 36m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £20 but you can travel from only £16 by coach.

There are 3 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 07:00, the last at 18:31. The fastest train covers the 78 km distance in 2h 31m.

Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Coach from £16
Distance
78 km
Average train duration
2h 36m
Cheapest ticket price
£20
Trains per day
3
Direct trains
3
Fastest train
2h 31m
First train
07:00
Last train
18:31
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Coach from £16

Train companies: ScotRail from Inverness to Helmsdale trainsScotRail trains will get you between Inverness and Helmsdale from £16. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.

ScotRail

About
Scotrail is a train operating company in Scotland, providing rail services throughout the country. It operates a wide range of services, from commuter trains to long-distance intercity services. The company operates a variety of train types, including the Class 380, Class 385, Class 156, Class 158 and Class 170. These trains offer a range of onboard facilities, such as free Wi-Fi, power sockets, and comfortable seating. Scotrail also offers a range of ticket types, including Advance, Off-Peak, and Anytime tickets. The most popular routes for Scotrail include Glasgow to Edinburgh, Glasgow to Inverness, and Edinburgh to Aberdeen.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
2h 25m
Cheapest Price
£20
ScotRail frequency
3 a day
Luggage included
2 large items of luggage and 1 small item included
Luggage storage
Overhead racks, designated luggage areas at end of carriages, under seats
Cancellation Policy
According to ticket conditions mentioned above
Refund
Full refund if service canceled
Amenities on board the train
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Trolley service on most routes with snacks and drinks, some stations have catering facilities
Seat reservation
Seat reservations are free but optional, recommended during peak times
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Wheelchair spaces, accessible toilets, ramps for boarding, passenger assistance service available
Pets
Small pets in carriers travel free, dogs allowed with ticket (£1-£3), maximum 2 dogs per passenger, assistance dogs free
Quiet zone
Learn more about ScotRail

FAQs: Inverness to Helmsdale train

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Inverness to Helmsdale by train. 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 train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Helmsdale, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

FAQs
Yes, there is a direct train between Inverness and Helmsdale. The service operates 3 times per day, provided by ScotRail, ScotRail.
Yes, the train journey from Inverness to Helmsdale is known for its scenic views, featuring picturesque countryside, rolling hills, and glimpses of the North Sea along the way.
To explore Helmsdale and its attractions, a stay of 1 to 2 days is sufficient.
Booking trains from Inverness to Helmsdale in advance is advisable, especially during peak travel seasons or for long journeys, to ensure availability and secure better fares.
To get from Inverness to Helmsdale, you can choose from several travel options including train and coach.
The cost of a train ticket from Inverness to Helmsdale can vary. The cheapest tickets are usually available from £20, while the average price tends to be around £25.
A day trip from Inverness to Helmsdale is not feasible as the journey takes 2h 31m. However, there are 3 trains per day covering a distance of 78 km.
The cheapest way to get from Inverness to Helmsdale is by coach, costing approximately £16.
The train distance from Inverness to Helmsdale is 78 km.
The train station in Inverness that goes to Helmsdale is Inverness station (INV), and it arrives at Helmsdale station (HMS).
Currently, there is no high-speed train service from Inverness to Helmsdale.
The train journey from Inverness to Helmsdale covers a distance of 78 km and takes approximately 2h 31m. Trains run 3 per day.
Yes, you can take the train from Inverness to Helmsdale.
The first train from Inverness to Helmsdale leaves at 7:00.
The last train from Inverness to Helmsdale departs at 18:31.
Trains from Inverness to Helmsdale run approximately 3 times per day.
There is no night train service from Inverness to Helmsdale.

popular train stations

Important Stations and Airports in Inverness and Helmsdale

Inverness
Helmsdale
The major train station for departures in Inverness is Inverness. Find all the information you need to know about services, amenities and connections at Inverness for your trip from Inverness to Helmsdale.
InvernessWifiParkingDiningATMAccessibilityWCHotelLoungeLost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike ParkingCar RentalInformation Desk
Amenities at train station
WifiWifi
ParkingParking
DiningDining
ATMATM
AccessibilityAccessibility
WCWC
HotelHotel
LoungeLounge
Lost and Found OfficeLost and Found Office
Ticket OfficeTicket Office
Bike ParkingBike Parking
Car RentalCar Rental
Information DeskInformation Desk
information
address
Address
Inverness station, Academy Street, Inverness, Highland, IV2 3PY
ticketOfficeHours
Ticket Office Hours
  • Opening hours: Monday - Friday 06:30 - 20:30 Saturday 06:30 - 18:30 Sunday 09:15 - 20:20
Parking
Parking
  • Car Park: Station Car Park
Accessibility
Accessibility
  • Staff help available: Yes
  • Step free access coverage: Yes
  • Step free access note: This is a Category A station. This station has step-free access to all platforms. The Passenger Assist meeting point is at the automatic ticket gates Blue Badge parking bays: 3
  • Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users may require assistance using car park equipment at this station
  • Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
  • Accessible toilets: Yes
  • Ramp for train access: Yes
  • Wheelchairs available: Yes
  • Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes
WC
WC
  • Toilets Location: The toilets are located on the Concourse. The National key toilets are located on the Concourse; these toilets are operated by a radar key. Available between 0630 and 1930
  • National key toilets: Yes
  • Baby changing facilities: Yes
Bike Parking
Bike Parking
  • Storage sheltered: Yes
  • Storage CCTV: No
Information Desk
Information Desk
  • Information available from staff: Yes - from help point,Yes - from ticket office
  • Helpline Contact: Tel: 0800 046 1634 and 18001 0800 046 1634 (Deaf and customers who are hard of hearing)
  • Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements, Arrival screens
Public transport options for Inverness
  • Location for Rail Replacement Services: Buses pick up/drop off from the Eastgate side of the station at the short stay car park

More options for your journey from Inverness to Helmsdale

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need

Return trains from Helmsdale to Inverness
Tickets and more information for trains to Inverness
HomeTrainsInverness to Helmsdale train

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