The Ultimate Scottish Highlands Bus Route: Prices Between Hostels & How to Plan Your Trip
- Jay
- May 5
- 9 min read
Travelling through Scotland this summer and looking to make the most of your trip without the hassle of having to rent a car? With a little bit of planning you can easily travel across the Highlands and stay in affordable social hostels in incredible locations with scenic views.
The best part is, bus fares around the Scottish Highlands now start from just £2 thanks to a government scheme!
Check out this bus route departing from the backpacker hub of Edinburgh, and exploring iconic destinations including Loch Ness and the Isle of Skye. Explore this route over two weeks to make the best of your time in the Highlands. The total transport cost for this route starts from around just £47!
Book your accommodation with Scotland's Top Hostels for the best price and flexibility:
How to Travel from Edinburgh to Pitlochry by Bus
Starting from the bustling backpacker hub of Edinburgh, you can easily get to Pitlochry, the 'gateway' to the Highlands by bus from as little as £12. A bus operator called Ember operates at least 8 buses a day from the city centre of Edinburgh directly to Pitlochry, taking just under 2 hours. Ember makes it easy, too, as you can cancel and change tickets up to just before departure for no charge.
Pitlochry makes the perfect welcome to the Highlands - it's a cosy town nestled in beautiful hillsides surrounding it. If you're adventurous, you can hike the nearby mountain Ben Vrackie in around 3.5 - 4.5 hours, or in the nearby Tay Forest Park. There's plenty to do without leaving Pitlochry itself, too, including visiting the famous Fish Ladder, watching a show at the Festival Theatre, or enjoying a traditional pub atmosphere at The Auld Smiddy Inn.
Make Pitlochry an overnight stop - it has great places to eat, drink, and an evening walk along the River Tay is an unmissable part of any Highlands trip. Book your stay at the centrally-located and laid-back Pitlochry Backpackers Hotel, where dorm beds start from just £27.50 this summer:
How to Get from Pitlochry to Inverness by Bus
You can continue your journey again using Ember to travel to Inverness, the capital of the Highlands from just £10. The bus departs from the town centre of Pitlochry, a few minutes walk away from the hostel. It's the same bus line you will have taken from Edinburgh to Pitlochry, and departs just as frequently:
As the Highlands' only city, Inverness makes a great backpacking destination, with scenic views looking to the mountains of Ben Wyvis next to the forests of the Black Isle. It boasts a compact, walkable and historic city centre that plays host to bustling nightlife, particularly on the weekends. It's a fantastic balance between the picturesque magic of the Highlands while still having a buzz.
There's plenty to do in the city centre itself, from visiting the immersive experiences at the newly renovated Inverness Castle, or heading to the Inverness Museum & Art Gallery, which is completely free to explore. Just a short walk down the street, you can find the Victorian Market, with a diverse street food offering, and Leakey's Bookshop, the largest second-hand bookshop in Scotland located in an old church.
Check out our full backpackers guide to Inverness here:
A top tip - try to make Inverness a weekend overnight stay if you can. The bars and pubs along Church Street are filled with live music, and the hostels are usually full of fellow travellers looking for a great night out, who you can plan more Highland adventures with if your heads aren't too sore the following morning!
Book your stay at Inverness Student Hotel, where dorm beds start from just £27.50 this summer:
Can You Travel from Inverness to Loch Ness by Bus?
Yes! And the great news is, it will cost you just £2. There are frequently available bus services throughout the daytime, with the first bus in the summertime leaving at 04:31am, and the last bus at 06:09pm.
Loch Ness is a must-see backpackers destination, with much to see and do, whether you're wanting to explore old castle ruins, hike up hills with incredible views over the Loch, kayak on the water, or head out on a boat tour.
There are multiple hostels along Loch Ness, but for backpackers, the clear choice is the Lochside Hostel. There are daily social events including everything from Scottish Folk Dancing to Social Group Hikes. It's surrounded by nature, but with its own dedicated bus stop, and a beach directly onto the Loch. If you want a classic 'Highlands' experience without feeling like you're on your own in the middle of nowhere, Lochside is it - social, fun, friendly, relaxed.
From Lochside Hostel, it's very easy and affordable to explore other destinations around the Loch using the bus that departs right from the hostel front door, including the world-famous ruins of Urquhart Castle, exhibitions on the mythical monster at the Loch Ness Centre and great day hikes along the Great Glen Way hiking route.
Check out our full budget backpackers' guide to Loch Ness here:
The bus stop you'll want to travel to is named after the hostel, so literally Lochside Hostel. Two operators run this route, with both taking part in the new £2 bus scheme: Citylink and Ember. The bus takes only about 50 minutes. Lochside has a small shop and bar on-site, but we recommend also stocking up on supplies before you leave Inverness.
A top tip - this route gets very busy in the Summer high season, so best to book your journey in advance. Explore departure times and book your tickets below:
How to Get from Loch Ness to the Isle of Skye by Bus
Continue your journey around this picturesque and mountainous part of Scotland for just another £2 bus fare! Next up is the Isle of Skye, often a bucket list destination for backpackers visiting Scotland. With rugged mountain ranges, white sand beaches, and scenic views, it's one of the most visually striking parts of the Highlands.
It's often said that the 'Misty Isle' is best explored by car, but if car hire isn't within your budget, there's no need to worry, we've put together a guide to the best affordable and free things to do on Skye without a car:
There's just one bus route that travels from destinations around Loch Ness to the Isle of Skye - the Citylink 917 Bus. The good news is, if you stay at Lochside Hostel during your time on Loch Ness, the bus goes directly to the Isle of Skye in around 1 hour 20 minutes. It's highly recommended to book this route in advance, as seats are limited and it only travels in each direction 3 times a day, once in the morning, afternoon and evening:
The backpackers choice for hostels on the Isle of Skye is Skye Backpackers - Skye is notoriously expensive and having a kitchen is a massive plus to any backpacking trip here. Skye Backpackers also has unique dorms (2 of them are in caravans in the garden!) and is located next to the King Haakon Bar - one of the Highland's most famous pubs for socialising with the locals!
