Getting to Loch Lomond from Edinburgh and Glasgow
From Glasgow and Edinburgh, with and without a car
From Glasgow, Balloch is about 50 minutes on a direct train or about 35 minutes by car. From Edinburgh, allow about 90 minutes by car, or take a train to Glasgow and change.
- Last train, Balloch to Glasgow (Mon to Sat)
- 22:44
- Sunday trains leave from Glasgow
- Central LL
- Trains an hour by day, Glasgow to Balloch
- 2
- Citylink coaches a day to Balloch and Luss
- 5
Glasgow to Balloch by train: the key times
Get off at the end of the line: Balloch is the terminus. Monday to Saturday, board on the Low Level platforms at Glasgow Queen Street, or further out at Charing Cross or Partick; on Sundays, at Glasgow Central Low Level or Partick. First and last trains in both directions are in the table below.
Fares: ScotRail has had no peak fares since September 2025, so an early train costs no more than a midday one. Balloch station has a ticket office and machines, and the ScotRail app shows the fare for your date.
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A83 Rest and Be Thankful: open, with temporary traffic lights (both directions). Traffic Scotland, Wed 4 Nov, 04:30. All roads around the loch
Train times, platforms and fares
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Balloch
About 50 min from Glasgow Every 30 min by day
The south end: cruises, Loch Lomond Shores, the country park, and buses on to Luss and Balmaha.
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Arrochar & Tarbet
About 1 h 20 from Glasgow 5 daytime trains on our sample weekday
About 10 minutes' walk down to Tarbet and its pier. Arrochar village is about a mile from the station.
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Ardlui
About 1 h 35 from Glasgow 5 daytime trains on our sample weekday
The head of the loch, on the same trains as Arrochar & Tarbet. Sample departure times are below.
Balloch train times, both directions
Monday to Saturday the trains use the Low Level platforms at Glasgow Queen Street; on Sundays, Glasgow Central Low Level. Every journey takes 46 to 55 minutes. This timetable runs to 12 December 2026, so check the ScotRail app for later dates.
| Train | First | Last | How often |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glasgow Queen St LL to Balloch, Mon to Sat | 06:43 | 23:37 (in 00:28) | Every 30 min by day; about hourly after 20:00 |
| Balloch to Glasgow Queen St LL, Mon to Sat | 06:08 | 22:44 (in 23:35) | Every 30 min by day; about hourly after 19:00 |
| Glasgow Central LL to Balloch, Sunday | 09:18 | 23:16 (in 00:03) | About every 30 min |
| Balloch to Glasgow Central LL, Sunday | 08:09 | 22:09 | About every 30 min |
From Balloch station to the loch
- Come out of the station: Sweeney's Cruise Co's riverside office and pier are right beside it (they share the G83 8SS postcode). Winter cruise times are in the day plan below.
- For Loch Lomond Shores, SEA LIFE and the Loch Lomond Bird of Prey Centre, follow the riverside path, the route SEA LIFE recommends. The Bird of Prey Centre gives the walk as about 10 minutes (closed until the second week of February).
- For Balloch Castle Country Park, the main entrance is opposite the bus station, a short walk from the train.
- Buses on to Luss (305) and Balmaha (309) leave from Balloch; check the times on Traveline Scotland before you set off.
Finding the right platform in Glasgow
Balloch trains use the Low Level platforms at Queen Street, shown as "Glasgow Queen St LL" in the timetable. Monday to Saturday every Balloch train also stops at Charing Cross and Partick, and the Sunday trains from Central Low Level stop at Partick too, so from the West End, Partick is the easier place to board.
From Edinburgh
Trains from Edinburgh Waverley to Glasgow Queen Street run several times an hour all day; the fastest take about 44 minutes and the average is about an hour. At Queen Street, the Balloch trains use the Low Level platforms below the main entrance, and National Rail lists lifts and step-free access to all platforms. With about 50 minutes on to Balloch and time for the change, plan on about two hours from Waverley to the loch. On Sundays, let the ScotRail app plan the link to Glasgow Central Low Level.
West Highland line: one sample weekday
These are an example, not a timetable: Trainline's listing for Tuesday 10 November 2026, because ScotRail's own pages showed us a security check. Daytime departures from Queen Street were 08:22, 10:36, 12:22, 16:34 and 18:24, on the trains to Oban, Fort William and Mallaig. The last daytime train back from Arrochar & Tarbet left at 20:08 (into Queen Street at 21:43). Other days, and Sundays, differ: check your date in the ScotRail app.
