Expert: David Stewart White - 12/5/2008

Question
My husband and I are trying to arrange a trip to Inverness, Scotland. To save on airfare, I was wondering if it would be possible to fly from Raleigh, NC USA to London and then take a train from London to Inverness. Would this be possible? How long might traveling from London to Inverness by train take? How much would it cost? Upon arrival in Inverness, is taxi services available to get to our hotel? Any suggestions or possible all-flight routes or airlines to consider? Thank you!

Answer
Hi

I don't recommend the fly-rail combination through London--not because of cost, but because of the logistics and time that it would take once you landed in London until you reach Inverness.  You'd have to make your way from Heathrow airport, which is west of downtown London, into the city (rail, taxi, or subway), then across the city to London's Kings Cross or Euston rail stations, and then spend 9+ hours on the train to Scotland.  If you were staying in London for a few days, though, it would be more logical.

That said, there are NO easy airline connections between RDU (Raleigh) and Inverness.  Most flights from the US to London land at Heathrow (LHR) Airport; flights from London to Inverness go from London Gatwick airport(LGW)...that means a connecting bus in London from Heathrow to Gatwick, which is not good.

You can fly RDU to LHR on American/British codeshare flights, then connect to Edinburgh and then on to Inverness.  That's a lot of flight connections, but it gets you there.  The same option applies if you routed through Glasgow.  

Have you considered flying to Scotland, either Edinburgh or Glasgow, then driving to Inverness?  It's about 3-4 hours by car from either airport.  The drive from Glasgow, through Ft. William and the Highlands, to Inverness is just "bonnie", to use the Scottish vernacular.

I wish I had an easier answer.  It does make it difficult for North Carolinians to retract their Scottish roots! (if that applies to you).

Regards,

David White