How to travel from Loch Lomond to Thurso, United Kingdom

The distance between Loch Lomond and Thurso is around 404km (251 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to drive which takes around 5hrs.

2 routes found

We've found 2 different ways to get from Loch Lomond to Thurso by train and car. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.

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

💰 Cheapest
1
3 x train
+

Train

Take the train to Perth then Inverness and then to Thurso.

  • Duration8h 15m
  • Departsevery 20 mins
  • Typical cost
    £105($125)
Operated by

First ScotRail Service

🚀 Fastest
2
car
+

Drive

Drive to Thurso.

  • Duration5hrs
  • Distance404km (251 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Loch Lomond and Thurso

There are several options for getting from Loch Lomond to Thurso by train and car. The cheapest option is to take the train which costs around £105 ($125) and will take around 8h 15m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can drive and arrive in approximately 5hrs, though it is a bit more costly at approximately £70 ($83).

The distance between Loch Lomond and Thurso is around 404km (251 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 280km (174 miles)

It takes around 8h 15m to get from Loch Lomond and Thurso by train. If you are travelling by car it will take around 5hrs to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Loch Lomond to Thurso is to drive which takes around 5hrs and will set you back approx £70 ($83).

The cheapest way to travel between Loch Lomond and Thurso, if you exclude driving, is to take the train which will typically cost around £105 ($125) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Loch Lomond and Thurso. It typically takes around 8h 15m and departs every 20 mins.

There are no direct train services that runs from Loch Lomond to Thurso. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Balloch, Glasgow Queen Street Low Level, Perth and Inverness. These services run every 20 mins and will take a minimum of 8h 15m.

First ScotRail Service and LNER run train services between Loch Lomond and Thurso. Trains depart every 20 mins and will take around 8h 15m, 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 Loch Lomond and Thurso. We recommend that you drive to Thurso. instead which will take 5hrs.

Flights and Airlines

It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Loch Lomond to Thurso. We recommend that you take the train to Perth then Inverness and then to Thurso. instead which will take 8h 15m.

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 Loch Lomond and Thurso. The distance is around 404km (251 miles) by road and it will take around 5hrs in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Loch Lomond to Thurso is to take the train which takes, on average, 8h 15m and will usually cost around £105 ($125).

How do I get from Loch Lomond to Thurso

Compare travel optionsbetween Loch Lomond and Thurso

Transport options from Loch Lomond to Thurso
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Train
8h 15m
£105($125)
every 20 mins572km (355 miles)
Drive
5hrs
£70($83)
on demand404km (251 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Loch Lomond and Thurso

Train operators

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