Railcards and the 60+ card
A Railcard takes a third off most fares (the Senior Railcard for over-60s is £35 a year). The Scottish 60+ card gives free travel on registered bus services, not on trains, so it helps with the onward bus from Balloch rather than the train.
At Balloch station
There is step-free access to the platform, ticket machines and a ticket office (Monday to Thursday 06:00 to 12:40, Friday 06:00 to 19:00, Saturday 07:00 to 19:00, Sunday 09:00 to 16:30). The station has no car park, so drivers use Loch Lomond Shores (£4 all day). For toilets, use the Shores foyer (9am to 6pm Monday to Saturday) or the bus station.
Balloch times: ScotRail Dunbartonshire timetable (28 September to 12 December 2026). West Highland line and Edinburgh times and the fare: Trainline listings read 2 November 2026. Stations: National Rail Enquiries. Fares policy: Transport Scotland and Railcards. Boats: the operators.
Getting to Loch Lomond in photos
Every way to get there
Journey times as we read them on 2 November 2026; the north-end and Edinburgh trains are in the train section above. Citylink coaches from Buchanan Bus Station are in the table. Ember E5 coaches also run from Glasgow via Glasgow Airport to Balloch, Luss and Tarbet, and some journeys must be pre-booked at ember.to. Local McColl's buses leave Balloch for Luss (305), Helensburgh (306) and Balmaha (309): get their times from Traveline Scotland for your date. Flying into Edinburgh? Use the Edinburgh train route above.
| Route | Time | How often | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glasgow to Balloch (train)ScotRail, direct | About 50 minutes | Every 30 minutes by day | The simplest car-free route, ending at the south end of the loch. |
| Glasgow to Balloch and Luss (Citylink 976 coach)Scottish Citylink 976 (the 18:20 is the 915) | About 45 minutes to Balloch, 56 to Luss | 5 a day: 08:20, 09:50, 12:20, 17:50, 18:20 from Buchanan Bus Station | The 09:50 calls at Glasgow Airport at 10:12, so it is the one to catch off a morning flight. Balloch stop: the layby north of Balloch roundabout. Last back from Luss 20:28, Balloch 20:39. |
| Waterbus from Tarbet to the east shoreCruise Loch Lomond | About 30 minutes a crossing | Winter: Tarbet to Inversnaid daily at 11:45. Tarbet to Rowardennan: summer weekends only | Tarbet pier is about 10 minutes from the station. Rowardennan has no bus. |
| By car from GlasgowM74/M8, M898 to the Erskine Bridge, then the A82 | About 35 minutes to Balloch | Any time | Flexible for the upper loch and the hills. Parking charges apply. |
| By car from EdinburghSame route as from Glasgow | About 90 minutes to Balloch | Any time | The quickest door-to-door option if you are carrying kit. |
Sources: ScotRail’s Dunbartonshire timetable (Balloch, valid to 12 December 2026), Scottish Citylink’s Glasgow to Oban timetable (September 2026 edition, for the 976 and 915 coaches), the National Park (car times and bus routes) and Cruise Loch Lomond’s timetable (waterbus), all read 2 November 2026.
A car-free day from Glasgow
Take an early train to Balloch
Leave Glasgow early: the times, the Sunday platform and the fare are in the train section above. Loch Lomond Shores is about 10 minutes' walk from Balloch station.
Get on the water
In winter, Sweeney's 1-hour Experience Cruise leaves Balloch at 10:15, 11:30 and 13:00 (adult £18.50), and winter sailings can depend on demand. In the main season you can also take its ferry from Balloch to Luss.
Bus 305 to Luss
McColl's bus 305 runs from Balloch to Luss via Arden; get the times from Traveline Scotland before you rely on it. There is no Luss to Balmaha boat in winter; in the main season Cruise Loch Lomond sails it. Look at waterbus and boat options for the full list.
Come home by bus or boat
Return on the 305 from Luss, or in the main season by boat to Balmaha and bus 309 back to Balloch. Check the last bus before you set off; the last trains back are in the train section.
Walking instead
For a longer trip on foot, the West Highland Way: route, parking and timings runs from Milngavie through Drymen and along the east shore.
Check on the day
- Trains: check the ScotRail app for your date, especially after 12 December 2026 and on the West Highland line.
- Bus and coach times change by season: use Traveline Scotland. Some Ember journeys need pre-booking, and dogs are reported as not permitted on Citylink coaches, so check the operator.
- To see how we date every figure, read how we verify prices and times.
