I’m Kayla. I’ve made this run three ways: train + bus, car, and a small-group tour. Same loch. Very different days. Here’s what actually happened, what I loved, and what bugged me.
For the full blow-by-blow—including maps, ticket screenshots, and a couple of cringey mistakes—check out my expanded trip journal.
Spoiler: you can’t really mess it up. But some choices fit better for some folks. Let me explain.
Trip 1: Early Train, Little Bus, Big Views
I did this on a mild Tuesday in May. Light drizzle. Classic Scotland.
- 7:00 a.m. — Edinburgh Waverley. I grabbed a bacon roll from Greggs and a flat white. I like a simple start.
- 7:15 a.m. — ScotRail to Glasgow Queen Street (via Falkirk High). It’s the fast one. About 50 minutes.
- Switch at Queen Street. Go down to the low-level platforms. Signs are clear, but you do need to move quick.
- 8:20 a.m. — Train to Balloch. About 50 minutes again. I read, then stared out the window a lot.
- 9:10 a.m. — Balloch. The air smelled like wet pine and boat fuel. Not bad, weirdly.
I walked 15 minutes to Loch Lomond Shores and then up to Balloch Pier. At 10:00 a.m. I hopped on Sweeney’s 50-minute cruise. Smooth water. Gulls. A couple got engaged on the bow. I cried a little, not gonna lie.
After, I caught the local 309 bus to Balmaha. It doesn’t run often, so I checked the board and asked the driver. Folks were kind. From Balmaha I hiked up Conic Hill. It took me about 40 minutes up, 30 down. Windy at the top, but those island lines? Wow.
Lunch at The Oak Tree Inn: cullen skink and a hot chocolate. Cozy. I took the 309 back to Balloch and the trains home. I was back in Edinburgh by 7:00 p.m., a bit damp, very happy.
- Cost (rough, changes happen): about £22–£28 for trains, a few quid for the 309 bus, ~£16 for the cruise.
- Good: cheap-ish, calm, pretty easy. Balloch is family friendly. Balmaha is perfect for a short hike.
- Grr: you live by the timetables. Miss a bus, you wait. Also, watch the last 309.
If you fancy booking paddleboards, bikes, or even another cruise once you get to the loch, I’ve had good luck with the adventure outfitters at Can You Experience.
Trip 2: The Car Day — A811, Snacks, and A Lot of Stopping
I rented a small car from Enterprise (city centre pickup). I kept it simple: M9 then A811. No Glasgow city traffic. About 1 hour 40 minutes with one snack stop.
I paused in Drymen for coffee and a scone. Then rolled into Balmaha around 10:30 a.m. Got the last spot in the car park. It fills fast on sunny weekends. Walked the shore. Watched a paddleboarder fall in. I laughed, then felt bad, then helped hand him a towel. You know what? He laughed too.
I drove to Luss next. Parked (paid at the machine) and grabbed lunch at The Village Rest. Steak pie. Simple, hearty. If a post-lunch dram sounds tempting, remember that Loch Lomond whisky has its own character; I did a playful first-person tasting that you can peek at for ideas.
After lunch, I wandered the pier and those neat little cottages with flowers. The water was glass by then. Late afternoon, I swung by Duck Bay for a photo stop. Golden light on Ben Lomond. The kind that makes everyone quiet.
- Cost: rental + fuel + parking (think £4–£6 in some lots).
- Good: freedom. I stopped where I wanted and stayed as long as I liked. Luss at sunset is magic.
- Grr: parking stress by late morning. Midges in summer. Watch for speed cameras. Also, the A811 has tractors now and then. Bring patience.
Trip 3: The Guided Tour — Stories, Cows, and Zero Stress
I booked a Rabbie’s day tour that did Stirling Castle and Loch Lomond. There are loads of other day trips listed on sites like Viator if you want to compare itineraries and prices before you commit. Small mini-coach, about 16 seats. Check-in was on Waterloo Place in Edinburgh. We left around 8:00 a.m.
Our driver-guide told tales that made the miles fly. We stopped near Kilmahog to see Highland cows—huge fringe, gentle eyes. Then Stirling Castle (I did the palace rooms, took silly photos, no shame). After lunch, we rolled by Aberfoyle and the Trossachs, then on to Loch Lomond for a walk by the water. We had the choice of a short cruise or a stroll; I chose the stroll this time and ate tablet on a bench like a kid.
Back in Edinburgh by early evening. No parking, no changing trains, no clock-watching. But yes, it’s timed. When the coach leaves, it leaves.
- Price: usually around £60–£75, not counting castle tickets or a cruise.
- Good: dead easy. Great stories. Little group vibe. Good for first-timers or folks with kids.
- Grr: set stops. If you fall in love with a spot, you can’t linger. I wanted more time in Luss.
A Quick Bus Note (Budget Route)
I also tried the bus once when my rail app was acting up. For mapping any combo of wheels and water, I’ve found that Rome2Rio lays out the options in a neat, colour-coded list, so you can spot late buses or missing links before you’re stranded. Citylink 900 from Edinburgh to Glasgow Buchanan. Then Citylink 915/916 towards Luss. It worked fine and was cheaper that day. Took about 2.5 to 3 hours. Seats were comfy. I napped, drooled a bit, and nobody minded. Just check the times and give yourself wiggle room.
What I Wish I Knew Before My First Trip
- Weather changes fast. Bring a light shell, even in July.
- Midges love warm, still evenings. A wee spray helps a lot.
- Toilets: carry a couple of coins. Not all, but some places still use them.
- Trains: the fast Edinburgh–Glasgow route is via Falkirk High. The slower line runs through Bathgate/Airdrie.
- Last buses are early in some villages. Snap a photo of the timetable at the stop.
- Parking fills by late morning on sunny weekends—Balmaha and Luss, especially.
Timing your visit matters too. I’ve broken down the vibe of the capital month by month—from Hogmanay crowds to quiet February streets—in this guide to the best time to visit so you can pair it perfectly with your loch plans.
Who Should Do What?
- Hikers: train to Balloch + 309 bus to Balmaha. Hike Conic Hill. Back the same way.
- Families: Balloch is easy—Loch Lomond Shores, aquarium, play areas, and the Sweeney’s cruise.
- Photo fans: Luss pier near sunset, and Duck Bay pull-ins for long views.
- First-timers or “please no stress”: a small-group tour like Rabbie’s. Let someone else steer.
- Anglers: the loch is stocked with stories as well as fish; grab tactics and honest tales from my day on the water.
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My Pick, If You Made Me Choose
Spring weekday, light cloud? I take the train to Balloch, bus