Islay Travel and Local Transport Information
Travel to Islay (Kennacraig) by Citylink Coach from Glasgow
General Information:
The Citylink Coach travels to Islay (Kennacraig) twice a day, every day, from several stations. When you travel from Glasgow International Airport there is a change at Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station.
Schedule:
First Depart from Glasgow Airport is 08:08 and arrives at the Kennacraig Ferry terminal at 12:25
Second Depart from Glasgow Airport is 12:45 and arrives at the Kennacraig Ferry terminal at 16:57
Reservations (advisable):
WWW: The Citylink Online Booking system
Phone: central reservations centre on 08705 50 50 50
Travel centre/agent: Travel Centres within the Bus Stations in Glasgow, Perth, Dundee, Aberdeen, Inverness and Edinburgh and in the Tourist Information Centre in Edinburgh. Other Citylink Agents.
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Prices (from Glasgow airport):
Single: £18.40
Day return: £25.70
Open return: £30
Insurance of 99p is included and covers the following:
Personal Accident up to £10,000
Personal Property up to £500
Personal Public Liability up to £1 million
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Making Reservations:
A credit card is required for using the The Calmac Online Booking System and payment. The tickets are then sent to your home address. Reservations can also be made by telephone. The office is open Mon-Sat between 0800 to 2000, Sun 0900 to 1900 UK Time. The number is: +44 (0)8000 66 5000 the email address is: reservations@calmac.co.uk
Coach/Groups Reservations: By email: groups@calmac.co.uk or telephone: +44 (0)1475-650355
Useful Phonenumbers from Calmac
Disruption Line:
Tel: + 44 (0)8457 650050
Check Service Status Online
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Kennacraig Terminal:
Tel: + 44 (0)1880 730253
Port Ellen Terminal:
Tel: + 44 (0)1496 302209
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Winter Fares Persons, Cars, Motorhomes, Cycles and Motorbikes
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Person:
£7.05 and return £12.35
Car or motorhome:
up to 5 metres: £40.00 and return £69.00
up to 8 metres: £60.00 and return £104.00
up to 10 metres: £80.00 and return £138.00
Caravan or boat/baggage trailer:
up to 2.5 metres: £20.00 and return £34.50
up to 5 metres: £40.00 and return £69.00
up to 8 metres: £60.00 and return £104.00
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Bike:
free of charge
Motorcycle:
£20.00 and return £34.50
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Travel to Islay by Plane
Two departures are made daily to/from Glasgow International Airport to Islay Glenegedale Airport (ILY). The distance is 72 miles or (116 Km) and duration is 0hr 40min. The plane leaves from terminal M at Glasgow International Airport. The plane, a Saab 340/340B, is operated by Loganair, Scotland's Airline.
Timetable:
Check the Online Timetables for up-to-date information.
Reservations:
Reservations can be made online through the website of FlyBe or through your local travel agent.
Prices:
Fares start as low as £30 for a one way ticket including all taxes.
Islay Bus Service
 A local bus service is available on Islay and operates on several different routes on the island. The main routes on Islay are:
Portnahaven - Bowmore - Port Ellen - Ardbeg; service 450 and Postbus 196
Port Askaig - Bridgend - Bowmore - Port Ellen - Ardbeg; service 451 and 456
Ardbeg - Bowmore - Bridgend - Portnahaven; service 450 and Postbus 196
Ardbeg - Bowmore - Bridgend - Port Askaig; service 451 and 456
If you want to travel from Port Askaig to Port Charlotte take the bus from Port Askaig to Ardbeg and leave the bus at Bridgend, there you change over to the bus to Port Charlotte. Bridgend is the place where all the bus routes pass. Use the following link for a detailed map: Detailed Islay Map
 Download the latest Islay Bus timetables.
More information regarding public transport can be obtained at the Argyll and Bute Council Website.
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Islay Taxi/Minibus and Car Hire
Taxi/Minibus:
Carol MacDonald Tel: 01496 302155 Mobile: 07775782155 or email at cmd2155@aol.com
Fiona's Taxis Tel: 01496 302622 Mobile: 07808303200
Lamont'sTaxis Tel: 01496 810449 Mobile: 07899756159
Rhinns Taxi Hire is available online at www.islaytaxis.com. Tel: 01496 850170 Mobile: 07771 921157 and email at info@islaytaxis.com
Car hire:
D & N MacKenzie:
Tel: +44 (0)1496 302 300, Fax:01496 302324 or web at www.carhireonislay.co.uk
Islay Car Hire
Tel: +44 (0)1496 810 544, email at info@islaycarhire.com or book and pay online at www.islaycarhire.com
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Travel to Islay with your own boat or yacht
 Anchorages can be made at the following locations:
Port Ellen, Lagavulin, Portnahaven, Port Charlotte, Port Askaig (strong currents in the Sound of Islay), Caol Ila distillery, Bowmore.
Detailed information about Port Ellen Marina can be found here. Check the Port Ellen tides here
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Alternative travel ideas
There are several private operators in this part of Argyll who offer tours to and from the mainland to the islands in the area and even travel as far as Northern Ireland. If you are in to a different, tailor made and perhaps more exciting way of travelling this could be your thing. There are two companies that are active in the region:
Islay Sea Safari - who run a (RIB) Rigid Inflatable Boat service for the Inner Hebrides & Northern Ireland and offer a sea taxi service as well as island hopping and distillery trips.
Gigha Sea Tours - Gigha based operator that also runs a RIB boat service. Although the focus is on Gigha they offer (bespoke) island hopping tours to almost every island in the southern Hebrides as well as Oban.
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Books from Amazon
Norman Newton - Islay guide
A small book, loaded with gorgeous colour pictures of this beautiful Island in the Hebrides. Has a useful Information and Places to visit Guide. Includes a map, distillery info and lots more.
Margaret Storrie - Biography of an Island
Dr Margaret Storrie gives a compreh account about the past and present of Islay. Anyone wishing to learn and understand the history of Islay will find this book fascinating.
Gilbert Carmichael - Old Islay
A lovely book with many pictures from The Old Days on Islay including the distilleries, peat cutting and steamers at Port Ellen
George Robertson - Islay and Jura
George Robertson (Lord Robertson of Port Ellen), has produced an intriguing and, dare I say it, eccentric collection of photographs of his favourite islands Islay and Jura.
Hamish Haswell Smith - The Scottish Islands
Fascinating book dealing with all the beautiful islands Scotland has to offer. A must for the Island Hopper.
Landranger Islay Map
This map is part of the Landranger (Pink) series and is designed for people who really want to get to know an area. This map makes your Islay Discovery a lot easier and is a must for every visitor of Islay.
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