Travelling to the Cairngorms National Park in the Scottish Highlands for your mountain bike tour is an exciting adventure made easy by great transport links which pass through stunning landscapes from all directions. If you are driving from the South, or flying in from abroad, taking the London sleeper train or using pedal power once you arrive in the Cairngorms national park all the effort will be worth it as a truly spectacular mountain bike experience awaits. We can also assist with private airport transfers and train station pick-up with our VW vans and bike/box trailers.
People travel to the Cairngorms year-round, but the Spring/Summer and Autumn months are best for Mountain biking. The winter season (December to February) offers opportunities for skiing and snowboarding. Spring and autumn provide stunning landscapes with milder temperatures and fewer crowds but there can still be snow up top in the Spring so always check the weather conditions.
The Cairngorms National Park is accessible by various means of transportation
By Air:
If you are flying to the Cairngorms National Park, you have a few airport options within a reasonable distance. The closest airports to the Cairngorms are listed below.
Inverness Airport (INV): Inverness Airport is the most convenient option for accessing the Cairngorms. It is approximately 50 miles (80 kilometres) northeast of the national park. Several domestic and international flights operate from Inverness Airport, connecting you to various cities in the UK and Europe. Easyjet fly from many UK Citys in the South of England, from as little as £20 each way, add your mountain bike and you could fly return for £140.
Aberdeen Airport (ABZ): Aberdeen Airport is located around 70 miles (113 kilometres) east of the Cairngorms. It offers a wider range of domestic and international flight options compared to Inverness Airport. From Aberdeen, you can drive or take public transportation to reach the Cairngorms. Aberdeen is better for the West side of the park providing access to incredible mountain bike destinations such as Ballater, the new Tarland Bike park and Aboyne.
Edinburgh Airport (EDI): Although Edinburgh Airport is further away, it is still a viable option for accessing the Cairngorms. It is approximately 120 miles (193 kilometres) south of the national park. Edinburgh Airport is well-connected with numerous domestic and international flights, making it a popular choice for travellers visiting Scotland. If you rent a car you can also stop off at some incredible riding spots including Dunkeld, Pitlochry, Laggan Wolf tracks and More.
Once you arrive at any of these airports, you can rent a car to drive to the Cairngorms National Park. Alternatively, you can use public transportation such as buses or trains to reach your destination within the park, or to a nearby town like Aviemore, which serves as a popular base for exploring the area.
The train rides can be as exciting as the trails
Stunning scenery under steam power
Travelling to the Cairngorms National Park by train is a scenic and convenient option, allowing you to enjoy the stunning landscapes of the Scottish Highlands. Here is some detailed information to help you plan your train journey:
The primary railway station serving the Cairngorms is Aviemore Station. It is located in the town of Aviemore, which acts as a gateway to the national park. Aviemore Station is well-connected with direct train services from major cities like Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, and Aberdeen.
ScotRail operates regular train services to Aviemore from Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Inverness. They offer comfortable and modern trains with amenities such as Wi-Fi and onboard catering.
Caledonian Sleeper The Caledonian Sleeper is an overnight train service that connects London Euston to Aviemore. It offers a comfortable and convenient way to travel, with sleeper cabins available for a restful journey.
Some example travel times are below, all of these locations also have domestic or international airports so using a train as your second transport option is a great idea.
- Edinburgh to Aviemore: The journey takes around 2 to 2.5 hours.
- Glasgow to Aviemore: The journey takes around 2.5 to 3 hours.
- Inverness to Aviemore: The journey takes around 30 to 40 minutes.
- Aberdeen to Aviemore: The journey takes around 2.5 to 3 hours.
- London (Caledonian Sleeper) to Aviemore: The overnight journey takes approximately 9 to 10 hours.
Aberdeen is close to the Royal Deeside area if you are travelling from the West of the park. There are regular services to Aberdeenshire including the sleeper train again. You can access the park within 1 hour via car or even hop on the bikes and ride along the Deeside Way. Why not start the pedals turning as soon as possible? You can also use the stunning Strathspey Steam Railway
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Hop on the bus, chuck the bike on and let the driver do the rest.
There are many express coaches from the South including London Victoria and the rest of the country. These coaches travel to both Aviemore and Aberdeen in the East. Operated by Mega Bus, City Link and National Express.
Once you have arrived in the Cairngorms national park Stagecoach operate local services in the East and West. The new Aviemore Adventurer bus introduced in May 2023 operates between Aviemore and Cairngorm Mountain 7 days a week and hourly throughout the day and has space for bikes and skis. This is great for families and groups of riders looking to avoid the initial 600M climb to the Aviemore ski station.
You can view the timetable here HERE
We can also assist with transport needs with our local guides, we have our own VW vans and bike/box trailers that we use on all of our tours and can easily provide private airport and railway pick up / drop off services.
If you have any questions at all regarding transport in the Cairngorms National Park please use the contact form below and one of our team will be in touch as soon as possible
