One of the questions we are most often asked at Isle of Mull Cottages HQ is just how to get here.

Many visitors, particularly if coming from the south, will head straight to Oban, a charming town on the west coast of the Scottish mainland. From here, you can hop aboard the MV Isle of Mull or the MV Loch Frisa for the short sail across to Craignure on Mull, which takes around 50 minutes to an hour. You’ll pass the islands of Kerrera and Lismore, with its famous lighthouse, en route. This Isle of Mull ferry service carries both vehicles and foot passengers and is definitely one to book well in advance.

But this isn’t the only Isle of Mull ferry route – in fact, we are fortunate to have three different crossings from the mainland over to Mull, all operated by CalMac.

The next option many visitors coming from Scotland opt for is from Lochaline in the Morvern Hills on the mainland, over to Fishnish on the east coast of Mull. This Isle of Mull ferry is even quicker, taking around 20 minutes to ply the waters back and forth across the Sound of Mull.

Vehicles are carried on this service too and on a sunny day, it’s well worth leaving your car and heading onto deck to soak up the superb views, both of the mainland and Mull. There’s even the chance to catch a glimpse of the local pair of sea eagles if you’re lucky!

The final route on and off Mull is from the wild and beautiful Ardnamurchan peninsula to the north of Mull, with a ferry carrying both vehicles and passengers leaving Mull’s harbour town of Tobermory to sail across to Kilchoan. Although on the mainland, Kilchoan feels easily as remote as Mull, with scenic single-track lanes, stunning hills and exquisite beaches to discover with only small detours from your planned route – ideal if you’re heading northwards after your holiday on Mull.

For both the smaller ferry crossings from Lochaline and Kilchoan, you can now buy tickets in advance, but you don’t need to pre-book your space. They operate on a turn up and go basis, so you simply check the timetable and queue for the next available sailing. Their smaller size does mean relinquishing some of the luxuries of larger vessels – there’s no café on board, so come prepared with snacks and drinks.

For all three of CalMac’s Isle of Mull ferry routes, CalMac operate a winter and a summer timetable, with more sailings to choose from each day during the busier summer months. However, the island is served by a busy ferry service for almost every day of the year, with multiple sailings to choose from even in winter.

So, whether you plan to escape to Mull for a great value winter break as you chase the Northern Lights, or a summer holiday when the daylight seems to last forever, you can plan your Isle of Mull ferry with ease. Find out more about getting to Mull and getting around once you arrive on the island.

Getting to Mull

Road along Loch na Keal on Mull

The wild and rugged Isle of Mull is one of the most accessible of the Inner Hebridean islands. It lies only a short ferry ride away from the pretty port town of Oban on the west of Scotland. Even though the island, with its craggy shores, inland lochs and high peaks, has managed to keep a remote charm about it, cheaper and more frequent ferries mean that getting to Mull is now easier than ever.

Map showing the Isle of Mull’s location off the west coast of Scotland

Getting to Mull from Glasgow Airport

For overseas visitors, the international airport at Glasgow is just a couple of hours’ drive away from Oban, meaning you can make the hop to the Isle of Mull for a relaxing break in no time at all.

Oban from where the ferry departs to the Isle of Mull

Taking the ferry to Mull from Oban

The journey to the Isle of Mull is all part of the fun. It begins in Oban, a small port town perched on the west coast of Scotland. Arrive with a couple of hours to spare before the ferry and you can visit the legendary Oban whisky distillery, have a dish of delicious, locally caught shellfish on the pier, and watch the fishing boats bobbing in the bay.

In the summer, the ferries to Mull leave around every hour. With the new scheme, a ticket is now around half the usual price for a car journey, making trips more affordable than ever. Hop on the ferry, take in the views and the fresh sea air from the top deck and enjoy the cruise through the islands as you travel to the Isle of Mull.

Lismore lighthouse with the mainland mountains in the distance

Wildlife and landmarks to look out for from the ferry

Around half way through the ferry journey to Craignure on the Isle of Mull, you’ll pass on the right hand side the beautiful lighthouse at Lismore, one of the smaller islands in the Inner Hebrides. This island lies long and narrow in the waters of Loch Linhe.

Beyond the island, and on a clear day, you’ll be able to see the highest mountain in Britain, Ben Nevis, surrounded by the rest of the Grampians. In winter, these are white-peaked and make for a beautiful backdrop as you cruise towards Mull.

Travelling onwards, the rocky ridges of Morvern, the most westerly part of mainland Britain, come into view as the ferry travels up the Sound of Mull towards Craignure. In summer, whales, dolphins and porpoises swim these waters, so be sure to take a boat trip out to see if you can catch a glimpse of them. When the stone edifice of Duart Castle, a 13th-century castle perched on the rocky shores of Mull, looms into view, you know you’ve nearly arrived on the island.

Duart Castle, a key landmark on the Isle of Mull

Getting to Mull takes just 45 minutes from Oban to Craignure, but whether you’ve been taking in the view and sunning yourself on the top deck or watching the landscape pass by from within the cosy ferry bar (if the weather is being particularly Scottish!), you’ll already have started to enjoy your holiday.

The Isle of Mull Ferry passing Lismore on the sailing to Mull

Mull’s single track roads

Once you arrive on Mull, it’s just a few minutes before you’ll be heading toward your chosen Holiday Cottage   The majority of the roads on the island are single track and offer a great way to see the landscapes and wildlife of Mull. Just remember to allow cars behind to pass using the passing places provided. Car hire is available on the Isle of Mull, though with limited availability, so it is worth booking in advance.

Buses, taxis and bikes on Mull

West Coast Motors operate the island’s main bus services and there are taxi services here too. Bicycle is another good option for exploring Mull once you are here. Mull Electric Bikes offer electric bikes for hire and can deliver them to your cottage. A range of mountain and road bikes can also be hired from On Yer Bike in Salen.

West Coast Motors bus heads past Ben More on the Isle of Mull

You can also find more information and contact details for getting to and travelling around the Isle of Mull on this page.