Three ways to tour Loch Lomond
People use the word "tour" for very different things around the lake. A coach day trip from a city, a boat trip from a pier and a day you organize yourself with train and bus have little in common except the scenery. Decide which of the three you want before you compare prices.
The first type is a day trip from Glasgow or Edinburgh, where a guide drives and you cover several places in one day. The second is a boat trip, where you stay on the water for an hour or two. The third is self-guided: you take the train to Balloch and add a walk or a cruise. The table below sets them side by side, and the sections after the tour list explain the differences in detail. For the castle and the city itself, see a dedicated guide to Edinburgh Castle.
Loch Lomond tour options compared
Route, starting point and what each one gives you. Prices are the published ones for 2026 and can change.
| Option | Starts from | Time | What it covers | Price in 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day trip: Stirling Castle, Loch Lomond and boat cruise | Glasgow | 1 day | Minicoach, up to 16 people. The one-hour cruise is optional. | Varies by date |
| Day trip: West Highlands, lochs and castles | Edinburgh | 1 day | Up to 16 people. Short stop in Luss on a wider route. | Varies by date |
| Experience Cruise | Balloch | 1 hour | Southern part of the lake | £18.50 adult |
| Island Discovery | Balloch | 2 hours | Longer round trip, April to October, 12:30 and 15:00 | £29 adult |
| Luss Circular | Luss | 90 minutes | Round trip from the Luss pier | £19 adult |
| Loch Katrine steamship | Trossachs Pier | 2 hours | Return to Stronachlachar on a 1899 steamship | £31.50 adult |
| Train and walk | Glasgow Queen Street | 50 minutes by train | Balloch park, Shores and the shore, or bus on to Balmaha | Return from £7.70 |
If you have one day and no car, a small-group day trip does the planning for you. If you want time on the water, choose a boat trip from Balloch or Luss. If you like to set your own pace, the train works well. The cruises page lists every route and fare, and getting there explains the train and bus.
Our picks: tours compared
Day trips from Glasgow and Edinburgh, from a small-group minibus to a long Highlands day.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in British pounds (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Loch Lomond, Kelpies and Stirling Castle from Edinburgh
A guide and air-conditioned transport. Stirling Castle entry is included only with the matching option; food, drinks and tips are not.
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Glenfinnan, Loch Lomond and the Highlands by coach
Coach and guide, with stops at Loch Lomond, Glencoe, Fort William, the Glenfinnan Viaduct, Loch Shiel and the Glenfinnan Monument.
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Small-group tour to Stirling Castle and Loch Lomond
A 16-seat minibus with a driver-guide. The boat ride and Stirling Castle entry are included only with the matching option; meals and tips are not.
Check availability →Loch Lomond tours and day trips
Day trips from Glasgow and Edinburgh, cruises on the lake and Highland tours, with live prices and availability.
How the options differ
Where you start, how long you are out, and how much of the lake you see.
Day trip from Glasgow
Rabbie's runs a one-day minicoach tour called Stirling Castle, Loch Lomond and Boat Cruise, limited to 16 people. The one-hour boat cruise is listed as optional, so do not assume it is included in the base price. Check which entry tickets are covered before you pay.
Day trip from Edinburgh
The same operator offers West Highlands, Lochs and Castles from Edinburgh, also one day and up to 16 people. The itinerary includes a short stop in Luss. It is not a full day at Loch Lomond, and it does not promise a climb up Ben Lomond.
Boat trips from Balloch and Luss
Sweeney's Cruise Co. sails from Balloch, and Cruise Loch Lomond from Luss and Tarbet. A trip lasts from 30 minutes to 2 hours. Some routes stop at an island or village so you can walk and take a later boat back. See the cruises page.
Loch Katrine in the Trossachs
The steamship Sir Walter Scott sails on Loch Katrine until 25 October 2026. From 26 October the loch runs hourly motor boat trips from 10:00 to 15:00. The loch is a separate trip from Loch Lomond. See the Trossachs guide.
Self-guided by train
A direct train from Glasgow Queen Street reaches Balloch in about 50 minutes on average, and return tickets start at £7.70. From Balloch, bus 309 goes to Balmaha for Conic Hill and the Inchcailloch ferry. Bus 305 goes to Luss.
What no tour changes
Weather decides the view. A cloudy day still gives you the boat and the village, but the hill tops may be hidden. The weather page shows the monthly pattern.
What to check before you book
The descriptions differ more than the prices do.
The final price
Tour prices change with the date. Check the total, the child fare, the minimum age and any discounts in the listing before you pay.
Cancellation terms
Ask what happens if the weather cancels the trip or if you need to change the date. Rules differ between operators.
What is included
Entry to a castle, lunch and the boat cruise are not always part of the price. Look at the included and not-included lists in the listing.
Where you start
Day trips leave from a named meeting point in Glasgow or Edinburgh. Boat trips leave from piers at Balloch, Luss or Tarbet. Confirm the point and the time, and arrive early.
Accessibility
Wheelchair users should contact a boat operator before booking. Sweeney's does not carry electric wheelchairs. The Loch Katrine steamship has level access and an accessible toilet, but the motor boat has steps.
Groups of 12 or more
Sweeney's asks groups of 12 or more to contact the company directly instead of booking online.
Plan the rest of your trip
Pick your base and your boat.
Loch Lomond tours: frequently asked questions
Can I visit Loch Lomond on a day trip from Glasgow?
Yes. Small-group day trips run from Glasgow and combine Stirling Castle and Loch Lomond. You can also take the train to Balloch yourself, which takes about 50 minutes, and add a cruise or a walk.
Can I visit Loch Lomond from Edinburgh in a day?
A day trip from Edinburgh covers the West Highlands and includes a short stop in Luss. It is a wide route, not a full day on the lake. For more time at the water, stay near Balloch or Luss.
Is the boat cruise included in the Glasgow day trip?
The one-hour boat cruise is described as optional on the Glasgow day trip. Read the included list in the listing and ask before you pay if you want the cruise.
How much does a boat trip cost?
In 2026 a one-hour cruise from Balloch costs £18.50 for adults, and the two-hour Island Discovery costs £29. Children pay less, and under-5s travel free on these routes. The cruises page has the full list.
Do I need a car to tour Loch Lomond?
No. The train reaches Balloch, buses 305 and 309 serve Luss and Balmaha, and day trips run from the cities. A car helps for Rowardennan and the Trossachs, where public transport is thin.