FAQ - How do I get to/from JOG/Inverness?

 As suggested in the "How do I get my bike to/from the start/finish?" question the leg of the journey between Inverness and John O'Groats is problematic.   There are trains that run to/from Wick & Thurso (it's actually the same train) but spaces for bikes are very limited, and there aren't many trains each day.  There is also a 17 mile ride between either station and JOG.

Train :  if you choose this option, with the ride, ensure that you book and have a physical reservation/ticket for your bike.

In the past Scotrail has run a bike van service (riders go on the train, bikes are taken by van to Wick) in the summer - it's worth checking if this is still the case

Taxi/van hire :  there are several businesses offering van or car and trailer services between Inverness and JOG [see the Transport section on this website] - it's a long way and quite costly, but if there are a few people it's not too bad .... or post a message on one of the cycling newsgroups to see if anyone else is travelling the same day (I found another group that used the return half of the journey with a car/trailer at the end of our 2010 LEJOG - that halved the cost)

Courier : It should be possible to pack a bike in a box (a used carton from a cycle shop) and send it to Wick or Thurso, perhaps to a cycle shop, hotel or B&B address.  This is not without risk as the bike would have to be partially dis-assembled to fit in the box, and may suffer transit damage en route.