4 Ways How To Get From Glasgow To Loch Lomond (Scotland)
7 min read
Table of Contents
Are you looking for ways how to get from Glasgow to Loch Lomond in Scotland? Loch Lomond is a naturally beautiful lake located in the central-western part of Scotland. It is part of the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. Because it is near Glasgow, getting here from the city is manageable.
You can reach Loch Lomond from Glasgow by car, train, tour and taxi. The road distance between Glasgow and Loch Lomond is 42.9 kilometres or 26.7 miles while the direct distance is 36.12 kilometres or 22.45 miles. It takes about 55 minutes to travel this distance by car.
Ready to explore one of Scotland’s largest and deepest lakes? Be it public or private transportation, let me help you check the best mode based on your preference.
How to get from Glasgow to Loch Lomond, Scotland
OPTION 1: How to get from Glasgow to Loch Lomond by Car
- Travel Duration: about 55 minutes
- Travel Fare: from £47.67
The easiest way to get from Glasgow to Loch Lomond is by getting a rental car and driving yourself there. This not only cuts your travel time but also gives you an opportunity to extend your itinerary to cover nearby attractions.
The range of a rental car cost is £47.67 to £70.77. The final cost depends on the type of vehicle and the duration of your booking. Good thing Discover Cars has all the best deals from different rental car companies in one website.
To get from Glasgow to Loch Lomond by driving, head northwest on the M8 motorway from Glasgow, then take the A82 which will lead you directly to Loch Lomond. Before starting your journey, it is wise to research about the roads and ask locals for tips.
If you are new to driving in the UK, I have shared some personal driving tips which I hope will be of help to you.
BEST CAR RENTAL DEALS!
If you are planning to book a car rental for your upcoming trip. I recommend searching for the best car rental deals with Discover Cars. They have various options that suit your budget.
OPTION 2: How to get from Glasgow to Loch Lomond by Train and Bus
- Travel Duration: about 1 hour and 21 minutes
- Travel Fare: from £8
There are no direct train rides from Glasgow to Loch Lomond. However, you can ride a train from Glasgow to Balloch which is a town nearby. Here is a sample timetable of the trips which you can book through Omio:
Train from Glasgow to Balloch
| DEPARTURE | ARRIVAL | DURATION | FARE | |
| Earliest and cheapest trip | 6:02 am | 7:00 am | 58 minutes | £8 |
| Fastest trip | 8:11 am | 8:59 am | 48 minutes | £8 |
| Latest trip | 11:37 pm | 12:27 am | 50 minutes | £8 |
Some trips are direct while others will require you to do transfers along the way – in Dumbarton Central, for example. Make sure to check all the details before booking online.
Trains depart from Glasgow Queen Street and arrive at Balloch Station. ScotRail services this route. It takes less than one hour to complete this part of the journey. From Balloch Station, you must continue your way to Loch Lomond by bus.
From the Balloch Bus Terminus, take the McColl’s bus and stop at the Visitor Centre Car Park and walk towards Loch Lomond. This leg takes about 33 minutes. Here are the bus numbers to catch:
- 305 – Balloch to Luss (via Arden)
- 306 – Balloch to Helensburgh (via Arden)
- 309 – Balloch to Balmaha (via Gartocharn and Drymen)
Another train option – a scenic one, at that – which you can choose is the Glasgow-Helensburgh way. The West highlands route of ScotRail that goes to Oban stops around the Loch Lomond area, particularly in Helensburgh, Garelochhead, Arrochar & Tarbet, Ardlui, Crianlarich and Tyndrum.
BEST TRAIN DEALS!
If you are looking to travel by train for your upcoming trip to the UK, I recommend checking Omio. They are a one-stop shop for trains and other transportation that suit your budget and schedule.
OPTION 3: How to get from Glasgow to Loch Lomond by Tour
- Travel Duration: about 8 hours and 30 minutes
- Travel Fare: from £40
If you wish to do it the most convenient way possible, why not book a tour which will take you not only to Loch Lamond but also to nearby places, too. Get Your Guide will have all these sorted out for you. All you have to do is pick a tour of your choice!
Take this Loch Lomond, Trossachs & Stirling Castle Tour for example. This guided bus tour will have you stopping at Loch Lomond to admire the beautiful scenery before eating lunch in the village of Aberfoyle.
