Inverness Station

[Sealink]

I'm trying to find out the earliest time I can access the station.

I can see online ticket office opening hours etc. but just need to know if I can get in at around 0330hrs
(arrive from Glasgow on an Ember coach at 0317hrs, connection north is at 0430hrs - have suddenly remembered Inverness might be freezing!)
ScotRail shows staff help from 0445hrs (presumably for the 0454hrs to Edinburgh) - I assume that it when the station opens. But any insights would be appreciated.

 

[Haywain]

connection north is at 0430hrs

Not a rail connection then?

 

[Sealink]

Not a rail connection then?

No, Ember. I just want somewhere to sit for an hour on a cold December night. I understand not being a train passenger might be an issue.
First bus north is 0430hrs, first train is 0700hrs

 

[RiverDon]

Just asked for you at Inverness and was told the station is still locked up at that time, sorry.

 

[D6130]

Is there an all-night café anywhere in Inverness?

 

[kkong]

You could ask the Royal Highland Hotel if you can wait in their reception.

They used to have an arrangement whereby Sleeper passengers could grab tea/coffee there before and after trains, in lieu of a lounge at the station.

 

[Struner]

& Ember has no facilities to accommodate their through passengers?

 

[Rab Smith]

First passenger service out of Inverness is the 04.54 to Edinburgh via Aberdeen so the Station opens just before it leaves.

 

[Spaceship323]

Is the waiting room in the bus station (by the cafe) not open?

 

[kkong]

& Ember has no facilities to accommodate their through passengers?

Ember don't do "through" bookings, they are point-to-point.

They are like a low-cost airline in that respect.

 

[Sealink]

Just asked for you at Inverness and was told the station is still locked up at that time, sorry.

Thank you very much, that was very kind of you.

And thanks to all for advice/suggestions.

A coffee at The Royal Highland might be the thing!

 

[Sealink]

Is the waiting room in the bus station (by the cafe) not open?

Using bustimes.org the first buses are after 0500hrs so I don't think it will be open.
Got my hopes up - McDonald's is open to 0345hrs but only on Friday and Saturday mornings.

 

[Highland050261]

Is the waiting room in the bus station (by the cafe) not open?

No, the main bus station opens at 08:30, and Asher’s Café inside it opens at 07:00, which is the earliest you can get into the bus station. It closes at 17:30.

 

[fandroid]

It's certainly worth trying the hotel. In my experience, highland hotels are very accommodating of cold and weary travellers

 

[Djgr]

It's certainly worth trying the hotel. In my experience, highland hotels are very accommodating of cold and weary travellers

I would definitely contact them in advance rather than simply bang on the door in the early hours.

 

[ian1944]

Traditional Scottish bakers used to be open early for morning rolls. I don't know if Inverness has one.

 

[deltic]

The Wild Bean cafe at the BP petrol station on Longman Road - about 10 mins from the station is supposedly open all night but whether that means you can sit in or its just a take away hatch is not clear.

 

[RiverDon]

The Wild Bean cafe at the BP petrol station on Longman Road - about 10 mins from the station is supposedly open all night but whether that means you can sit in or its just a take away hatch is not clear.

That's not a cafe with tables and chairs as such, it's a petrol station shop with a coffee machine and a microwave. And at that time in the morning it'll be locked with just the night hatch open.

 

[Sealink]

The Wild Bean cafe at the BP petrol station on Longman Road - about 10 mins from the station is supposedly open all night but whether that means you can sit in or its just a take away hatch is not clear.

I did see that - one webpage showed it open 24 hours but going direct to BP showed it closed at that time of the morning.

I appreciate all the suggestions btw. I wonder if I can ask my brother to pick me up at that time of the morning... he only has to drive from Tain.

 

[Djgr]

I did see that - one webpage showed it open 24 hours but going direct to BP showed it closed at that time of the morning.

I appreciate all the suggestions btw. I wonder if I can ask my brother to pick me up at that time of the morning... he only has to drive from Tain.

To be honest you're going to have to take your big coat with you, wooly hat, thick gloves

 

[Sealink]

To be honest you're going to have to take your big coat with you, wooly hat, thick gloves

Not the big coat!
It's basically a duvet so a good reminder.