Cruising from Oban: Port Info

Oban Ferry Terminal, Oban PA34 4DB

Oban serves as the Scottish highlands and Island’s cruise port with many small ships using the town and port as a gateway to the Hebridean Isles. Oban has a deep relationship with the sea and is hailed as the seafood capital of Scotland.

Here you can find all available cruises from Oban.

Cruise lines and destinations from Oban

A majority of the destinations are the idyllic island of the Inner and Outer Hebrides. These cruises are extremely popular hopping from island to island, with gorgeous views of Scotland’s most picturesque landscapes; the highland and islands that make Scotland such a charming destination. In addition, cruises to the wider British Isles also depart from Oban as well as northern Europe.

 

Getting to Oban Cruise Terminal

Due to its isolated location, Oban is not the easiest port to get to and the journey will take some hours from even the nearest city of Glasgow. However, the journey will be a breath-taking one, as you travel through some of Europe’s more inspiringly picturesque landscapes.

By Car

If travelling by car from Central Scotland, take the A82 through the Trossachs National park and alongside Loch Lomond for stunning views. Otherwise, take the M9 Motorway to west and north before joining the A83 on to Oban. There is good signage but the Sat Nav address for the port is PA34 4DB if needed. Be aware, there are two ferry terminals, ‘North Pier Ferry Terminal’ and Oban Ferry Terminal’.

By Public Transport

If getting the train, regular routes go from Glasgow and Edinburgh, taking between 2 and 3 hours through beautiful scenery. Oban train station is right next to the port.

If flying to Scotland, Glasgow and Edinburgh airport are well connected by train and bus or you could rent a car if planning on explore further under your own steam. Meanwhile, Islanders planning to cruise from Oban can of course get the ferry directly into the port itself while there is a taxi rank outside the train station next to the port terminal itself.

Oban Cruise Terminal Facilities

The port terminal has a waiting room with space for 150 passengers, Wi-Fi, toilets, vending machines, a pay phone,. The terminal is accessible and has disabled and baby-changing facilities. Outside the terminal is only for quick drop offs but there is a free 20 minute stay car park next to the terminal. For food, there are several supermarkets for buying last-minute provisions and souvenirs along Market Street, a few minutes’ walk from the terminal.

There are free, unsupervised, parking spots throughout the town but in the summer months’ peak season this will be hard to find a spot. As a result, it’s far better to pay £7 a day, £14 weekend or £40 a week for secure facility located on Lynn Road. The same facility also provides car hire 15 minutes’ walk from the station and port through the town.

It needs to be noted that Scotland, although, using pounds, do have their own version of printed notes. This is legal tender throughout the United Kingdom but can be viewed suspiciously outside of Scotland. If you have the chance, change any Scottish pounds you have before venturing to other countries sin the UK.

 

Tourism: what to do and see in Oban

Ships arrive between 8 and 9am depart after 5pm as late as 11pm on occasion so if waiting, Oban has plenty to see and do with ‘Town Ambassadors’ greeting folk off every arriving ship. There are also a number of Hotels, hostels and BnBs located around the town within easy walking distance or quick taxi ride.

Oban is a charming Scottish town with a Tourist Information Centre across the road from the train station, a natural harbour port nestled right snugly in Oban Bay. If you have time to take a walk around Oban before or after your cruise, it’s highly recommend. In Oban you will find friendly locals, good pubs and local cultural gems. Such examples are the Oban Distillery with tours of their famous Scotch, Oban War & Peace Museum, telling the story of the fascinating local history, and McCaig’s scenic tower with fantastic views from an idyllic vantage point.

Further afield, the Trossachs National park is an hour’s drive east where you will find the famous Loch and Ben Lomond. Meanwhile, Fort William, with the famous highlands and lochs, is an hour’s drive north. In this part of the world, the journey is as much an event as the destination with some of the most inspiring landscapes in the world.

	Opening times	Price	Walking Distance
McCraig's Tower	24-hours	Kids: £8 Free	1 mile/20 minutes
Oban Distillery	Varies	Kids: £5 Adults: £10	0.7mile/12 minutes
Oban Museum	10am-4/6pm	Donation	0.8 mile/15 minutes