Wondering how to get to your adventure with us? We’ve put together some more information and tips for getting your destination. If you have a specific questions then please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Glasgow is the closest airport to access to the West Highland Way, (we recommend using Sky Scanner to help plan your flights).
The West Highland Way starts from Milngavie, a small town on the outskirts of Glasgow. This is the traditional starting point of the trek. Milngavie (pronounced Mull-guy!) can be a tricky one to get your tongue around — and it’s not the only Scottish place name that will trip you up along the way! Don’t be surprised if the spelling and pronunciation don’t seem to match; that’s part of the charm of walking in Scotland.
Milngavie itself… If we’re being honest, it’s not exactly a jaw-dropping start point. The upside? Milngavie is incredibly easy to reach, whether you’re flying into Glasgow or travelling domestically.
How to Get to the Start of the West Highland Way – Milngavie
Distance: 8 miles or 13kms from Glasgow
Easiest route: Train
Trains to Milngavie depart frequently (every 15–20 minutes) from either Glasgow Central Station or Glasgow Queen Street Station.
- Journey time: 23–30 minutes
- Cost: Around £4.00 for a single adult ticket
- Click here to check train times.
From Glasgow International Airport:
If you’re flying in, you can easily connect to Glasgow’s train stations via the Glasgow Airport Express Service 500, which runs 24/7.
- Frequency: Every 12 minutes (Mon–Fri), every 15 minutes in the evening
- Journey time: 15 minutes
- Stops: St Vincent Street (near Central Station), George Square (near Queen Street Station)
- Cost: £10 for a single adult ticket (pay by card, cash, or contactless)
- Click here to see the timetable.
Taxi from the Airport:
If you’d prefer to skip going into the city centre, a taxi directly from the airport to Milngavie is a good option — faster and often cheaper when you factor in separate bus and train fares. Expect to pay around £15–£30, and yes, Uber operates from the airport.
Overnight Stay: Glasgow or Milngavie?
While you can stay in Milngavie, accommodation options are limited and not particularly inspiring. A better plan is to stay overnight in Glasgow and catch an early train to Milngavie the next morning. That way, you can enjoy a proper night’s sleep, maybe explore the city a bit, and start your trek feeling fresh.
Returning from Fort William
Once you’ve completed the West Highland Way, you’ll finish in Fort William, a hub for hikers and outdoor lovers.
- By Bus: Citylink coaches to Glasgow take about 2h 50 mins and run several times a day. Timetable and ticket info here.
- By Train: The train journey back to Glasgow takes roughly 4 hours, but it’s absolutely stunning — rolling through mountains, lochs, and some of the best scenery in Scotland. Timetable and ticket info see here.
- By Taxi: 2h 45 mins is the approximate travel time via taxi.
Whether you take the quick route or the scenic one, getting to (and from) the West Highland Way is simple — and just the beginning of your adventure through some of Scotland’s most beautiful landscapes.
