Portbahn Islay
Getting to the Isle of Islay
Travel to Islay is part of the adventure — we love the journey, whether we are leaving to visit friends and family, or coming back to our wonderful island home it always has its magic.
We've pulled together the things we try to remember from our years of making the crossing ourselves: contact details to keep handy, and what to do when the weather has other ideas, things to bear in mind that you might not think of, what to do if your ferry arrives late or you're delayed or re-routed.
There are lots of ways to get to Islay, and whether you're coming by bike or boat, plane or car, the bus from Glasgow, or a private RIB or helicopter we hope you'll find some of the info helpful in planning your trip. We know it can be complicated, daunting and off-putting, so please do get in touch if we can help with any of the details or to allay any of your fears.
Ferry: 2 hours from Kennacraig (book vehicle 12 weeks ahead) · Flight: 25 minutes from Glasgow
Explore
Our guide on getting to and from Islay
Arrival
Arriving on Islay — and What to Do If You're Late, Delayed or Diverted
Most of the time, arriving on Islay is the easy bit. You step off the ferry at Port Askaig or Port Ellen, the holiday has properly started, and the drive to Bruichladdich is short. Sometimes it isn't. CalMac swaps ports in bad weather. The flight diverts to Campbeltown. The last bus has gone. When that happens, this is the page you want.
Full guide →Ferry vs Flight
Ferry or Flight to Islay?
There are two ways to reach Islay: the CalMac ferry from Kennacraig on the mainland, or a Loganair flight from Glasgow. The honest trade-off is simple — the flight is fast and expensive; the ferry is slower and far cheaper, and it carries your car, your dog and as much luggage as you can fit. For most of the guests who stay with us, the ferry wins on everything except speed. The flight earns its place when a day matters more than the money.
Full guide →
Ferry
Ferry to Islay
CalMac operates two routes from Kennacraig — to Port Askaig in the north and Port Ellen in the south. Book ahead for summer sailings and Fèis Ìle.
Full guide →
Flight
Flights to Islay
The flight suits a specific kind of trip. A whisky group travelling without a car, a couple where speed matters more than cost, someone squeezing Islay into a longer Scottish itinerary. For most guests - families especially, or anyone planning to explore the island properly - the ferry makes far more sense. It's cheaper, you take your car, and the crossing itself is one of the best parts of arriving on Islay. But when the flight fits, Loganair covers the route from Glasgow in 25 minutes.
Full guide →
On-Island
Getting Around Islay
Getting around a small island feels different - shorter distances, single-track sections, an etiquette of its own. We live across the water on Jura, so we make these journeys constantly: Port Askaig for the ferry home, Bowmore for the supermarket, the airport when family visits. Most guests hire a car for the week. You can also lean on the local bus, the two taxi firms, the bike-hire operators, and - if you're staying with us in Bruichladdich - your own two feet. This page covers what we've learned.
Full guide →
Planning
Planning Your Trip to Islay
There's no wrong season on Islay — but each is different. This guide covers when to visit, Fèis Île, how long to stay, and how to plan your crossing.
Full guide →
Car-Free
Travelling to Islay Without a Car
Although having a car makes it a lot easier to get around Islay, many people still travel as foot passengers or with a bicycle. Take the Citylink bus from Glasgow Bus Station (and airport) to the ferry terminal at Kennacraig, then CalMac ferry to Islay. For cyclists, the Glasgow–Arran–Kintyre route is a hugely overlooked and beautifully scenic way to arrive here. Between April and September there's also the Jura Passenger Ferry — a small seasonal service from Tayvallich to Craighouse on Jura, worth knowing about if you're routing via Jura or combining the islands. In this guide we've put together all the main ways to get from Glasgow to Islay without a car and who you need to contact or book with to organise.
Full guide →travel
Ferry Basics
Getting to Islay isn't easy. And that's what makes it so special. With the right planning the journey is as much a part of the holiday as being here — not something to push through in choruses of "are we nearly there yet?". From the moment you leave Glasgow and reach Loch Lomond, the scenery changes dramatically. Bye bye Lowlands, hello Highlands. We make this crossing all the time, in all weathers — get in touch if you're not sure and we'll help you find the best route. Plan your journey →
trust
Ferry Support
CalMac disruptions happen. When they do, we've got your back — we hold a 5.0/5 communication rating, and 30+ reviews mention our ferry crisis support. In 8+ years, we've never had a booking collapse. Contact me immediately if your ferry is cancelled and we'll figure it out together. [What to do if your ferry is cancelled →](/travel-to-islay#when-ferry-cancellations-happen)
activity
Jura Day Trip
A 5-minute ferry from Port Askaig takes you to Jura — visit the distillery, lunch at the Antlers, cycle to Small Isles Bay. One road, one pub, more deer than people. It feels like a different world. Visiting Jura from Islay — a day trip guide →
travel
Travelling to Islay with Your Dog
CalMac welcomes dogs on all ferries from Kennacraig - no charge, lead required on board. Citylink and local Islay buses do not allow dogs (assistance dogs excepted), so if you're travelling with a dog you'll need to come by car or arrange private transport to Kennacraig. All three of our properties — Portbahn House, Shorefield House and Curlew Cottage — welcome dogs (lead required at the front of Curlew, off-lead in its walled rear garden).
Full guide: ferry policy, bus restrictions, and where to stay with your dog →