Travel to Mull & Iona
Book your Mull ferry travel well in advance for both vehicles and foot passengers
There are three ferry routes from the Scottish mainland to the Isle of Mull which all carry vehicles and foot passengers. The main ferry route is from Oban to Craignure, taking 50 minutes, with shorter, more remote routes, from Lochaline on the Morvern Peninsula to Fishnish, and Kilchoan on the Ardnamurchan Peninsula to Tobermory.
All ferries are run by Caledonian MacBrayne (Calmac), and journeys are booked online. Mull and Iona are stunningly beautiful islands because they quite remote, so come prepared for your travel. Ferries are often fully booked well in advance, so book your ferry as soon as you know your travel dates, even if you are a foot passenger. Ferries may not be able to run in bad weather for safety reasons and occasionally they may have a technical or operational problem, so travel insurance is recommended. Make sure you keep an eye on the service status page on the Calmac website for updates on any ferry changes and sign up for text and other alerts from Calmac.
The Lochaline – Fishnish route is an attractive alternative to Oban-Craignure if you prefer a relaxed journey travelling through stunning scenery. Be aware there is a 5-minute ferry crossing at Corran Ferry on this route which is run by Highland Council
To reach the Isle of Iona, catch the ferry from Fionnphort as a foot passenger. Only residents cars and service vehicles are allowed on Iona.
If your ferry travel is disrupted for any reason contact Calmac for further information on how to reach your destination. Hopefully all will go well and you will enjoy a beautiful ferry journey which is the start of a wonderful holiday. One thing you can be sure of is an excellent service from your ferry crew and a wonderful welcome from the people of Mull and Iona
Travel within Mull and Iona
Island Bus Services
West Coast Motors run bus services from Craignure to Tobermory and Fionnphort (for the ferry to Iona). There is also a service from Tobermory to Dervaig and Calgary. Some of the bus times connect with the ferries, but not all, so check the timetables.
Driving on Mull
Mull is a surprisingly big island. The road from Tobermory in the north, to Fionnphort in the South West, is the main road on the island and is a combination of mainly single, and occasionally double track road. In summer, this journey may take two hours. The alternative very rugged and remote single track road on the west side of the island has spectacular views and is recommended, but not for the nervous driver!
Whenever you are driving on single track roads, it is essential to keep an eye on your mirror for faster traffic behind. If you see a car behind you, always pull into a passing place on the left and let them pass (Check out our guide to prepare you for island driving).