Exeter to Inverness - door to door on public transport - Train/Coach/Plane/Train

[@lancpudn]

One of the best travel channels on the YT, The scenery from the air going into Scotland was just beautiful, Love your videos & long may they continue.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Whoa thank you so much!! And long may you continue to watch 👍

[@neilburns8869]

Beautifully clear sky on arrival at Inverness, everything looks so sharp with the cool air but brilliant sunshine.🥰👍

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

yes, I was well lucky with the weather for this approach, and the fact that the plane was approaching from the east. Wasn't so lucky for the next few days mind you #stormbabet

[@lovefive5733]

A great video, Inverness is a lovely city. Thank you for uploading this interesting video 😊

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thank you for the kind words and for watching 👍

[@eamonn-t7p]

ive been watching your vids a good while now..got a few favs,. dartmouth was brill but i keep from watching till sunday now..winters night maybe a few beers , great way to spend a night

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thanks! I enjoyed Dartmouth. The Class 37 made my day! Thank you so much for watching along. Do save em up for Sunday if that's what you prefer. I'm just so pleased you watch at all. I'm pleasantly surprised how kind people have been 👍

[@garybroadhurst3548]

At a big airport, you'd often walk that far to get from your gate to the station anyway - just inside, which would be better when the weather isn't so nice. The station can't really go anywhere else except on the railway, which has been there a LOT longer than the airport! re-routing the track would cost many millions. As the bus service is good, It's good to have a choice. And remember - a lot of people will travel East towards Elgin and Aberdeen too.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

All fair points, though it really is a long walk... but I accept it is still dead handy if you need a train eastbound Thanks for watching another 👍

[@127cmore]

Excellent report 👌 👏. I live near Inverness airport and the station has actually done really well 👌, passenger numbers for the first year. I'm amazed at the amount of people you see with their luggage 🧳. I walked slowly from the station to the airport and it took me 9 minutes. Perhaps I have long legs 🦵 😳 ?

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

All very fair comments. Maybe it feels a bit longer the first time, but after that it aint as far as you thought. And yes, the station is a handy gateway for stations on the line to Aberdeen

[@Andrewjg_89]

Since Inverness Airport railway station has officially opened. It’s so easy to get to Inverness much quicker when flying from other parts of the UK.

[@Sim0nTrains]

I do love Inverness, was there back in June visiting all the Highland Mainline Stations, great video

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Yes, it is a lovely city. I will return! (But hopefully in slightly better weather)

[@Timstravels01]

Great to see you up in my neck of the woods and glad the weather was decent for you.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Haha. Wait for next week's when I continue on up past your place to Wick... dodging Storm Babet! Thanks for watching 👍

[@invernessaviation]

Hello! There are plans at Inverness Airport to build a new terminal round by the train station! They have placed the train station there for this reason. It won’t always be a long walk to it don’t worry! Was there today catching a special Jet2 flight and the station is very convenient getting home to Inverness. Loved the video

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thanks! Very interesting to hear. That would be a huge, and neat, change that would make the train more attractive. And thank for the kind comment and for watching the video! 👍

[@Streetprofit]

ur way of voice narration and views match perfectly together

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thank very much for saying so. And thank you for watching too 👍

[@christinehodge3608]

Good video 😊

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thanks 👍

[@NeilFraser]

Check to see if Inverness station still has cats. Diesel and Gasket used to live at the end of one of the platforms. They'd sit on the buffers all day and watch passengers come and go. People would donate cans of cat food to the station master.

[@ampersand.]

Well, that was kind of people. Did they donate any food to the cats though?

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

I wish I'd known that when I was there. I would've asked!

