The 2026 season of Kintyre Express, the fast passenger boat between Ballycastle and Kintyre, ends on Monday 28 September, with a 07:30 from Campbeltown and a 16:30 back from Ballycastle on each of its last four days. After that there is nothing on the route until next April, and the 2027 timetable has not yet been published.
2026 season as published by Kintyre Express and read on 25 September 2026: 3 April to 18 May and 4 to 28 September on Fridays to Mondays, 22 May to 31 August daily. The season ends on Monday 28 September 2026; no 2027 timetable had been published. Kintyre Express — 2026 timetables · 2026-09-25
On 1 July 1997 a car ferry sailed from Campbeltown to Ballycastle on an inaugural voyage launched by Donald Dewar, soon to become Scotland's First Minister. The service was run by the Argyll and Antrim Steam Packet Company, a Sea Containers subsidiary, under a three-year contract for July, August and September, and by November 1999 its future was being debated in the House of Commons: the company had not broken even, even after vehicle numbers rose by 23 per cent in July that year. The public money had gone in years earlier, with infrastructure approved at Campbeltown, Ballycastle and Rathlin in 1994.
In January 2002 the Scottish Cabinet decided to put a Campbeltown–Ballycastle ferry service out to tender, and the civil servant responsible asked for a written ministerial direction before doing so, because officials had advised that a service with a high subsidy and little new employment did not pass the value-for-money test. A written authority of that kind is issued only when an accountable officer considers that carrying out a decision would conflict with their duties, and this one is still published by the Scottish Government.
What sails today is much smaller: Kintyre Express, a twelve-seat fast passenger boat run by a Campbeltown company, carrying people, bicycles and golf bags between Kintyre, Ballycastle and Islay from April to late September. It is also the first crossing on this site to start in Northern Ireland.
Every seat costs the same, whoever sits in it: £84 one way and £158 return per person between Ballycastle and Campbeltown. There are no child, senior or group fares, because with only twelve seats each one counts against the limit — so an infant needs a paid seat too. The same prices apply on the Ballycastle–Port Ellen leg.
What you do get for that is a heated cabin, a luggage hold, and bicycles and golf clubs carried free. All tickets must be bought in advance; the crew cannot sell you one on the quay.
| Single, Ballycastle–Campbeltown | £ 84 |
| Return, Ballycastle–Campbeltown | £ 158 |
| Bicycle or golf clubs | Free |
2026 season fares, as shown on kintyreexpress.com and in its booking system on 25 September 2026. Kintyre Express — timetables and fares; online booking · 2026-09-25
Between the council's harbour position at Ballycastle and the Department for Transport's point for Campbeltown the gap is about 47 kilometres as the crow flies, while the boat's course takes it round the southern tip of Kintyre to reach Campbeltown's bay, sheltered by Davaar Island. The operator warns that the North Channel is very tidal, and that tide and wind together can make the sea rough in places; on a calm day the run is smooth. The same boat's timetable also serves Port Ellen on Islay from Ballycastle, a very different approach from the Kennacraig ships described on the Islay page.
Ballycastle's harbour and its 74-berth marina are run by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, whose visitor centre in Portnagree House, on Bayview Road, has toilets, showers, Wi-Fi and a reception desk with local travel information. Kintyre Express does not say which berth it uses inside the harbour, so confirm the meeting point when you book; check-in closes 15 minutes before departure.
The ferry to Rathlin Island sails from the same harbour, but it is a separate service with its own operator and tickets; nothing on this page applies to it. For onward travel Kintyre Express points visitors to Translink's buses, and the Giant's Causeway is 13 miles along the coast.
The Scottish end is Campbeltown Harbour, where Kintyre Express has its base; the map point here is the Department for Transport's location for the Campbeltown ferry terminal, and the exact pontoon should be confirmed with the operator. Tickets can be bought in person at the West Coast Motors office and at the tourist information centre on the pier, and cash is accepted only at the operator's Campbeltown office.
Campbeltown is 140 miles from Glasgow, a distance that explains why so many visitors reach it by bus: Scottish Citylink's 926 runs between the two several times a day. Machrihanish's golf courses and three working distilleries are close to the town.
Every passenger wears a lightweight, uninflated life vest for the whole crossing, fitted by the crew. You stay in your cabin seat while under way; the open deck is only for departure and arrival in calm weather.
There is a luggage area below deck and room for hand luggage in the cabin. The operator suggests a set of golf clubs and a suitcase each as a guide. Bikes are free, but say so when booking.
The operator is required by law to take each passenger's date of birth, occupation, address while visiting and reason for travel, available to port authorities or the police on request. It also advises carrying photo identification.
Nothing is sold aboard, but you can bring snacks and drinks; the crew advise against very hot drinks. There is a toilet, a USB charging point at each seat and sick bags.
A folded wheelchair can be carried, but the passenger must be able to sit in a seat and be helped on and off on foot by the crew. Ring the office before booking.
Kintyre Express takes no vehicles. The operator's own answer for drivers is Cairnryan to Belfast or Larne, a long way from both Ballycastle and Kintyre.
Kintyre Express uses a Redbay Stormforce 1250, built on the lines of a rigid inflatable but with a solid hull, military-grade engines and a fully enclosed, centrally heated cabin with twelve airline-style seats. The operator's own descriptions put her at 13.25 metres, or about 43 feet, and she is coded to Maritime and Coastguard Agency standards with qualified skippers.
Kintyre Express belongs to Craig of Campbeltown Limited, a Campbeltown company incorporated in 1959, and its terms place bookings under Scots law. On the Northern Irish side the harbour is a council facility of Causeway Coast and Glens, with a Blue Flag marina in the inner basin. The route therefore joins two local authorities, two legal systems and two nations of the United Kingdom, which is why the car-ferry years involved ministers on both sides of the water as well as both local councils.
No. Kintyre Express carries foot passengers only, with bicycles, golf clubs and luggage. The operator's advice for drivers is the Cairnryan route to Belfast or Larne.
No. The Rathlin boat also leaves Ballycastle harbour, but it is a different service with a different operator. Kintyre Express goes to Campbeltown and to Port Ellen on Islay.
No. The 2026 season ends on Monday 28 September, and the operator's season normally runs from the beginning of April. No 2027 timetable had been published on 25 September 2026.
Not with the published timetable. The only departure from Ballycastle is at 16:30 and the boat returns the next morning, so a Ballycastle start means at least one night in Kintyre. From Campbeltown, a day in Antrim is possible: arrive at 09:10 and leave at 16:30.
No. Every passenger pays £84 single or £158 return, because the boat can carry only twelve and each person takes a seat. Children under 16 must travel with an adult.
Kintyre Express offers a full refund or an alternative departure when it cancels for weather. It watches the forecast and tries to warn passengers early, but late cancellations can happen in the North Channel.
The operator's terms do not mention passports. They say it is advisable to carry some documentation with a photograph, and that each passenger's date of birth, occupation, visiting address and reason for travel must be recorded by law.
At the West Coast Motors office or the tourist information centre on the pier in Campbeltown. Cash is accepted only at the operator's Campbeltown office; otherwise book online in advance.