Back Brae Lodge

Tobermory Self Catering Holiday Accommodation on Mull
February to September 2023 now open for booking…

Ferries to Mull from Oban, Lochaline and Kilchoan with CalMac

This information was last checked on .

Mull ferry times

All three Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) Hebridean & Clyde Ferries to Mull carry cars and larger vehicles as well as passengers.

Book on an Oban ferry sailing

Ferry to Craignure on Mull from mainland Oban, Argyll

Bookings can currently be made until the end of the Winter 2022-23 timetable, which finishes on 30th March 2023. Sign up for email updates from Calmac to be notified once the next Winter (October 2023 to March 2024) timetable is released.

Travel on the Lochaline or Kilchoan turn-up-and-go sailings

Ferry to Fishnish on Mull from mainland Lochaline, Morvern Ferry to Tobermory on Mull from mainland Kilchoan, Ardnamurchan

Both of these “turn-up-and-go routes” remain non-bookable for both vehicle and foot passengers. Your first choice of sailing may not be always be available, however you should get across if you allow plenty of travel time and arrive earlier in the day. Contact CalMac if you're unsure.

Caledonian MacBrayne information

The telephone number for CalMac enquiries and reservations is 0800 066 5000 and their email address is enquiries@calmac.co.uk - see more CalMac contact information here.

See more information about travelling to Mull by ferry from CalMac. Read about Travelling with CalMac and see some Frequently Asked Questions about their service.

On-the-day sailing updates

To check on any disruption to sailings:

Sailings can be late, rescheduled or cancelled if there is bad weather, only occasionally but more often between late Autumn and early Spring. See CalMac's performance record for the route and month you intend to travel.

Ferry to Craignure on Mull from Oban (mainland Argyll)

The most popular ferry crossing to Mull from Glasgow and the south is from Oban to Craignure, the longest crossing and the largest ferry. Booking in advance is strongly advised for vehicles and foot passengers on this main route. You must be at the Oban ferry terminal at least 30 minutes before departure, however up to an hour is recommended. Crossing time is 50 minutes and it takes another 40 minutes to drive between the Craignure terminal and Tobermory.

Oban-Craignure timetables and fares

Winter timetable 24th October 2022 to 30th March 2023 Summer timetable 31st March to 15th October 2023

Sign up for email updates from Calmac to be notified once the next Winter (October 2023 to March 2024) timetable is released.

Ticket price: a standard car with two adult passengers currently costs £45.00 for a return journey.

On-the-day sailing updates: see the current service status for this Oban to Craignure crossing. Text CALMAC SUBSCRIBE 11 to 60030 to receive live SMS text updates on service status (text CALMAC STOP to cancel all subscriptions).

MV Isle of Mull ferry from Oban to Mull
The MV Isle of Mull ferry sailing between mainland Oban and Craignure on Mull

Scenic motoring: travel from Tyndrum to the main ferry terminal at Oban takes 1 hour. Driving distance between Tyndrum and Tobermory taking this ferry route is 58 miles and total journey time over land and water is at least 3 hours.

Alternative routes: from Loch Lomond, going via Inverary then the A819 doesn't take much longer. Taking the A83 and A816 via Lochgilphead as a long way round adds about an hour to the journey.

Ferry to Fishnish on Mull from Lochaline (mainland Morvern)

The Lochaline to Fishnish is the quickest ferry crossing to Mull. It's a longer drive from Tyndrum than the Oban route, but taking mileage and all ferry tickets into account, for an average car it's comparable in overall travel cost. Booking isn't possible, just arrive in good time. Crossing time is 18 minutes and it takes another 30 minutes to drive between the Fishnish terminal and Tobermory.

Lochaline-Fishnish timetables and fares

Winter timetable 24th October 2022 to 30th March 2023 Summer timetable 31st March to 15th October 2023

Sign up for email updates from Calmac to be notified once the next Winter (October 2023 to March 2024) timetable is released.

