A simple travel guide for pilgrims to the Isle of Iona
How to Travel to the Isle of Iona: A Step-by-Step Guide for Pilgrims
A simple travel guide for pilgrims to the Isle of Iona
For many pilgrims, the journey to Iona becomes part of the pilgrimage itself. The travel unfolds gradually, carrying you from the pace of ordinary life toward the quiet rhythm of a small island off the western coast of Scotland.
While reaching Iona involves several steps, it is surprisingly manageable. The entire journey can be completed by public transportation, and thousands of pilgrims make the trip each year.
Understanding how the pieces fit together makes the process much easier.
The Three-Day Journey from the United States
For pilgrims traveling from the United States, the journey to Iona usually unfolds across three days.
Day One
Depart the United States on an overnight flight to Scotland.
Day Two
Arrive in the United Kingdom in the morning, typically through Glasgow or Edinburgh. From there you will travel across Scotland to the harbor town of Oban, where the ferry to the Isle of Mull departs. Because of the bus schedules on Mull, most pilgrims choose to stay overnight in Oban to rest before completing the final leg of the journey the next day.
Day Three
Take the ferry from Oban to Craignure on the Isle of Mull, then board the bus that crosses Mull in a short but beautiful scenic drive to the village of Fionnphort. From there a short ferry crossing brings you to the Isle of Iona. Most pilgrims arrive on Iona by mid-afternoon.
To arrive in time for our opening gathering at 4:30 PM on September 25, 2027, pilgrims traveling from the United States should plan to depart no later than September 23, 2027 from the United States.
What Airport Should I Fly Into?
The closest major airport to the pilgrimage route is:
Glasgow International Airport (GLA)
This is usually the easiest option because Glasgow provides direct access to trains traveling to Oban.
Another option is:
Edinburgh Airport (EDI)
If you arrive in Edinburgh, you can then travel by train from Edinburgh Waverley Station to Glasgow Queen Street Station, where you will transfer to the train bound for Oban.
Some international flights may route through major European hubs before arriving in Glasgow. Common connections include:
Dublin (DUB)
Reykjavik (KEF)
London Heathrow (LHR)
These airports offer connecting flights to Glasgow on regional or commuter airlines.
Aer Lingus is one airline that offers connections between Ireland and the United Kingdom.
Airline information:
https://www.aerlingus.com/
Because of the length of travel required to reach Iona, we strongly recommend planning to spend at least one night in Scotland before traveling to the island, and another night in Scotland before your return flight home.
This allows for a relaxed pace of travel and helps protect your itinerary if flights are delayed.
Think of the Journey as a Travel Puzzle
Traveling to Iona can feel like assembling a travel puzzle.
The most important piece to plan around is the bus that crosses the Isle of Mull from Craignure to Fionnphort. Only two buses run each day that connect the ferry arriving from Oban with the ferry departing for Iona.
Once you identify which bus you will take, the rest of your travel plans—flights, trains, and ferries—can be arranged to connect with that schedule.
Once those pieces are in place, the journey flows smoothly.
Getting to the Isle of Iona
Traveling from Glasgow to Iona takes approximately six to seven hours, depending on connections.
The route looks like this:
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Travel from Glasgow or Edinburgh to Oban
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Ferry from Oban to Craignure (Isle of Mull)
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Bus from Craignure to Fionnphort
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Ferry from Fionnphort to Iona
Step 1: Getting to Oban
Your first destination is the harbor town of Oban, where the ferry to Mull departs.
Travelers from Glasgow or Edinburgh can reach Oban by train.
From Glasgow
Take the train from Glasgow Queen Street Station to Oban.
From Edinburgh
Take a train from Edinburgh Waverley Station to Glasgow, then transfer to the train traveling to Oban.
Train planning websites:
Rome2Rio
https://www.rome2rio.com/
The Trainline
https://www.thetrainline.com/
Rail Europe
https://www.raileurope.com/
The train journey to Oban takes about three hours and travels through one of the most beautiful train rides in the world through the Scottish Highlands.
Step 2: Ferry from Oban to Mull
The ferry terminal in Oban sits directly across the street from the train station.
From here you will board the ferry to Craignure on the Isle of Mull.
Ferry schedules and tickets:
Caledonian MacBrayne Ferries
https://www.calmac.co.uk/
The crossing takes approximately 45 minutes.
Step 3: Bus Across the Isle of Mull
When the ferry arrives in Craignure, buses will be waiting outside the terminal.
