Scotland Station code INK
Inverkeithing
Inverkeithing by train: a historic Fife burgh just north of the Forth Bridge, handy for North Queensferry, Deep Sea World and the Fife Coastal Path.
- Around 4 hours 50 minutes from London
- 1 LNER route
- 4 things to do
The Forth Bridge from North Queensferry, one stop south of InverkeithingPhoto: Colin Park, CC BY-SA 2.0
About Inverkeithing
Inverkeithing is an old royal burgh on the north shore of the Firth of Forth, about nine and a half miles from central Edinburgh. It was a trading centre in the Middle Ages, and its town centre keeps a medieval street plan and the remains of a friary.
Most visitors come for the Forth. Three bridges from three centuries cross the firth just south of the town, including the Forth Bridge of 1890 – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – and the village of North Queensferry beneath them has an aquarium and a stretch of the Fife Coastal Path.
Trains to Aberdeen stop here, and frequent ScotRail trains make the run to Edinburgh Haymarket in as little as 15 minutes.
Journey
INK- Fastest from London King's Cross
- Around 4 hours 50 minutes
- LNER routes calling
- 1
| Route | Previous stop | Next stop |
|---|---|---|
| London – Aberdeen stop 19 of 26 | Haymarket | Kirkcaldy |
May–December 2026 timetable · not every train calls at every station
Direct only on LNER's Aberdeen trains – about four a day in each direction on weekdays in the May–December 2026 timetable. Otherwise change at Edinburgh for frequent ScotRail trains into Fife.
Journey times are from LNER's May–December 2026 timetable and vary by train. Check yours with LNER timetables or the National Rail journey planner.
Key facts
- Opened
- 1877 (rebuilt 1888–90 for the Forth Bridge)
- Heritage status
- Category B listed (Historic Environment Scotland LB49950)
- Platforms
- 2
- Managed by
- ScotRail
- Passengers a year
- 953,162 entries and exits (April 2024 – March 2025) Source: orr.gov.uk (opens in a new tab)
Did you know?
- The surviving 1888–90 station building is partly built over the Keithing Burn, supported on steel H-beams.
- The station was rebuilt as part of the Forth Bridge works: the bridge's North Approach Railway runs for just over 3 km from the northern end of the bridge to Inverkeithing.
Photos of Inverkeithing
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(view larger)
The Forth Bridge from North Queensferry, one stop south of Inverkeithing Photo: Colin Park, CC BY-SA 2.0 -
(view larger)
Inverkeithing's two platforms, with the modern ticket office building and, opposite, the older North British Railway building now used as a waiting room Photo: Rosser1954, CC BY-SA 4.0
Arriving at Inverkeithing
Northbound trains towards Kirkcaldy, Dundee and Aberdeen use platform 2, where the modern ticket office, waiting room and toilets are; trains towards Edinburgh use platform 1, where the older North British Railway building serves as a waiting room. An accessible footbridge links the two, and there is a taxi rank. The town centre, with its medieval street plan, is a few minutes' walk away.
The station is close to the town centre – well under a quarter of a mile as the crow flies. It has two platforms linked by an accessible footbridge, a staffed ticket office with toilets, and large council car parks.
Getting around
North Queensferry, for Deep Sea World and views of the bridges, is the next station south on the line to Edinburgh. The town centre is a short walk from the station.
Other train services and connections
- ScotRail (Edinburgh, Fife Circle, Dunfermline, Perth, Dundee and Aberdeen)
Station facilities
- Step-free accessStep-free to both platforms (National Rail category A); there are no lifts
- StaffingStaffed Monday to Saturday 06:00–23:45 and Sunday 08:15–23:30
- Ticket officeOn platform 2: Monday to Saturday 06:30–19:30, Sunday 10:10–17:30
- Ticket machinesOn platform 2 and at the south-west entrance, including collection of tickets bought online
- Waiting roomsIn the ticket office building on platform 2 (ticket office hours) and on platform 1 (open a little later)
- ToiletsIn the waiting room and on platform 2, open only during ticket office hours
- Accessible toiletUnisex accessible toilet on the concourse (RADAR key)
- Baby changingAvailable
- Food and drinkKiosk
- ShopsNews kiosk
- Wi-fiStation wi-fi available
- Left luggageNot available
- Car park427 spaces in three council car parks, open 24 hours, with 9 accessible bays; National Rail lists a daily rate of £4, free for Blue Badge holders
- Cycle parking39 sheltered spaces in lockers and stands
- TaxisTaxi rank at the station
- BusesAn express bus links Inverkeithing with Edinburgh Airport
- Help pointsOn both platforms, with induction loops
Checked September 2026. Facilities and opening hours change — see the National Rail Enquiries station page (opens in a new tab) for the latest details.
