Visit Loch Katrine by the Trossachs Explorer Bus Service
Loch Katrine and the Trossachs are easily accessible by public transport with the Trossachs Explorer bus. This summer/autumn service (7th July to 5th October 2025) connects Trossachs Pier, Loch Katrine, with Drymen, Aberfoyle, Callander and other key locations across the area.
It’s a great way to visit Loch Katrine and explore other great attractions in the Trossachs, with timetables coordinated to connect with sailings on the loch, as well as other bus services from Stirling, Glasgow and Balloch. Passengers also enjoy a 10% discount on cruise tickets, which can be applied when purchasing tickets in person at our ticket office (present a bus ticket to receive the discount). There are frequent visits by the bus to Loch Katrine, so you can choose from one of the ten daily cruises that depart from Trossachs Pier.
Route Stops within the Trossachs Area
Drymen (for connections with Balloch and Balmaha), Aberfoyle, The Lodge, Ben Venue, Loch Katrine, Ben A’an, Brig o’ Turk, Kilmahog (for Ben Ledi), and Callander (for connections with Stirling).
Accessibility & Vehicles
The service uses two low-emission, modern buses. Each vehicle has a capacity for up to 18 seated passengers and nine standing, with wheelchair access provided.
Frequency
Running 7 days a week, up to 7 times a day. Click here for the timetable showing the route from Balloch to Callander, and click here for the timetable from Callander to Balloch.
Fares
An all-day adult ticket on the Trossachs Explorer is £6, with reduced fares of £3.50 for children and £5.65 for students.
A group or family ticket (for up to 5 people) costs £16.
Planning to travel more often? A 7-journey saver ticket is available for £25.
For wider travel on McColls services (including routes 207, 305, 306, 309 and TEX), an all-day ticket costs £9.50 for adults, £5 for children, and £8 for students.
Under-22s and over-60s with a National Entitlement Card travel free.
Itineraries/Connections
Below we have shown some examples of using other public transport to connect with the Trossachs Explorer. These are provided for illustrative purposes, and we recommend checking with the operators before your trip. Note: Additional services of buses and trains are detailed in these examples, allowing you to choose times that suit you. Book any boat cruises and cycle hire in advance.
Loch Katrine from Glasgow via Balloch and Drymen:
Train from Glasgow Queen Street departing at 07.13, arriving in Balloch at 08.02. There is a 7-minute walk to Balloch Bus Stance (behind the large Co-Op store, which is opposite the National Park offices). Take the 309 bus to Drymen Square. It departs from Balloch Bus Station at 08:29 and arrives at Drymen Square at 08:42. Pick up the Trossachs Explorer from Drymen Square; it departs at 08:45. It gets to Trossachs Pier, Loch Katrine at 09.30, allowing plenty of time to join the Steamship Sir Walter Scott 10.30 am sailing. Consider hiring a bike from Katrine Wheelz Cycle Hire at the pier and taking it on board the steamship to cycle back.
Return journey: leave Loch Katrine at 15:40 on the Trossachs Explorer, arriving at Drymen Square at 16:30. Transfer to 309, which departs from Drymen at 16:00.38, arriving in Balloch at 16.51, walk to Balloch Train station and take the 17.08 train to Glasgow Queen Street, arriving at 17.56
Loch Katrine from Stirling, via Callander
Take the 59 bus from Stirling, leaving Stirling Bus Station at 08.00 and arriving in Callander at 08.49. Take the Trossachs Explorer, which departs Station Road at 09.00, arriving at Trossachs Pier, Loch Katrine at 09.30, leaving an hour before Steamship Sir Walter Scott sets sail for a 2-hour cruise. Consider hiring a bike from Katrine Wheelz Cycle Hire at the pier and taking it on board the steamship to cycle back.
Return journey: leave Loch Katrine at 15.50 on the Trossachs Explorer, arriving in Callander at 16.15. Transfer to the 59 bus, which departs from Callander at 17:05, arriving at Stirling Bus Station at 17:56.
Loch Katrine from Falkirk, via Stirling and Callander
To travel to Loch Katrine from Falkirk, take the 38 bus from Upper Newmarket Street, Falkirk - departing at 07.07 and arriving at Stirling Bus Station at 07.53 - then follow the instructions above for connection via Callander from Stirling to Loch Katrine. Using the example above, the return journey departs Stirling Bus Station at 18:10 and arrives back at Upper Newmarket Street, Falkirk, at 18:55.
Note: The above examples are illustrative; frequent bus services and Loch Katrine cruises are available. You can use the timetables (linked below) to plan your ideal journey.
Further Resources
Bus timetables - Stirling to Callander
Bus timetables - Balloch to Drymen
Bus timetables - Stirling to Falkirk
Scot Rail timetables - Glasgow to Balloch Bus
Trossachs Explorer - Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park