Ticket price: a standard car with two adult passengers currently costs £26.60 for a return journey. If travelling via the Corran ferry, add that return fare of £20.00 to total £46.60.

On-the-day sailing updates: see the current service status for this Lochaline to Fishnish crossing. Text CALMAC SUBSCRIBE 12 to 60030 to receive live SMS text updates on service status (text CALMAC STOP to cancel all subscriptions).

ferry to Mull arriving at Fishnish from Lochaline
The MV Loch Fyne ferry to Mull from Lochaline, arriving at Fishnish

Scenic motoring: to reach Lochaline, travel from the Corran ferry towards Strontian, turning left just before the village on to a hilly single track road across the Morvern peninsula. The drive takes 1 hour. Driving distance between Tyndrum and Tobermory taking this ferry route is 86 miles and total journey time over land and water is at least 3 hours.

Alternative route: from the South, instead of crossing the Corran ferry, carry on through Fort William then turn off towards Corpach on the A830 (signposted to Mallaig), then left on to the A861 around Loch Eil and back down Loch Linnhe to reach Ardgour - about an extra 1 hour 30 mins (43 miles).

Ferry to Tobermory on Mull from Kilchoan (mainland Ardnamurchan)

This Tobermory ferry from Kilchoan on the mainland Ardnamurchan peninsula is the longest route from the south, but overall probably the most scenic way to get to Tobermory. Booking isn't possible, just arrive in good time. Crossing time is 35 minutes.

Kilchoan-Tobermory timetables and fares

Winter timetable 24th October 2022 to 30th March 2023 Summer timetable 31st March to 15th October 2023

Sign up for email updates from Calmac to be notified once the next Winter (October 2023 to March 2024) timetable is released.

Ticket price: a standard car with two adult passengers currently costs £31.30 for a return journey. If travelling via the Corran ferry, add that return fare of £20.00 to total £51.30.

On-the-day sailing updates: see the current service status for this Kilchoan to Tobermory crossing. Text CALMAC SUBSCRIBE 14 to 60030 to receive live SMS text updates on service status (text CALMAC STOP to cancel all subscriptions).

ferry to Mull (Tobermory) from Ardnamurchan
The MV Loch Tarbert ferry sailing between mainland Kilchoan and Tobermory on Mull

Scenic motoring: you can reach Kilchoan via the Corran ferry, with beautiful scenery going through Strontian and then the Ardnamurchan Peninsula and Loch Sunart. Between Strontian and Kilchoan there are about 30 miles (one hour) of narrow, winding single track road. This route is a similar driving distance to Tobermory to the route via the Lochaline-Fishnish ferry but the Kilchoan ferry arrives, quite magically, right into the heart of Tobermory, just around the corner from Back Brae Lodge. The drive from Tyndrum to the Kilchoan ferry terminal takes 1 hour 30 mins. Driving distance between Tyndrum and Tobermory taking this ferry route is around 83 miles and total journey time over land and water is at least 3.5 hours.

Alternative route: from the South, instead of crossing the Corran ferry, continue through Fort William and turn off to Corpach. Take the A830 through Glenfinnan, home of the Jacobite Monument and the Glenfinnan Viaduct (the railway bridge scenes in the Harry Potter movies) to Lochailort. Turn off here and travel through Glenuig and Acharacle to Salen then Kilchoan. This route passes through some stunning West Highland scenery, and also involves an hour of single track road between Kinlochmoidart and Kilchoan. This diversion takes an extra 1 hour (33 miles) compared to the more direct route through Strontian.

Corran ferry from Nether Lochaber to Ardgour (mainland Morvern)

To reach the Lochaline or Kilchoan ferries directly, travel on this inland Corran ferry between Nether Lochaber (Corran, just south of Fort William) and Ardgour (Morvern). These are both points on the mainland, separated by fast-moving narrows across the sea loch, Loch Linnhe. Crossing time is 5 minutes. Booking isn't possible, just arrive in good time. The ferry runs every 20 to 30 minutes, and is operated by Highland Council (not CalMac).

