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By bus or train

National Park Journey Planner

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Plan your journey

The easiest way to see all travel options available in one place is by using the National Park Journey Planner (available online or as an iOS/Google Play app). This tool makes it easier to research, plan and book your day trip. You can even compare the carbon emissions of different transport modes too.

Plan your visit

Start planning your journey below, or download the app on:

Bus services

  • West Coast Motors – Dunoon & Cowal Peninsula
  • McColl’s– the number 305 takes you from Balloch to Luss (via Arden); 306 from Balloch to Helensburgh (via Arden) and the 309 from Balloch to Balmaha (via Gartocharn and Drymen)
  • Garelochhead Coaches – the 302 (starting in Helensburgh ) runs via Luss, Inverbeg, Tarbet, Arrochar, Rest and be Thankful, Lochgoilhead and Carrick Castle.
  • Citylink  – Glasgow to Oban. From Balloch, start at the layby north of Stoneymollan Roundabout. 975 (via Ardlui & Tyndrum), 976 (via Arrochar & Inverary)

Demand Responsive Transport (DRT) services some areas of the National Park where there are no regular bus routes. DRT operates like a taxi and costs around the same as bus fare.

Trains

There are two key train lines that provide access to the National Park.

  • Glasgow – Balloch: ScotRail operate a direct line from Glasgow Queen Street and the journey takes ~50 minutes and run approximately two every hour. From the station it is a short walk to catch a cruise on the loch or wander through Balloch Castle Country Park 
  • Glasgow – Oban/Fort William: ScotRail’s West Highlands route is considered one of the most scenic in the country and provides stops in and close to the National Park (Helensburgh, Garelochhead, Arrochar & Tarbet, Ardlui, Crianlarich and Tyndrum); jump off at Tarbet and Ardlui to connect with Waterbus services across to Loch Lomond’s eastern shores and the West Highland Way, Ben Lomond and Balmaha

Scottish Natural Heritage has a free iPhone app that provides an audio guide to a number of scenic train routes in Scotland including the route through the Park. Just search ‘View from the Train’ in the app store.

Train access from the south is via Virgin Trains into Glasgow, from stations including London (every 40 minutes, taking ~4½ hours), Birmingham (just over 4  hours) and Manchester (just over 3 hours).

Find out more at Traveline.

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