Bus passing Marischal College in Aberdeen
© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam
Coach operators
Most of the inter-city and longer distance coach services around Scotland are provided by:
You can buy tickets in advance online, by phone, in stations and often on board. It's a good idea to book as early as possible to guarantee a seat.
Coach discount fare options
If you plan to do a lot of travelling by coach, save money with multi-journey tickets, such as:
- Explorer Pass - offers unlimited travel on Scottish Citylink network
- Megarider - offered by Stagecoach and provides unlimited travel within certain areas
- National Express offers - explore ways to save money on coach travel with National Express
City Sightseeing bus in Rothesay
© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam
Minibus and coach tours
Coach tours of Scotland range from small private day trips and weekend minibus tours to longer coach excursions in more remote places. It's a great way to meet fellow travellers and you can find trips to suit every budget and itinerary.
Find your perfect:
City bus tours
Taking a city bus tour in Scotland is an excellent way of finding your feet on the first day of your holiday or squeezing in a last burst of sightseeing. Most of Scotland's cities have guided bus trips which provide a whirlwind tour of the main attractions and in multiple languages. Join themed bus tours such as royal connections or famous ghost stories.
Hop-on/hop-off tours are popular because they get you around the city with interesting information on the way. Some tickets are valid for more than one day, so you can take your time and board the bus as many times as you like.
A First bus for Jedburgh in the centre of Kelso, Scottish Borders
© VisitScotland / Paul Tomkins
What coach journeys go from England to Scotland?
You can easily get to Scotland by road from the rest of Britain and they’re usually a cost-effective way of planning your travel.
- National Express run coach services to Scotland with routes to Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness.
- FlixBus operate daily services from London to Edinburgh and Glasgow. They also run domestic routes across Glasgow, Perth, Stirling and Aberdeen.
- Megabus cover some routes including Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness and Perth. On some overnight services, passengers have their own berth as well as a standard seat for greater comfort during their journey.
Read more about travelling from England to Scotland
Are coach and bus services suitable for families?
It’s worth checking directly with your service provider, but lots of Scotland’s bus services and routes are child-friendly. Some even offer family tickets, discounts or free travel for children travelling with accompanying adults.
What local bus services are there in Scotland?
There are four main operators that run local bus services in Scotland between the main cities, towns and villages – First, Stagecoach, Lothian Buses and National Express, as well as a number of independent operators. Visit their websites directly for more information.
What themes do coach tours cover?
Coach tour itineraries can be themed by specific interests. Maybe you'd like a tour to historic attractions or you're keen to visit our whisky distilleries and sample a dram? You can choose a tour company who'll create a tailored trip just for you.
The Forth Bridge seen from North Queensferry.
© VisitScotland/ Kenny Lam
Self-driving bus route
Sit back and take in the views across the Firth of Forth on a self-driving bus! It’s the most ambitious and complex autonomous bus pilot in the world!
