Inverness parking
Highland gateway. Limited supply — book at least 2 weeks ahead.
About Inverness
The Highlands' main airport.
Inverness Airport at Dalcross is the gateway to the Scottish Highlands, handling around 800,000 passengers a year. It's a small, single-terminal operation but with year-round links to all four major UK cities (London, Manchester, Birmingham and Bristol) plus Amsterdam and seasonal European leisure routes.
Carriers include easyJet, KLM, Loganair, Eastern Airways and Jet2. Loganair is particularly important for Highland and Hebridean inter-island connections.
The airport's small footprint and quiet schedule mean door-to-gate times are some of the shortest in the UK — security can be cleared in minutes during off-peak hours.
Getting to INV
All the practical access info — by car, train, coach and otherwise.
A96 east from Inverness — about 15 minutes from the city. The A9 connects with Perth and the central belt.
Inverness Airport Railway Station opened in February 2023 on the Aberdeen–Inverness line, providing a direct link from the terminal to Inverness Central in around 12 minutes. It's a request stop with limited service, so check the timetable.
Stagecoach service 11 (Jet) runs from Inverness Bus Station to the airport, frequency every 30 minutes or so.
Most Highland visitors hire cars at the airport — the rural geography of the region makes a vehicle effectively essential for sightseeing.
How parking works at Inverness
Official car parks at Inverness are Short Stay (next to the terminal) and Long Stay (a short walk). The airport's small footprint means the walk from car to check-in is generally under 3 minutes.
Off-airport supply is limited — a handful of independent operators in Dalcross serve the airport but the savings versus on-airport are typically modest because Inverness's own rates are reasonable.
Tips travellers wish they'd known
- Inverness's small size means a 90-minute pre-flight buffer is generally sufficient.
- Hiring a car? Pickup is at the terminal — the major UK rental brands all have desks.
- Winter travellers: book ahead and allow extra journey time. The A9 from the south can be snow-affected.
- On-airport long-stay is reasonable value at INV — savings from independents are smaller than at southern airports.
- Highland flights peak in summer (May–September); winter schedules are thinner so book ahead for festive travel.
INV questions, answered
The questions our 24/7 team gets asked most about flying from Inverness.
Is there a train station at Inverness Airport?+
Yes — Inverness Airport Railway Station opened in February 2023, on the Aberdeen–Inverness line, with services to Inverness Central in around 12 minutes. It's a request stop, so check the timetable in advance.
Are there long-haul flights from Inverness?+
No scheduled long-haul. Most long-haul travellers connect via Amsterdam or London.
Should I hire a car?+
For most Highland sightseeing, yes — public transport is sparse outside the main rail corridor. All major UK rental brands have desks at the airport.
How early should I arrive?+
90 minutes for short-haul. Inverness's small footprint means security is rarely a long wait.
Is the airport open year-round?+
Yes — the airport runs year-round with reduced winter schedules. Severe winter weather can cause occasional disruption.
Are parking prices reasonable?+
Yes — Inverness is one of the cheaper UK airports for parking. Off-airport savings are smaller than at southern hubs.