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.
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 Thurso → Cardiff if you're planning a return trip.
Take the train to Bristol Temple Meads then fly from Bristol (BRS) to Wick (WIC).
Multiple operators
6 similiar routes
We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.
Take the train to Crewe, Haymarket then Inverness and then to Thurso.
Multiple train operators
2 similiar routes
We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.
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.
Multiple bus operators
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
Transport option | Duration | Cost | Frequency | Distance |
---|---|---|---|---|
Train to Bristol Temple Meads, Fly + 6 similar | 4h 20m | £395($465) | every 3 hours | 909km (565 miles) |
Train and Plane | 6h 55m | £220($260) | 5 times a day | 1,021km (634 miles) |
Train to Birmingham New Street, plane | 7h 55m | £265($315) | 5 times a day | 1,029km (640 miles) |
Train to Bristol Temple Meads, plane | 8h 45m | £335($395) | 5 times a day | 1,125km (699 miles) |
Train to Birmingham New Street, plane | 9h 40m | £310($370) | 5 times a day | 1,120km (696 miles) |
Train to Bristol Temple Meads, plane | 10hrs | £180($210) | 5 times a day | 1,127km (700 miles) |
Train to Bristol Temple Meads, plane | 10h 5m | £195($230) | 5 times a day | 1,130km (702 miles) |
Train + 2 similar | 13hrs | £260($305) | 5 times a day | 1,145km (712 miles) |
Train via Birmingham New Street | 14h 25m | £245($290) | once daily | 1,263km (785 miles) |
Train via Crewe | 15h 10m | £160($190) | once daily | 1,149km (714 miles) |
Bus | 14h 15m | £69($82) | once a week | 1,241km (771 miles) |
Drive | 11h 25m | £180($215) | on demand | 1,039km (646 miles) |
First ScotRail Service
LNER
Caledonian Sleeper
Stagecoach West Scotland
Scottish Citylink
The Durness Bus
Loganair
Eastern Airways
The following major airports near Thurso offer regular flights to various popular destinations within United Kingdom and internationally.