Your health and safety is of top priority to us and in light of COVID-19, the Scottish Government guidelines remain in place advising that you travel by train for essential journeys only. ScotRail would like all their passengers to wear a face covering when travelling by train and to plan ahead carefully when buying tickets at a station and when boarding. To make it easier to observe physical distancing, from Monday 1 June ScotRail are adding a small number of extra peak time services to their timetable.
It might take longer just now to buy a ticket at a station and board a train, and there might be times when boarding your usual train might not be possible, so please plan ahead.
Please remember to maintain physical distancing of 2 metres at all times, both indoors and outdoors. Floor markings and signage across Scotland's largest train stations have been put in place while some facilities like waiting rooms will remain closed.
For more information on how to stay safe while travelling, visit ScotRail's Coronavirus Travel Information page.
All aboard! Travelling around Scotland by train is often a rewarding way to see the very best of the country. Once aboard a train, you can sit back and enjoy your journey to some incredible destinations.
Where can I go by train?
There are rail connections to each of Scotland's seven cities. The rail network links many of towns and villages across the country with main lines running north and south through the east and west, but you'll find it is most dense in the central belt.
You can buy tickets at:
- Train stations
- From major travel agents
- Over the phone and online with a credit or debit card.
If the ticket office at the station is closed, there is usually an automatic ticket machine, but you can also buy a ticket on board from the inspector using cash or a credit/debit card. However, the inspector cannot always issue discounted or special offer tickets.
Three different types of train ticket are available for most journeys:
- Anytime tickets are unreserved standard class tickets which can be used at all times of day.
- Off-Peak tickets allow for cheaper travel during specific hours when the trains are not as busy.
- First Class tickets allow for travel in carriages with extra space, electrical sockets for laptops etc, and sometimes include complimentary refreshments.
Be sure to check the luggage, bicycle and animal guidelines in advance if you wish to use these facilities.
© Scotrail
Discount fares and passes
ScotRail trains offer tickets discounts which are available based on various categories including age, group travel, advance bookings, and time of travel.
ScotRail also offer flexible travel passes and other passes for the benefits of travellers. These include:
- Spirit of Scotland Travelpass - gives unlimited train travel within Scotland. The pass is also valid on some buses in certain regions, on all Caledonian MacBrayne ferries and gives discounts on Northlink ferries to Orkney and Shetland.
- Highland Rover and Central Scotland Rover - flexible tickets offering unlimited train travel and travel on other modes of public transport.
- Rail and Sail tickets - combines rail and ferry tickets for great value in one ticket. They can be purchased from ScotRail, or some routes can be purchased at selected Calmac Port Offices.
Glasgow's Subway
Scotland's only subway is located in Glasgow and is known as 'the Clockwork Orange' due to its bright exterior. It's a cheap and efficient way to travel around the city and several stations also provide a park & ride facility.
Singles, returns, all day and 7-day tickets are available from all Subway ticket offices and automatic machines, whilst other tickets and passes covering multiple days can be purchased online from the Strathclyde Partnership for Transport.