Car Hire Inverness Airport

Car Hire

Inverness Airport is the main air gateway for those wanting to explore Scotland’s northern regions. The airport is located roughly eight miles northeast of the city centre of Inverness. Currently, Flybe has the largest number of flights in and out of Inverness Airport, primarily providing scheduled and seasonal connections to the UK and Europe. Transportation options from the airport to Inverness include bus, rail and self-driving, with car hire the preferred means of touring the area.

Who to Book With
Travellers will find Avis and Europcar car hire desks right inside the terminal building. Car hire desks are not open 24 hours, so if your flight is scheduled to arrive late at night or outside working hours, prior arrangements need to be made with the car hire company.

Need to Know Essentials
You will need to show the following documents at vehicle collection:

- Valid driver’s licence (both parts for UK licence holders)
- International Driver’s Licence for those from outside the EU
- Credit card used to make the booking
- ID, passport or utility bill to confirm identification
- Booking reference

For more info read our FAQ's

Driving
The same driving rules apply in Scotland as in the rest of the UK. Generally, self-driving is easy and safe. Speed limits should be followed as signposted; however, when there are no signs, follow the national speed limits: motorways and dual carriageways 70mph, built-up areas 30mph and outside built-up areas 60mph. Children under the age of 12 must use a child seat. All passengers must wear seatbelts at all times. There are no toll roads in Scotland. Visitors should plan ahead when driving to rural areas as the distances between petrol stations can be great.

See our guide to the UK for more information on driving here.

Transport

Self-driving in Scotland is popular and easy, and one of the preferred transportation options from Inverness Airport. Otherwise, visitors can use buses and taxis to get to the city centre – the car journey takes about 15 to 30 minutes. There is no train station at the airport, but Inverness Railway Station is a 15-minute drive away.

Trains
There is no train station at the airport but travellers can easily get to Inverness Railway Station by self-driving or taxi, only15-minutes away. From Inverness Railway Station, travellers can access most major Scottish cities, such as Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow, via ScotRail services. A train ticket from Inverness to Edinburgh costs around £60. It is also possible to use the train station at Nairn, roughly a 30-minute drive from the airport.

Taxis
Airport taxis are available right outside the terminal building. Taxi services at the airport are offered by City Taxis Inverness and Tartan Taxis. Taxis are metered and fares increase between 22:00 and 07:00. Regular taxi fares start at £2.50.

Taxi prices:
Inverness Airport to Inverness city centre is about £15
Inverness Airport to Aberdeen is about £125
Inverness Airport to Edinburgh is about £190
Inverness Airport to Wick is about £125

Buses
Bus services from Inverness Airport to Inverness Bus Station are on offer from JET Bus Service. Buses run about every 30 minutes until 23:00, Monday through Saturday, and until 20:00 on Sunday. The bus fare to Inverness Bus Station costs about £3. JET Bus Service also provides connection from the airport to Elgin, Forres and Nairn.

Facilities

Terminals
The single terminal, single level Inverness Airport is not open 24 hours. Instead, the airport operates from 05:00 to 22:00 from Monday to Friday. On Saturday it closes at 17:30 and on Sunday it is open from 10:00 to 22:00. The airport handles just over 500,000 passengers a year, with many travellers arriving on seasonal flights from elsewhere in the UK or Sweden. The most popular routes are to London-Gatwick and London-Luton. European connections are currently available to Norway and Switzerland.

Parking
Inverness Airport offers both short- and long-term parking. It is possible to book parking in advance online. The first 20 minutes are free of charge and then charges apply by the hour, with a daily maximum of £10 in the short-term car park. Long-term parking is charged as follows: £10 for the first 72 hours and £6 for the following 72 hours.

Wi-Fi
Passengers can access wireless internet in the public areas of the terminal and there are also pay-to-use internet terminals. Vouchers for internet use can be purchased from the Information Desk or the Highland Lounge.

Information Services
An information desk is available in the concourse area of the terminal building.

Useful Numbers
Service Centre: +44 1667 464000

Accessibility
Assistance is provided for passengers with reduced mobility; however, it must be booked in advance either through the airline or directly through Dalcross Handling (+44 1667 464120) at the airport. The airport and its facilities are wheelchair accessible and the short-term car park offers plenty of disabled persons’ parking spaces.

Restaurants and Bars
Visitors can choose from three eateries at the airport: D’Lish Landside Restaurant & Bar (sandwiches and hot meals), Airside Café & Bar (small snacks) and Segafredo Café (small snacks). Travellers should note that some of the eateries are not open late.

VIP Lounges
Highland Lounge

Money and ATMs
Financial facilities are limited to ATMs within the terminal building.

Shopping
Shopping is limited at Inverness Airport so visitors should not rely on getting last-minute souvenirs here. There is a WHSmith newsagent which sells souvenirs and local smoked salmon in addition to reading material. The other shop is the Jail Dornoch, which sells children’s and adult outdoor and casual clothing.