- Must visit
Castle of St John
Restored medieval tower with museum displays on Stranraer’s history, combining architecture, local artefacts, and family-friendly interpretation.
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The cheapest and fastest coaches from Ayr to Cairnryan
Showing times, prices and bookable tickets for 18 Sept
Cheapest price on 18 Sept
£11
Average ticket price on 18 Sept
£11
Fastest journey on 18 Sept
2 h 26 m
Average journey duration on 18 Sept
2 h 26 m
Buses on 18 Sept
4
Distance
60 km
Cheap tickets
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Ayr to Cairnryan is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Ayr to Cairnryan will cost around £11 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £11.
Fast coaches
To travel from Ayr to Cairnryan you need to make at least one change.
8:502h26Ayr11:16Cairnryan£111One-way1 change- 10:502h26Ayr13:16Cairnryan£111One-way1 change
- 12:502h26Ayr15:16Cairnryan£111One-way1 change
- 14:502h26Ayr17:16Cairnryan£111One-way1 change
- 8:502h26Ayr11:16Cairnryan£111One-way1 change
- 10:502h26Ayr13:16Cairnryan£111One-way1 change
- 12:502h26Ayr15:16Cairnryan£111One-way1 change
- 14:502h26Ayr17:16Cairnryan£111One-way1 change
Travel Information
Compare coach and train for Ayr to Cairnryan
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Ayr to Cairnryan among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of £17 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 1h 52m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of £17, while a coach costs an average of £17.
Distance: 60 km
Compare bus with
| Coach | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
£17 Average Price | £17 Average Price Cheapest | £12 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 2m Average total duration 1h 32m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 52m Average total duration Fastest 1h 22m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 11m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
The cheapest way to travel from Ayr to Cairnryan is a train with an average price of £17.
This is compared to other travel options from Ayr to Cairnryan:
A train is £0.15 less than a coach for this route with tickets for a coach from Ayr to Cairnryan costing on average £17.
The fastest way to travel from Ayr to Cairnryan is by train with an average journey time of 1h 22m.
Other travel options to Cairnryan take longer:
Coach takes on average 1h 32m.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Ayr and Cairnryan including taking a coach and train.
Take the bus. It's the cheapest way to make this trip, and the price gap is usually bigger than people expect.
Tickets start at around £17 compared to roughly £12 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £-4.80. The journey takes 1h 32m versus 1h 11m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can use the time productively rather than spending it behind the wheel. No parking to sort, no fuel stops, and most coaches have Wi-Fi and power outlets.
Driving is worth considering if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), or want the flexibility to stop along the way.
Live departures
Ayr to Cairnryan bus times
The table below shows live departures for Ayr to Cairnryan coaches for today, Thursday 17 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
Last updated at
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8:50 Ayr | 2h26 | 11:16 Cairnryan | 1 change | |
| 10:50 Ayr | 2h26 | 13:16 Cairnryan | 1 change | |
| 12:50 Ayr | 2h26 | 15:16 Cairnryan | 1 change | |
| 14:50 Ayr | 2h26 | 17:16 Cairnryan | 1 change | |
| 16:50 Ayr | 2h26 | 19:16 Cairnryan | 1 change |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Ayr to Cairnryan by coach or train
Compare coach and train prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Fri
18 Sept
18 Sept
Sat
19 Sept
19 Sept
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20 Sept
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21 Sept
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Journey information
Overview: Bus from Ayr to Cairnryan
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Buses from Ayr to Cairnryan run on average 2 times per day, taking around 1h 32m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £17 but you can travel from only £17 by train.
There are 2 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 09:00, the last at 19:27. The fastest coach covers the 60 km distance in 1h 51m.
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Train from £17
Distance 60 km |
Average bus duration 1h 32m |
Cheapest ticket price £17 |
Buses per day 2 |
Direct buses 2 |
Fastest bus 1h 51m |
First bus 9:00 |
Last bus 19:27 |
Cheapest Month Dec |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Fri |
Best time to book 3 days |
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Train from £17
Bus providers: Stagecoach West Scotland from Ayr to CairnryanYou can travel by bus between Ayr to Cairnryan with Stagecoach West Scotland for as low as £17. When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
Stagecoach West Scotland
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Stagecoach West Scotland Duration
2h 26m
Cheapest Stagecoach West Scotland Price
£11
Stagecoach West Scotland frequency
4 a day
Complete guide to Cairnryan
Things to do in Cairnryan
Discover the best of Cairnryan — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Cairnryan trip today.
