Relaxed Day Trip from Glasgow: Scenic Train, Loch Lomond Cruise & Cozy Pubs

Okay, so you’re the lucky winner of a day in vibrant and picturesque Glasgow, but you really don’t feel like climbing a mountain, people-watching from a rainy terrace, or spending the day fussing over your suitcase… then I have the perfect tip for you — a relaxing day in nature at the pace of a typical senior tour to the Lorelei!

Your day starts at a reasonable time: at 10:36 local time, the train departs from Glasgow Queen Street Station towards Arrochar & Tarbet station. This train route has been named one of the most beautiful railways in Europe, and it really is stunning — be sure to sit on the left side!

At 11:59 you arrive in Tarbet and can enjoy lunch at the coziest pub in town (also the only one), The Slanj. After a healthy bite (of course not, because it’s the UK), you board a one-hour cruise from the village pier over Loch Lomond. At a wonderfully slow pace, you glide over the water and experience four seasons in one hour. We had rain, sun, storm, and hail — just no snow. Since we were moving at a snail’s pace, Sigrid and I casually decided to hijack the boat because it was going way too slow.

After an hour, you dock again and have two options before catching the train back to Glasgow: walk the Hidden Heritage Trail (5.6 km) or enjoy a small beer at the cozy village hotel — we chose the latter because of the rain. On your way back to the station, you can still embrace the laid-back vibe of the day with a quick photo among the flowers!

At 16:27, we were back on the train to Glasgow, arriving at 17:44 in time to enjoy dinner at Chaakoo Bombay Café, an Indian tapas-style place — very affordable and delicious.

Total cost for the whole day (including lunch, dinner, train ticket, and boat): €81 per person. Train tickets can be bought at the station, boat tickets online via Cruise Loch Lomond.

Conclusion: pretty good!