Travel the Scottish Highlands for Just £2 This Summer - Here's Everywhere You Can Go Direct from Fort William
- Jay
- Apr 29
- 7 min read
Travelling around the Scottish Highlands is often high on the wish list of many backpackers arriving in Edinburgh, but it hasn't always been easy to explore this vast and scenic part of the country without a car. Things are finally beginning to change, thankfully, due to a new £2 single bus fare scheme that has launched across the Highlands as of March 2026.
Fort William makes a fantastic base for exploring the Highlands - known as the adventure capital of Scotland, it sits in the shadow of Ben Nevis and has unrivalled access to walking, hiking, wild swimming, climbing and more. Whether you're staying for a few nights or heading on to your next destination, we've put together all the places you can visit directly from Fort William on the £2 bus scheme here.
Looking for a place to stay in Fort William? The easy choice for solo travellers, small groups, road trippers, and adventurers is Fort William Backpackers - set in a beautiful building with scenic views over Loch Linnhe, and with dorm beds starting from just £27.50 this summer.
Contents
Can You Visit Glencoe on the £2 Bus from Fort William? (Day Trip Guide)
Can You Hike Ben Nevis Without a Car? Getting There on the £2 Bus
How to Visit the Glenfinnan Viaduct on the £2 Bus from Fort William
How to Reach the Isle of Skye on a Budget via Eilean Donan Castle (£2 Bus Route)
Can You Travel to Oban on the £2 Bus? Cheap Island-Hopping from Fort William
Can You Visit Glencoe on the £2 Bus from Fort William? (Day Trip Guide)
Yes, and it's very easy to head to Glencoe, which neighbours Fort William, by bus. It's important to bare in mind that Glencoe is an 'area' rather than a specific place - meaning you might not get the same freedom to explore as you would with a car, but as one of the most scenic places reachable by public transport in Scotland, that shouldn't be a reason not to visit!
Most backpackers stop at the Glencoe Visitor Centre - which has a free exhibition on the history of the area, and also stunning views out into the Glen. This is the best place to go from Fort William on a day trip if you're looking to make the most of Glencoe without a car. It's located about a mile out of the village also called 'Glencoe'.
You can take either a Citylink or Ember branded bus directly to the bus bound for Glasgow from Fort William Bus Station to the stop named 'Ballachulish Glencoe Visitor Centre'. Buses leave regularly in both direction throughout the day, especially in the summer months, and the trip only takes around 35 minutes in each direction. If you are travelling on the Ember bus, you should definitely pre-book in advance to guarantee a seat. It's recommended to book in advance for either bus service especially in the busier summer months.
A budgeting tip - make sure to stock up on supplies at the Morrisons supermarket right next to the bus station before leaving Fort William. You can get a much more affordable lunch than at the visitor centre if you bring it with you!
Check the latest up to date bus times and book your journey using Omio to compare across bus operators:
Can You Hike Ben Nevis Without a Car? Getting There on the £2 Bus
Yes you can absolutely climb Ben Nevis without a car, and you can do so for just £2 in each direction. It's recommended to look for accommodation in and around Fort William for an overnight stay - we suggest Fort William Backpackers for the best balance of price and location close to the town centre and buses to connect you to the Ben Nevis trails. Beds at Fort William Backpackers start from just £27.50 this summer.
Most backpackers will take the bus either to the Ben Nevis Visitor Centre or further out to the Glen Nevis Youth Hostel to start their trip. Heading further along cuts out a flat section of walking track if you want to save time. There is only one bus route you can take to get there which is operated by local bus company Shiel Buses, the Number 42. The bus only runs from 11th May to 27th September each year, and only 6 times a day in each direction.
It takes at least 6 hours, typically between 6-9, to hike Ben Nevis, so plan in advance which buses you'll take from Fort William town centre.
Check the dedicated Shiel Buses timetable page to plan your journey in advance:
How to Visit the Glenfinnan Viaduct on the £2 Bus from Fort William
Harry Potter fans flock to the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct while visiting Fort William, often hoping to catch a glimpse of the steam train crossing the bridge, which happens twice per day at around 11am and 2pm. The good news is it's now cheaper to do so, with a direct £2 bus in each direction.
