- 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 02 Nov
- Cheapest price on 02 Nov
- £11
- Average ticket price on 02 Nov
- £11
- Fastest journey on 02 Nov
- 2 h 26 m
- Average journey duration on 02 Nov
- 2 h 26 m
- Buses on 02 Nov
- 5
- 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.
8:50 2h26 Ayr 11:16 Cairnryan £11 1 One-way 1 change10:50 2h26 Ayr 13:16 Cairnryan £11 1 One-way 1 change12:50 2h26 Ayr 15:16 Cairnryan £11 1 One-way 1 change14:50 2h26 Ayr 17:16 Cairnryan £11 1 One-way 1 change16:50 2h26 Ayr 19:16 Cairnryan £11 1 One-way 1 change
8:50 2h26 Ayr 11:16 Cairnryan £11 1 One-way 1 change10:50 2h26 Ayr 13:16 Cairnryan £11 1 One-way 1 change12:50 2h26 Ayr 15:16 Cairnryan £11 1 One-way 1 change14:50 2h26 Ayr 17:16 Cairnryan £11 1 One-way 1 change16:50 2h26 Ayr 19:16 Cairnryan £11 1 One-way 1 change
Journey information
Overview: Bus from Ayr to Cairnryan
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Take a bus from Ayr to Cairnryan and enjoy the approximately 60 km long journey. Find schedules and pricing options for a convenient and affordable trip.
The earliest coach runs at 09:00, the last at 19:27.
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 |
First bus 9:00 |
Last bus 19:27 |
Cheapest Month Aug |
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
Frequently asked questions about your Ayr to Cairnryan trip
Use these quick route answers to check fares, travel time, departure options, and direct services before booking from Ayr to Cairnryan.
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.
Live departures
Ayr to Cairnryan bus times
The table below shows live departures for Ayr to Cairnryan coaches for today, Sunday 1 November. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
Last updated at
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11:50 Ayr | 2h51 | 14:41 Cairnryan | 1 change | |
| 14:45 Ayr | 3h09 | 17:54 Cairnryan | 1 change | |
| 17:50 Ayr | 2h50 | 20:40 Cairnryan | 1 change | |
| Monday 2 November | |||||
| 8:50 Ayr | 2h26 | 11:16 Cairnryan | 1 change | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
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.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Ayr and Cairnryan including taking a coach and train.
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.
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
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