How to Visit Urquhart Castle on a Budget: Tickets, Transport & Loch Ness Views
Peeking out into Loch Ness, you'll find Urquhart Castle - dating back to the 13th century, and a site that played an important role during the wars of Scottish Independence. Today, the ruins of the castle sit dramatically on the edge of the loch, offering wide views across the water and a chance to explore one of Scotland’s most famous historic landmarks.
Among some of the most scenic castle ruins in the country, a visit to Urquhart Castle makes an unforgettable day out, paired with a trip to the neighbouring village of Drumnadrochit. There are direct public transport routes to the castle, which has its own bus stop, from the backpacker hubs of Inverness and Lochside Hostel in Alltsigh. Read on to find out more about planning your day trip from either.
Beds at Lochside Hostel and Inverness Student Hotel start from just £21 and £23.50 this Autumn, so be sure to book your stay through Scotland's Top Hostels to get the best price and flexibility:
Contents
How to Get to Urquhart Castle: Public Transport from Inverness & Alltsigh (Lochside Hostel)
How Much Does It Cost to Visit Urquhart Castle and Is It Worth It?
The Best Things to Do Around Urquhart Castle: Visiting Drumnadrochit and Feeding Hairy Coos
Where to Stay Near Urquhart Castle on a Budget: Inverness Student Hotel and Lochside Hostel
Frequently Asked Questions: Visiting Urquhart Castle from Inverness & Alltsigh
How to Get to Urquhart Castle: Public Transport from Inverness & Alltsigh (Lochside Hostel)
Urquhart Castle has its own bus stop that is serviced by two operators, Citylink and Ember. Buses come regularly from Inverness, Lochside Hostel, Fort Augustus, the Isle of Skye, Fort William, Oban and beyond throughout the day. Thanks to the new £2 Highland Bus Fare Cap scheme, you can travel to Urquhart Castle from any of those destinations for less than the price of a cup of coffee!
It's around a 30 minute bus from Inverness, where you can take a bus from the main bus station in the centre of the city. If you're staying at Inverness Student Hotel, that's just a short walk into town from this affordable, social backpackers hub. Buses go each direction until the early evening, but it's best to check for the latest timetables which may be subject to change over the Autumn.
Even closer, you can take a bus for around 15-20 minutes from Lochside Hostel, directly on the shore of Loch Ness. With daily social events, access to the Great Glen Way Hiking Routes, and more, Lochside Hostel is the perfect place to visit to get away from the cities of Scotland and spend time in nature.
A day trip to/from Urquhart Castle from both Inverness and Lochside Hostel is made easy, just book your £2 bus tickets (each way) in advance online through Citylink or Ember:
How Much Does It Cost to Visit Urquhart Castle and Is It Worth It?
As I've noted in the intro to this guide, Urquhart Castle is best understood as the ruins of a Castle. If you're looking to visit a fully-reconstructed castle, you'd be better taking a day trip from Lochside Hostel to the (also world-famous) Eilean Donan Castle, a short bus ride in the other direction. Explore those journeys and more in our guide to £2 bus day trips from Lochside Hostel here:
So, with it costing £2 for a single ticket to get to Urquhart Castle from most Highland destinations - how much does it cost to enter the ruins themselves? As of September 2026, an adult ticket to visit Urquhart Castle cost £14.00 when booked online in advance (the cheapest way to do it, as booking in-person costs £2 more!). There are discounts for students, seniors and other concessions making a ticket for those groups £11.
This puts a visit to Urquhart Castle around the middle price-wise of attractions around Loch Ness, with a visit to nearby Drumbuie Farm to feed Highland Coos costing just £5, and a visit to the Loch Ness Centre costing £15.75 for an adult as of September 2026.
Visiting Urquhart Castle, you'll be able to see the outdoor remains of the banquet hall, prison cells, and a full-sized reconstruction of a trebuchet. All-in-all, you can expect to spend around an hour or so exploring the ruins, meaning it is a pricier attraction overall in terms of value for money. The big appeal for many backpackers, however, is the stunning views jutting out onto Loch Ness, which are practically unparalleled around the Loch.
To put it quickly - if you plan to visit, the cheapest way to do so is to book your tickets in advance online to save. Visiting Urquhart Castle has become much cheaper thanks to the £2 bus fare cap (where previously bus tickets cost upwards of £12 alone!).
The Best Things to Do Around Urquhart Castle: Visiting Drumnadrochit and Feeding Hairy Coos
Don't be intimidated by the pronunciation of Drumnadrochit (the locals all just call it Drum anyways, and you can ask for a 'ticket to Drum' on the bus and the driver will understand what you mean!). The village is one of the main tourist hubs surrounding Loch Ness, located a short way from the shoreline in the scenic Glen Urquhart valley.
