How to travel from Manchester to Thurso, United Kingdom

The distance between Manchester and Thurso is around 760km (472 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to drive which takes around 8h 35m.

4 routes found

We've found 4 different ways to get from Manchester to Thurso by train, bus and car. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.

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

1
3 x train
+

Train

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

  • Duration10h 30m
  • Departs5 times a day
  • Typical cost
    £115($135)
Operated by

Multiple train operators

1 similiar route

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

💰 Cheapest
2
4 x bus
+

Bus

Take the bus to Buchanan Bus Station, Inverness Bus Station Stance 3 then Leirinmore Smoo Cave and then to Thurso Royal Bank of Scotland.

  • Duration13h 40m
  • Departsonce a week
  • Typical cost
    £52($62)
Operated by

Multiple bus operators

🚀 Fastest
3
car
+

Drive

Drive to Thurso.

  • Duration8h 35m
  • Distance760km (472 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Manchester and Thurso

There are several options for getting from Manchester to Thurso by train, bus and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around £52 ($62) and will take around 13h 40m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can drive and arrive in approximately 8h 35m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately £130 ($155).

The distance between Manchester and Thurso is around 760km (472 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 574km (357 miles)

It takes around 10h 30m to get from Manchester and Thurso by train. If you are travelling by car it will take around 8h 35m to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Manchester to Thurso is to drive which takes around 8h 35m and will set you back approx £130 ($155).

The cheapest way to travel between Manchester and Thurso, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around £52 ($62) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Manchester and Thurso. It typically takes around 10h 30m and departs 5 times a day.

There are no direct train services that runs from Manchester to Thurso. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Haymarket and Inverness. These services run 5 times a day and will take a minimum of 10h 30m.

TransPennine Express Service, First ScotRail Service, LNER, Northern Rail and Caledonian Sleeper run train services between Manchester and Thurso. Trains depart 5 times a day and will take around 10h 30m, 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 Manchester and Thurso. It typically takes around 13h 40m and departs once a week.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Manchester to Thurso. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Buchanan Bus Station, Inverness Bus Station Stance 3 and Leirinmore Smoo Cave. These services run once a week and will take a minimum of 13h 40m.

Megabus UK, FlixBus, Scottish Citylink and The Durness Bus run regular bus services between Manchester and Thurso. Buses run once a week and take around 13h 40m on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Manchester to Thurso. We recommend that you take the train to Haymarket then Inverness and then to Thurso. instead which will take 10h 30m.

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 Manchester and Thurso. The distance is around 760km (472 miles) by road and it will take around 8h 35m in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Manchester to Thurso is to take the train which takes, on average, 10h 30m and will usually cost around £115 ($135).

How do I get from Manchester to Thurso

Compare travel optionsbetween Manchester and Thurso

Transport options from Manchester to Thurso
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Train + 1 similar
10h 30m
£115($135)
5 times a day891km (554 miles)
Train via Preston12h 20m
£95($115)
once daily896km (557 miles)
Bus
13h 40m
£52($62)
once a week968km (602 miles)
Drive
8h 35m
£130($155)
on demand760km (472 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Manchester 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