Corran ferry timetables and fares

Timetable between Nether Lochaber and Ardgour More Corran ferry information from Highland Council

Ticket price: a standard car with passengers currently costs £10.00 for a single journey.

ferry between Corran and Nether Lochaber (Ardgour)
The Corran ferry arriving from Ardgour, across the Corran Narrows

Scenic motoring: driving to this inland Corran ferry (just south of Fort William) allows onward travel to both of the two smaller ferries to Mull. The journey from Tyndrum to the Corran ferry takes 1 hour (38 miles), crossing desolate Rannoch Moor and then through spectacular Glencoe.

Timelapse drone video of the busy Corran Ferry.

Driving times to Tyndrum

Travelling to Mull from central Scotland by car, the most direct route is via Crianlarich and Tyndrum. The road to Tyndrum from Glasgow runs through Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park. From Edinburgh to Tyndrum, the road takes you through picturesque Callander. To drive to Tyndrum, allow:

  • 1 hour 45 mins from central Glasgow (via Dumbarton and Loch Lomond)
  • 2 hours 30 mins from central Edinburgh (via Stirling and Callander)

Times given here are guides to a recommended minimum time to allow for travel. Remember to allow extra time for stops to eat, shop or appreciate the scenery, and that ferries don't wait so reconsider plans if you're running late, rather than drive dangerously.

If there is snow and ice forecast in Winter, the routes to Lochaline and Kilchoan are more likely to become impassible, as they involve steeper gradients and long stretches of single track road.

a Highland road leading into a glen
Between Ardgour and Strontian, on the road to the Lochaline and Kilchoan ferries

Single track roads

Taking your car to Mull? Visit Mull & Iona's Guide to driving on the island's single track roads.

Within Mull and around Ardnamurchan and Morvern, please remember that car journey times on single track roads can be significantly longer than you may be used to. As an example, the trip from Tobermory to Fionnphort (60 miles) for the Iona ferry can take one and a half hours.

passing places on single track roads
Always allow following vehicles to pass on single track roads
How to drive on single track roads

Public transport & vehicle hire

Plan your train journey from Glasgow Queen Street to Oban with ScotRail - see the West Highlands timetable under The Highlands. Trains from Edinburgh change at Glasgow.

Citylink Coaches run between Glasgow Buchanan Street Bus Station and Oban. Buses from Edinburgh change at Glasgow.

For the public bus (coach) service on Mull, around Oban and the local area, see West Coast Motors service timetables and maps - search for Tobermory.

See private taxi cab services on Mull. We recommend to book in advance whenever possible.

Harbour Garage in Tobermory offers car hire and repair services. Mull Car Hire is based near the Oban ferry terminal in Craignure.

Mull weather

See the current weather forecast for Tobermory from the BBC.

Keep an eye on the weather as Mull ferry crossings can often be cancelled in severe conditions, depending on the wind direction and sea swell.

See live webcam images from Glenforsa showing current weather conditions there. Glenforsa Airfield, just south of Salen, is an unlicenced grass airfield suitable for light aircraft, operated by Argyll & Bute Council.

Kidnapped

In the classic 1886 novel Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson, the characters David Balfour and Alan Breck travel a route between Mull and Edinburgh, now known as The Stevenson Way. Read their fictional journey in 1751, which mentions some of the places on this page.

sunset over Corran Narrows and lighthouse
Crossing the Corran Narrows by ferry at sunset

The Mull & Iona Ferry Committee represents the island users of these lifeline ferry services.

MV Isle Of Mull and MV Loch Tarbert photos © Mark Nicolson / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

Back Brae Lodge can be seen behind the red building in the middle, in the final scene of this VisitScotland television advert which shows a seaplane arriving to land in Tobermory Bay.