How To Get From Edinburgh To Skye | The Five Best Routes
Want to know how to get to Skye from Edinburgh? In this blog we’re sharing the five best routes from Scotland’s capital to the Misty Isle.
We absolutely love the beautiful Scottish capital of Edinburgh, but there is something extraordinary about taking a road trip to the rugged and untamed islands on Scotland’s west coast.
On a coastline brimming with incredible sights and experiences, there’re plenty of stops to choose from. But our ultimate destination is always the enchanting Isle of Skye.
And it's easy to see why.
With breathtaking landscapes, ancient geology, cascading waterfalls, historic castles, wild beaches, scenic hiking trails, and world famous harbour, Skye is one of Scotland's most iconic and beloved destinations.
Oh, and let’s not forget the booming food scene of truly excellent cafes, seafood spots, and Michelin restaurants.
Which is why combining a city break in Edinburgh with a leisurely Skye getaway is an absolute must-do experience.
In this guide, we'll provide you with all the details you need to plan your journey from Edinburgh to Skye, including the best routes, helpful tips, ferry options, and more.
Skye & West Coast Scotland ‘made easy’ Guide
Want to explore Skye & West Coast Scotland but not sure where to start? Download our carefully curated guide and easy-to-use interactive map - and discover the best hotels, restaurants, walks, top attractions, and more!
For this trip, you have five route options to choose from.
Each will take you from Edinburgh on a dramatic journey through the Highlands and then westwards—to the wild beaches of Arisaig and the charming village of Dornie, through the soaring mountains of Kintail, before crossing the sea to Skye.
We lived in Edinburgh for over a decade and visited Skye numerous times, so we know these roads better than most. So, we’ll also include personal recommendations, practical tips, and things to see along the way.
Let’s go!
Plan your Edinburgh to Skye Trip
Top places to stay in Edinburgh:
Eden Locke (affordable luxury aparthotel in city centre location)
Kimpton Charlotte Square (boutique luxury hotel in epic location)
No1 Apartments (lux apartments in the city)
Top places to stay on Skye:
The Bosville Hotel (boutique hotel in Portree with harbour views)
Marmalade Hotel (contemporary lux stay in quiet Portree)
Kinloch Lodge (luxury retreat in stunning rural locale)
Hame on Skye (cosy boutique stay in stunning wild location)
Looking to rent a car?
If you need car rental from Edinburgh, then I recommend both Discover Cars and RentalCars for flexible and affordable hire. Each recommend a range of companies and cars, which can be collected from Edinburgh Airport or the city centre.
Top tip: the roads on Skye are rugged, bumpy, and narrow - a small SUV is the best option for dealing with the often rough terrain.
How to get from Edinburgh to Skye | General Advice
Before we get started, it's important to emphasize that Skye is, in fact, an island.
Connected to the Scottish mainland, the toll-free Skye Bridge crosses the narrow waters between peninsula town Kyle of Lochalsh (mainland) and Kyleakin, near Broadford (Skye). Plus, ferries run between other parts of West Coast Scotland (Mallaig or Glenelg) onto southern Skye.
These options allow you to travel by car or by car + ferry from Edinburgh to Skye.
Each route is unique, and choosing depends on preferred driving time, ferry fees, and the sights you want to see along the way.
The main options are:
Edinburgh to Skye via the main ferry from Mallaig.
Edinburgh to Skye via the Skye Bridge at Kyle of Lochalsh.
Edinburgh to Skye via the small ferry from Glenelg.
Plus, we're also including:
Public transport from Edinburgh, either bus or train.
A road trip 'loop' which combines the Mallaig/Skye ferry (outbound) with the Skye Bridge (inbound).
Booking a highly-rated tour from Edinburgh is a popular alternative for travellers who prefer to avoid driving. This tour explores Skye in three days and includes overnight stays.
Below, we'll discuss each option in detail and provide helpful tips on choosing the best route for your trip.
Popular Edinburgh to Skye tours
Each of these highly-rated tours from Edinburgh to Skye includes accommodation on Skye and visits the island’s highlights, such as Portree, Neist Point, Fairy Pools, and Fairy Glen.
Top-rated 3-day Skye tour from Edinburgh (best seller)
Small group 3-day Skye tour from Edinburgh (stops at Eilean Donan Castle)
Combined 3-day Skye & Loch Ness tour from Edinburgh (includes a visit to Loch Ness)
Option 1: Edinburgh to Skye Coastal Loop
This is our absolute favourite Edinburgh to Skye coastal itinerary, and assuming you’re also on a road trip, it makes sense to start here.
This option blends the best of all the above routes, visiting the Isle of Skye and West Coast in a loop, using the ferry from Mallaig to arrive and the Skye Bridge to return.
In between, it visits some of the most beautiful places in Skye and offers the opportunity to see much more of the truly gorgeous West Coast. In addition to Skye, this road trip is the best way to experience real Scottish highlights, such as wild beach mecca Arisaig and the jewel of the west coast, palm tree village Plockton.