Which station for which village
Where you get off decides what you can reach without a car. In short: Balloch for cruises, the Shores and the buses on; Arrochar & Tarbet for the Arrochar hills and the waterbus; Ardlui for the head of the loch.
- BallochTrain terminus. The Balloch village guide covers the pier, the Shores and the castle park.
- LussNo station. Bus 305 or a coach from Balloch, or a boat. Luss is the first village on the west shore.
- Tarbet and ArrocharArrochar & Tarbet is on the West Highland line. The station serves Tarbet and Arrochar, and connects to the waterbus.
- Balmaha and DrymenBus 309 from Balloch runs via Gartocharn and Drymen to Balmaha. Balmaha is the start of the Conic Hill walk, and you can visit Drymen on the way.
- RowardennanThere is no bus. Take the waterbus from Tarbet in summer. The village of Rowardennan is the start of the Ben Lomond path.
- Aberfoyle and CallanderThe Trossachs Explorer bus links Aberfoyle and nearby Callander, with four return journeys a day since it relaunched on 29 June 2026. Check Traveline Scotland to get there from Glasgow or Stirling.
- KillinBus C60 runs from Callander to Killin via Strathyre and Lochearnhead, and Ember E4 coaches on the Edinburgh to Fort William route call there too. Check Traveline Scotland for times.
Cars, bikes and planning your base
Driving? Which car park to choose lists charges village by village. Cycling? National Cycle Network route 7 runs mostly traffic-free from Glasgow along the Clyde through Clydebank and Dumbarton to Balloch; the page by bike covers the route from Glasgow.
To see every stop together, open our map of the park. If you are still choosing a base, start with all places around the loch.
Driving the A82 or A83? Landslips can close the Rest and Be Thankful, and works can slow the west shore. Check road status first.
Coming with a tent? These campsites you can reach by bus or train are listed by shore.
Questions people ask
How long does it take to get to Loch Lomond from Glasgow?
About 50 minutes by direct train to Balloch, or about 35 minutes by car.
Can you get to Loch Lomond by train from Glasgow?
Yes. Direct trains run to Balloch every 30 minutes by day and take about 50 minutes; the train section above has the platforms, last trains and fares.
Is there a bus from Glasgow to Loch Lomond?
Yes. Citylink coach 976 leaves Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station at 08:20, 09:50, 12:20 and 17:50 (plus the 915 at 18:20) and reaches Balloch in about 45 minutes and Luss in about 56; the 09:50 also picks up at Glasgow Airport. Times are from Citylink's September 2026 timetable; its festive timetable differs.
Which railway station is closest to Loch Lomond?
Balloch, at the south end: Loch Lomond Shores is about 10 minutes' walk. In the north, Arrochar & Tarbet (about 10 minutes from the loch at Tarbet) and Ardlui are on the West Highland line.
What time is the last train from Balloch to Glasgow?
22:44 Monday to Saturday and 22:09 on Sundays, on the timetable valid to 12 December 2026.
How much is the train from Glasgow to Balloch?
On 2 November 2026 the lowest Advance single Trainline showed was £7.40, before its booking fee; Advance prices vary by train. ScotRail scrapped peak fares in September 2025, so there is no peak surcharge. Check the return in the ScotRail app.
Do over 60s get free train travel in Scotland?
No. The Scottish 60+ card gives free travel on registered bus services, not trains. Some councils offer rail discounts to cardholders, so ask yours.
Can you do a day trip from Edinburgh to Loch Lomond?
Yes, but plan on about two hours each way by train: Edinburgh to Glasgow Queen Street (the fastest about 44 minutes), then the Balloch train from the Low Level platforms. By car it is about 90 minutes each way.
What is the closest town to Loch Lomond?
Balloch, at the southern end of the loch, with direct trains from Glasgow about twice an hour.
Can I visit Loch Lomond without a car?
Yes, all year. Take the train to Balloch, then a cruise from the riverside or bus 305 to Luss. In the main season a boat links Luss and Balmaha. Rowardennan has no bus; its waterbus from Tarbet runs only at summer weekends.
Is there a cycle path from Glasgow to Loch Lomond?
Yes. National Cycle Network route 7 runs from Glasgow along the Clyde through Clydebank and Dumbarton to Balloch and is mostly traffic-free.
How long does it take to explore Loch Lomond?
One village, a cruise and a short walk fill a day. A big hill such as Ben Lomond takes about 4.5 to 5.5 hours on its own.
What is Loch Lomond famous for?
It is a long freshwater loch you can reach by train from Glasgow, with cruises, villages on both shores and walks from Conic Hill to Ben Lomond.