Islay is the island of peat smoke, white beaches and ten working distilleries, and getting there is simple: one main ferry from Kennacraig on the Kintyre peninsula. For now that is even simpler than usual, because one of the island’s two ferry ports is closed for rebuilding.
Port Ellen closed until 2029
CMAL is rebuilding Port Ellen with a new berth, linkspan and terminal. During the works every CalMac sailing to Islay runs between Kennacraig and Port Askaig, and there is no shuttle bus between the two ports (about 21 miles). Staying near Port Ellen or visiting Laphroaig, Lagavulin or Ardbeg? Allow around 35 – 40 minutes’ drive from Port Askaig. Works at Port Askaig itself can cause occasional delays, and space in the queue is limited, so CalMac asks you not to arrive more than 30 minutes before check-in closes.
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Kennacraig – Port Askaig: the ferry to Islay
CalMac sails Kennacraig – Port Askaig with MV Finlaggan and the new MV Isle of Islay, which entered service in 2026; her sister ship MV Loch Indaal is due to follow. The crossing takes 1 hour 55 minutes. Kennacraig is on the west coast of Kintyre, about 2h45 – 3 hours by car from Glasgow.
| Day | Departures from Kennacraig (winter 2026/27) |
|---|---|
| Monday | 07:00, 10:10, 13:00, 18:00 |
| Tuesday | 10:00, 13:00, 15:30, 18:10 |
| Wednesday, Thursday | 07:00, 10:00, 13:00, 18:00 |
| Friday | 07:00, 10:00, 13:00, 15:30, 18:10 |
| Saturday | 07:00, 13:00, 18:10 |
| Sunday | 10:00, 13:00, 18:00 |
Winter timetable 19 October 2026 – 25 March 2027; a similar number of sailings runs back from Port Askaig each day. No sailings on 25 December and 1 January, and some times change on 24, 26 and 31 December. Fares (single): adult £9.00, car £45.40, valid until 25 March 2027.
Check-in: drivers and passengers must be ready to board 30 minutes before departure, foot passengers 10 minutes. CalMac asks everyone to book in advance, also foot passengers. Check Kennacraig – Port Askaig
Which part of Islay? Plan around the distilleries
With Port Ellen closed, Port Askaig is your arrival point for the whole island. Here is how far you have to go:
- Near Port Askaig: Caol Ila, Bunnahabhain and Ardnahoe are a few minutes from the ferry, and so is the Jura ferry.
- Bowmore and the middle of the island: about 20 minutes, with Bowmore distillery in the island’s main village.
- The Rhinns in the west: Bruichladdich and Kilchoman, about 30 – 40 minutes.
- The south coast (Kildalton): Laphroaig, Lagavulin, Ardbeg and the reopened Port Ellen distillery, about 35 – 40 minutes.
Going during Fèis Ìle, the Islay whisky festival at the end of May? Book your car space as soon as the summer timetable opens: with only one port in use, the ferries fill up quickly.
Other ferries to and from Islay
Port Askaig – Feolin (Jura)
Argyll & Bute Council’s small ferry MV Eilean Dhiura crosses the Sound of Islay to Jura in about five minutes: 16 times a day Monday to Saturday and six times on Sundays in winter. Most sailings are turn up and go; the first and last sailings of the day must be booked by noon the day before. This ferry is not part of the CalMac fare scheme: car and driver from about £17, paid online or on board. Jura ferry details
In summer there is also a passenger boat from Tayvallich on the mainland directly to Craighouse on Jura.
Colonsay and Oban
In winter CalMac links Islay with Colonsay and Oban on Saturdays: Port Askaig 07:00 → Colonsay 08:00 → Oban 10:50, and back Oban 13:20 → Colonsay 15:50 → Port Askaig 17:10. Oban – Port Askaig costs £12.90 per adult and £69.60 per car. A neat way to combine Islay with Mull or the Oban area.
From Northern Ireland: Ballycastle
Kintyre Express runs a small fast passenger boat (up to 12 people) from Ballycastle to Islay in about an hour, from early April to late September. It traditionally lands at Port Ellen; with the harbour works, check with the operator where it arrives before you plan onward travel. With a car from Northern Ireland, sail to Cairnryan and drive to Kennacraig (about 4.5 hours). See our Belfast to Scotland ferry guide.
Timetable, availability, and compare prices
Our online booking module makes it easy to find and book your desired ferry crossing to and from the Isle of Islay. All you have to do is enter your departure port, destination, and travel dates. The system will show you the best routes and possible alternatives. You can then choose the ferry that best suits your needs and budget. Have a great trip!
About Islay
Islay lies west of Kintyre and south of Jura, one of the southern Inner Hebrides. It is known above all for its smoky single malts: ten distilleries are working again since Port Ellen reopened in 2024. Beyond whisky there are long sandy beaches such as Machir Bay, huge flocks of geese in winter and the RSPB reserve at Loch Gruinart. Flying is possible too: Loganair flies from Glasgow in about 40 minutes.
More islands: ferries to the Hebrides, ferry to the Outer Hebrides and all Scotland ferries.
FAQ: ferry to Islay
How long is the ferry to Islay?
Kennacraig – Port Askaig takes 1 hour 55 minutes with CalMac. Kennacraig is on the Kintyre peninsula, about 2 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours by car from Glasgow.
Is the Port Ellen ferry running?
No. Port Ellen has been closed since June 2026 for a complete rebuild and is expected to reopen in 2029. All CalMac ferries to Islay sail from Kennacraig to Port Askaig in the meantime; there is no shuttle bus between the two ports.
How much is the ferry to Islay?
In winter 2026/27 a single from Kennacraig to Port Askaig costs £9.00 per adult and £45.40 for a car, with the driver paying the passenger fare on top. Fares are valid until 25 March 2027.
How many ferries a day go to Islay?
Three to five sailings a day from Kennacraig, 27 a week in the winter timetable, with a similar number back from Port Askaig.
Can you get a ferry from Northern Ireland to Islay?
Yes, but only as a foot passenger: Kintyre Express sails a small fast boat from Ballycastle to Islay in about an hour between April and September. With a car, sail to Cairnryan and drive to Kennacraig.
How do you get from Islay to Jura?
Take the council ferry from Port Askaig to Feolin. It takes about five minutes and sails up to 16 times a day; most sailings are turn up and go.
Ferry talk: Share your questions and opinions
Ask, answer, and explore ferry routes with the community’s expertise!
Have draw a ruff map of planned trip in Scotland and would like to know if catching the ferry from Oban to Islay is possible? 2 adults in a car. Travelling end of July.
Editorial update (October 2026): the Oban – Colonsay – Islay link is part of CalMac route Oban – Colonsay – Port Askaig – Kennacraig. On the sailings that continue beyond Colonsay you arrive at Port Askaig on Islay, so you do not need to go to Kennacraig first. It does not run every day, especially in winter, so check the current timetable: https://www.calmac.co.uk/en-gb/route-information/oban-colonsay-port-askaig-kennacraig/
Hi DGray,
As far as we can find there is no such ferry, there is a ferry though from Oban to Colonsay and from Colonsay to Islay. According to Google Maps at least. I can’t find more details at the moment.
Will try and find more info and get back to you,
Have a nice trip
Hi DGray,
You can find more info on this route here:
https://www.calmac.co.uk/en-gb/route-information/oban-colonsay-port-askaig-kennacraig/#/
So from Oban to Colonsay, and then you need the ferry to Kennacraig,
Hope this helps!