Written by Graham Smith, Hannah McKinsey, Jake Evans, Karen Price
28/08/2025
Photochrom Print Collection, Wikimedia Commons
Castle Douglas does not have an active railway station, with the nearest main station located in Dumfries, approximately 18 miles away. The town is well-connected by local bus routes and accessible via major road networks. Additionally, a multi-modal transport hub is planned for Market Hill, which will include facilities for active travel and electric vehicles.
By Car:
Driving from Dumfries to Castle Douglas is approximately 17-18 miles (27-29 km) and typically takes around 22 minutes, with estimated fuel costs ranging from £5-£7.
A journey by car from Glasgow to Castle Douglas covers about 84 miles (135 km), taking approximately 1 hour 39 minutes, with an estimated cost of £21-£30.
From Edinburgh, the drive to Castle Douglas is approximately 90 miles (145 km) and takes around 1 hour 58 minutes to 1 hour 59 minutes, with estimated costs between £21-£35.
By Bus:
Direct bus services operate regularly between Dumfries and Castle Douglas. The DGC Buses route from Whitesands (Dumfries) to Castle Douglas Library typically takes about 41 minutes and runs multiple times daily, Monday to Friday.
Other local bus services, including routes 500, 501, 502, 503, 515, 516, 520, 521, and 555, provide connections from Dumfries and other nearby areas to Castle Douglas.
There are no direct bus services from major cities such as Glasgow or Edinburgh. Journeys from these cities involve transfers and can take approximately 4 hours 28 minutes from Glasgow or between 4 hours 45 minutes and 4 hours 50 minutes from Edinburgh.
By Train:
Castle Douglas does not have an operational railway station; the closest active station is Dumfries.
To reach Castle Douglas by train, travellers typically go to Dumfries by rail and then connect via a bus service. A journey from Glasgow Central, including a train to Dumfries and a bus transfer, takes approximately 3 hours 42 minutes.
Similarly, from Edinburgh, a train journey to Dumfries followed by a bus to Castle Douglas can take around 4 hours 32 minutes.
By Air:
The most convenient major airports are Glasgow/Prestwick (approximately 48 miles / 77 km away), Glasgow International (approximately 67 miles / 108 km away), Edinburgh (approximately 74 miles / 119 km away), and Newcastle (approximately 89 miles / 143 km away). Carlisle Airport is also a nearby option at about 45 miles (72 km).
Onward travel from these airports to Castle Douglas typically requires car rental or a combination of train and bus services. For example, travel from Glasgow Airport to Castle Douglas could take around 4 hours 55 minutes, and from Edinburgh Airport, approximately 5 hours 32 minutes, when using public transport options.
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