Located in the town of Kyleakin (where you'll want to catch the 917 bus to), it features an epic view of the Skye Bridge, easy walking distance to the Castle Moil ruins (allegedly once inhabited by a Norwegian Queen), and easy bus connections to the harbour town of Portree, the Old Bridge of Sligachan, and more. Beds start from just £27.50 this summer:
How to Travel from the Isle of Skye to Fort William by Bus
An obvious next destination for backpackers departing the Isle of Skye is the Scotland's 'adventure capital', Fort William. Nestled on a harbour in the shadow of Britain's tallest mountain, Ben Nevis, and a short distance from unbeatable mountain views in Glencoe, or the famous 'Harry Potter bridge' at Glenfinnan Viaduct, it makes a fantastic base for affordable day trips.
Check out our full guide to day trips you can take from Fort William for just £2 each way here:
When leaving from the Isle of Skye, you'll want to take the Citylink 915 Bus in the direction of Glasgow, to arrive in Fort William in just under 2 hours if departing from Kyleakin. And to remind you once again, it costs just £2!
The town of Fort William itself is always brimming with excited travellers on their next adventure - consider making it an overnight stop, where you can pack in some evening bouldering at Three Wise Monkeys Climbing in the town centre, or visit the Ben Nevis Bar, with its unrivalled terrace looking out over the water.
Book your stay in Fort William at Fort William Backpackers - located in a stunning Victorian house overlooking Loch Linnhe, with a fire pit for cosy summer evenings, and beds starting from just £27.50 this summer:
Travelling from Fort William to Oban by Bus
The best way to finish your time in the Highlands is a visit to the scenic port town of Oban. Often described as the 'gateway to the Islands', you can explore the historic and picturesque Isle of Mull, and the pilgrimage spot of Iona, or head out puffin-spotting on the Isles of Staffa and Eorsa, all just a short ferry ride from Oban.
Around the town itself you'll find plenty to do and see, with McCaig's Tower peering over the town centre, amazing seafood at spots like the Oban Inn, and unrivalled scenic views at the nearby Castle Stalker, just a short bus ride out of town. In the evenings, head to Markie Dan's for live music, pub quizzes, or something social to do each night - it's a social hub where you'll find locals and tourists alike. Oban has a variety of pubs and seafood restaurants that makes it an easy overnight spot.
Buses from Fort William to Oban are operated both by Ember and Citylink, and will take you around 1 hour 25 minutes. Again, these buses cost just £2, less than the price of a cup of coffee!
Book your stay at the fabulously located Oban Backpackers, just a short walk from Oban's best backpacker pubs, cafes, restaurants, and the bus stop on the harbour. Beds start from just £27.50 this summer:
How to Travel from Oban back to Edinburgh by Bus
Time to head back to the Scottish Capital for your next adventure? Book your bus back from Oban to Edinburgh with Citylink, taking just over 4 hours, and with ticket prices starting from just £17 this summer:
Looking to stay overnight in Edinburgh? Check out our 3 diverse hostels, with one to match every backpackers vibe!
Hostel | Vibe | Location |
Castle Rock Hostel | Social, Lively, Fun & Vibrant | Right next to Edinburgh Castle |
Royal Mile Backpackers | Relaxed, Easy-Going, Cosy & Charming | Slap-bang in the middle of the Old Town |
High Street Hostel | Joyful, Laid-Back, Community Vibe | Seconds from the Royal Mile |
Too Much Planning? Book a Macbackpackers Bus Tour with a Discount Instead!
Our tour company Macbackpackers makes it easy, with tours exclusively designed for 18-39 year olds, which creates the best atmosphere and helps create long lasting friendships. We often have groups keeping in touch even years later. Our tours explore mythical destinations like Loch Ness, Glencoe, the Glenfinnan Viaduct and the legendary Isle of Skye.
Our tour guests stay overnight in our fantastic, social hostels across the Highlands, including beachfront on Loch Ness, and directly on the Isle of Skye, meaning you get to spend the evenings hanging out with new friends, and waste no time in the mornings as you're already on the doorstep of phenomenal things to see and do.
The best part of all - the tours we offer are all active and full of experiences - from walks, hikes, swims, Scottish folk dances, whisky tastings and more. Meaning you're not waiting for a long time on the bus for the next adventure, it's always just around the corner. With 3 Day and 5 Day options, you're sure to find the right Highlands backpacking experience for you.
Use code EXPLORE10 to get 10% off your tour booking in 2026, with prices starting from just £279!
Your Scottish Highlands Trip Starts Here: What to Book First
Plan your bus travel - using this route means you see all of the Highlands' highlights without breaking the bank. Use a mix of Citylink and Ember to keep costs down and connections easy.
Book your hostels - you'll get the best prices and flexibility through Scotland's Top Hostels - all of our hostels are social, affordable, friendly, and equipped with kitchens, common areas, and everything you'd expect. Make your trip easy, plan it with us.
Get to Edinburgh! - it's the backpacker hub of Scotland, and starting there will make your trip to the Highland simple. Give yourself some time to breathe in the city, and then head for the open skies of the Highlands.
Make supply stops along the way - once you're out on the road, take advantage of Inverness, Fort William and Oban - all three of these destinations have affordable supermarkets like Aldi or Tesco that you can stock up in to avoid.
Planning not your forte? - check out the discount on our Macbackpackers Bus Tours, where our experienced tour guides will do the legwork for you.
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