We will be driving from Glasgow to Oban where we will stay over 1 night. We are planning to stay the following night in Iona. However, the way to get to Iona is to take a passenger ferry from Oban to Mull where we will take a bus ride to Fionnphort from there another passenger ferry to Iona. In this case, we have to park our rental car somewhere secure in Oban and pick it up on our way back from Iona. Or is there a better way to do it?
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
The Oban - Mull (Craignure) ferry is a car ferry. You can take your car to Mull. But you would still have to leave it at Fionnphort.
See timetable and prices here: https://www.calmac.co.uk/oban-craignure-mull-ferry-summer-timetable
Posted by
Centennial, CO, USA
1883 posts
There is parking right behind the Ferry terminal in Oban. We didn't park over night, but it was only 3Euro for the day while we took the ferry to Iona (we took a Staffa tour from Iona, then had a few hours on Iona before returning to Oban)
Not exactly sure if you can park over night there, but you can check it out while you are in Oban. I felt it was pretty secure, as you had to pass through a gate to get to the parking (parking is limited, so go EARLY if you want a spot)
Posted by
Alexandria, VA
771 posts
You could check with your accommodation on Iona to see if they have some arrangement in Oban or Fionnphort for visitors with cars.
We did the one day tour from Oban to Staffa and Iona and enjoyed it very much.
Posted by
OP
Vancouver
59 posts
Thank you all for your helpful input.
While waiting for a reply from one of the B&Bs regarding parking the car in Oban, I am looking into the option of just taking a day tour to Iona and Staffa. I wonder if 2 hours in Iona is enough to visit the abbey and its museum.
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
8364 posts
We took the 3 island tour (Mull, Iona, Staffa) last year and really enjoyed it. We were on the early bird tour and liked getting a good start to the day. Staffa was a highlight with the Puffins. I do want to mention that there are some serious stairs to climb on Staffa. I felt so sorry for a couple that literally had to just stand on the landing for the hour we were there since they couldn't climb up the steep stairs.
2 hours on Iona will probably be enough for the Abby and Museum. We opted to walk around the island and had a thoroughly enjoyable time.
The bus is convenient on Mull and gets you across the island easily.
I did wonder where you are staying in Oban and if you just couldn't leave your car there an extra night while you were on Iona? Have you contacted them? It is easy to walk to the ferry if you are staying downtown.
Posted by
OP
Vancouver
59 posts
Thank you Carol for your suggestion. We are looking forward to visiting Mull, Iona and Staffa, particularly seeing the puffins up close!
Thank you everyone for your valuable information and sharing!
Posted by
Centennial, CO, USA
1883 posts
For others watching this thread....we did this tour (someone else mentioned it, but not by name)
http://www.staffatours.com/boat-tours/departs-oban/three-isles-early-bird-tour/
Note that you can only see the Puffins during a short window in the summer. We went in September, had VERY rough seas (yep, I got sea sick) and couldn't climb the steps on Staffa - the boat just couldn't get close enough to let us off.
Great day trip from Oban, leave early, a nice full day, but very relaxing. You spend most of the time just getting to Ioan..it's a long bus ride on Mull - and Staffa is very interesting (would have been better if we could have explored a little bit of the island!)
Iona - we had plenty of time to tour the abby and walk around the island..