[@kieronwillans4038]

I love visiting Inverness, everyone is really friendly and there is plenty to see. I have flown a couple of times from Luton, but I usually travel up by train and rent a car for two or three days to explore places further afield. On my last two visits I have stayed at the Royal Highland Hotel next to the station. On my most recent visit they allowed my partner and I to store our bags there until our room was ready having arrived on the sleeper from Euston.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

My B&B in Inverness this time was superb 10/10, but next time I may fancy the Royal Highland if I can swing a deal. Inverness is so lovely. I think I could easily do more bus routes, like to Ullapool, should I return. And maybe next time I do the Cally Sleeper. I've done the southbound journey on the channel, but northbound, I think, would be a different vibe and therefore not a repetition. Thanks for watching and commenting 👍

[@peterhorton5402]

Superb journey very well presented. Now subscribed

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Very nice of you to say so. Thank you so much for watching and subscribing 👍

[@Andrewjg_89]

Exeter to Inverness does seem like a good challenge. The distance is incredible no matter if you use CrossCountry or via coach. Epic journey.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thanks! So many different train routes I suppose . Haven't look which would have been quicker. But I wanted to try the Falcon and the new station at Inverness, so my heart was set on taking this route. Thanks for watching 👍

[@LWR1]

Nice video! My first ever flight was from Bristol to Inverness.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Cool. Well I hope the weather was as good for you! Thanks for watching 👍

[@neilburns8869]

You are absolutely right, Inverness airport railway station is a bit too far away, especially when the route is open as what it obviously is - I can only guess that those who drew up the plans for the new railway station must have shares in either Stagecoach or the local taxi cab company. And I believe the name of Inverness airport is Dalcross.

[@TheUncleGrant]

Nice video Johnny, It's a pity there's not a shuttle Bus at Inverness Airport to the Train Station.!! I loved staying at Inverness. 😍 But I left my PJs under the pillow at the Hotel..😂🤣

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

I think there is a shuttle, but it seems to be very sporadic. And it still begs the question (if you are going into the city) why would you get a bus to get a train, when you can just get one bus all the way?

[@EASTEASTEASTLONDON]

Liked and subscribed 👍🏻

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thank you 👍

[@RoddyJenkins]

Another fine video, Johnny! Shame I missed you at Bristol Airport; I’m working there as a Passenger Assistant, helping people with reduced mobility to and from their flights - I’d have said Hifi I’d spotted you! Oh and yes i have stood in the pouring rain, and dark, in the Airport Bus Station waiting for the bus back into Bristol…

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thanks Roddy. Shame we couldn't say Hello. But no doubt I will be passing through Bristol Airport a few times more in the future! Hopefully you'll get a nicer bus station at the airport soon. Thank for watching another 👍

[@RoddyJenkins]

@@JohnnyHooverTravels Thankfully they’ve moved the A1 Bristol Flyer to drop off/pick up outside the Terminal building - like they used to - which is a great relief at 8pm, when I’ve just finished a 9 hour shift!

[@sandiandgregh]

What a view coming into Inverness! And you are correct. I don’t think most people would want to lug their luggage all that way to the train station…especially if the sun isn’t shining.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Yes. It really was a great way to fly into a city! And then a long walk to complete the journey...

[@enricomonti156]

I did play American football in Italy and Malta for a few years. This trip kind of reminds me my travels to Sicily with my team in order to compete there. Early ferries or flights or even late night journeys altogether, as well as sometimes long trips to cross inner Sicily. Did not know that the Falcon Bus was operated by Megabus

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

The Falcon I'm sure used to be branded Stagecoach but yes, it's now Megabus. Never too late to get back into flag football. Less chance of getting hurt and less kit! Great memories of tour time in Italy/Sicily. Thanks for sharing 👍

[@peterdnreynolds777]

Brilliant video as always!! Excellent scenery!! Don't know how they can call that an airport station when it's so far away from the terminal. Hope all is well, take care

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Doing great, thank you. And best wishes to you and yours. Thanks for watching another! 👍

[@kevinoates1910]

Great video as always. I do enjoy flying from Bristol, although Exeter is so good to fly from, just lacks the destinations. My lad plays American Football so I have had to learn the game and now thoroughly enjoy it. He has played for Torbay Trojans, Bristol Aztecs and currently UWE Bullets. Oh and GB under 19s

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Crikey... better at it than me! I'll have to stick to flag as I'm too old for getting injured. It is always a treat when I get to fly from Exeter rather than have the trek up to Bristol. Thanks for watching 👍

[@simondavey7787]

The scenery on that flight in is breathtaking. Are there many facilities at Inverness airport?

