Getting around Mull and Iona: with and without a car

Not yet assessed Our reading of the sources below, not an official rating.

Paying for local transport in Mull and Iona

ScotRail (Scotland’s trains).ScotRail runs most trains within Scotland. Its tickets page refused automated access, so check ticket types and any Scotland-only offers on its site.ScotRail tickets (opens in new tab)

Without a car

Getting here

Ferry from Oban to Craignure

CalMac calls this the most direct route to Mull: the crossing takes 45 minutes and vehicle reservations are recommended. Smaller ferries also run from Lochaline to Fishnish and from Kilchoan to Tobermory. ¹

CalMac: Mull (opens in new tab)

Ferry from Fionnphort to Iona

The Iona ferry leaves Fionnphort on the Ross of Mull and takes about 10 minutes. Most vehicles are not allowed on Iona, so leave your car at the free Columba Centre car park in Fionnphort. ²

CalMac: Iona (opens in new tab)

Train or bus to Oban

CalMac says the ScotRail train from Glasgow Queen Street to Oban takes just over three hours and the bus from Glasgow just under three hours. On Mull, West Coast Motors runs buses from Monday to Saturday. ³

ScotRail (opens in new tab) · Traveline Scotland journey planner (opens in new tab)

Once you are there

By car

Most of Mull's roads are single track with passing places, according to CalMac. Allow plenty of time: Craignure to Fionnphort is the length of the Ross of Mull. ¹

By bus

West Coast Motors runs regular services across Mull from Monday to Saturday, including the route to Fionnphort for the Iona ferry. ⁴

By boat

Boat trips to Staffa and the Treshnish Isles leave from Ulva Ferry, Fionnphort, Iona and Tobermory; most run from spring to autumn. ⁵

Stops near each area

From our area guides (Mull and Iona): the stations and stops listed for each base. See each area's Getting there page for more.

Tobermory and Mull

Craignure ferry terminal: CalMac ferry from Oban (45 minutes). Main arrival point; Duart Castle is nearby
Tobermory pier: CalMac ferry from Kilchoan on Ardnamurchan. Arrive straight into the main town
Fishnish: CalMac ferry from Lochaline in Morvern. Short crossing from the mainland
Island buses: West Coast Motors, Monday to Saturday. Regular services across the island

Tobermory and Mull: getting there

Iona and the Ross of Mull

Fionnphort ferry slipway: CalMac passenger ferry to Iona (about 10 minutes). Most vehicles are not allowed on Iona
Columba Centre car park, Fionnphort: Free parking. Leave your car here before the Iona ferry
Island buses: West Coast Motors, Monday to Saturday. Buses across Mull; check times with Traveline Scotland

Iona and the Ross of Mull: getting there

No schedules or fares are copied here: check the operator or Traveline for the day you travel. Taxis and ride-hailing apps operate in most towns, but we have no sourced coverage data for rural areas, so do not count on one at short notice.

With a car

We hold no sourced driving notes for Mull and Iona beyond the general rules.

General rules (driving on the left, licenses, roundabouts, speed limits in mph, parking, tolls, EV charging): Driving in Britain. Charge points: Zapmap (opens in new tab).

To and from other regions

Straight-line distance from our region centers, and the fastest train time that National Rail publishes on its destination pages (not a schedule; it may include a change). Where we found no figure we say so. The full table is on getting between regions.

Distance and fastest published train time from Mull and Iona to other regions
To or from	Straight line	Fastest train (National Rail)	Notes

Figures retrieved Oct 25, 2026 for the intercity data. Schedules change.

Official links

CalMac: Mull (opens in new tab): ferries to Craignure, Fishnish and Tobermory
CalMac: Iona (opens in new tab): Fionnphort to Iona ferry and vehicle permits
West Coast Motors (opens in new tab): buses on Mull
Traveline Scotland journey planner (opens in new tab): bus and ferry timetables

More on Mull and Iona: Mull and Iona guide · how to get there

Questions people ask

Can I get around Mull and Iona without a car?

We have not yet assessed getting around Mull and Iona. The official links below, and the region guide, are the place to start.

Do I need to check a driving zone in Mull and Iona?

We found no charging or low emission zone for Mull and Iona in the official pages we read. Check the council site before you drive in.

Sources

Fetched and read on Oct 25, 2026. Rules, prices and schedules change: check the source before you rely on it. Where a page blocked automated access we say so and link it.