You'll need to catch the local Shiel Buses 500 in the direction of Mallaig from Fort William Bus Station. There are limited buses in each direction per day, and no affordable eating options in Glenfinnan itself, so its recommended to bring a packed lunch or make a stop at a supermarket in Fort William before heading out.
Check the dedicated Shiel Buses timetable page to plan your journey in advance:
Can You Get to Loch Ness on the £2 Bus?
Absolutely, and there are direct buses to most of the popular backpacker destinations on Loch Ness, including Urquhart Castle, Drumnadrochit, Fort Augustus, and the Lochside Hostel in Alltsigh, with its own beach facing onto the Loch.
You can take either a Citylink 919 Bus or Ember Bus in the direction of Inverness to destinations on Loch Ness from Fort William Bus Station. You'll reach Fort Augustus in just under an hour, home to the Caledonian Canal Centre and a great viewpoint over Loch Ness. Heading further, you can visit the Lochside Hostel in Alltsigh, an affordable, social hostel which makes Loch Ness a great overnight stay for backpackers.
Continuing on the same route, you'll reach Urquhart Castle and the neighbouring town of Drumnadrochit. The castle juts out into the Loch, and while it has an expensive ticket fee, it is a scenic way to see Scotland's history alongside the Loch. In Drumnadrochit (the locals just call it Drum, so don't worry about the pronunciation!), you'll also find the Loch Ness Centre, with an exhibition on the Monster, local myths, legends and more.
Many backpackers choose to make an overnight stop at the Lochside Hostel, which makes a great base to explore the other destinations around Loch Ness. There's plenty to see and do, and you can take further advantage of the £2 bus fares by using it as a place to lay down your backpack, as well as spending social evenings with other travellers from around the world. Beds at the Lochside Hostel start from just £23 this summer.
You can plan your trip ahead of time and book £2 tickets to travel to destinations around Loch Ness:
How to Reach the Isle of Skye on a Budget via Eilean Donan Castle (£2 Bus Route)
There's only one direct bus route from Fort William Bus Station to the towns on the Isle of Skye, the Citylink 915 Bus. This makes it the cheapest way to travel from Fort William to Skye, as you'll only pay £2, rather than changing buses or including the ferry, which departs from the nearby town of Mallaig.
Many backpackers choose to stay on hostels on the Isle of Skye, and a popular spot is Skye Backpackers, located in the town of Kyleakin just over the Skye Bridge. With scenic views looking over Lochalsh, and plenty of things to do and see, it makes a great base to explore the island. You can take the 915 bus directly from Fort William Bus Station to Kyleakin. Beds at Skye Backpackers start from just £27.50 this summer.
You'll also be able to visit other popular destinations on the Isle of Skye, including the town of Portree, Sligachan Old Bridge and more, using the same bus. There are some popular backpacker destinations you may have heard of, like the Fairy Pools and Old Man of Storr hike, which it's worth noting you cannot reach using public transportation.
Along the way, you might also choose to stop at Eilean Donan Castle, popularised by the Outlander series, and offering dramatic views, as the castle is located on an island in Loch Duich. For this, you can get off the 915 bus at Dornie Bridge, and pick up a later service to continue on to Skye. And remember, every bus ticket is just £2!
Can You Travel to Oban on the £2 Bus? Cheap Island-Hopping from Fort William
Considering an onward journey? The scenic harbour town of Oban is located just 1 hour 20 minutes bus journey from Fort William Bus Station, and offers the chance to hop on ferries and explore the nearby Isles of Mull, Iona, Coll and Tiree, among more. There's plenty to do in the town itself, with scenic hilltop walks at McCaig's Tower, delicious sea food, and a selection of traditional pubs with great whisky and live music.
It's another backpacker hotspot, with the local hostel Oban Backpackers offering beds from just £27.50 this summer.
Plan your journey in advance and book your £2 bus tickets online using Omio:
Main Image Credit: Citylink
Comments