Exactly How to Get the Ferry to Mull
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Since it is an island, the question of how to get to the Isle of Mull is pretty much the same as how to get the ferry to Mull. There is no bridge or scheduled flights.
There are 5 ferries to Mull. 3 depart from the mainland and the other 2 from the small islands of Iona and Ulva.
This post will answer all your questions on which ferry to get based on my experience taking 4 out of the 5 ferries.
Isle of Mull Ferry Map
The Isle of Mull ferry routes are:
- Oban to Craignure ferry – 50 minutes to 1 hour
- Lochaline to Fishnish ferry – 18 minutes
- Kilochan to Tobermory ferry – 25-35 minutes
- Iona to Fionnophort ferry – 10 minutes
- Ulva to Oskamull ferry – <5 minutes
None of the ferries sail overnight.
How to Book Tickets?
All ferries are operated by Calmac. Tickets can be booked online or by phone.
If booking online I recommend setting up an account. It makes it easy to log back in to find your tickets. Tickets are also sent by e-mail.
You can show the ticket on your phone so no need to print them. If you choose to print the tickets make sure you have all the QR codes included.
The first page is not the ticket. On subsequent pages there is one QR code for each car, passenger and anything else you have booked tickets for such as dogs, bikes, kayaks etc.
You will not be asked for identification such as a passport or driving license at check in.
Should I Book the Ferry to Mull in Advance?
When bringing a car, motorhome or caravan you should buy a ticket in advance for all of the ferries from the mainland.
The unusual thing about the ferries to Mull is that only the Oban to Craignure route allows you to book a specific sailing.
On the ferries from Lochaline to Fishnish and Kilochan to Tobermory tickets last for the whole summer or winter season.
These sailing are on a first-come-first-served basis. Most of the year this is no problem. However, in July and August it can be busy.
This is especially true for anyone travelling on Saturday which is the day most rental cottages have their changeover day. Tickets on Saturdays for the Oban to Craignure ferry often sell out weeks or months in advance.
There is no need to book tickets in advance for the ferry to Iona.
The ferry to Ulva is operated by Rhuri Munro and you cannot buy tickets in advance. However, the journey only takes a couple of minutes each way so waiting for the next sailing won’t be a problem.
Ferries to Mull From the Mainland
1. Oban to Craignure Ferry
Journey time: 50 minutes to 1 hour
Departures per day: 11 departures per day during the summer
This is by far the most popular route to Mull. It is the only ferry from the mainland where you can book tickets for a specific sailing.
There are two vessels operating on this route, MV Isle of Mull and MV Loch Frisa. MV Isle of Mull is a much larger ferry with an observation deck and other on-board facilities such as a café.
MV Loch Frisa is smaller with no cafe, just a coffee machine. It has a small open decks at the front and rear. Inside there is a seating area.
Who should book this route?
Oban is well connected and is the easiest of the ferry terminals to get to by public transport and car.
The other ferry terminals might look convenient on the map but that is before taking into account how long it takes to drive on single lane, windy roads in Scotland.
I recommend this ferry for anyone travelling to Mull from the mainland. The other routes described below are great for a day trip to the smaller Scottish villages. Or if adding a couple of days at the beginning or end of your holiday to explore the areas around Kilochan or Lochaline.
Where to stay before the ferry?
- Oban: stay at Barriemore Oban.
- Craignure: stay at Isle of Mull Hotel and Spa. Although I would say that there is no reason to stay overnight in Craignure. Stay in Tobermory at Burnbank B&B instead.
2. Lochaline to Fishnish Ferry
Journey time: 18 minutes
Departures per day: 14 departures per day Mon – Sat and 9 on Sundays in the summer
The ferry from Lochaline to Mull is the shortest ferry to the Isle of Mull, but it is not the most convenient.
People underestimate how long it takes to drive on the single lane roads. Google Maps show the quickest route from Fort William to Mull is via the Corran ferry and the Lochaline ferry.
I don’t agree and I would recommend driving to Oban and taking the ferry from there.
