The cheapest and fastest buses from Thurso to Inverness
Cheapest price
$56
Average price
$56
Fastest journey
3 h 11 m
Average duration
3 h 20 m
Buses per day
4
Distance
130 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Thurso to Inverness is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Thurso to Inverness will cost around $56 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $56.
Of the 4 buses that leave Thurso for Inverness on Sun, May 24, 4 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sun, May 24 the direct buses cover the 130 km distance in an average of 3 h 20 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 3 h 11 m .
On Sun, May 24 the slowest buses will take 3 h 35 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.
5:27 AM3h16Thurso Royal Bank Of Scotland8:43 AMInverness$561One-way0 transfers
11:59 AM3h35Thurso Royal Bank Of Scotland3:34 PMInverness$561One-way0 transfers
4:14 PM3h18Thurso Royal Bank Of Scotland7:32 PMInverness$561One-way0 transfers
7:22 PM3h11Thurso Royal Bank Of Scotland10:33 PMInverness$561One-way0 transfers
7:22 PM3h11Thurso Royal Bank Of Scotland10:33 PMInverness$561One-way0 transfers
5:27 AM3h16Thurso Royal Bank Of Scotland8:43 AMInverness$561One-way0 transfers
4:14 PM3h18Thurso Royal Bank Of Scotland7:32 PMInverness$561One-way0 transfers
11:59 AM3h35Thurso Royal Bank Of Scotland3:34 PMInverness$561One-way0 transfers
Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Thurso to Inverness
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Thurso to Inverness among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $17. For those with little time consider booking a bus which can get you there in 3h 38m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $17, and a bus costs an average of $56.
Distance: 80 miles (130 km)
Compare bus with
| Bus | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$56 Average price | $33 Average price Cheapest | $40 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 8m Average total duration Fastest 3h 38m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 22m Average total duration 3h 52m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 30m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Thurso to Inverness:
A train is $23 (€19) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Thurso to Inverness costing on average $56 (€45).
Other travel options to Inverness take longer:
Train takes on average 3h 52m.
You'll arrive about -2h -8m sooner (3h 38m by bus vs 2h 30m by car) and save roughly $-15.35 (€-12.42) compared to fuel and tolls ($56 (€45) vs $40 (€33)). You also skip the drive itself — no traffic stress, no parking, and you can use the time to work, nap, or catch up on a series with the onboard Wi-Fi.
Direct coaches are operated by Ember.
Driving is still worth considering if you're travelling with bulky luggage, need flexibility on departure times, or plan to stop along the way.
Thurso to Inverness Bus Timetables
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Ember | Departure Time 03:52AM | Arrival Time 07:13AM | Duration 3h21 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $56 |
Operator Ember | Departure Time 05:27AM | Arrival Time 08:43AM | Duration 3h16 | Departure days Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $56 |
Operator Ember | Departure Time 09:24AM | Arrival Time 01:03PM | Duration 3h39 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $56 |
Operator Ember | Departure Time 11:59AM | Arrival Time 03:34PM | Duration 3h35 | Departure days Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $56 |
Operator Ember | Departure Time 01:49PM | Arrival Time 05:30PM | Duration 3h41 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $56 |
Operator Ember | Departure Time 04:14PM | Arrival Time 07:32PM | Duration 3h18 | Departure days Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $56 |
Operator Ember | Departure Time 07:22PM | Arrival Time 10:33PM | Duration 3h11 | Departure days Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $56 |
Operator Ember | Departure Time 07:42PM | Arrival Time 10:53PM | Duration 3h11 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $56 |
Live departures
Thurso to Inverness bus times
The table below shows live departures for Thurso to Inverness buses for today, Saturday, May 23. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 11:59 AM Thurso Royal Bank Of Scotland | 3h35 | 3:34 PM Inverness | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 4:14 PM Thurso Royal Bank Of Scotland | 3h18 | 7:32 PM Inverness | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 7:22 PM Thurso Royal Bank Of Scotland | 3h11 | 10:33 PM Inverness | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Sunday, May 24 | |||||
![]() | 5:27 AM Thurso Royal Bank Of Scotland | 3h16 | 8:43 AM Inverness | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Thurso to Inverness by train or bus
Compare train and bus prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
May 24
May 25
May 26
May 27
May 28
May 29
May 30
Journey information
Overview: Bus from Thurso to Inverness
Buses from Thurso to Inverness run on average 2 times per day, taking around 3h 38m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $56 (€45) but you can travel from only $17 (€14) by train.
There are 2 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 06:58, the last at 18:31. The fastest bus covers the 80 miles (130 km) distance in 3h 11m.
Distance 80 miles (130 km) |
Average bus duration 3h 38m |
Cheapest ticket price $56 (€45) |
Buses per day 2 |
Direct buses 2 |
Fastest bus 3h 11m |
First bus 6:58 AM |
Last bus 6:31 PM |
Cheapest Month Jun |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Thu |
Bus providers: Ember from Thurso to InvernessYou can travel by bus between Thurso to Inverness with Ember for as low as $17 (€14). When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
Ember
FAQs: Bus from Thurso to Inverness
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Thurso to Inverness by bus. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest bus, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Inverness, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

- Inverness Castle, a historic fortress offering panoramic views of the city and River Ness
- Loch Ness, a famous freshwater loch known for its mythical monster and scenic beauty
- Culloden Battlefield, the site of the last battle on British soil with an informative visitor center
- Inverness Cathedral, a striking 19th-century cathedral with impressive architecture
- Clava Cairns, ancient burial cairns and standing stones dating back to the Bronze Age.
- Inverness Museum and Art Gallery, discover the local history and art through diverse exhibits
- Eden Court Theatre, enjoy a variety of performances including theater, dance, and music in a modern venue
- Ness Islands, take a leisurely walk through the picturesque islands on the River Ness
- Caledonian Canal, enjoy a relaxing boat trip or a scenic walk along this historic waterway
- Merkinch Local Nature Reserve, explore the diverse wildlife and natural beauty of this tranquil reserve.
popular bus stations
Popular bus stations from Thurso to Inverness
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