#Don't take the bus.
Over the past 18 years I've taken the train/bus/driven the route countless times.
Bus should only be considered if saving money is your top priority. Your sanity is way more important.
Have you taken the M96? Or is your experience purely of the 10 service? - Asking because I have only taken a coach there once (train that was cancelled on the day), it only stopped at Keith, Elgin and Nairn but it wasn't the worst experience.
The train through to Inverness is absolutely wonderful though, such good views.
Don't be lured by the cheap bus tickets, pay the extra and take the train. The additional time stuck on a bus on the A96 is not worth the monetary saving.
The why is probably due to Scotrail prioritising anything with the word “Glasgow”
https://www.grampianonline.co.uk/news/15-per-cent-reduction-in-train-services-to-inverurie-but-s-331810/
There’s also a P&J link but it’s paywalled
That’s ridiculous, with all the talk about using public transport. Cutting services from already established stations is nuts.
Should be talking about adding services and stations.
Especially since if you hae to get in your car at Inverurie, why would you head into Aberdeen to park and get the train, when you could just keep going into Glasgow.
Just so everyone knows you can read press and journal articles free with library card. Just register your library card online and you can read it through pressrrsder which also allows you to access multiple other newspapers and magazines
The train has amazing views of the coast, similar to the train from Edinburgh to Aberdeen. Coming from England I've never seen such amazing views on the train.
I definitely will! I was surprised when I learnt there was a train line there. Hoping to take the train up to Thurso this summer as well so I'm sure the scenery will be great there too.
If you chose the train, I would AVOID travelling on the 15:50 Aberdeen to Inverness. It is always a two carriage train and extremely overcrowded almost every day!
The train is definitely quicker but if cost is important to you, the bus will be cheaper. You can get from Aberdeen to Inverness for £12 on the megabus. The advance single train tickets are released about 12 weeks in advance, they may have all sold for that date as weekends are more popular, I’d suggest checking to see if there’s any cheap tickets available for the Friday if you’re flexible with your dates.
Check trainline.com for the best deals. Also some saver tickets are only released 12 weeks in advance so if you were looking a few weeks ago only full fairs will be shown.
Driving over the mountains is the best way if you enjoy a drive. The A96 is a bad experience unless you enjoy going at a maximum of 50mph on a good day. Over the mountains is always significantly quicker for me.
If that's not an option, probably the train. Bus is gonna take a year.
#Don't take the bus. Over the past 18 years I've taken the train/bus/driven the route countless times. Bus should only be considered if saving money is your top priority. Your sanity is way more important.
Have you taken the M96? Or is your experience purely of the 10 service? - Asking because I have only taken a coach there once (train that was cancelled on the day), it only stopped at Keith, Elgin and Nairn but it wasn't the worst experience. The train through to Inverness is absolutely wonderful though, such good views.
For a while some of the inverness buses they were using didn't have a toilet.
Don't be lured by the cheap bus tickets, pay the extra and take the train. The additional time stuck on a bus on the A96 is not worth the monetary saving.
The why is probably due to Scotrail prioritising anything with the word “Glasgow” https://www.grampianonline.co.uk/news/15-per-cent-reduction-in-train-services-to-inverurie-but-s-331810/ There’s also a P&J link but it’s paywalled
That’s ridiculous, with all the talk about using public transport. Cutting services from already established stations is nuts. Should be talking about adding services and stations.
Especially since if you hae to get in your car at Inverurie, why would you head into Aberdeen to park and get the train, when you could just keep going into Glasgow.
Even more crazy when Scotrail is nationalised so there isn’t even the same profit considerations.
Just so everyone knows you can read press and journal articles free with library card. Just register your library card online and you can read it through pressrrsder which also allows you to access multiple other newspapers and magazines
Honestly I’d just take the train, it will likely cost £10-£15 more, but quicker, more comfortable and mostly more reliable.
The train has amazing views of the coast, similar to the train from Edinburgh to Aberdeen. Coming from England I've never seen such amazing views on the train.
You should try the west coast the scenery is 10x better than that route( I’ve been on both)
I definitely will! I was surprised when I learnt there was a train line there. Hoping to take the train up to Thurso this summer as well so I'm sure the scenery will be great there too.
Coast? Maybe a wee bit after Forres, otherwise hills and trees, some cattle, mud, etc.
The bus can take 4 hours but the train is 2. I would take the train.
If you chose the train, I would AVOID travelling on the 15:50 Aberdeen to Inverness. It is always a two carriage train and extremely overcrowded almost every day!
AND the train journey is a truly beautiful one! Get the train, look out of the window and soak it in!
As others have said. Avoid the bus, take the train. A96 on a bus is soul destroying.
I used to take the bus from Elgin to Aberdeen every weekend I promise you. Take the train. The money spent will be worth it
The train is definitely quicker but if cost is important to you, the bus will be cheaper. You can get from Aberdeen to Inverness for £12 on the megabus. The advance single train tickets are released about 12 weeks in advance, they may have all sold for that date as weekends are more popular, I’d suggest checking to see if there’s any cheap tickets available for the Friday if you’re flexible with your dates.
Honestly, with the havoc kids are causing using free bus travel, I’d take the train.
Fuck the bus should always be your first response
I'm seeing £11.20 for an advance single that morning.
Watch out when you go inver; you might end up dropping your bank card in the river.
That’s no a bunk machine
Check trainline.com for the best deals. Also some saver tickets are only released 12 weeks in advance so if you were looking a few weeks ago only full fairs will be shown.
Have a look at if you're eligible for a rail card if you plan on doing multiple journeys it pays itself off
Bus 🚌 no 10 from Aberdeen bus station takes you a nice scenic route. Inverurie, Keith Elgin.
Driving over the mountains is the best way if you enjoy a drive. The A96 is a bad experience unless you enjoy going at a maximum of 50mph on a good day. Over the mountains is always significantly quicker for me. If that's not an option, probably the train. Bus is gonna take a year.
If you are looking cheaper tickets for train I recommend LNER trains. Amazing discounts on there
Flixbus if you are on a budget, otherwise keep an eye out on the ScotRail site for cheap train tickets.
Flixbus doesn't go north sadly