How to travel from Cardiff to Thurso, United Kingdom

The distance between Cardiff and Thurso is around 909km (565 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to take the train and then fly which takes around 4h 20m.

12 routes found

We've found 12 different ways to get from Cardiff to Thurso by train, plane, bus and car. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.

👋 Also check out ThursoCardiff if you're planning a return trip.

🚀 Fastest
1
train
+
plane
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Train to Bristol Temple Meads, Fly

Take the train to Bristol Temple Meads then fly from Bristol (BRS) to Wick (WIC).

  • Duration4h 20m
  • Flight time2h 10m
  • Typical cost
    £395($465)
Operated by

Multiple operators

6 similiar routes

We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.

2
4 x train
+

Train

Take the train to Crewe, Haymarket then Inverness and then to Thurso.

  • Duration13hrs
  • Departs5 times a day
  • Typical cost
    £260($305)
Operated by

Multiple train operators

2 similiar routes

We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.

💰 Cheapest
3
5 x bus
+

Bus

Take the bus to Abington, Buchanan Bus Station, Inverness Bus Station Stance 3 then Leirinmore Smoo Cave and then to Thurso Royal Bank of Scotland.

  • Duration14h 15m
  • Departsonce a week
  • Typical cost
    £69($82)
Operated by

Multiple bus operators

4
car
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Drive

Drive to Thurso.

  • Duration11h 25m
  • Distance1,039km (646 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Cardiff and Thurso

There are several options for getting from Cardiff to Thurso by train, plane, bus and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around £69 ($82) and will take around 14h 15m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can take the train and then fly and arrive in approximately 4h 20m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately £395 ($465).

The distance between Cardiff and Thurso is around 909km (565 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 791km (492 miles)

It takes around 6h 55m to get from Cardiff and Thurso by train and plane. If you are travelling by car it will take around 11h 25m to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Cardiff to Thurso is to take the train and then fly which takes around 4h 20m and will set you back approx £395 ($465).

The cheapest way to travel between Cardiff and Thurso, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around £69 ($82) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Cardiff and Thurso. It typically takes around 13hrs and departs 5 times a day.

There are no direct train services that runs from Cardiff to Thurso. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Crewe, Haymarket and Inverness. These services run 5 times a day and will take a minimum of 13hrs.

Transport for Wales, Avanti West Coast, First ScotRail Service, LNER, CrossCountry and Caledonian Sleeper run train services between Cardiff and Thurso. Trains depart 5 times a day and will take around 13hrs, however, this may vary depending on the particular service and whether it runs express or stops all stations.

Bus travel

Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Cardiff and Thurso. It typically takes around 14h 15m and departs once a week.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Cardiff to Thurso. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Abington, Buchanan Bus Station, Inverness Bus Station Stance 3 and Leirinmore Smoo Cave. These services run once a week and will take a minimum of 14h 15m.

Megabus UK, Stagecoach West Scotland, Scottish Citylink and The Durness Bus run regular bus services between Cardiff and Thurso. Buses run once a week and take around 14h 15m on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Cardiff to Thurso. We recommend that you take the train to Bristol Temple Meads then fly from Bristol (BRS) to Inverness (INV) then take the train to Thurso. instead which will take 6h 55m.

The closest major airport to Thurso is Kirkwall Airport (KOI) (KOI) which is approximately 54km (34 miles) from Thurso. Inverness Airport (INV) (INV) and Stornoway Airport (SYY) (SYY) are also nearby and might be a better alternative airport depending on where you are flying from.

Drive yourself

Yes it is possible to drive from Cardiff and Thurso. The distance is around 1,039km (646 miles) by road and it will take around 11h 25m in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Cardiff to Thurso is to take the train and then fly which takes, on average, 6h 55m and will usually cost around £220 ($260).

How do I get from Cardiff to Thurso

Compare travel optionsbetween Cardiff and Thurso

Transport options from Cardiff to Thurso
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Train to Bristol Temple Meads, Fly + 6 similar
4h 20m
£395($465)
every 3 hours909km (565 miles)
Train and Plane6h 55m
£220($260)
5 times a day1,021km (634 miles)
Train to Birmingham New Street, plane7h 55m
£265($315)
5 times a day1,029km (640 miles)
Train to Bristol Temple Meads, plane8h 45m
£335($395)
5 times a day1,125km (699 miles)
Train to Birmingham New Street, plane9h 40m
£310($370)
5 times a day1,120km (696 miles)
Train to Bristol Temple Meads, plane10hrs
£180($210)
5 times a day1,127km (700 miles)
Train to Bristol Temple Meads, plane10h 5m
£195($230)
5 times a day1,130km (702 miles)
Train + 2 similar
13hrs
£260($305)
5 times a day1,145km (712 miles)
Train via Birmingham New Street14h 25m
£245($290)
once daily1,263km (785 miles)
Train via Crewe15h 10m
£160($190)
once daily1,149km (714 miles)
Bus
14h 15m
£69($82)
once a week1,241km (771 miles)
Drive
11h 25m
£180($215)
on demand1,039km (646 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Cardiff and Thurso

Train operators

Bus companies

Airports near Thurso

The following major airports near Thurso offer regular flights to various popular destinations within United Kingdom and internationally.

KOI
Kirkwall Airport (KOI)
Domestic Airport
Distance
54km (34 miles) from Thurso
INV
Inverness Airport (INV)
International Airport
Distance
122km (76 miles) from Thurso
SYY
Stornoway Airport (SYY)
Domestic Airport
Distance
169km (105 miles) from Thurso