CalMac runs every ferry to Arran. There are three crossings: Ardrossan to Brodick, Troon to Brodick, and Claonaig on Kintyre to Lochranza at the north end of the island. CalMac gives the crossing times as "Troon to Brodick (80 mins), Ardrossan to Brodick (55 minutes) or Claonaig on Kintyre to Lochranza (30 mins)".
Below I've set out what CalMac's own pages say about each crossing: how many sailings run this winter, what a car and a foot passenger pay, check-in, bikes, getting to the port by train, and the gap in the Troon service coming up in the new year. Fares and timetables are the ones on calmac.co.uk when I checked on 13 November 2026.
Arran ferry crossings compared
| Route | Crossing time | Booking | Car (single, driver extra) | Adult (single) | Winter sailings from the mainland |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ardrossan – Brodick | 55 minutes | Book a sailing | £21.20 | £5.30 | Five a day, Monday to Friday |
| Troon – Brodick | 1 hour 20 minutes | Book a sailing | £21.20 | £5.30 | One to three a day, none 19 January to 25 March 2027 |
| Claonaig – Lochranza | 30 minutes | Turn Up and Go | £13.25 | £4.00 | Five a day |
Ardrossan – Brodick is the shortest crossing from the Ayrshire coast. CalMac says MV Caledonian Isles "crosses from bustling Ardrossan to the beautiful port of Brodick up to five times a day." The winter timetable for 19 October 2026 to 6 March 2027 shows sailings from Ardrossan at 07:00, 09:45, 12:30, 15:20 and 18:00 on weekdays, with the last Brodick departure at 19:20. There's "No service 25 December and 1 January".
Troon – Brodick takes longer. CalMac says the "Passage time between Troon - Brodick is 1 hour and 20 minutes, which is 25 minutes longer than Ardrossan - Brodick which is 55 minutes." Its winter timetable runs from 19 October 2026 to 18 January 2027. On Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays it shows three departures from Troon (10:15, 14:10 and 18:10); there are fewer on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
Claonaig – Lochranza crosses from the Kintyre peninsula to the north of Arran. CalMac lists the route as Claonaig/Tarbert (Loch Fyne) – Lochranza, but the winter 2026/27 timetable only shows sailings between Claonaig and Lochranza. Monday to Saturday the first boat leaves Lochranza at 08:45 and the last leaves Claonaig at 16:20.
For the other ferries in the Firth of Clyde and beyond, see my Scotland ferry routes page.
Troon – Brodick stops for the rest of winter
This is the thing to check before you plan a trip early next year. On the Troon – Brodick route page CalMac says: "Please note no services are scheduled to operate between Troon and Brodick from 19 January to 25 March 2027. Services to Arran will only operate from Ardrossan."
CalMac's pages don't agree on which ship sails from Troon. The route page says "MV Alfred will be operating the service between Troon and Brodick", while the Troon FAQ says "MV Glen Sannox operates between Troon and Brodick. MV Alfred can also operates on this route." It matters if you're towing or driving something big. CalMac says MV Alfred "can accommodate all types of vehicles, except for motorhomes over 6 metres or any vehicle towing a caravan", and that anyone in those vehicles "must travel on MV Glen Sannox", or can use Ardrossan or Claonaig instead.
Food differs too. MV Alfred "does not have any hot catering facilities onboard however a cold drinks/snacks vending machines are in the passenger lounge", while CalMac says "Full retail service is available on MV Glen Sannox including hot meals, drinks and snacks."
The summer 2027 timetable "will run from 26 March to 17 October 2027", but CalMac hasn't published it yet. It says: "We will update customers via our website once we have a release date confirmed." CalMac's own advice on the Arran page is to "read our service status pages for the latest information on Arran services from Troon and Ardrossan."
This is the thing to check before you plan a trip early next year.
Fares for cars, foot passengers and bikes
CalMac's winter 2026/27 fares are "Valid until 25 March 2027", and the same fares are listed for Ardrossan and Troon. The thing to remember is that "Vehicle pricing does not include driver", so a driver pays a passenger fare on top.
| Ticket | Ardrossan or Troon – Brodick (single / return) | Claonaig – Lochranza (single / return) |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | £5.30 / £10.60 | £4.00 / £8.00 |
| Child | £2.65 / £5.30 | £2.00 / £4.00 |
| Car | £21.20 / £42.40 | £13.25 / £26.50 |
| Motorcycle | £10.60 / £21.20 | £6.65 / £13.30 |
| Motorhome up to 6m | £21.20 / £42.40 | £13.25 / £26.50 |
| Pedal cycle | Free | Free |
Concessions are available. CalMac says "SPT Ferry Card, SPT Companion Ferry Card and Blue badge concessions are available online and can be applied to your ticket. Please carry your concession card with you."
Bikes travel free, but CalMac says: "If you're a foot passenger travelling with a bike, remember to add your bike to your ticket when you book." Larger groups need to warn the port: "Groups of 6 or more pedal cycles must inform the relevant port office in advance of travel." At Troon, CalMac says "there are currently no bicycle racks or storage available".
