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Planning Your Journey

Arran is easily accessed by frequent ferry services from Ardrossan (North Ayrshire), which is ideally situated only a short drive from both Glasgow International and Glasgow Prestwick Airport.

Regular train services are available from both airports. At Glasgow Airport, a shuttle bus links to train services leaving from Paisley Gilmour Street bound for Ardrossan Harbour. Alternatively, a taxi transfer to Paisley which is only a few miles away is relatively inexpensive and taxi’s readily available. Glasgow Prestwick Airport has it’s own rail station with services linking to Ardrossan Harbour.

There is also a direct train service to Ardrossan Harbour from Glasgow Central station.

For details of all train services click here.

For driving directions and maps, please click here.

The ferry crossing by car ferry from Ardrossan is served by the large and modern, MV Caledonian Isles, which has a range of on board facilities including a café serving meals, snacks, teas & coffees, a licensed bar, shop, soft play area and various comfortable lounges. The crossing from Ardrossan to Brodick takes 55 minutes and it is advisable to book your crossing in advance if you are planning to bring a car to the island.

Alternatively, during the summer months, you can also sail from Claonaig (Kintyre) to Lochranza in the north of the Island. The shorter crossing takes only 30 minutes, however, the smaller ferry whilst pleasant and efficient has no catering facilities on board. During the winter months, there is a reduced service which sails to Tarbert (Kintyre) taking approximately 1.5 hours.

Ferry Services are operated by Caledonian MacBrayne.
For ferry timetables and bookings to and from the island, click here.

We also recommend that you set up ferry text alerts to your mobile ‘phone. The details are on the www.calmac.co.uk home page and are easy to follow. You can also download the CalMac free app to your mobile.

It is advisable to take out travel insurance so that you have cover in the event of delays or ferry disruption. Cover can also be arranged for holidays which have to be curtailed or cancelled due to illness.

For those wishing to arrive on the island in style, transfer to Arran by helicopter, speedboat or seaplane can be arranged.

Click here for the Arran Travel Directory Listings.

Ferry To Arran

The main ferry route is between Ardrossan and Brodick with regular sailings all year round. In the summer months, if you are travelling from Kintyre, you can catch a ferry from Claonaig which will take you toLochranza in about 30 minutes.

Arriving in Arran

When you arrive in Brodick you can travel to many of our Arran cottages using various modes of transport. The choice is yours.

If you have brought your car, the choice is simple and the routes uncomplicated with only one road around and two roads across the island. Be courteous, drive carefully and consider the safety of any walkers, cyclists, horses, sheep, deer or red squirrels which you are bound to meet on your travels.

Stagecoach buses meet each boat arriving at Brodick and depart to all areas and villages from the Pier.

Car hire or taxis are available at Brodick ferry terminal. We do highly recommend booking in advance as availability can be limited even at traditionally quieter times of the year.

You can of course choose to enjoy the fresh Arran air and stunning scenery whilst cycling or walking to your Arran cottages. Cycle hire is available approximately 400 metres from the ferry terminal.

If you are arriving at Lochranza you can of course, drive, walk or cycle to your destination. You can also catch the bus but be sure to check the timetable as there may be a short wait in between. Click here for Stagecoach bus timetable.

Enjoy your first views of Arran! We hope you have the very best of Arran holidays.

Click here for Arran Local Travel Directory.