You will want the bus heading to Fionnphort, the village where the ferry to Iona departs.
Bus schedules:
West Coast Motors
https://www.westcoastmotors.co.uk/
The bus ride takes approximately 80 minutes across the Isle of Mull along scenic beautiful roads.
Step 4: Ferry from Mull to Iona
At Fionnphort you will walk onto the passenger ferry to Iona.
The ferry crossing takes about 10 minutes.
Once you arrive on Iona, the St. Columba Hotel is about a 0.4 mile walk from the ferry jetty.
The hotel will collect your luggage upon arrival.
Hotel phone:
+44 01681 700304
Exactly What to Book First, Second, and Third
Planning your travel is much easier if you book things in this order.
First: The Mull Bus
Start by identifying which West Coast Motors bus you will take from Craignure to Fionnphort.
Bus schedule:
https://www.westcoastmotors.co.uk/
This determines the ferry you need to take from Oban.
Second: The Ferry from Oban
Once you know which bus you will take, book the ferry from Oban to Craignure that arrives in time for that bus.
Ferry schedules:
https://www.calmac.co.uk/
Third: Train or Transportation to Oban
Once your ferry and bus are chosen, you can book your train travel to Oban and hotel.
Train planning resources:
https://www.omio.com/
https://www.rome2rio.com/
https://www.thetrainline.com/
https://www.raileurope.com/
Fourth: Your International Flight
Finally, book your international flight so that you arrive in Scotland with enough time to travel to Oban and stay overnight before continuing to Iona.
The Ferry from Fionnphort to Iona runs continously.
The Journey is Part of the Pilgrimage
Many pilgrims say the journey itself becomes part of the spiritual preparation. Forming the travel puzzle. Choosing the route you take. Where you land. The trains you ride. The hotel in Oban you will spend the night in and all the stops along the way. This is a pilgrim's preparation and part of the experience. It may seem overwhelming at first but set an intention that you are a pilgrim and you are studying the map to Iona. Each piece is yours to contemplate.
The train through the Highlands.
The ferry across quiet waters.
The beautiful road across Mull.
The final short crossing to the island.
With each decision you make excitement builds with anticipation for your first sight of Iona and with each step the pace of life slows.
By the time you step onto the shores of Iona, something within you has already begun to settle.
The pilgrimage has already begun when you answer yes.
Register for the Hineni Iona Pilgrimage
The Journey Home
Just as the journey to Iona unfolds over several steps, the journey home is best approached slowly and thoughtfully.
Because travel from the island takes most of a day, we strongly recommend planning one full travel day to leave Iona and stay overnight in Scotland, followed by your flight home the next day.
Day One: Depart Iona and Travel to the Mainland
Your return journey follows the same route in reverse.
Step 1 — Ferry from Iona to Fionnphort
Begin with the short 10-minute passenger ferry from Iona to the village of Fionnphort on the Isle of Mull.
Step 2 — Bus Across Mull
Board the West Coast Motors bus from Fionnphort to Craignure.
The ride across Mull takes approximately 80 minutes.
Bus schedules:
https://www.westcoastmotors.co.uk/
Step 3 — Ferry from Mull to Oban
At Craignure you will board the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry returning to the harbor town of Oban.
Ferry schedules:
https://www.calmac.co.uk/
The crossing takes approximately 45 minutes.
Step 4 — Travel from Oban to Glasgow or Edinburgh
From Oban you can take the train back through the Highlands to Glasgow or Edinburgh.
Train planning resources:
https://www.omio.com/
https://www.rome2rio.com/
https://www.thetrainline.com/
https://www.raileurope.com/
Many pilgrims choose to spend the night in Glasgow, Edinburgh, or Oban before continuing their journey home.
Day Two: Return Flight Home
On the following day you will travel to the airport and board your international flight home.
Most pilgrims depart from:
Glasgow International Airport (GLA)
or
Edinburgh Airport (EDI)
Depending on your airline, you may connect through major European hubs such as:
Dublin (DUB)
Reykjavik (KEF)
London Heathrow (LHR)
A Gentle Return
Many pilgrims find that leaving Iona carries a quiet mixture of gratitude and reflection.
The ferry crossing back to Mull.
The winding road across the island.
The train through the Highlands.
The journey home becomes a gradual return to ordinary life.
And yet something of the island often travels home with you.
The quiet rhythm of prayer.
The memory of wind and sea.
The sense that the thin place was not only on the island, but also awakening within you.
The pilgrimage may end, but its invitation continues.