How to travel from Fort William to Dumfries, United Kingdom

The distance between Fort William and Dumfries is around 291km (181 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to drive which takes around 3h 30m.

3 routes found

We've found 3 different ways to get from Fort William to Dumfries by bus, train and car. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.

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

💰 Cheapest
1
bus
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bus
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Bus

Take the bus to Buchanan Bus Station and then to Dumfries Academy Street.

  • Duration5h 20m
  • Departs5 times a day
  • Typical cost
    £32($38)
Operated by

Multiple bus operators

2
train
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train
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Train

Take the train to Dalmuir and then to Dumfries.

  • Duration5h 45m
  • Departsevery 20 mins
  • Typical cost
    £46($55)
Operated by

First ScotRail Service

🚀 Fastest
3
car
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Drive

Drive to Dumfries.

  • Duration3h 30m
  • Distance291km (181 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Fort William and Dumfries

There are several options for getting from Fort William to Dumfries by bus, train and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around £32 ($38) and will take around 5h 20m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can drive and arrive in approximately 3h 30m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately £51 ($60).

The distance between Fort William and Dumfries is around 291km (181 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 216km (134 miles)

It takes around 5h 20m to get from Fort William and Dumfries by bus. If you are travelling by car it will take around 3h 30m to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Fort William to Dumfries is to drive which takes around 3h 30m and will set you back approx £51 ($60).

The cheapest way to travel between Fort William and Dumfries, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around £32 ($38) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Fort William and Dumfries. It typically takes around 5h 45m and departs every 20 mins.

There are no direct train services that runs from Fort William to Dumfries. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Dalmuir and Glasgow Central Low Level. These services run every 20 mins and will take a minimum of 5h 45m.

First ScotRail Service and Caledonian Sleeper run train services between Fort William and Dumfries. Trains depart every 20 mins and will take around 5h 45m, 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 Fort William and Dumfries. It typically takes around 5h 20m and departs 5 times a day.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Fort William to Dumfries. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Buchanan Bus Station. These services run 5 times a day and will take a minimum of 5h 20m.

Scottish Citylink and Stagecoach West Scotland run regular bus services between Fort William and Dumfries. Buses run 5 times a day and take around 5h 20m on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Fort William to Dumfries. We recommend that you take the bus to Buchanan Bus Station and then to Dumfries Academy Street. instead which will take 5h 20m.

The closest major airport to Dumfries is Glasgow Prestwick Airport (PIK) (PIK) which is approximately 80km (50 miles) from Dumfries. Edinburgh Airport (EDI) (EDI) and Glasgow Airport (GLA) (GLA) 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 Fort William and Dumfries. The distance is around 291km (181 miles) by road and it will take around 3h 30m in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Fort William to Dumfries is to take the bus which takes, on average, 5h 20m and will usually cost around £32 ($38).

How do I get from Fort William to Dumfries

Compare travel optionsbetween Fort William and Dumfries

Transport options from Fort William to Dumfries
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Bus
5h 20m
£32($38)
5 times a day300km (187 miles)
Train
5h 45m
£46($55)
every 20 mins318km (197 miles)
Drive
3h 30m
£51($60)
on demand291km (181 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Fort William and Dumfries

Bus companies

Train operators

Airports near Dumfries

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

PIK
Glasgow Prestwick Airport (PIK)
Domestic Airport
Distance
80km (50 miles) from Dumfries
EDI
Edinburgh Airport (EDI)
International Airport
Distance
99km (61 miles) from Dumfries
GLA
Glasgow Airport (GLA)
International Airport
Distance
102km (64 miles) from Dumfries