Travel from Europe to Scotland

Planning to book a trip to Scotland from Europe? Check out which European airlines fly to Scotland with handy travel advice and public transport routes to explore the best sights the country has to offer. 

Plane landing at Barra Airport

Plane landing at Barra Airport

© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

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Beinn Chuirn, Argyll

© @sassenach.photography

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Getting to Scotland from Europe

Edinburgh airport

© VisitScotland / Paul Tomkins

Flights from Europe

Scotland’s international airports enjoy excellent year-round links with most European countries. There are also seasonal flights from Scotland’s islands over the peak summer and winter months which fly to some European destinations.

 

Year-round flights

 

Seasonal flights 

France 

Paris Orly Airport to Edinburgh Airport with Transavia; March – November (flying four times per week) 

Spain 

San Sebastian to Edinburgh Airport with BA CityFlyer; May – July (flying twice per week) 

Italy 

Florence to Edinburgh Airport with BA CityFlyer; May – October (flying two to three times per week) 

Netherlands 

Rotterdam The Hague Airport to Edinburgh Airport with BA CityFlyer; April – October (flying three times per week) 

DFDS Seaways

© DFDS

Ferries to Scotland

If you’re planning to take the ferry, you can travel to many seaports in England which is then just a short drive, train ride or bus journey away from Scotland. 

Make sure to check timetables and fare prices directly with ferry companies. 

From Amsterdam (Ijmuiden) to Newcastle and from Calais, Dunkirk or Dieppe to Dover/Newhaven with DFDS Seaways (Newcastle is just over an hour's drive and Dover around seven hours’ drive to the Scottish Borders). 

From Rotterdam to Hull or from Calais to Dover with P&O Ferries (Hull is around four hours' drive and Dover around seven hours’ drive to the Scottish Borders). 

From France or Spain to Portsmouth, Plymouth or Poole with Brittany Ferries (all roughly 6 hours 30 minutes drive to the Scottish Borders). 

From Hoek Van Holland or Rotterdam to Harwich with Stena Line (Harwich is around 6 hours’ drive to the Scottish Borders). 

The ScotRail Highland Explorer carriage

The ScotRail Highland Explorer carriage

© ScotRail

Travelling by train

The Eurotunnel is another eco-friendly way to cross the channel. The undersea railway tunnel links Southern England and Northern France with lots of direct travel options by coach, train or plane if you’re heading to Scotland. 

If you’re travelling by car or coach, you can use the Eurotunnel LeShuttle between Folkestone and Calais. Foot passengers can travel with Eurostar, offering high speed direct and indirect routes between the UK, France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. As you’re travelling across the channel, you’ll need to go through security, border and ticket checks. 

Stornoway Bus Station

Stornoway Bus Station

© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

Travelling by coach

Although there are no direct coaches from Europe to Scotland, there are a few UK coach providers that offer accessible routes if you’re travelling to Scotland via England or Wales. There are also lots of domestic routes available if you’re planning to explore further afield. 

  • National Express – runs routes to Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness. 
  • FlixBus – operating coach services from London to Edinburgh and Glasgow with domestic routes across Glasgow, Perth, Stirling and Aberdeen. 
  • Megabus – operates routes across Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness and Perth. 

Find out more about travel from England and Wales to Scotland

Travelling to Scotland from Europe - FAQs

Salisbury Crags

Which European cities have direct flights to Scotland? 

Scotland’s international airports – Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Glasgow Prestwick and Inverness are well served by direct year-round or seasonal flights from many European hubs. Destinations include: 

  • Alicante 
  • Amsterdam 
  • Barcelona 
  • Berlin 
  • Bergen 
  • Bologna 
  • Bordeaux 
  • Bucharest 
  • Budapest 
  • Copenhagen 
  • Dublin 
  • Dubrovnik 
  • Dusseldorf 
  • Frankfurt 
  • Gdansk 
  • Gran Canaria 
  • Ibiza 
  • Krakow 
  • Malaga 
  • Marseille 
  • Milan 
  • Naples 
  • Nice 
  • Palma 
  • Paris 
  • Pisa 
  • Prague 
  • Reykjavik 
  • Rome 
  • Rotterdam 
  • Split 
  • Stavanger 
  • Tenerife 
  • Venice 
  • Verona 
  • Zurich 

Passport

What travel documents do I need for my trip to Scotland? 

All EU visitors will need a valid passport to travel to Scotland. This needs to be valid for the duration of your stay. From 25 March 2025, you will need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) which will allow you to visit the UK. You’ll be able to travel with an ETA from 2 April 2025 onwards. 

Find out more on passports, visas and customs 

Are there any travel restrictions to Scotland? 

No. 

Ryanair aircraft at Glasgow Prestwick Airport

© VisitScotland / Paul Tomkins

How long is a typical flight from Europe to Scotland? 

