How to get to Fort William from Edinburgh

Mon 02 Nov
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Caledonian Sleeper
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Avanti West Coast
1,000+ more
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Travel Information

Compare train and coach for Edinburgh to Fort William

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Edinburgh to Fort William among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of £60 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 5h 14m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of £60, while a train costs an average of £60.

Distance: 152 km

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Most popular
Train
Driving

£60

Average Price

Cheapest

£66

Average Price

(fuel + tolls)

5h 14m

Average total duration

Fastest

4h 44m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

3h 14m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

Scotrail

Most popular train company

Your own car or car rental

Direct Options

Direct Options

Compare ways to travel from Edinburgh to Fort William

Compare the available ways to get from Edinburgh to Fort William, with the key details around price, speed, convenience, and direct service.

The cheapest way to travel from Edinburgh to Fort William is a train with an average price of £60.
The fastest way to travel from Edinburgh to Fort William is by train with an average journey time of 5h 14m.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Edinburgh and Fort William including taking a train and coach.
Take the train. It's the cheaper option, and the extra time on board is usually more relaxing than driving it.

Tickets start at around £60 compared to roughly £66 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £7. The journey takes 4h 44m versus 3h 14m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can work, read, or sleep along the way rather than spending the time behind the wheel. You'll also save the hassle of parking at the other end.

Driving is worth it if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group, or want to stop somewhere en route.

Travel options
from Edinburgh to Fort William

How to get to Fort William from Edinburgh by train, bus, flight or ferry.

Our recommendation

train

The best way to travel from Edinburgh to Fort William is by taking a train because it’s the best combination of price and speed.

  • ScotrailL88012 · C14856_C14883
    1 change

Cheapest

  • ScotrailL88012 · C14856_C14883
    1 change

Fastest

  • ScotrailL88012 · C14856_C14883
    1 change

Other options

  • ScotrailL87902 · C14833_C14877
    1 change
  • ScotrailL87781 · C14823_C14874
    1 change

Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .

Compare prices and tickets Prices for trains, coaches, flights and ferries

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.

Train

Best day trips from Fort William by bus

The most popular day trips by bus from Fort William are Glencoe, Mallaig, Glenfinnan, Oban and Inverness. Find out what you can do in these day trip destinations and how to book your bus from Fort William on Omio.

A view of Mallaig

Day trip from Fort William to Mallaig by bus

Why visit Mallaig for the day?

Mallaig is a small west coast harbour village known for fishing, ferries and wide sea views towards Skye. It has a practical, maritime feel, with seafood, pubs and a rugged Highland backdrop.

A view of Oban

Day trip from Fort William to Oban by bus

Why visit Oban for the day?

Oban is a lively harbour town on Scotland’s west coast, known for seafood, whisky and views across Oban Bay. Often called the gateway to the Hebrides, it has a compact seafront setting and a busy maritime character.

A view of Inverness

Day trip from Fort William to Inverness by bus

Why visit Inverness for the day?

Inverness is known as the capital of the Highlands, set on the River Ness near Loch Ness. Its compact centre mixes Victorian character, Highland history and a relaxed atmosphere.

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FAQs: Edinburgh to Fort William

Travel to Fort William easily. Whether you want fast, cheap or something entirely different, our travel experts have collected everything you need to know so you can find the best option from Edinburgh to Fort William.

FAQs
There are 2 options to travel between Edinburgh and Fort William including taking a train and coach.
The cheapest way to travel from Edinburgh to Fort William is a train with an average price of £60.
The fastest way to travel from Edinburgh to Fort William is by train with an average journey time of 5h 14m.
The Edinburgh to Fort William distance is approximately 152 km.
The average frequency per day from Edinburgh to Fort William is:
  • Around 2 trains per day.

However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Edinburgh and Fort William as scheduled services by train and coach can vary by season or day of the week.

These are the most popular departure and arrival points from Edinburgh to Fort William:
  • Trains mostly depart from Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) and arrive in Fort William station (FTW).
  • Coaches mostly depart from Edinburgh, North Bridge and arrive in Fort William.
If finding a good deal is your main consideration for your trip from Edinburgh to Fort William, then we'll help you find the best value travel companies for you:
  • Travel with Scotrail, Caledonian Sleeper to go to Fort William by train.
Yes, there is a direct route available from Edinburgh to Fort William:
  • 0 direct trains per day with Caledonian Sleeper.
Omio customers who travel from Edinburgh to Fort William often also extend their vacation to go to Glasgow, Mallaig, London, Inverness, Glenfinnan. Omio can help you plan your trip by finding the best connections between Fort William and these popular destinations at a great price.
To get from Edinburgh to Fort William, you can choose from several travel options including train and coach.
In Fort William, you can enjoy a scenic journey on the Jacobite Steam Train, explore the Nevis Range Mountain Resort for skiing and mountain biking, and take a hike to the dramatic Steall Waterfall. Attend the Fort William Mountain Festival to celebrate mountain culture, and take boat trips on Loch Linnhe for wildlife spotting. Visit Ben Nevis for challenging hikes, explore the picturesque Glen Nevis, and delve into local history at the West Highland Museum. Don't miss Neptune's Staircase for its engineering marvel and the historical ruins of Old Inverlochy Castle.
Spending 2 to 3 days in Fort William allows for exploring the town, hiking Ben Nevis, and visiting nearby attractions like Glen Nevis and the West Highland Museum.

Travelling from Edinburgh to Fort William: related information

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

HomeTravelTravel to United KingdomTravel to Fort WilliamHow to get to Fort William from Edinburgh

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