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How to get fromEdinburgh to Islayby train, plane, bus or ferry

Find Transport to Islay

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There are 5 ways to get from Edinburgh to Islay by train, plane, bus, or ferry

Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.

  1. Train, fly

    best
    1. Take the train from Edinburgh Waverley to Glasgow Queen Streettrain
    2. Fly from Glasgow Airport (GLA) to Islay (ILY)planeGLA - ILY
    2h 55m
    £98–265

  2. Bus, ferry

    cheapest
    1. Take the bus from Princes Street to Buchanan Bus Stationbus900
    2. Take the bus from Buchanan Bus Station to Argyll Arms Hotelbus926
    3. Take the ferry from Kennacraig Ferry Terminal to Port Askaig Islay Ferry TerminalferryCm9
    8h 59m
    £29–82

  3. Train, bus, ferry

    1. Take the train from Edinburgh Waverley to Annieslandtrain
    2. Take the bus from Anniesland Cross to Argyll Arms Hotelbus926
    3. Take the ferry from Kennacraig Ferry Terminal to Port Askaig Islay Ferry TerminalferryCm9
    9h 9m
    £43–95

  4. Train, ferry

    1. Take the train from Edinburgh Waverley to Glasgow Queen Streettrain
    2. Take the train from Glasgow Queen Street to Obantrain
    3. Take the ferry from Oban Ferry Terminal to Colonsay Ferry Terminalferry
    4. Take the ferry from Colonsay Ferry Terminal to Port Askaig Islay Ferry TerminalferryCm9
    10h 27m
    £49–205

  5. Bus, ferry via Edinburgh Bus Station Gate A-Stance 1

    1. Take the bus from Edinburgh Bus Station Gate A-Stance 1 to Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station Stance 49bus
    2. Take the bus from Buchanan Bus Station to Argyll Arms Hotelbus926
    3. Take the ferry from Kennacraig Ferry Terminal to Port Askaig Islay Ferry TerminalferryCm9
    9h 4m
    £32–88

Edinburgh to Islay by bus and ferry

Calendar11Weekly Services
Duration8h 59mAverage Duration
Ticket£29Cheapest Price
See schedules

Questions & Answers

What companies run services between Edinburgh, Scotland and Islay, Scotland?

There is no direct connection from Edinburgh to Islay. However, you can take the train to Glasgow Queen Street, walk to Buchanan Street, take the line 500 bus to Terminal Building, walk to Glasgow Airport (GLA) airport, then fly to Islay (ILY). Alternatively, you can take a bus from Princes Street to Port Askaig Islay Ferry Terminal via Buchanan Bus Station, Argyll Arms Hotel, Ferry Terminal, and Kennacraig Ferry Terminal in around 8h 59m.

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