How to get from Thurso to Mainland by bus and ferry?

Thurso to Mainland - Bus Timetable

The E6 bus from Thurso to Mainland runs from 08:17 to 18:33, with departures every 5 hr 5 min-5 hr 10 min. The journey takes about 2 hr 49 min, with regular service throughout the operating hours.

From Thurso to Mainland by bus and ferry

To get from Thurso to Mainland in Orkney Islands, you’ll need to take 2 bus lines and one ferry line: take the E6 bus from Bank Of Scotland, Thurso station to Ferry Terminal, Scrabster station. Next, you’ll have to switch to the NL1 ferry and finally take the X1 bus from Travel Centre, Stromness station to Ring Of Brodgar, Stenness station. The total trip duration for this route is approximately 2 hr 49 min. The bus and ferry schedule from Thurso may change. We recommend you check the updated bus and ferry schedule to Mainland on the Moovit app.

169min
Walk to bus station
Bus - E6E6
Ferry - NL1NL1
Bus - X1X1
Walk to Mainland
Leaves from Bank Of Scotland, Thurso

Step by Step

  • 1
    Walk to bus station
    Walk to bus station
    Bank Of Scotland, Thurso
    ID 6700713343
    50 m • 1 min
  • 2
    Bus - E6E6
    Wait for bus
    E6
    Inverness
  • 3
    Ride to bus station
    Ride to bus station
    Ferry Terminal, Scrabster
    ID 670086514
    9 min
  • 4
    Walk to ferry station
    Walk to ferry station
    Scrabster Ferry Terminal, Scrabster
    ID 9300SCR
    60 m • 1 min
  • 5
    Ferry - NL1NL1
    Wait for ferry
    NL1
    Stromness
  • 6
    Ride to ferry station
    Ride to ferry station
    Stromness Orkney Ferry Terminal, Stromness
    ID 9300SNS
    90 min
  • 7
    Walk to bus station
    Walk to bus station
    Travel Centre, Stromness
    ID 6020710304
    160 m • 3 min
  • 8
    Bus - X1X1
    Wait for bus
    X1
    Skara Brae
  • 9
    Ride to bus station
    Ride to bus station
    Ring Of Brodgar, Stenness
    ID 6020710305A
    19 min
  • 10
    Walk to Mainland
    Walk to
    Mainland
    880 m • 12 min
*Duration based on 8am traffic
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Public transport directions from Thurso to Mainland

The distance between Thurso, Orkney Islands and Mainland, Orkney Islands is approximately 55.56 km, which can typically be travelled in 169 min. Moovit will show you the directions from Thurso to Mainland by bus and ferry, so no matter how you choose to travel in Orkney Islands – you will always have plenty of easy options.

Bus And Ferry timetable from Thurso to Mainland

To check the bus and ferry timetable from Thurso to Mainland using the Moovit app, first download and open the app on your smartphone. Enter your starting point (Thurso) and destination (Mainland), then select the desired date and time of travel. Moovit will show all available bus and ferry routes, estimated travel times, and any required transfers. You can view detailed departure and arrival times for each bus and ferry, as well as real-time updates for delays or changes. Use this information to plan your journey and stay up to date with the latest bus and ferry timetables.

Related Routes

Questions & Answers

  • What is the fastest way to get from Thurso to Mainland?

    The fastest way takes 169 minutes, using Bus line E6, Ferry line NL1, Bus line X1.

  • Is there a direct bus between Thurso and Mainland?

    No, you’ll have to take 2 bus lines and one ferry line in total. The total travelling time is 2 hr 49 min.

  • Which bus line goes from Thurso to Mainland?

    The E6 bus line goes from Bank Of Scotland, Thurso station near Thurso in Scotland to Ferry Terminal, Scrabster station. From there you’ll have to take one bus line and one ferry line till Ferry Terminal, Scrabster station near Mainland in Orkney Islands.

  • How long does it take to travel from Thurso to Mainland by bus and ferry?

    The total travel time between Thurso in Scotland and Mainland in Orkney Islands by bus and ferry is about 2 hr 49 min.

  • Where do I get on the bus near Thurso to get to Mainland?

    Get on the E6 bus from the Bank Of Scotland, Thurso stop near Thurso in Scotland.

  • Where do I get off the bus when travelling between Thurso and Mainland?

    Get off the bus at the Ferry Terminal, Scrabster stop, which is closest to Mainland in Orkney Islands.

Popular Routes