History of the station
Inverkeithing's first station opened in 1877 with the Dunfermline and Queensferry Railway. Everything changed with the building of the Forth Bridge: the North British Railway took over the line and rebuilt the station in 1888–90 as a double-track stop on the new North Approach Railway, which runs for just over 3 km from the northern end of the bridge.
The station once had a pair of matching buildings on opposite platforms. Only the east block survives, now category B listed and used as a waiting room, while a post-modern ticket office building opened on the west platform in 1986. Today Inverkeithing is a busy commuter stop beside the M90, and just north of the station the lines along the Fife coast and via Dunfermline divide.
Half a day by the Forth bridges
Three bridges, sharks and a coastal path, a short hop south of the station.
-
Morning
Under the Forth Bridge
Head down to North Queensferry, the next station towards Edinburgh, to see the 1890 rail bridge, the Forth Road Bridge and the Queensferry Crossing side by side.
-
Late morning
Deep Sea World
The aquarium in North Queensferry is known for its sand tiger sharks, with talks and feeds through the day.
-
Afternoon
A stretch of the Fife Coastal Path
North Queensferry is on the long-distance coastal path, so you can walk a section along the shore before catching a train back.
Things to do near Inverkeithing
The Forth Bridges
The 1890 Forth Bridge, the 1964 Forth Road Bridge and the 2017 Queensferry Crossing stand side by side over the firth. The cantilevered rail bridge is a UNESCO World Heritage Site – and you cross it on the train.
Deep Sea World
An aquarium in North Queensferry known for its sand tiger sharks, with talks and feeds through the day. Its nearest station is North Queensferry, one stop south.
Fife Coastal Path
A long-distance trail of around 117 miles from Kincardine to Newburgh, split into day sections; North Queensferry, below the bridges, is on the route.
Dunfermline Abbey
The remains of a large medieval Benedictine abbey beside a working parish church. The abbey is free to visit, though the palace ruins are currently closed.
Distances are approximate. Opening times and prices change — check the official website before you go.
Day trips from Inverkeithing
-
Edinburgh
Cross the Forth Bridge into the capital for the castle, the Old Town and the galleries.
LNER trains to Edinburgh Waverley take about 20 minutes (four a day on weekdays in the May–December 2026 timetable), and ScotRail runs frequent trains too, reaching Haymarket in as little as 15 minutes.
-
Dundee
V&A Dundee and RRS Discovery sit side by side on the Tay waterfront.
LNER's Aberdeen trains take about 56–59 minutes (four a day on weekdays in the May–December 2026 timetable).
Where to stay in Inverkeithing
There are hotels around Inverkeithing and North Queensferry, and many visitors stay in Edinburgh and come over by train.
Tips for your visit
- Check the Fife Coast and Countryside Trust website for path diversions before a long walk.
Questions about Inverkeithing station
How far is the Forth Bridge from Inverkeithing station?
About two miles as the crow flies. North Queensferry, right beside the bridges, is the next station towards Edinburgh.
Is Inverkeithing station step-free?
Yes. National Rail lists step-free access to both platforms. There are no lifts; the platforms are linked by an accessible footbridge.
Can I park at Inverkeithing station?
Yes. There are 427 spaces in three council car parks, with 9 accessible bays. National Rail lists a daily rate of £4, with Blue Badge holders free (checked September 2026).
Are there toilets at the station?
Yes, including a unisex accessible toilet, but they are open only during ticket office hours.
Do LNER trains from London stop here?
Yes, but only LNER's Aberdeen trains – about four a day in each direction on weekdays in the May–December 2026 timetable. Otherwise change at Edinburgh.
Can I get to Edinburgh Airport from Inverkeithing?
National Rail says an express bus links Inverkeithing with Edinburgh Airport; check Traveline Scotland for current times.
Sources we checked (September 2026)
We researched this page using the sources below. They are listed for transparency and are not links; always check official websites for the latest details.
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inverkeithing_railway_station
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inverkeithing
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Queensferry
- assets.ctfassets.net/mxack5k9p2sw/7jQOjS38muWdVQbPCRGxyV/809f4c4fe0a29fcd38233147ab0f48…
- theforthbridges.org/
- deepseaworld.com/
- fifecoastandcountrysidetrust.co.uk/walks/fife-coastal-path/
- historicenvironment.scot/visit/all/dunfermline-abbey-and-palace/
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forth_Bridge
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_Sea_World
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fife_Coastal_Path
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunfermline_Abbey
- nationalrail.co.uk/stations/ink/
- dataportal.orr.gov.uk/statistics/usage/estimates-of-station-usage/
- portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB49950
Travelling to Inverkeithing?
Check live times and fares with LNER, or compare prices on Trip.com. Book early for the best chance of a cheaper Advance fare.