You cannot reserve a specific sailing on this route. It is first-come-first-served. Tickets lasts for the whole season even though you will be asked pick a specific date during the booking process.
Who should use this route?
Use this route for:
- Spending a day in Lochaline and Morvern. Have lunch at The Whitehouse and explore Kinlochaline castle.
- Staying a few nights close to Lochaline.
- A road trip from Fort William and stopping overnight along the way.
Where to stay before the ferry?
- Lochaline: stay at Lochaline Hotel.
- Rather than staying in Fishnish, stay in Tobermory at Burnbank B&B.
3. Kilochan to Tobermory Ferry (Ardnamurchan & Mull)
Journey time: 25-35 minutes
Departures per day: 7 departures per day Mon-Sat and 5 on Sundays in the summer
Another short sailing, but it is not an efficient way of getting to the Isle of Mull. Kilochan is close to the westernmost point of the UK mainland. It is a long drive on mostly single lane roads.
Like the ferry to Lochaline, this route is best used in combination with exploring the area around Kilochan.
Who should book this route?
Use this route for:
- A day trip to Kilochan visiting the Ardnamurchan lighthouse, Sanna beach with lunch at Mingary castle. If it is within your budget, an overnight stay at Mingary castle is worth it. It is a luxurious castle-hotel in a beautiful location.
- A road trip to Malaig or Skye, staying overnight along the way.
Where to stay before the ferry?
- Kilochan: for an unforgettable experience, stay at Mingary Castle.
- Tobermory: stay at Burnbank B&B.
Ferries to the Islands off Mull
4. Iona to Fionnphort Ferry
Journey time: 10 minutes
Departures per day: Frequent departures in the summer
Ferries from Mull to Iona are operated by Calmac and are for foot passengers. The ferry is large enough for cars but you need special permission to bring a car to the island.
On the Calmac website it says you should buy tickets for the Iona ferry in advance, but there is a ticket office on the dock. In fact, when I visited it seemed like I was the only person who had bought tickets online. They are so used to people having paper tickets they didn’t even have a scanner for my online ticket.
It is a bit confusing where to queue for the ferry. There are two passenger “lines”, one on either side of the slipway. The one on the left is for the ferry to Iona. The one on the right is for boats going to Staffa and the Treshnish Isles.
When larger vehicles are being transported to Iona the ferry often turns around before foot passengers are allowed on. So if the ferry starts moving before you are allowed on, don’t worry, it will come back!
Why go on a day trip to Iona?
The main reason to go to Iona for the day is to visit the historic abbey and nunnery dating from 563 AD.
The beaches on Iona can’t rival the beaches on Mull. My favourite beach on Iona is the White Strand of the Monks at the northern end of the island.
Where to stay for the ferry?
- Iona: stay at Ardoran House. Iona is a magical place to spend the night.
- Fionnphort: stay at Staffa House.
5. Ulva to Oskamull
Journey time: <5 minutes
Departures per day: Frequent departure in the summer
Of all the ferries from Mull this is the smallest vessel and quickest sailing. I am not even sure you can call it a ferry, it is a small motor boat which can take a handful of people at a time.
There is no set schedule. When the ferryman sees you waiting at the dock he will come and pick you up.
Tickets are purchased from a small red hut next to the Boathouse pub on Ulva. There is no need to buy a ticket Mull-side. They accept card and phone payments.
Why go on a day trip to Ulva?
Ulva has more forest than most of the other areas on Mull so it looks and feels very different. To appreciate the scenery do one of the walks or go on a cycle ride across the island to Geometra.
There are no beaches here but the island has a museum, a standing stone and a small church.
Before taking the ferry back to Mull stop by the Boathouse pub and cafe which is right next to the ferry terminal.
FAQ Ferries to the Isle of Mull
How many ferries go to Mull?
There are 5 ferries to Mull. 3 are car ferries from the mainland, the other 2 are for foot passenger visiting the small islands of Iona and Ulva.
Most people going to Mull take the Oban to Craignure ferry since it is easy to get to Oban by bus, train or car.
What is the shortest ferry crossing to Mull?
