Getting to Stirling
How to reach Stirling by train, bus, or car.
By train
Stirling station is on Goosecroft Road at the bottom of the town, with trains from Glasgow Queen Street and Edinburgh Waverley and on north to Perth, Dundee, Aberdeen and Inverness. ScotRail runs most services and manages the station. It is a through station, not a terminus.
- Station
- Stirling (CRS code STG), Goosecroft Road, Stirling, FK8 1PF, as listed by National Rail
- Operators
- ScotRail runs most services. Wikipedia lists one LNER train a day each way between London King's Cross and Inverness, and a Caledonian Sleeper to London Euston, Sunday to Friday
- Destinations
- Glasgow Queen Street, Edinburgh Waverley, Dunblane, Alloa, Perth, Dundee, Aberdeen and Inverness, per Wikipedia
- Step-free access
- National Rail lists step-free category A, with lifts, accessible toilets and a Changing Places toilet
- Ticket office
- Monday to Saturday 06:20 to 21:00, Sunday 08:50 to 22:00, per National Rail
- Parking
- 208 spaces including 19 accessible spaces, per National Rail
- To the castle
- About half a mile uphill, by Historic Environment Scotland's figure
Tips
- •Journey times vary by service; check the ScotRail timetable for the day rather than relying on a typical figure.
- •The bus station is next door on Goosecroft Road, and First's 52 and UL buses to the Wallace Monument leave from Goosecroft Road, opposite the station.
Useful Links
🚆 National Rail from Stirling
Live departures
National Rail service from Stirling. Updates every half hour.
By bus and coach
Stirling bus station is on Goosecroft Road beside the railway station. Local buses run out to the Wallace Monument, and Scottish Citylink coaches link the city with Edinburgh Airport.
- To the Wallace Monument
- First services 52 and UL stop outside the Monument and leave from Goosecroft Road, opposite the railway station, per the Monument's site
- From Edinburgh Airport
- Scottish Citylink 978 stops at Stirling and Citylink 909 at Stirling University; Edinburgh Airport gives about an hour for each, from Stop D
- Park and ride
- Stirling Council's P2 from Castleview and P1 from Springkerse, £1 single or return for adults from the sites
- Timetables
- Check Traveline Scotland or the operator's own page before travelling
Tips
- •Citylink 909 serves Stirling University rather than the city centre, so check which stop you need.
- •Park and ride sites are open 24 hours but the buses run to a timetable, not round the clock.
Useful Links
By car
Stirling is on the M9. The castle car park is closed to almost all cars, so the council's park and ride is the practical way to reach the Top of Town.
- Castleview park and ride
- West of the city, off junction 10 of the M9; bus P2
- Springkerse park and ride
- East of the city, off the A91 at Springkerse Retail Park; bus P1
- Castle car park
- Closed to all vehicles except coaches and visitors who need accessible parking, per Historic Environment Scotland
- Wallace Monument
- Free parking for visitors, per the Monument
- Station car park
- 208 spaces, per National Rail
Tips
- •Blue Badge holders can use the ten accessible spaces about 65 metres from the castle entrance.
- •HES gives a 25 per cent discount on castle tickets booked online for visitors who arrive without a car.
Useful Links
From the Airport
Live options for reaching the village from the nearest airports. Times and fares are a guide and can change with traffic or operator schedules.
Edinburgh AirportEDI
- Duration
- About 1 hour, per Edinburgh Airport
- Cost
- Check with Scottish Citylink
Leaves from Stop D. Edinburgh Airport lists stops at Grangemouth and Stirling on the way to Callander and Oban.
Operator: Scottish Citylink
- Duration
- About 1 hour, per Edinburgh Airport
- Cost
- Check with Scottish Citylink
Leaves from Stop D and stops at Stirling University and Dunblane, not the city centre bus station.
Operator: Scottish Citylink
Glasgow AirportGLA
- Duration
- About 15 minutes on the bus, per Glasgow Airport, plus the train; check ScotRail for the train time
- Cost
- Check with First Glasgow and ScotRail
The 500 runs every 10 minutes, 24 hours, to Buchanan Bus Station. Trains to Stirling leave from Glasgow Queen Street.
Operator: First Glasgow and ScotRail
EV & Essentials
Practical infrastructure on the ground: charging, water, and accessibility facilities worth knowing about before you arrive.
Accessibility Facilities
Stirling station Changing Places toilet
Changing Places · Goosecroft Road, Stirling, FK8 1PF
Listed by National Rail with accessible toilets, lifts and step-free access to all platforms.
Stirling Castle accessible parking
Blue badge parking · Castle Wynd, Stirling, FK8 1EJ
Ten accessible spaces about 65 metres from the castle entrance, per Historic Environment Scotland.
Stirling Castle adapted toilet
Accessible toilet · First courtyard, Stirling Castle
Per Historic Environment Scotland's access information.
Parking
Parking options in and around Stirling. On busy weekends, arriving early or taking the train is recommended.
Castleview and Springkerse park and ride
Parking is free. The P2 bus from Castleview or P1 from Springkerse costs £1 single or return for adults to any stop, per Stirling Council.. Castleview is off junction 10 of the M9 to the west of the city, and Springkerse is off the A91 to the east. The sites are open 24 hours, but the buses run to a timetable and not round the clock.
Stirling Castle car park
Historic Environment Scotland says the castle car park is closed to all vehicles except coaches and visitors who need accessible parking, and points drivers to Castleview park and ride.
National Wallace Monument car park
The Monument says free parking is provided for all visitors, with a five-minute shuttle bus or a walk up to the tower.
Planning the wider trip?
Our country-level primer covers national rail, intercity buses, airports, the Leap Card, and whether you actually need a hire car for your trip around United Kingdom.
Getting Around United Kingdom →Top Tip
The train is the best way to get to Stirling. You arrive right in the heart of Stirling, there’s no parking hassle, and you can enjoy a meal and a drink without worrying about driving home.