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

@@simondavey7787 Yes, the airport is quite adequate as a small regional airport. There are enough facilities for travellers. And yes, that flight over the mountains and then up the firth was magical! Thanks for watching 👍

[@ianlove1215]

When the train arrived at Inverness Airport station, you described it as a 2 car train. I only saw one! 11:04

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Haha! There were two. There is a short cut as the train goes by that gives the impression the train is shorter. I have to include cuts such as these to keep the pace of the edit. If I didn't the video would be a few minutes longer and many would find the pace too slow. In the end its a balancing act between all the video you have recorded against what most people may reasonably wish to sit through to get a flavour of the journey. I hope that you enjoyed the video (with its cuts!). Thank you so much for watching 👍

[@georgeantony9339]

Amazing video! Once again, your videos are absolutely wonderful. By the way, have you looked into the British Pullman yet?

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thank you, you are so kind. I did look at the Pullman, but I will have to defer until I have deeper pockets! Thanks for watching more of my videos 👍

[@walterfillingham]

I think most folks using the new station at Inverness Airport station actually head towards Elgin direction, I really don’t see why anyone would get the train to Inverness itself when as you say the number 11 and 27 buses leave right outside the airport door and take you right into town and beyond (Dingwall). I also know people who live in Inverness who use the new station as a park and ride, easy to leave your car in a secure car park and get the train to Aberdeen (I also suspect offshore workers)

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thanks for that extra information Walter 👍 Btw next Friday is the trip to Wick!

[@PaulGodfrey]

Great video Johnny. What position do you play in American Football? The Inverness airport station would maybe make sense if you were traveling North? Or worried about traffic congestion that could delay the bus ?

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

I generally play Cornerback in defence (or defense). It's flag football so it's the 5a side non-contact (or ostensibly non-contact) version. I'm just starting my sixth season after foolishly taking up the sport aged 57 My guess is the main use of the station is if you are travelling eastbound to Elgin and points to Aberdeen. Thank for watching another 👍

[@adrianbromfild8624]

I can remember the airport when if was known as Lulsgate airport and the only flights from the airport were private flights and certainly not any international flights or aircraft of the size that use it now!

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

It was a very useful airport for me, even with the slight gripe about the location of the station! Thank you for watching 👍

[@oldtechnobodycaresabout]

Personally would have taken the train but this is an interesting way of doing it

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

I maybe could have caught a London train to pick up the Chieftain. But I would have not arrived until 8pm. But yes, if the price was right I may well do that next time. Or maybe the Cally Sleeper! Thanks for watching 👍

[@dazzlingdaz187]

Great video. Went from Exeter to Inverness a few years ago, but had to fly to Glasgow and get the train. This would have been a better way. £12 for the Falcon seems steep but compared to the cost of parking is a bargain! Shame that they drop you off so far though, i notice the long stay still goes direct to the terminal..

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Yes, that's the thing. The parking charge soon adds up so I suppose the £12 is ok. Thanks for watching 👍

[@andremp03]

I would strip the 'Airport' part away from that train station - that is a ridiculous distance to walk. Compare this to Heathrow and Gatwick, and it just doesn't cut it.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

It was a fair hike to be sure. But just maybe I'd be ok if I was getting the trains that go the other way to Elgin and Aberdeen 🤷‍♂️ Thanks for watching 👍

[@kieronwillans4038]

Maybe a better name for the station would be Inverness Airport Parkway. As Johnny has shown on the video it's a good stroll, the station is closer to the airport terminal than Luton is from the Airport Parkway station there .

