Day trip to Skye from Edinburgh?

Question

Can anyone tell me the cheapest way to get to the Isle of Skye from Edinburgh using public transport? I realize that it will take 4-5 hours by train or bus. I would like to ride to Skye in the morning and have 2-3 hours to explore then ride back to Edinburgh that night. I also do not want to spend more than $100/£50. Please if you can help then provide a link. Just saying "the train should be cheap" will not help me. I also wouldn't be opposed to a coach tour but I think a train would be more fun.

Thank you!

Answer 1

First, IGNORE the rubbish from Katie - she clearly has no idea about the geography of Scotland, let alone Scottish public transport!

To get to Skye by train, you need to take the Kyle of Lochalsh line. Since this terminates at Inverness, there is little point in taking a train from Glasgow to Fort William (to which, please note Katie, there is more than one train a day, except on a Sunday!)

So, the definitive answer.

On a Monday to Saturday, take the 0640 from Edinburgh Waverley to Perth, arrive 0754. At 0804 the train from Glasgow to Inverness arrives at Perth, board it and alight at Inverness at 1026. Then take the 1052 from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh, arriving 1325.

The ferry is a ten minute trip to Skye.

BUT, you must be back at Kyle of Lochalsh station to catch the 1648 train to Inverness, arriving there at 1919. Then take the 2010 from Inverness to Glasgow, alighting at Stirling at 2303. Finally, take the 2312 from Stirling to Edinburgh Waverley, arrive at 0007.

There are other permutations, some with other forms of public transport, but each gives you a shorter stay on Skye.

A day return trip from Edinburgh to Skye is NOT possible on a Sunday.

Answer 2

You can get to Skye either via the bridge at Kyle-of-Lochalsh or by ferry from Glenelg and Mallaig.

By road, you can take a CityLink bus, but you'll have to stop over in Inverness, Glasgow, or Ft William first.

Here's the bus schedule: http://www.citylink.co.uk/uploads/Edin2S...

Here is where you can check fares: citylink.co.uk

Be prepared to spend about 50 pounds, return.

Bottom line, you can't make it in a day, unless you're content spending maybe an hour in the first town (Kyleakin) on the island before getting right back on the bus.

Answer 3

According to thetrainline.com, there's only one train from Glasgow to Fort William each day.

You'd have to get to Glasgow from Edinburgh, then Glasgow to Fort William, then get the ferry to Skye. It seems impossible to do in one day.

The train from Glasgow leaves at 8.51am and arrives in Fort William at 12.42pm. The return train leaves FW at 17.37pm and arrives back in Glasgow at 21.29pm.

Taking into account that the train from Edinburgh to Glasgow takes about an hour, and then there's the return ferry journey to Skye as well as transport around Skye, it seems unlikely.