- Must visit
Robert Burns Birthplace Museum
Birthplace museum dedicated to Robert Burns, with manuscripts, objects and family home interiors that bring the poet's life and work into focus.
Cheapest price on 15 Sept
£27
Average ticket price on 15 Sept
£27
Fastest journey on 15 Sept
39 m
Average journey duration on 15 Sept
51 m
Trains on 15 Sept
16
Distance
24 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Ardrossan to Ayr is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Ardrossan to Ayr will cost around £27 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £27.
To travel from Ardrossan to Ayr you need to make at least one change.










Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Ardrossan to Ayr among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £5 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 1h 1m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £5, while a train costs an average of £8.
Distance: 24 km
Most popular Train | Coach | Driving |
|---|---|---|
£8 Average Price | £5 Average Price Cheapest | £6 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
1h 1m Average total duration Fastest 31m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 30m Average total duration 1h 0m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 35m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Ardrossan to Ayr:
A coach is £4 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Ardrossan to Ayr costing on average £8.
Other travel options to Ayr take longer:
Coach takes on average 1h 0m.
You'll arrive about 4m sooner (31m by train vs 35m by car). Tickets start at around £8 compared to roughly £6 in fuel and tolls — so you're paying a bit more, but getting hours of your day back, a city-centre arrival, and the freedom to work or relax instead of drive.
Driving makes more sense if you're travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), want to stop along the way, or need a car once you arrive.
The table below shows live departures for Ardrossan to Ayr trains for today, Monday 14 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 10:51 Ardrossan Town | 1h05 | 11:56 Ayr | 1 change | |
![]() | 12:16 Ardrossan Town | 0h39 | 12:55 Ayr | 1 change | |
![]() | 12:52 Ardrossan Town | 1h00 | 13:52 Ayr | 1 change | |
![]() | 13:51 Ardrossan Town | 1h01 | 14:52 Ayr | 1 change | |
![]() | 14:51 Ardrossan Town | 1h01 | 15:52 Ayr | 1 change | |
![]() | 15:51 Ardrossan Town | 1h01 | 16:52 Ayr | 1 change | |
![]() | 16:51 Ardrossan Town | 0h44 | 17:35 Ayr | 1 change | |
![]() | 17:52 Ardrossan Town | 1h02 | 18:54 Ayr | 1 change | |
![]() | 18:51 Ardrossan Town | 1h02 | 19:53 Ayr | 1 change | |
![]() | 19:51 Ardrossan Town | 1h01 | 20:52 Ayr | 1 change | |
![]() | 20:51 Ardrossan Town | 1h03 | 21:54 Ayr | 1 change | |
![]() | 21:50 Ardrossan Town | 1h01 | 22:51 Ayr | 1 change | |
![]() | 22:47 Ardrossan Town | 1h06 | 23:53 Ayr | 1 change | |
| Tuesday 15 September | |||||
![]() | 7:51 Ardrossan Town | 1h00 | 8:51 Ayr | 1 change | |
![]() | 8:51 Ardrossan Town | 1h03 | 9:54 Ayr | 1 change | |
![]() | 9:33 Ardrossan Town | 0h51 | 10:24 Ayr | 1 change | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
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.
Trains from Ardrossan to Ayr run on average 2 times per day, taking around 31m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £8 but you can travel from only £5 by coach.
The earliest train runs at 05:36, the last at 16:45. The fastest train covers the 24 km distance in 1h 1m.
Distance 24 km |
Average train duration 31m |
Cheapest ticket price £8 |
Trains per day 2 |
Fastest train 1h 1m |
First train 5:36 |
Last train 16:45 |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Sun |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 28 days |
Discover the best of Ayr — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Ayr trip today.
Birthplace museum dedicated to Robert Burns, with manuscripts, objects and family home interiors that bring the poet's life and work into focus.
Purpose-built gallery and museum with changing exhibitions, local history displays and family-friendly interpretation in Ayr's cultural quarter.
Country house galleries within Culzean Country Park, showing art, furnished rooms and estate history in an impressive clifftop setting.
Long sandy beach and promenade popular for walks, sunsets and sea air. It is a classic Ayr outing close to the town centre.
Large public park with gardens, woodland paths, a café area and access to museums. It is ideal for a quieter stroll away from the seafront.
Broad riverside green space and harbour-side walking area where the River Ayr meets the sea. Good for local views, fresh air and a quieter stroll.
A rich beef mince stew topped with mashed potatoes and baked until golden. A long-standing Ayrshire and Scottish comfort dish found in homes and pubs.
Smoked haddock poached in milk, often served with poached egg and buttery bread. A classic west coast breakfast dish tied to Scottish fishing traditions.
Oats mixed with suet, onion and seasoning, traditionally cooked in a sheep’s stomach. Scotland’s signature savoury dish with a strong Burns Night link in Ayrshire.
Well-known Indian restaurant in Ayr offering classic curries, tandoori dishes and warm service in a comfortable dining room.
Stylish seafront restaurant in the Marine Troon hotel, known for Scottish produce, seafood and grill dishes in a polished setting.
Established harbour-side venue in nearby Troon with seafood, steaks and Scottish dishes, plus marina views and a smart casual atmosphere.
Ayr is moderate by UK standards, with fairly priced hotels, casual dining, and local transport. Costs are usually lower than in Glasgow or Edinburgh.
Tipping is optional. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is usual for good service if not already added. Round up for taxis. Cafes do not expect tips, but small change is appreciated.
Official public transport app
Ayr railway station -> Ayr Bus Station
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Ardrossan to Ayr by train. 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 train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Ayr, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Ardrossan to Ayr trains use the Ardrossan Town to Ayr station pair. Use this guide to compare Ardrossan and Ayr train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Ardrossan Town is 1 km from Ardrossan city centre. Public transport options include:
Ardrossan Town has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Accessibility, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Bike Parking and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Ardrossan Town.
Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from help point, Helpline Contact: Tel: 0800 046 1634 and 18001 0800 046 1634 (Deaf and customers who are hard of hearing), Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Ardrossan Town: Parking.
Available at Ardrossan Town: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Ardrossan Town: Staff help available: No, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: This is a Category A station. This station has step-free access to single platform, Ramp for train access: No, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
Ardrossan Harbour is 1 km from Ardrossan city centre. Public transport options include:
Ardrossan Harbour has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Accessibility, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Bike Parking and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Ardrossan Harbour.
Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from help point, Helpline Contact: Tel: 0800 046 1634 and 18001 0800 046 1634 (Deaf and customers who are hard of hearing), Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Ardrossan Harbour: Parking.
Available at Ardrossan Harbour: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Ardrossan Harbour: Staff help available: No, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: This is a Category A station. This station has step-free access to single platform, Ramp for train access: No, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
Ayr has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Ayr.
Wi-Fi is available at Ayr. ATMs are available at Ayr.
Ticket office support is available at Ayr. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from help point,Yes - from ticket office, Helpline Contact: Tel: 0800 046 1634 and 18001 0800 046 1634 (Deaf and customers who are hard of hearing), Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Ayr: Parking, WC.
Available at Ayr: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Ayr: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: No, Step free access note: This is a Category B station. Level to platforms 1,2 & 3 - connecting footbridge with stairs or access from street to platform 4. Alternative route is available by going outside the station over the roadbridge Blue Badge parking bays: 7, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users may require assistance using car park equipment at this station, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need