[@ozgirl45]

Great video! I would think there could be a small shuttle bus from the airport to the train station. It doesn’t make any sense as it is now.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

I did see there might be a bus every now and then but with such an irregular train service, I'm not sure it adds much. Certainly not in the airport to Inverness city direction. Thank you for the kind words 👍

[@neilburns8869]

Stagecoach provides a very reasonable level of service, or so I have found. Their coach was on time, was warm and dry, made a reasonable amount of stops between your pick up point and the airport - so not too long and in this day and age £12 isn't really a King's ransom.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Yes, it did the trick and I would use it again if I had to. Thanks for watching 👍

[@nuinmarnuinmar5321]

Oh dear, that 'airport' train station is a bit of a stretchy walk, esp. with luggage or for mobility challenged folks. Hmmm. It would be the bus for me! Thanks for sharing Johnny.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Haha yes! I think it would be for me too. I suppose my trip was pretty much perfectly timed for the train as I waited less than 10 minutes for it at the station. Thanks for watching another. I head off for the Far North and the town of Wick next week. Very much a "bucket list" ride!

[@ampersand.]

Lovely sunny views of Scotland from the plane and that sunrise was gorgeous. You always capture such nice shots for us, thank you. But did you win your American footie match! I seem to recall Channel4 broadcasting AF in the very early 80s, and having to bring on a bloke to explain the rules to baffled Brits :D

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

We did ok at the football. Our team came 3rd in the end so I won a bronze medal 🥉 It was a great 2 days but my legs were very tired by the end!

[@colinriley123]

Here I am at Bristol Airport via bus 28, XC Taunton to BristolTM and the FlyerA1, which dropped right outside the terminal building. There certainly is a lot of work going on here. The prospect of coming here never inspires me. Inverness airport is more to my scale. Scotland seems to be the big Flag Football venue?

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

I hope you are going somewhere nice Colin. Interesting they still let the Flyer stop at the front door. There are a lot of teams in Scotland and winter competitions pretty much are all in Scotland as they have huge indoor facilities which we just don't have in England. Have a great trip 👍

[@johnlawrence2757]

Catch the bus: it’s simple cheap and directly outside the terminal . Which makes the return journey even more of a doddle. And the bus station in Inverness is 2 minutes from the train station. I’ll be there myself next week. Going to make a video about Skye. (Got a very long lens)

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Yes, that's currently the smart choice. Have a absolutely great time up there. I'm already considering when I can get back again! Thanks for watching 👍

[@johnlawrence2757]

@@JohnnyHooverTravels my pleasure: reciprocation is entirely to be tolerated by me as it would be expected to be.

[@telemachus53]

Doesn't the bus to Inverness from the airport go via the station? I presume the distance between the station and the airport is a result of they're being unmovable and existing before the connection was necessary. Still, it's enough to put anyone off flying to Inverness.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

I think some call at the station but others do not. And why would you get off a bus to Inverness just to wait on a platform to catch a train to Inverness? But yes, the line was where it was and the runways were all there too. So there wasn't a better location to build it. Not sure it would put me off flying to Inverness as it is a lovely city! Thanks for watching another 👍

[@TransportGeekery]

6:32 that’s not Bristol Airport - it’s Filton Airfield

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Damn! You are quite right. 🤦‍♂️ I'm sorry about that mistake. I hope you enjoyed the rest. My apologies again for the error.