You will also explore Trossachs, Scotland’s first national park, and the historic Stirling Castle. The same bus will bring you back to Glasgow after the tour is done.
What’s great about booking a tour is that you have a guide to show you around the areas, so you will have more appreciation of Loch Lomond and all the other destinations. The tour vehicle is a modern coach which you will surely find comfortable.
HERE ARE SOME OF THE MOST RECOMMENDED TOURS IN LOCH LOMOND:
OPTION 4: How to get from Glasgow to Loch Lomond by Taxi
- Travel Duration: about 55 minutes
- Travel Fare: from £50
You can also hail a taxi that will agree to take you from Glasgow to Loch Lomond. The fare is about £50, but it varies depending on the traffic conditions during your journey, among many others.
If you are coming from the airport in Glasgow, it will not be a challenge to find a taxi there. From your hotel, you can probably ask the concierge to help you book one. There are also ride-hailing applications from your mobile which you can use to get a taxi.
Before starting your journey, make sure to speak with the driver and ask about any additional fees that the trip is subject to.
More About Loch Lomond, Scotland
Map of Loch Lomond, Scotland:
HOW TO USE THIS MAP TO BOOK YOUR RESERVATIONS:
CLICK the YELLOW MARKER OR THE DROP DOWN MENU next to the title to see the various things to do and point of interest in this guide and CHOOSE your desired preview of the map, whether HOTELS & RENTALS, EXPERIENCES, RESTAURANTS OR OTHERS. Feel free to use the filters, number of guests, and your preferred dates. You can see more information about the different attractions (the GREEN MARKERS) when you click the icons, as well as finding your perfect accommodation that will suit your budget and location. You could also book your guided tours and restaurants using the map.
FAQs on How to Get from Glasgow to Loch Lomond, Scotland
How to get to Loch Lomond from Glasgow by public transport?
You can ride a train, bus or taxi if you want to get to Loch Lomond from Glasgow by using public transportation.
How do I get from Loch Lomond to Glasgow without a car?
If you do not wish to bring a car to Loch Lomond, you can take a train, bus or taxi instead. You can also book a tour and just let Get Your Guide take care of everything.
What is there to do between Glasgow and Loch Lomond?
There are lots of places to see as you travel from Glasgow to Loch Lomond. Some of them include the Riverside Museum, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum and the Glasgow Botanic Gardens.
How to road trip from Glasgow to Loch Lomond?
To make a road trip out of your journey from Glasgow to Loch Lomond, make an itinerary that includes Clydebank, Dumbarton, Balloch, Luss and Balmaha.
What city is closest to Loch Lomond?
Glasgow is the closest city to Loch Lomond.
Is Loch Lomond worth a visit?
Yes, Loch Lomond is definitely worth a visit. Its natural beauty is undeniable, and you will not run out of outdoor activities to do here. Good thing it is highly accessible from Glasgow!
What is the cheapest way to get from Glasgow to Loch Lomond?
The cheapest way to get from Glasgow to Loch Lomond is by taking the train and bus. The train ride is valued at £8 only.
What is the fastest way to get from Glasgow to Loch Lomond?
The fastest way to get from Glasgow to Loch Lomond is by driving. If road and weather conditions are favorable, you will complete your journey in less than an hour.
What is the best way to get from Glasgow to Loch Lomond?
The best way to get from Glasgow to Loch Lomond is by booking a tour with Get Your Guide. For a really good price, they will take care not only of accommodation but also of the activities you wish to do in the area.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Everything Zany
Travel Blog
Everything Zany Travel Blog exploring the UK and beyond. Sharing travel guides, tips, history, and culture. Our travel media brand is founded by travel and hotel industry expert – Ryazan Tristram, a Dual Citizen (British–Filipina) based in Birmingham, UK. Everything Zany is a reputable and award-winning travel blog. Our work and contributions have been featured in the Huffington Post, CNBC, Discovery Channel, GMA, Readers Digest, and Lonely Planet. Our mission is to build a great travel community and resource of travel tips, visas, and travel guides for travelers. Join us as we travel around the UK and beyond with a mission to share the best of the world.
