How to get to the Isle of Arran
What ferry to take
There are (usually) 3 boats available to choose from. You can find out what’s running by looking at the:
The boats from Troon and Claonaig are usually more reliable when it’s windy.
The Claonaig boat runs on a ‘turn up and go’ basis, so there’s no need to book ahead of time. You can buy a ticket online (that you can use for any sailing that day) or when you’re on the boat.
Travelling to Arran by foot
You do not need a car to visit Arran. There’s a bus service that runs frequently from Brodick to Whiting Bay.
You’ll have more flexibility if you come by foot. For example, you may want to leave later than planned if the sun is shining and you’ve got some hiking to do.
Car bookings on the boat to Troon and Ardrossan are not always easy to come by.
If you want to leave your car in Ardossan or Troon
There is secure parking at both ports.
In Ardrossan, the standard charge is £5 for the first 24-hours, then £4 per day.
In Troon, it’s:
- £5 for 24 hours
- £9 for 48 hours
- £13 for 72 hours
And then £4 a day after that.
Travelling to Arran by bike
You can bring your bike over on the ferry. If you’re travelling from Troon or Ardrossan, you’ll need to book a bike ticket.
Arran is very popular with cyclists. Especially since the Dyemill bike park opened up in Lamlash.
Find more about cycling on Arran on the VisitArran website.
Getting to Troon or Ardrossan by public transport
You can get the train from Glasgow Central.
If you’re travelling to Troon, there is a bus that takes you from Troon station to the harbour.
If you’re travelling to Ardrossan, the train is a 3-minute walk from the gangway.
Bringing a car over to Arran
You need to make an advanced reservation for both the Troon and Ardrossan crossings.
You can book online on the calmac website.
You need to arrive at the port at least 30-minutes before departure. It’s best to allow a bit longer in case of any traffic delays.
We have parking space for one car per hut.
How to check if your boat is running
You can check the status of your ferry by checking the service status on the Calmac website.
We recommend that you check the forecast 2-3 days before you are due to travel. We use XC Weather to check the forecast for Brodick.
If strong winds are forecast (30+mph), then you might need to change your ferry booking or consider the route from Claonaig to Lochranza.
We recommend getting travel insurance
In case of any travel disruptions due to weather or unforeseen events that mean you have to cancel your break.
If you’re ready to book
Have a browse around our huts.
Or you can contact us if you’ve got any further travel questions.