The shortest ferry crossing to Mull from the mainland is from Lochaline. It takes 18 minutes.
However, rather than looking for the shortest ferry consider which port is easiest to get to.
Oban will likely be the easiest. It has a train station with direct trains to Glasgow, buses to destination across Scotland and good access roads.
Can you do a day trip to Mull?
Yes, you can do a day trip to Mull from Oban, Lochaline and Kilochan.
Keep in mind that Mull is a large island and it takes over 2 hours to drive from Torbermory to Fionnphort. On a day trip you should pick one part of Mull and stick to that.
Should You Take a Car to Mull?
Yes, I strongly recommend bringing a car.
Public transport is limited in remote parts of Scotland. Having a car makes it easier to get to the ferry terminals.
More importantly, it means that you will see much more during your holiday.
Book your car hire with Rental Cars
Can I bring my dog on the ferry?
Yes, you can bring your dog on the ferry but dogs need a ticket. Tickets for dogs are free and can be added whilst making your booking.
How much luggage can I bring on the ferry?
You can bring 40kg of luggage. Foot passengers must be able to carry their own luggage.
Is the ferry crossings to Mull rough?
You are unlikely to experience rough seas on any of the ferries to the Isle of Mull. The islands protect from the large swells.
Can you take a ferry from Mull to Skye?
No, there is no ferry from Mull to Skye. To travel between Mull and Skye, take the Craignure to Oban ferry and then drive or take the bus to Skye.
If driving to Skye I travel via Fort William and Kyle of Lochalsh. Google Maps might indicate that taking the ferry from Mallaig to Armadale is just as quick. That assumes that you manage to meet the ferry when you arrive, which is difficult to time.
For a road trip, the area around Arisaig and Mallaig is an interesting place to stop for a few days when travelling between Mull and Skye. Climb Ben Nevis, see the “Harry Potter train” cross over the viaduct at Glenfinnan and walk along the pretty beaches close to Mallaig.
Does the Corran ferry go to Mull?
No the Corran ferry does not go to Mull. It operates between Ardgour and Corran, a little south of Fort William.
It is possible to take the Corran ferry and drive to Lochaline. From Lochaline you can take a ferry to Mull. Given the roads are mostly single lane between these two ferry ports it is much quicker to drive to Oban.
Is there a ferry from Fort William to Mull?
No there is no ferry from Fort William to Mull. Drive to Oban in around 1 hour and 15 minutes. From Oban take the ferry to Craignure.
How reliable are the Isle of Mull ferries?
Everybody complains about the reliability of Calmac. Yes, ferries from Mull get cancelled from time to time but it is less of a problem than on some of the other Calmac routes.
The Oban to Craignure ferry is popular and it is unlikely to be cancelled in the summer months.
There are several sailings a day so should one be cancelled you can most likely get a later one that day. It will be more of a problem if there is bad weather or a vessel is redeployed which would mean cancelling sailings for a longer period.
The Lochaline and Kilochan ferries have in the past been redeployed or been out of action for a while.
I always book at least one night on the mainland before my flight home. Oban is a nice place to spend the night.
Oban has many things to do, several beaches close by and good cafes, restaurants and places to stay overnight.
What happens if my ferry is cancelled?
It depends on the reason for the cancellation. The level of compensation varies depending on whether it was cancelled due to weather or if it is a technical issue.
Calmac will notify you of the cancellation but it will be up to you to find an alternative route and/ or arrange accommodation if that is required.
What are the alternative transportation options if I can’t get the ferry?
There are no other ways to get off Mull than by ferry. There are no flights and there is no bridge.
However, it is unlikely that all 3 of the ferries to the mainland will be cancelled at the same time during the summer (when you are less likely to have bad weather).
Final Thoughts on How to Get To the Isle of Mull
Although there are several places you can get the ferry to Mull from, but the ferry from Oban is the most convenient. Oban has a rail station, buses to destinations across Scotland and the access roads are good.
It is possible to visit Mull for the day but the island deserves much longer than that. You can easily spend a week on the island and not see everything.