With lots of direct flights from Europe to Scotland, you can expect to arrive here in just a few hours, depending on where you’re flying from: 

France 

  • Bordeaux to Edinburgh – approximately 2 hours 10 minutes 
  • Marseille to Edinburgh – approximately 2 hours 30 minutes 
  • Nice to Edinburgh – approximately 2 hours 40 minutes 
  • Paris to Edinburgh – approximately 1hour 50 minutes 
  • Paris to Glasgow – approximately 1 hour 45 minutes 

Germany 

  • Berlin to Edinburgh – approximately 2 hours 10 minutes 
  • Berlin to Glasgow – approximately 2 hours 15 minutes 
  • Dusseldorf to Edinburgh – approximately 1 hour 40 minutes 
  • Frankfurt to Edinburgh – approximately 2 hours  

Italy 

  • Bologna to Edinburgh – approximately 2 hours 50 minutes 
  • Milan to Edinburgh – approximately 2 hours 30 minutes 
  • Naples to Edinburgh – approximately 3 hours 30 minutes 
  • Naples to Glasgow – approximately 3 hours 30 minutes 
  • Pisa to Edinburgh – approximately 2 hours 40 minutes 
  • Rome to Edinburgh – approximately 3 hours 15 minutes 
  • Rome to Glasgow – approximately 3 hours 20 minutes 
  • Venice to Edinburgh – approximately 2 hours 55 minutes 
  • Verona to Edinburgh – approximately 2 hours 40 minutes 

Netherlands 

  • Amsterdam to Aberdeen – approximately 1 hour 30 minutes 
  • Amsterdam to Edinburgh – approximately 1 hour 25 minutes 
  • Amsterdam to Glasgow – approximately 1 hour 30 minutes 
  • Amsterdam to Inverness – approximately 1 hour 40 minutes 
  • Rotterdam to Edinburgh – approximately 1 hour 25 minutes 

Spain 

  • Alicante to Aberdeen – approximately 3 hours 20 minutes 
  • Alicante to Edinburgh – approximately 3 hours 10 minutes 
  • Alicante to Glasgow – approximately 3 hours 10 minutes 
  • Barcelona to Edinburgh – approximately 2 hours 55 minutes 
  • Barcelona to Glasgow – approximately 2 hours 55 minutes 
  • Gran Canaria to Edinburgh – approximately 4 hours 40 minutes 
  • Gran Canaria to Glasgow – approximately 4 hours 45 minutes 
  • Ibiza to Edinburgh – approximately 3 hours 10 minutes 
  • Ibiza to Glasgow – approximately 3 hours 10 minutes 
  • Malaga to Aberdeen – approximately 3 hours 30 minutes 
  • Malaga to Edinburgh – approximately 3 hours 25 minutes 
  • Malaga to Glasgow – approximately 3 hours 25 minutes 
  • Palma to Edinburgh – approximately 3 hours 10 minutes 
  • Palma to Glasgow – approximately 3 hours 10 minutes 
  • Tenerife to Edinburgh – approximately 4 hours 40 minutes 
  • Tenerife to Glasgow – approximately 4 hours 40 minutes 

Caledonian Sleeper near Dalwhinnie

© Caledonian Sleeper

I’m planning to visit London for a holiday first, are there direct flights and public transport available to Scotland? 

Yes, British Airways, easyJet and Ryanair fly direct from London City, Gatwick, Heathrow, Luton and Stansted Airport to Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness Airport.  

Scotland is also well connected by rail. Travel overnight on the Caledonian Sleeper. Departing every night from London Euston (except Saturday), wake up in a Scottish city, seaside town or magical Highland landscape. The choice is yours! 

Find out more information on travel from London to Scotland 

A group of friends at Perth Train Station

Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)

If you’re travelling to Scotland from Europe, you’ll be eligible to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) from 5 March 2025 and will be able to travel to the UK with an ETA from 2 April 2025.

This will give you permission to travel to the UK which is electronically linked to your passport. Check out our guide on how to apply for the new ETA scheme. 

Touring in a classic car

Touring in a classic car

© VisitScotland / Kate Abbey

Prepare for your trip to Scotland

Looking to plan the ultimate trip to Scotland? We’ve rounded up our top tips and travel advice to help you get organised. Vehicle hire also gives you the freedom and flexibility of exploring Scotland at your own pace. 

Tram on Princes Street with Edinburgh Castle in the background

© Kenny Lam

Getting around Scotland by public transport

Your trip to Scotland is only just beginning. Our country is well served by public transport routes giving you the freedom to travel whenever you want and wherever you like. Find out more information on Traveline Scotland’s website on local bus services, rail links, ferries, tram routes in Edinburgh and the Subway in Glasgow.

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