Paying at the port: the Ardrossan route page says "we are currently unable to accept cash payments at Troon." The Troon FAQ, though, says "Cash payments can only be made at our ticket office in the main terminal." I'd take a card either way.
Booking and check-in
Ardrossan and Troon are booked routes. For both, CalMac says: "Book your ticket online, in advance of travel, even if you're a foot passenger. All vehicles and passengers must have a valid ticket prior to travel." For Troon it adds that "Online sales close 2 hours prior to departure time." CalMac's port pages say that "If you arrive at the port without a reservation we may still be able to carry you", but that "Pre-booking of vehicles is strongly recommended."
Check-in on both booked routes is "30 minutes for vehicles and 10 minutes for foot passengers prior to departure. Late check in may result in space being reallocated or vehicles being refused carriage."
At Troon, leave extra time on foot. CalMac says "the terminal building is approximately 10 minutes' walk from the main entrance to the port." There's a car park shuttle: the "Bus departs car park every 15 minutes and then every 15 minutes from terminal building."
Claonaig – Lochranza works differently. CalMac says "this is a 'Turn Up and Go' service. You are required to choose a preferred departure date when booking, but your ticket is valid for any date and sailing within the selected timetable period (summer or winter)." Those tickets "are valid only for the selected timetable period and cannot be amended or refunded." Check-in is "10 minutes prior to departure for vehicles and foot passengers." Both slipways are unattended: "Tickets can be purchased on board or online in advance."
Groups should note one rule that applies on all three routes: "for tickets purchased online for any number of travelling companions the full party must travel on the same sailing."
Getting to the port by train and bus
CalMac's Arran page says "The train from Glasgow Central Station to Ardrossan Harbour takes about 45 minutes. It's also around 42 minutes from Glasgow to Troon."
At Ardrossan there's a "Short connecting walk from Ardrossan train station to Ardrossan ferry terminal". The Ardrossan timetable lists connecting trains: on weekdays the 08:34 from Glasgow Central arrives at Ardrossan Harbour at 09:22 for the 09:45 sailing.
At Troon the walk is longer, so CalMac runs a bus. Its FAQ says "A free shuttle bus will operate between Troon train station and Troon ferry terminal."
If you're driving, CalMac says "Ardrossan Harbour is just over 30 miles from Glasgow, which is about a 50-minute drive. Troon ferry terminal is 35 miles, and around a 55-minute drive." Claonaig is a long way round: "Claonaig is around 2 hours and 40 minutes' drive from Glasgow."
On Arran, CalMac says Stagecoach operates "across the Isle of Arran, connecting Lochranza in the north and Brodick in the south of the island." At Lochranza you can "Connect with the local bus services, just 10 metres from the slipway."
Which Arran ferry to choose
From Glasgow or anywhere in the central belt, Ardrossan is the obvious choice: it's the shorter crossing to Brodick, it has more sailings than Troon in the winter timetables and it keeps running when Troon stops. Troon is the alternative while it's running, but remember it stops from 19 January.
Claonaig – Lochranza suits you if you're already in Argyll or Kintyre, or you want to tour. It's cheaper, but CalMac says Claonaig is "Best suited for active travellers and vehicle drivers due to its remote but beautiful location". The winter timetable also has planned gaps: "Due to planned vessel maintenance, no service will operate on the following Thursdays: Thursday 5 November, Thursday 3 December, Thursday 7 January, Thursday 4 February, Thursday 4 March". On some days CalMac will run "amended timetables between Claonaig - Lochranza due to low tides".
Questions about the ferry to Arran
How long is the ferry to Arran?
CalMac says Ardrossan to Brodick takes 55 minutes, Troon to Brodick 1 hour 20 minutes and Claonaig to Lochranza 30 minutes.
How much is the ferry to Arran with a car?
On CalMac's winter 2026/27 fares, a car costs £21.20 single or £42.40 return from Ardrossan or Troon, and £13.25 single from Claonaig. The driver isn't included, so add an adult fare of £5.30 single from Ardrossan or Troon.
Do I need to book the Arran ferry as a foot passenger?
CalMac asks everyone to book Ardrossan and Troon sailings online in advance, "even if you're a foot passenger." Claonaig – Lochranza is Turn Up and Go: your ticket is valid on any sailing in the timetable period you choose.
Can I take my bike to Arran?
Yes. CalMac lists pedal cycles as free, but you need to add the bike to your ticket. Groups of six or more bikes must tell the port office in advance.
Is the Troon to Brodick ferry running?
CalMac says no services are scheduled between Troon and Brodick from 19 January to 25 March 2027, and that services to Arran will only run from Ardrossan in that period. Check CalMac's service status page before you travel.
Can I get to the Arran ferry by train?
Yes. CalMac says the train from Glasgow Central to Ardrossan Harbour takes about 45 minutes, with a short walk to the terminal. At Troon there's a free shuttle bus between the station and the ferry terminal.