Along the way, cross the ancient bridge to experience one of Scotland’s most famous castles, magical Eilean Donan.
Equally iconic in the Scottish Highlands is the must-visit Glenfinnan Viaduct; climb the hill to spot the steam train or walk beneath the soaring archways. Whilst highland masterpiece Glencoe, with it’s wild viewpoints and mountains, will take your breath away.
This route is our favourite Scotland road trip: unique, postcard-perfect, and oh-so-wild.
Discover our Skye and West Coast interactive map.
Option 2: Edinburgh to Skye via the Mallaig ferry
To get to Skye from Edinburgh using the ferry, you'll need to drive to Mallaig and catch the big ferry to Armadale. The drive from Edinburgh to Mallaig takes around 4.5 hours, but you should give yourself extra time to stop along the way; there's plenty to see on this mini road trip through the Highlands.
Drive through Callander and Tyndrum on the A82 to Glencoe, a stunning valley of soaring mountainscapes and wild landscapes. Then, you'll reach the Highland town of Fort William, which has heaps of hotels, restaurants, and practical amenities like fuel stops and shops.
Next, follow the road west as it passes by the soaring arches of the Glenfinnan Viaduct and the wild beaches of Arisaig. Before finally reaching the ferry terminal at Mallaig.
The ferry service from Mallaig is frequent, with around nine ferries daily in the summer. The crossing takes 45 minutes, and if the weather is good, it's worth visiting the top deck where you might see dolphins or seals during your journey.
It's best to book your tickets ahead of time to avoid any hassle during your crossing. The ticket prices are £3.50 for adults, £1.75 for children, and £11.60 for cars.
If you're travelling in a campervan from Edinburgh to Skye, the ticket price depends on the size of your vehicle. A smaller campervan usually means a cheaper ticket.
Skye Via Mallaig Ferry | 4.5 hours drive from Edinburgh + 45 minutes on the ferry.
Book | Check timings and book tickets with CalMac.
Option 3: Edinburgh to Skye via the road bridge
Starting from Edinburgh and heading towards Skye via the Skye Bridge, this route will take you on one of the most breathtaking roads in Scotland through the wild and stunning landscapes of Kintail and Glen Shiel.
Follow the above directions to the bustling town of Fort William, but don't take the Mallaig junction. Instead, keep going north past Loch Lochy to Invergarry. From there, head west and enjoy the beautiful scenery as the landscape slowly transforms into a wild, rugged, and barren area.
Along the way, you'll see the towering Kintail mountains and sparkling Loch Duich, pass through charming villages like Shiel Bridge and Dornie, and reach tidal Eilean Donan Castle, one of Scotland's most famous castles
From there, it’s a short drive to the coastal town of Kyle of Lochalsh and just beyond the graceful Skye Bridge.
The Skye Bridge is free to cross. It ends near Broadford, where you’ll find cafes, shops, and other amenities.
Skye via the Skye Bridge | 4.5 hours drive from Edinburgh to the Skye Bridge + 5 minutes on the bridge and time to drive to your accommodation.
Option 4: Edinburgh to Skye via Glenelg
If you're looking for a less-travelled route to Skye, choose this option.
Follow most of the Skye Bridge route mentioned above as far as Shiel Bridge. Then, turn off early and follow the Mam Ratagan mountain pass to the coastal village Glenelg, where you'll find a tiny heritage ferry which crosses the narrow straits to Kylerhea on Skye.
When you reach the coast, make sure to stop by the Glenelg Inn, which serves delicious food and offers stunning views. From there, it's a short drive to the ferry, which crosses the sea in a mere 15 minutes.
However, do note that once you arrive at Kylerhea on Skye, you have a 20-minute drive along very narrow single-track roads to reach the main road.
Skye via Glenelg Ferry | 4.5 hours drive from Edinburgh + 15 minutes on the ferry.
Ferry| No need to pre-book, the ferry runs every 20 minutes daily, but only between March and October. Check prices and timetable on Glenelg-Skye Ferry.
Option 5: public transport
If you don't want to drive, you can still travel from Edinburgh to Skye using public transport. However, be prepared for a long day of travel as it may take around nine hours to reach your destination. Don't forget to bring some snacks and a good book to keep you entertained!
Bus (recommended)
The easiest way to travel is by bus or train from Edinburgh to Glasgow. From there, you can catch this comfortable bus service from Glasgow Bus Station to Portree or Uig.
Edinburgh to Skye train
Although the train from Edinburgh to Skye is an option, it's not the best one. There are no trains on Skye, and the nearest mainland station is Kyle of Lochalsh. To reach Skye from Edinburgh by train, you must make multiple changes to Kyle, then take a not-very-regular bus onto Skye. Trust me, the bus is a better option.
More Edinburgh to Skye tours
Read next:
Looking for more West Coast and Skye travel inspiration? Read these posts next:
Posts on this site may contain affiliate links that help support my business in creating content. If you purchase using one of these links, I may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Read my disclaimer for more information.
If you’ve found this guide helpful, you can buy me a ‘virtual’ mug of Earl Grey here.
