How to travel from Durham to Thurso, United Kingdom

The distance between Durham and Thurso is around 526km (327 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to fly which takes around 3h 15m.

5 routes found

We've found 5 different ways to get from Durham to Thurso by train, bus, car and plane. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.

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

🚀 Fastest
1
plane
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Fly

Fly from Durham (MME) to Wick (WIC).

  • Duration3h 15m
  • Flight time1h 40m
  • Typical cost
    £320($380)
Operated by

Loganair

+ 1 others

1 similiar route

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

2
train
+
train
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Train

Take the train to Inverness and then to Thurso.

  • Duration9h 40m
  • Departstwice a week
  • Typical cost
    £140($165)
Operated by

Multiple train operators

💰 Cheapest
3
bus
+
train
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train
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Bus and Train

Take the bus to Newcastle upon Tyne Newcastle Coach Station then take the train to Inverness and then to Thurso.

  • Duration11h 40m
  • Departstwice a week
  • Typical cost
    £82($95)
Operated by

Multiple operators

4
car
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Drive

Drive to Thurso.

  • Duration7h 30m
  • Distance622km (386 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Durham and Thurso

There are several options for getting from Durham to Thurso by train, bus, car and plane. The cheapest option is to take the bus and then take the train which costs around £82 ($95) and will take around 11h 40m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can fly and arrive in approximately 3h 15m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately £320 ($380).

The distance between Durham and Thurso is around 526km (327 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 450km (280 miles)

It takes around 9h 40m to get from Durham and Thurso by train. If you are travelling by car it will take around 7h 30m to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Durham to Thurso is to fly which takes around 3h 15m and will set you back approx £320 ($380).

The cheapest way to travel between Durham and Thurso, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus and then take the train which will typically cost around £82 ($95) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Durham and Thurso. It typically takes around 9h 40m and departs twice a week.

There are no direct train services that runs from Durham to Thurso. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Durham and Inverness. These services run twice a week and will take a minimum of 9h 40m.

LNER and First ScotRail Service run train services between Durham and Thurso. Trains depart twice a week and will take around 9h 40m, however, this may vary depending on the particular service and whether it runs express or stops all stations.

Bus travel

Sorry, looks like there is no bus service that runs between Durham and Thurso. We recommend that you fly from Durham (MME) to Wick (WIC). instead which will take 3h 15m.

Flights and Airlines

Yes you can fly from Durham and Thurso. Flights depart from Durham (MME) and arrive at Wick (WIC) - via Aberdeen (ABZ). The flight takes around 1h 40m.

There is no direct flight from Durham to Thurso. There is however a flight that goes via Aberdeen (ABZ). This services will take at least 3h 15m (not including layover time).

The flight from Durham to Thurso typically takes around 1h 40m. Flights depart from Durham (MME) and and arrive into Wick (WIC).

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 Durham and Thurso. The distance is around 622km (386 miles) by road and it will take around 7h 30m in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Durham to Thurso is to take the train which takes, on average, 9h 40m and will usually cost around £140 ($165).

How do I get from Durham to Thurso

Compare travel optionsbetween Durham and Thurso

Transport options from Durham to Thurso
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Fly + 1 similar
3h 15m
£320($380)
every 3 hours526km (327 miles)
Plane and Train7h 35m
£320($380)
5 times a day742km (461 miles)
Train
9h 40m
£140($165)
twice a week759km (472 miles)
Bus and Train
11h 40m
£82($95)
twice a week796km (495 miles)
Drive
7h 30m
£110($130)
on demand622km (386 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Durham and Thurso

Train operators

Airlines

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