- Recommended
Cairnryan Heritage Museum
Small village museum on local life, ferry links, and wartime stories from around Cairnryan and Loch Ryan, run by local volunteers.
- Recommended
Stranraer Museum
Regional museum and gallery with changing art shows plus objects on natural history, archaeology, and everyday life in Dumfries and Galloway.
- Must visit
Portpatrick Harbour
Well-known harbourfront walking area with colourful houses, boats, and easy access to the Southern Upland Way and coastal viewpoints.
- Recommended
Loch Ryan Shore
Long bay with a peaceful shoreline walk, views across Loch Ryan, and regular ferry movements that connect the village to its maritime setting.
- Recommended
Agnew Park
Woodland and coastal estate near Stranraer with waymarked trails, gardens, beach access, and good wildlife-watching opportunities.
- Gluten-free
Cullen skink
A hearty soup of smoked haddock, potatoes and onions, closely associated with south-west Scotland’s fishing coast and valued for its warming, smoky flavour.
Haggis
Scotland’s classic savoury pudding of sheep’s offal, oats and suet, traditionally served at Burns suppers and deeply tied to national food culture.
- Vegetarian
- Gluten-free
Champit tatties
Mashed potatoes mixed with butter and spring onions. A traditional Scottish side, especially popular in colder months and with roast or fried meats.
Mermaid Restaurant
Casual harbour-area pub and restaurant known for reliable comfort food, seafood options and a relaxed stopover atmosphere near the ferry port.
North West Castle Hotel
Established waterside hotel restaurant in nearby Stranraer offering Scottish favourites, seafood and broad sea views in a comfortable setting.
The Crown Hotel
Traditional inn dining room serving hearty Scottish pub meals in a straightforward, welcoming setting convenient for travellers on the A77.
Pound sterling (£)
Moderate for rural Scotland. Food and lodging can cost more than in larger towns, while local transport options are limited and ferry travel adds to visitor costs.
Average meal costs
- Budget
- £8-12 for a simple meal or takeaway.
- Mid-range
- £15-25 per person for a pub or restaurant meal.
- Fine dining
- £35+ per person for higher-end dining nearby.
- Coffee
- £2.50-4 for a coffee.
Tipping culture
Tipping is modest. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is usual if service is not included. Round up for taxis. Cafés do not expect tips, but small change is welcome.
FAQs: Ayr to Cairnryan coach
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Ayr to Cairnryan by coach. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest coach, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Cairnryan, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.
Cheap coach tickets from Ayr to Cairnryan can start from as little as £17 when you book in advance. The average coach ticket price for Ayr to Cairnryan is £17; however, prices vary depending on the time of day and class and they tend to be more expensive on the day.
The average journey time by coach from Ayr to Cairnryan is 1h 51m to travel the 60 km long route. Journey times can vary on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner to search for a specific date.
The earliest coach from Ayr to Cairnryan leaves at 9:00. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.
The latest coach from Ayr to Cairnryan leaves at 19:27.
Yes, there are 2 direct coaches a day from Ayr to Cairnryan with . Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer direct coaches.
When taking a coach from Ayr to Cairnryan, you can count on Stagecoach West Scotland for the best way to get you to Cairnryan. You can also check all possible coach companies who offer a service between Ayr and Cairnryan and compare the amenities they offer before buying a coach ticket.
A day trip to Cairnryan from Ayr is worth doing with a journey time of 1h 51m each way. Check with Omio app the best way to travel.
The cheapest month for a coach from Ayr to Cairnryan is December.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Ayr and Cairnryan including taking a coach and train.
No, there are no bathrooms on board the coach from Ayr to Cairnryan.
No, the coach from Ayr to Cairnryan has no accessibility options.
No, bikes are not allowed on board the coach from Ayr to Cairnryan.
Tickets are often cheaper when booked early. Traveling during off-peak hours or on weekdays can help you save money. Sort results by price to quickly identify the most affordable options. Check for promotions or discounts available on our website and app.
Yes, there is food available to purchase on board the coach from Ayr to Cairnryan.
No, luggage for the coach from Ayr to Cairnryan needs to be booked in addition.
No, there are no additional luggage options for the coach from Ayr to Cairnryan.
Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on the coach from Ayr to Cairnryan.
No, there are no USB plugs on board the coach from Ayr to Cairnryan.
No, there is no WiFi on board the coach from Ayr to Cairnryan.
Most popular bus connections from Ayr
More options for your journey from Ayr to Cairnryan
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
Most popular buses to and from Cairnryan and Ayr
Most popular bus connections
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