Of almost any destination in the world, flying into Scotland, if your documents are in order, is one of the most effortless undertakings in global travel. There are no shots to get, no particular safety precautions, no unusual pretrip planning. In general, if you're not bringing any illegal item into the British Isles, Customs officials are courteous and speed you on your way to entering their country.

Of course, before you lift off the ground in your native country, you can do some advance preparation—for example, checking to see if your passport is up-to-date (or obtaining one, necessary), or taking care of your health needs before you go, including medication.

This guide provides planning tools to help make your trip to Scotland go smoothly and help you get the most out of your time, including information on how to get there, how to get around, and how to arrange accommodations, along with local resources to tap. 

Budgeting Adventure

If you’re planning to visit a number of Scotland’s many historic properties, you could save money, especially if traveling with children, by purchasing a Historic Scotland Explorer Pass (www.historic-scotland.gov.uk; tel. 0131/668-8095). Passes allow entry into many of Scotland’s most visited historic attractions. There are two types of passes: The first is good for 3 days within a 5-day period and costs £31 for adults, £24.80 for seniors and students, £18.60 for children ages 5 to 15, and £62 for families of 2 adults and up to 6 children. The second pass is available for 7 days within a 14-day period and costs £42 for adults, £33.60 for seniors and students, £25.20 for children and £84 for families. Explorer Passes can be bought at any staffed Historic Scotland property, at Tourist Information Centres (TICs) across the country, or online at Historic Scotland’s website.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.