[@127cmore]

50,000 people have used the Station in the first year so not the disaster predicted by the critics 😂

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

@@127cmore that is a very fair comment. It is certainly a very useful connection for people travelling from further afield than just Inverness. Thanks for watching 👍

[@john07973]

Maybe naming it Inverness Airport Station was an SNP publicity stunt. Was delayed at the airport for two hours back in August should have walked with the masses to and from the station a couple of times. Bristol airport looks quite good I wonder it there are any plans to rename Severn Beach station ? 😉 Good video thanks

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Yes a couple of tos and fros would have certainly got you your daily step count! Tbh I wish Bristol Airport did have a station, even if it was a mile to walk! But yes, I use Bristol Airport a lot and it is pretty good. Thanks for watching 👍

[@doomybear7389]

They've been dumping people away from the airport a very long time, caring for customers went out the door years ago

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Maybe a little harsh, but your sentiment has weight that maybe the airport should listen to? Thanks for watching 👍

[@generalkawasaki9485]

6.30 return makes no sense to me, who is going to Inverness and back to the airport on the same day? there are no open returns, no off-peak tickets, and an any-daytime single is 5.90. So for the additional 0.40p get the return and give it away to someone at the Inverness station. Also what I am missing here is the track you are facing upon arrival isn't the one heading into Inverness but towards Aberdeen, an unfamiliar non-UK/Ireland resident like me expects the most important, first track I see to be the one for Inverness. so I ended up inadvertently in Nairn..as a 'bonus'.

[@127cmore]

My son and his mates go to Inverness and go back to the Airport quite a lot. More people than you think 😂

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

@@generalkawasaki9485 actually on my journey, the train for Inverness did come through on the nearest track. I think they only need to use the far platform of trains are crossing at the station. However it would be most impractical to follow a rule that "the most important track is nearest to the passengers" as that is just not how railways work. Besides, for many people arriving at the station from the airport, they wish to travel east, rather than west anyway. 🤷‍♂️ Wrt to the "day return", many people travel to an airport to greet incoming passengers and the airport is also a big employer, so people may use it to get there to work. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts, and especially thank you for watching 👍

[@willswomble7274]

Flew from Birmingham (no INV flights from EXT or BRS then ~2006) to INV with Flybe. It was as ever a Dash 8, even BA BRS to EDN or GLA was in the slow, incredibly noisy bad old days before Easyjet, so I won't hear a moaner dissing low-cost airlines! I was impressed by the bus to the centre of town from immediately outside the delightfully tiny airport front doors, so what complete moron thought a train platform 15-20 minutes walk with luggage unprotected from arctic temperatures, snow, ice and Highland downpours was a sensible idea? Go on locals, please please name and shame them! I suppose the trains are on strike half the year anyway!

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Ah yes. FlyBe and their Dashs. Ah what memories... ahem. I quite like easyJet as a low cost carrier. You pay for just what you need. These uk and European flights are generally under 3 hours and I can fit in one of their seats for that long without endless food and drink being supplied etc etc Thanks for watching 👍

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

But the ScotRail trains aren't always on strike cos their govt didn't refuse to negotiate....

[@skintslots]

I've just cottoned on to a couple of your videos and I really like them. One thing I'd like to say though and that I personally dislike is the 'coming on today's video' at the begining. It's an American tv habit that can give the game away. I much prefer the 'surprise' of seeing everything first hand without any preview. Keep up the good content though.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

I think that is a very fair comment. I do toy with the "should it be in or out" wrt to opening thing. I fully accept it is probably wasted time for a viewer that knows the channel and just wants to get on to the actual video. But they are useful as a bite of the video to entice new watchers to engage. Whilst I may not remove it straight away, you can be sure I'm thinking about it too. I must confess, when watching a Michael Portillo show I fast forward the wasted 3 minutes at the start which is either opening credits or a trailer for what I'm about to watch. Thank you for sticking with the channel and for the kind words 👍

[@garrytuohy9267]

Should have really been called Train/Coach/Plain/TRAIPSE/Train.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Hahahaha! Love that!

[@Kulla1berg]

Interesting Not a clue that there was a market for a flight between Bristol and Inverness Have heard about this railway station att Inverness Airport. When I was in Scotland I passed by train outside Aberdeen Airport, but even if it was close they told me you needed to take a Taxi

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Ah yes. I think the station at Dyce is quite a walk from the Aberdeen airport terminal.

[@cannyexplorer5357]

As I saw the orange on the planes engine I lost interest.