Last updated: July 2026
Islay sits off Scotland’s west coast, and reaching it is part of the adventure. There are two ways to get there: the CalMac car ferry or a short flight from Glasgow. Each has clear advantages depending on your budget, your timescale, and whether you are bringing a car. This guide compares them in detail — costs, times, booking and the experience itself — so you can choose the right option for your trip.
Getting to Islay by ferry
The classic way to reach Islay is on the CalMac car ferry, which sails from Kennacraig, on the Kintyre peninsula, to either Port Ellen (handy for the south-shore distilleries) or Port Askaig (handy for the north and the Jura ferry). The crossing takes a little over two hours, and there are usually two or three sailings a day, though the timetable is lighter in winter.
The catch is the drive to the terminal: Kennacraig is about three hours from Glasgow by road, down the side of Loch Lomond and Loch Fyne, or reachable by Scottish Citylink coach. So door to door, the ferry option realistically takes most of a day. The upsides are significant, though — you can bring your own car (invaluable for exploring the island), foot-passenger fares are cheap, and the sail down the Sound of Islay is genuinely scenic.
Ferry tips
- Book vehicle spaces well ahead — cars sell out in summer and around Fèis Ìle, sometimes weeks in advance.
- Foot passengers rarely need to book and pay very little.
- Build in a buffer — west-coast crossings can be cancelled in bad weather, so avoid tight onward connections.
- Arrive early at Kennacraig with a vehicle, as instructed on your booking.
Getting to Islay by air
Loganair flies from Glasgow to Islay Airport (Glenegedale, in the middle of the island) in around 40 minutes, usually once or twice daily. For anyone short on time, this transforms the journey: instead of a day of driving and sailing, you are on the island by mid-morning.
The trade-offs are cost and flexibility. Flights are more expensive than the ferry, seats and baggage are limited, and small-aircraft services are more prone to weather disruption. You will also need onward transport once you land — hire a car at the airport, pre-book a taxi, or plan around the island bus (see our guide to Islay without a car).
Flight tips
- Book early for the best fares and to secure a seat.
- Travel light — baggage allowances on small aircraft are modest.
- Arrange onward transport in advance; taxis are few.
- Have a plan B in case weather grounds the flight.
Cost and time compared
As a rule of thumb, the ferry is cheaper — especially for foot passengers — but slower once you factor in the drive to Kennacraig. The flight is faster and pricier, and best suited to a car-free trip or one where you hire a car on arrival. For a family bringing a car and luggage, the ferry usually wins on cost; for a couple travelling light and short on time, the flight can be worth every penny.
The best of both: mix and match
One clever option is to combine the two — for example, fly out to maximise your time on the island and take the ferry back (or vice versa), enjoying the scenic sail one way without losing two days to travel. If you are exploring the wider west coast, the ferry also lets you weave Islay into a road trip through Argyll and Kintyre.
Which should you choose?
Choose the ferry if you want to bring a car, keep costs down, or value flexibility and the scenery of the crossing — it suits most visitors and is the traditional Islay arrival. Choose the flight if your time is tight and you are happy to go car-free or hire on arrival. Whichever you pick, book as far ahead as you can, particularly in peak season. Once you have sorted travel, plan the rest with our Islay itinerary guide, the ranked best Islay distilleries, and the wider Islay whisky guide.
This guide is part of our complete Argyll & the Isles travel guide — browse islands, itineraries, distilleries, beaches and castles across the region.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the ferry to Islay?
A little over two hours from Kennacraig to Port Ellen or Port Askaig, plus around three hours to reach Kennacraig from Glasgow.
Can you fly to Islay?
Yes — Loganair flies from Glasgow to Islay in about 40 minutes, once or twice a day.
Is it cheaper to fly or take the ferry to Islay?
The ferry is generally cheaper, especially for foot passengers; the flight is faster but costs more and has limited seats and baggage.
Do you need a car on Islay?
Not necessarily — the island has buses, taxis and guided tours — but a car adds flexibility, which favours the ferry.
Should I book the Islay ferry in advance?
Yes, especially with a car and in peak season; vehicle spaces regularly sell out well ahead.
What happens if the ferry or flight is cancelled?
West-coast weather can disrupt both, so build a buffer day into your plans and avoid booking tight onward connections on your travel days.
