The distance between Oban and Thurso is around 343km (213 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to drive which takes around 4h 35m.
We've found 3 different ways to get from Oban to Thurso 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 Thurso → Oban if you're planning a return trip.
Take the bus to Fort William Bus Station, Inverness Bus Station Stance 2 then Leirinmore Smoo Cave and then to Thurso Royal Bank of Scotland.
Multiple bus operators
Take the train to Glasgow Queen Street, Perth then Inverness and then to Thurso.
First ScotRail Service
There are several options for getting from Oban to Thurso by bus, train and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around £24 ($28) and will take around 8h 30m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can drive and arrive in approximately 4h 35m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately £60 ($71).
The distance between Oban and Thurso is around 343km (213 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 269km (167 miles)
It takes around 8h 30m to get from Oban and Thurso by bus. If you are travelling by car it will take around 4h 35m to drive there.
The quickest way to get from Oban to Thurso is to drive which takes around 4h 35m and will set you back approx £60 ($71).
The cheapest way to travel between Oban and Thurso, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around £24 ($28) for a standard one-way ticket.
Yes there is a train service that runs between Oban and Thurso. It typically takes around 10h 25m and departs twice daily.
There are no direct train services that runs from Oban to Thurso. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Glasgow Queen Street, Perth and Inverness. These services run twice daily and will take a minimum of 10h 25m.
First ScotRail Service and LNER run train services between Oban and Thurso. Trains depart twice daily and will take around 10h 25m, however, this may vary depending on the particular service and whether it runs express or stops all stations.
Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Oban and Thurso. It typically takes around 8h 30m and departs once a week.
There are no direct bus services that runs from Oban to Thurso. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Fort William Bus Station, Inverness Bus Station Stance 2 and Leirinmore Smoo Cave. These services run once a week and will take a minimum of 8h 30m.
West Coast Motors, Scottish Citylink and The Durness Bus run regular bus services between Oban and Thurso. Buses run once a week and take around 8h 30m on average but will vary depending on you book with.
It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Oban to Thurso. We recommend that you take the bus to Fort William Bus Station, Inverness Bus Station Stance 2 then Leirinmore Smoo Cave and then to Thurso Royal Bank of Scotland. instead which will take 8h 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.
Yes it is possible to drive from Oban and Thurso. The distance is around 343km (213 miles) by road and it will take around 4h 35m in normal traffic conditons.
If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Oban to Thurso is to take the bus which takes, on average, 8h 30m and will usually cost around £24 ($28).
Transport option | Duration | Cost | Frequency | Distance |
---|---|---|---|---|
Bus | 8h 30m | £24($28) | once a week | 518km (322 miles) |
Train | 10h 25m | £100($120) | twice daily | 680km (423 miles) |
Drive | 4h 35m | £60($71) | on demand | 343km (213 miles) |
West Coast Motors
Scottish Citylink
The Durness Bus
First ScotRail Service
LNER
The following major airports near Thurso offer regular flights to various popular destinations within United Kingdom and internationally.