Kennacraig - Port Ellen
Ferries to Islay
Kennacraig - Port Ellen
Ferries to Islay
Compare live pricing across ferry operators worldwide and find the sailing that fits your trip. Booking sooner rather than later is the simplest way to secure the best fares and the widest choice.
Direct Ferries runs discounts across the calendar year. If your route qualifies for a senior discount, it's applied for you automatically as soon as you choose the correct age bracket in the passenger options when you search.
Students and recent graduates qualify for a 5% saving on their ticket. Register with our partner Student Beans to confirm your eligibility, then apply the discount code you receive at checkout.
A resident discount is also on offer for a number of Spanish and Italian crossings — select the "Residents" option where available and the price will adjust automatically. Make sure you can show proof of address, such as a residency certificate or ID card, when you check in.
Document requirements differ by route, so check what you'll need well before departure. Travelling from Kennacraig to Port Ellen generally calls for a valid passport, plus any visa or national ID your nationality requires. Since rules depend on both your citizenship and your destination's regulations, our Check-in, Travel Documents & Tickets guide is a good place to check the details and avoid delays at check-in.
Getting your tickets is simple — enter your departure port, arrival port, and preferred travel date to see every fare and sailing available. From there, you can compare alternative routes and departure times to land on the best option for your trip.
Watch for early-bird pricing and flexible ticket formats, such as upgrades or flexi-fares that allow later changes or cancellations. Enter your details accurately, including passenger count and vehicle information, to keep your booking process smooth.
A confirmation email lands in your inbox the moment your booking is finalised. How your boarding pass gets issued from there depends on the specific ferry operator.
Certain operators release your boarding pass right after booking; others want you to check in once you reach the port. Where available, the Direct Ferries app lets you check in online ahead of time.
Ticket desks sit near the ferry terminal in most cases. Give yourself extra time before departure to collect your tickets and complete check-in without stress.
You'll need to present your confirmation email plus valid photo ID — a passport or identity card — at check-in. Pet owners should bring vaccination and insurance paperwork, and anyone using a resident discount should have proof of address on hand.
A handful of reasons can explain the lack of departures from Kennacraig to Port Ellen on your selected date — timetable adjustments, sold-out sailings, or a seasonal gap are the usual culprits. Try a different date or browse other routes through our Route & Port finder.
Booking your Kennacraig to Port Ellen ferry early usually pays off, both in terms of price and choice — earlier bookings tend to unlock better fares and more departure and cabin options.
A few weeks' notice is generally enough to catch the best deals, though fares can still move depending on the season and remaining availability.
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| Kennacraig - Port Ellen Ferry Route Prices |
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| Kennacraig - Port Ellen Ferry Route Summary | |
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| Origin | Scotland |
| Destination | Islay |
| Distance | 0 Nautical Miles |
* Prices subject to change, pricing is taken from last 30 days, last updated 1 September 2026.
Kennacraig is a hamlet and port on the Kintyre peninsula in Argyll, Scotland, providing frequent crossings to the Isle of Islay. The terminal building can be found just off the A83, so follow the road north if driving from Campbeltown. There is also a bus stop located outside the terminal. Inside the main terminal are toilet facilities, a large waiting room and a vending machine offering a range of refreshments. The local peninsula is so picturesque, Paul McCartney wrote his track ‘Mull of Kintyre’ as a tribute to its beauty, so be sure to spend some time exploring the countryside.
Port Ellen is a small town on the Isle of Islay’s southern coast, an island famed for producing world-renowned whiskeys in the Scottish Inner Hebrides. As the most popular gateway to the island, the ferry terminal provides frequent crossings to and from Kennacraig on the Kintyre peninsula. The terminal building can be found just off the southernmost point of the A846, the island’s primary road, whilst the nearest bus stop is situated on Charlotte Street around 250 metres from the port. Named after the founder’s wife, Port Ellen is the second largest town on Islay and offers lovely views over the Oa peninsula and Kilnaughton Bay. Also, keep an eye out for the famous square-shaped Carraig Fhada Lighthouse standing in the bay’s western entrance.
