Travelling to Skye

Travel to the Isle of Skye

The two main ways of reaching the Isle of Skye in Scotland are by train or bus. If you are travelling from further away it might make sense to start with a flight, but the international airport is Glasgow International Airport (GLA) nearly 200 miles (322 km) away, and the closest regional airport is Inverness Airport (INV), over 100 miles (161 km) away. As such, air travel will have to be combined with other forms of transport once you’re in Glasgow or Inverness. From Glasgow, there is a direct 5h train to Mallaig, which sits on the coast opposite the Isle of Skye, from where a ferry can be taken across to Armadale.

Alternatively, a CityLink bus can also get you from Glasgow to the Isle of Skye in around 7h. From Inverness, a direct train to Kyle of Lochalsh takes around 2 and a halfh, and from here, a short bus ride across the Skye Bridge will take you to the Isle of Skye. Otherwise a direct CityLink bus from Inverness to the Isle of Skye will take around 3h.

About the Isle of Skye

The Isle of Skye is the largest of the Inner Hebrides islands in Scotland, and one of its and the UK’s top destinations. Boasting the beautiful Cullin mountains, breathtaking sea views, stunning beaches and the otherworldly landscapes of its landslips, the island is a popular destination for scenic drives and walks for all ages, its quaint towns, and to enjoy great seafood.

Public transport in the Isle of Skye

Public transport in the Isle of Skye is limited to buses. Buses are primarily run by Stagecoach and you can find their timetables online. They also offer a DayRider bus pass which allows you to travel on any Stagecoach bus for a full day. CityLink also has limited routes on the island, for example: between Portree Square, Kyleakin, Broadford, Sligachan, and Liub. As public transport is more infrequent compared to a larger city, make sure to plan your day around the bus timetables.

Important bus & train stations, airports to the Isle of Skye?

Arrival bus, train, flight station, airport: The closest airport to the Isle of Skye is Inverness Airport, which is nearly 120 miles (193 km) from Portree, the largest town and capital of the island. As a small, older airport, you will find a limited selection of services, such as a bookstore, a whiskey store, and a handful of bars and restaurants. Kyle of Lochalsh railway station is the closest station to the Isle of Skye, around 35 miles (56 km) from Portree. Facilities available at the station include: Wi-Fi, seating areas and a waiting room, restaurants, toilets and baby changing facilities.

Which companies travel to the Isle of Skye?

Buses travelling to the Isle of Skye are generally operated by CityLink, providing direct buses from both Inverness and Glasgow. However, when catching a bus from Kyle of Lochalsh, Stagecoach provides the more local route, stopping at Broadford, Sconser, and Portree. Both the West Highland Line trains from Glasgow and the Kyle Line trains from Inverness are operated by ScotRail.

Skye Man Travel. Source: Shutterstock

CityLink bus to the Isle of Skye

From Inverness, CityLink provides 2 direct bus services a day to Portree on the Isle of Skye, plus another 2 services with 2 changes in Invergarry. The direct bus takes around 3h to arrive at Portree, while the bus with changes in Invergarry takes around 4h. From Glasgow, there are 3 direct services a day to Portree, taking either around 6h and 20min or 6h and 54min.

Stagecoach bus to the Isle of Skye

From Inverness, Stagecoach provides the bus service to the Isle of Skye, stopping at Broadford, Sconser, and Portree. The bus 917 operates twice daily and takes around 1h to reach Portree from Inverness.

ScotRail train to the Isle of Skye

While there is no rail service to the Isle of Skye, ScotRail trains can get you to as close as Mallaig next to Skye, just across the water. From there a quick ferry ride will bring you to Armadale on the Isle of Skye. From Glasgow to Mallaig, there are 3 trains available Monday to Friday and just 2 on Sunday, with most journeys taking less than 5h and 20min. Alternatively, from Inverness a train will take you to as close as Kyle of Lochalsh, known as the gateway to the Isle of Skye, where a Stagecoach bus will take you over the Skye Bridge onto the island. There are 4 trains available Monday to Saturday and just 1 on Sunday, with most journeys taking around 2h and 40min.

How to find cheap tickets to the Isle of Skye?

There are several things you can do to facilitate finding cheaper deals on tickets to the Isle of Skye. First of all, book in advance- the earlier you book, the better your chances are of finding the best deals. Be flexible with your travel dates and times- less popular journeys, like ones on less busy days, late or earlyh, with changes or delays, tend to be cheaper. Our Omio magazine also has useful tips to help you discover how to travel.

Skye Brick. Source: Shutterstock

Travel to Isle of Skye —travel tips

The Isle of Skye is home to some of the most stunning views in the United Kingdom, and the journey there can be just as enchanting. Both the West Highland Line from Glasgow to Mallaig and the Kyle Line from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh are some of Europe’s finest rail experiences- journeying past scenic views of the Scottish Highlands at every turn. Once there, Skye has something to offer for everyone, whether you’re after a romantic getaway, nature-spotting vacation or a family adventure.

The island’s unique landscape makes it a paradise for hikers- the ancient landslips of the Quiraing and the Old Man of Storr offer dramatic landscapes of uniquely shaped hills and rock formations that seem almost alien. You can spot wildlife such as majestic red deer, golden eagles, and Scotland’s most famous animal- the highland cattle or “hairy coos”. Swim in the famous Fairy Pools or the many beaches if you’re brave enough, or go sailing- with the chance to spot whales, seals and dolphins. Look at a waterfall that plunges directly into the sea at Mealt Falls.

To recover from the hiking, head to the quaint local pubs to enjoy live Scottish music with a real atmosphere. Spend some time in the largest town of Portree, and admire the cute and colourful Nyhavn-like houses before shopping for unique local boutiques. Enjoy locally caught seafood in Michelin Starred restaurants like the Three Chimneys and Loch Bay, of which there are surprisingly a few on this small island.

For a bit of history, discover the oldest inhabited castle in Scotland in Dunvegan Castle, where you can even stay if you so wish. Camp out anywhere in the beautiful nature due to Scotland’s unique outdoor access rights, and finally, if you’re here during the darker months of the year- look up into the night sky in the Island’s remote regions for a chance to see the Aurora Borealis.

Public Transport in Isle of Skye

Although many visitors to Skye rely on their own vehicles, rental cars or bicycles for transportation, it is possible to explore most parts of the island using public transport - although this does require some careful planning. The main town, Portree, is the hub for most island bus routes, although there is also a frequent bus connection between Armadale over the Skye Bridge to the nearest mainland rail station at Kyle of Lochalsh. Local bus operator Stagecoach divides its Skye routes into north and south island services from Portree. Southern routes include connections to Ardvasar, Glasnakille and Broadford. Northern routes around Skye include a service to the Hebridean ferry terminal at Uig, as well as connections to Dunvegan, Glendale and Peinchorran. Citylink coaches arriving from Glasgow continue across the island following the  A87 road, from Kyleakin to Uig, stopping at Broadford, Sligachan and Portree on the way. Ferry connections to the mainland are provided by Calmac, operating from Armadale to Mallaig. Skye Ferry provides an additional summer boat service from Kylerhea on the island to Glenelg on the mainland.  travellers should be aware that public transport on Skye on Sundays is very limited, and several routes offer no Sunday service.