The distance between Loch Ness and Thurso is around 201km (125 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to drive which takes around 2h 40m.
We've found 2 different ways to get from Loch Ness 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 Thurso → Loch Ness if you're planning a return trip.
Take the train to Thurso.
First ScotRail Service
There are several options for getting from Loch Ness to Thurso by train and car. The cheapest option is to take the train which costs around £45 ($53) and will take around 4h 35m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can drive and arrive in approximately 2h 40m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately £35 ($42).
The distance between Loch Ness and Thurso is around 201km (125 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 158km (98 miles)
It takes around 4h 35m to get from Loch Ness and Thurso by train. If you are travelling by car it will take around 2h 40m to drive there.
The quickest way to get from Loch Ness to Thurso is to drive which takes around 2h 40m and will set you back approx £35 ($42).
The cheapest way to travel between Loch Ness and Thurso, if you exclude driving, is to take the train which will typically cost around £45 ($53) for a standard one-way ticket.
Yes there is a train service that runs between Loch Ness and Thurso. It typically takes around 4h 35m and departs 5 times a day.
There are no direct train services that runs from Loch Ness to Thurso. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Inverness Bus Station Stance 2. These services run 5 times a day and will take a minimum of 4h 35m.
First ScotRail Service run train services between Loch Ness and Thurso. Trains depart 5 times a day and will take around 4h 35m, however, this may vary depending on the particular service and whether it runs express or stops all stations.
Sorry, looks like there is no bus service that runs between Loch Ness and Thurso. We recommend that you drive to Thurso. instead which will take 2h 40m.
It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Loch Ness to Thurso. We recommend that you take the train to Thurso. instead which will take 4h 35m.
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 Loch Ness and Thurso. The distance is around 201km (125 miles) by road and it will take around 2h 40m in normal traffic conditons.
If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Loch Ness to Thurso is to take the train which takes, on average, 4h 35m and will usually cost around £45 ($53).
Transport option | Duration | Cost | Frequency | Distance |
---|---|---|---|---|
Train | 4h 35m | £45($53) | 5 times a day | 272km (169 miles) |
Drive | 2h 40m | £35($42) | on demand | 201km (125 miles) |
First ScotRail Service
The following major airports near Thurso offer regular flights to various popular destinations within United Kingdom and internationally.