Drum itself is best known as home to the Loch Ness Centre, the building where the infamous 'Surgeons Photograph' of the Loch Ness Monster was taken. Recently refurbished, the centre plays host to an exhibition exploring the myths and legends surrounding the monster, and the ancient geological history of the Loch.
Just a short walk is the village centre, surrounding a pleasant park where you'll find nice places to eat and drink - including Fiddlers Restaurant, which serves up fresh local fare and craft beer. Be aware that prices in Drum are generally higher than other parts of the Highlands owing to its tourist-heavy nature. A short walk away is the Scotmid Coop Supermarket, where you can pick up a cheap packed lunch.
And of course, many flock to Drum to head a short walk up the road to Drumbuie Farm, where you can feed big fluffy Highland Coos for just £5.
Check out our trip report to help plan all the best things to do in your 2-in-1 visit to Urquhart Castle and Drumnadrochit:
Where to Stay Near Urquhart Castle on a Budget: Inverness Student Hotel and Lochside Hostel
A City-Centre Break in the Highland Capital at Inverness Student Hotel
For a proper, social, affordable backpackers experience while you visit Inverness and day-trip to Urquhart Castle, your best option is Inverness Student Hotel - located just moments from the city centre and with an unbeatable view overlooking the river and skyline, you can enjoy its cosy lounges, well-equipped kitchen, and friendly atmosphere with a social vibe from just £27.50 per night in 2026.
I've spent many a great evening meeting other travellers and playing card games in the lounge, while the friendly staff are often more than happy to take backpackers for a night out around the city's lively pubs, or join you for a riverside walk along the banks of the River Ness, with its scenic river path starting just outside the hostel.
There's warm showers, bike storage, free tea and coffee to be enjoyed, and an all-round fuzzy, warm vibe to the hostel that you won't forget.
Book your stay with Scotland's Top Hostels for the best price and flexibility:
An Unforgettable Social Stay on the Shores of Loch Ness at Lochside Hostel in Alltsigh
With an abundance of budget backpacker accommodation, epic views, and useful tourist amenities, there's little better place to base yourself for a trip to the Scottish Highlands than on the shores of Loch Ness. Bus routes included in the £2 bus fare scheme often transit through the backpacker hubs of Inverness and Fort William, but taking a step out of the major towns affords you the chance to immerse yourself in the epic surroundings and nature without losing any convenience.
Basing yourself at the Lochside Hostel in Alltsigh, on the banks of Loch Ness, direct buses to the Isle of Skye, Fort William, Inverness, and attractions at Urquhart Castle, Drumnadrochit, Invermoriston and Fort Augustus stop directly at the hostel's front door. This makes it easy to take day trips to unforgettable locations and keep any bulky backpack or luggage at the hostel while you explore.
Onward travel is also made easy if you choose to stay on Loch Ness, given that you can easily take connecting transport back to Edinburgh or Glasgow from nearby transport hubs. It's all the excitement of staying in the middle of nature without the seclusion, and the social atmosphere at Lochside keeps your evenings just as active as your days, with nightly events to help you meet fellow travellers.
Use code LOCHNESSYES to get 15% off your stay at Lochside Hostel, exclusive to the Scotland's Top Hostels Travel Guide:
Frequently Asked Questions: Visiting Urquhart Castle from Inverness & Alltsigh
How do I get to Urquhart Castle from Inverness without a car?
Taking public transport from Inverness to Urquhart Castle is quick and straightforward. You can board the Scottish Citylink or Ember bus from Inverness Bus Station directly to the Urquhart Castle bus stop along the A82. The ride takes roughly 35 to 40 minutes, dropping you off right at the entrance. Staying at Inverness Student Hotel puts you just a short downhill walk from the bus station, making it an ideal city spot for a day trip to the castle.
How far is Urquhart Castle from Lochside Hostel in Alltsigh?
Urquhart Castle is located approximately 8 miles (13 km) north of Lochside Hostel in Alltsigh. You can catch the northbound Citylink 917 or 919 bus directly from the A82 stop outside the hostel, reaching the castle in 15-20 minutes. Alternatively, active backpackers staying at Lochside Hostel can hike north along a scenic section of the Great Glen Way or rent one of the hostel’s kayaks to view the dramatic castle ruins directly from the waters of Loch Ness.
Do I need to book tickets for Urquhart Castle in advance?
Yes, booking your tickets online in advance via Historic Environment Scotland is strongly recommended—especially during the peak summer and colorful autumn seasons. Advance tickets guarantee your entry time slot and are cheaper than paying on arrival at the visitor center. If you stay at Lochside Hostel or Inverness Student Hotel, the reception teams can help you check entry times and organize your bus itinerary for the day.
Can you see Urquhart Castle without paying for entry?
While you need a paid ticket to enter the ruins, alk among the tower walls, and access the gift shop, you can catch views of Urquhart Castle from the surrounding landscape. You get a glimpse of the ruins from the A82 road, but the best free vantage point is from the water itself.
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