Edinburgh Airport to Alloa in short
Alloa lies in Clackmannanshire, a short rail hop from Stirling. Most visitors fly into Edinburgh or Glasgow and make one change on the way. From Edinburgh Airport, buses run to Stirling and the local train covers the rest. From Glasgow Airport, a bus takes you into the city centre and a direct train runs from Queen Street to Alloa.
Each leg below is a separate ticket and a separate timetable. Waiting time between legs is not included in any figure, so add a margin before a flight or a booked entry. Check the current timetable before you go. If your plan includes a castle visit on arrival day, see the guide to Stirling Castle tickets. The castle is close to the bus and train hub.
Routes compared
Four ways to reach Alloa, with the main steps of each.
| Route | How it works | Time on the main leg | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edinburgh Airport by bus and train | Citylink 909 or 978 to Stirling, then the train to Alloa | About 1 hour to Stirling, 8 minutes by train | Time for the change at Stirling is extra |
| Edinburgh Airport by tram and train | Tram to Edinburgh Park, train towards Stirling, then on to Alloa | – | No train leaves from the airport itself |
| Glasgow Airport by bus and train | Airport Express 500 to the city, then Queen Street to Alloa | 45 minutes by train from Queen Street | You change stations in Glasgow |
| By car | The A907 runs through Alloa | – | Journey time depends on traffic |
For most visitors landing at Edinburgh, the bus to Stirling and the short train is the simplest route. It needs one change and one local ticket. Choose Glasgow if your flight lands there, since the train from Queen Street to Alloa is direct.
Our pick: an escorted day trip from Edinburgh to Stirling
If Stirling is the reason for the trip, this escorted day takes care of the journey from Edinburgh to Stirling and back, with the castle ticket included.
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.
Day trips and tours from Stirling and Alloa
Castle, loch and Kelpies day trips, with live prices and availability.
From Edinburgh Airport step by step
The bus route and the tram route.
Bus to Stirling
Citylink 909 and 978 leave from airport stop D, each taking about 1 hour on average. The Ember E4 leaves from stop E. These buses go to Stirling. Neither is a direct bus to Alloa.
Train from Stirling to Alloa
Change at Stirling to the ScotRail service. The ride is 8 minutes on average. Allow extra time for the walk between the bus stop and the station and for the wait for your train.
Tram and train
Take the tram to Edinburgh Park. There you find trains towards Stirling and Dunblane, and you continue to Alloa from Stirling. No train starts at the terminal, so the tram is the link to the rail network.
What not to expect
No single ticket covers the whole trip, so buy each leg on its own and keep a time margin between them.
Alloa train station
Direct trains to Stirling, a direct line from Glasgow.
Alloa train station has direct ScotRail trains to Stirling. Up to 36 trains a day run, and up to 2 an hour. The average ride is 8 minutes. Return tickets start at £4.70 (2026). That is a starting price, not the fare for every journey. Weekend timetables can differ, so look up your own day.
From Glasgow Queen Street, trains run direct to Alloa in about 45 minutes on average, with return tickets from £11.70 (2026).
A local bus also links the two towns. Bus 51 runs between Stirling and Alloa via Tullibody, which helps if the train times do not suit you.
Glasgow Airport to Alloa
One bus, one train.
Airport Express 500
The 500 runs around the clock, every 10 to 15 minutes. A single costs £2 since 7 September 2026. The airport stop is stance 1, and the stop at Buchanan Bus Station is stance 46.
On to Queen Street
From the bus station, go to Glasgow Queen Street and take the train to Alloa. There is no direct train from the airport to Alloa.
By car
The A907 passes through Alloa. Journey times from the airports depend on traffic, so do not plan a tight connection when you drive. At Alloa Tower, National Trust for Scotland members park free, and accessible parking at the entrance is by arrangement. The tower page has the details.
Plan the rest of your trip
Where to go once you arrive.
Where to stay
Alloa, Stirling, Dollar and Bridge of Allan compared.
Stirling
Old Town, the castle hill and the Old Bridge.
Alloa Tower
Season, days and prices for the tower house.
If you start in the capital, getting to Edinburgh Castle explains the city links from the airport. If you add a loch day, getting to Loch Lomond covers the routes there. See also the Alloa weather guide for what to pack.
Edinburgh Airport to Alloa: frequently asked questions
Is there a direct train from Edinburgh Airport to Alloa?
No. No train starts at the airport terminal. Take the tram to Edinburgh Park and a train towards Stirling, or take a bus to Stirling, then the train to Alloa.
How long does it take to get from Edinburgh Airport to Alloa?
The bus to Stirling takes about 1 hour on average and the train from Stirling to Alloa about 8 minutes. Waiting and walking time come on top, and the total depends on your connection.
How much is the bus from Glasgow Airport?
The Airport Express 500 costs £2 for a single since 7 September 2026. The train from Glasgow Queen Street to Alloa is a separate ticket, with return fares from £11.70 (2026).
How often do trains run from Alloa to Stirling?
Up to 36 trains a day run, and up to 2 an hour. Other days can differ, so check the day you travel.
Can I get to Alloa by bus from Stirling?
Yes. Bus 51 connects Stirling and Alloa via Tullibody.
Is this the official Alloa travel site?
No. This is an independent travel guide and is not run by a transport operator, the council or a tourist board. Check the operator for current timetables and fares.