There are 4 ways to get from Helensburgh to Islay by train, plane, car, ferry, or bus
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Train, fly
best- Take the train from Helensburgh Central to Charing Cross (Glasgow)train
- Fly from Glasgow Airport (GLA) to Islay (ILY)plane GLA - ILY
2h 51m£98–229Drive, ferry
cheapest- Drive from Helensburgh to Bus Terminalcar
- Take the ferry from Kennacraig Ferry Terminal to Port Askaig Islay Ferry Terminalferry Cm9
4h 48m£25–80Bus, ferry
- Take the bus from Anniesland Cross to Argyll Arms Hotelbus 926
- Take the ferry from Kennacraig Ferry Terminal to Port Askaig Islay Ferry Terminalferry Cm9
8h 46m£29–92Train, ferry
- Take the train from Helensburgh Upper to Obantrain
- Take the ferry from Oban Ferry Terminal to Colonsay Ferry Terminalferry
- Take the ferry from Colonsay Ferry Terminal to Port Askaig Islay Ferry Terminalferry Cm9
7h 51m£46–132
Glasgow Airport (GLA) to Islay (ILY) flights
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Helensburgh to Islay is to drive and ferry which costs £25 - £80 and takes 4h 48m.
The fastest way to get from Helensburgh to Islay is to train and fly which takes 2h 51m and costs £95 - £230.
The distance between Helensburgh and Islay is 103 miles.
The best way to get from Helensburgh to Islay without a car is to bus and ferry which takes 8h 46m and costs £29 - £95.
It takes approximately 2h 51m to get from Helensburgh to Islay, including transfers.
There are 27+ hotels available in Islay.
What companies run services between Helensburgh, Scotland and Islay, Scotland?
There is no direct connection from Helensburgh to Islay. However, you can take the train to Charing Cross (Glasgow), walk to Glasgow Waterloo Street, take the line 500 shuttle to Glasgow Airport, walk to Glasgow Airport (GLA) airport, then fly to Islay (ILY). Alternatively, you can take a vehicle from Helensburgh to Port Askaig Islay Ferry Terminal via Bus Terminal, Ferry Terminal, and Kennacraig Ferry Terminal in around 4h 48m.
- Website
- loganair.co.uk
Flights from Glasgow Airport to Islay
- Ave. Duration
- 42 min
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- £80–200
- Phone
- +44 344 811 0141
- Website
- scotrail.co.uk
Train from Helensburgh Central to Charing Cross (Glasgow)
- Ave. Duration
- 39 min
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- £7–20
- Website
- https://www.scotrail.co.uk/
- Standard
- £7–10
- 1st Class
- £14–20
Train from Helensburgh Upper to Oban
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 21m
- Frequency
- 5 times a day
- Estimated price
- £35–45
- Website
- https://www.scotrail.co.uk/
- Phone
- 0141 352 4444
- info@citylink.co.uk
- Website
- citylink.co.uk
Bus from Anniesland Cross to Argyll Arms Hotel
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 26m
- Frequency
- Every 3 hours
- Estimated price
- £13–19
- Website
- https://www.citylink.co.uk/
- Phone
- +44 (0)1475 650 397
- enquiries@calmac.co.uk
- Website
- calmac.co.uk
Ferry from Kennacraig Ferry Terminal to Port Askaig Islay Ferry Terminal
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 55m
- Frequency
- 4 times a day
- Estimated price
- £6–50
- Website
- https://www.calmac.co.uk
- Passenger Fare
- £6–9
- Car Fare
- £40–50
Ferry from Oban Ferry Terminal to Colonsay Ferry Terminal
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 30m
- Frequency
- 6 times a week
- Estimated price
- £7–60
- Website
- https://www.calmac.co.uk
- Passenger Fare
- £7–11
- Car Fare
- £50–60
Ferry from Colonsay Ferry Terminal to Port Askaig Islay Ferry Terminal
- Ave. Duration
- 1h
- Frequency
- Twice a week
- Estimated price
- £4–30
- Website
- https://www.calmac.co.uk
- Passenger Fare
- £4–7
- Car Fare
- £24–30
Want to know more about travelling around United Kingdom
Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.
Related travel guides
Travelling to the UK: What do I need to know?
Read the travel guide















