- Distance
- about 120 miles
- Route
- A9 north along the east coast
- Journey time
- around 2 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours
- Fare
- One fixed all-in figure for the whole car, agreed before you travel
What is at the other end
The far north-east corner of the mainland. Thurso is the largest town and the port at Scrabster runs the ferry to Orkney; John o' Groats is the traditional end point of the Land's End journey. The A9 north of Inverness crosses the Cromarty, Dornoch and Helmsdale firths on long bridges with the sea on your right the whole way.
Who travels this route
Orkney-bound travellers, and North Coast 500 drivers starting or finishing here.
What to know before you book
This is a long day in each direction. For an Orkney ferry we usually recommend an overnight in Thurso rather than a same-day run from a late landing.
Frequently asked
How far is John o' Groats and Thurso from Inverness Airport?
About 120 miles, A9 north along the east coast, taking around 2 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours.
Can you do the North Coast 500?
Yes, as a multi-day journey with a driver. It is not a day trip — the full loop is over 500 miles of single-track and coastal road.
Ask for a fixed all-in quote
Send the flight number, the destination address and how many cases you are travelling with. We reply with one fixed figure for the whole car — flight monitored, met inside arrivals, no meter and no surge.
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