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- The nearest major airport is Glasgow. From Glasgow Queen Street station, the train runs direct to Oban in just over three hours.<\/li>\n
- Oban's railway station and bus station are only a two-minute walk from the North Pier Pontoons. A water taxi will take you across the bay to Kerrera Marina.<\/li>\n
- To enter the United Kingdom, EU citizens (except Ireland) require an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), which you apply for online or via app before travelling.<\/li>\n
- For provisioning, there is a large Tesco and a Marks & Spencer food hall in town, both on the edge of the centre.<\/li>\n
- The wind is mostly from the south-west; the tides raise and lower the water twice a day.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Which harbours are there in Oban?<\/h2>\n
Two harbours are important for sailing trips in Oban: the North Pier Pontoons (also called Oban Transit Marina) on the north pier in the heart of the town, and Kerrera Marina in Ardentrive Bay on the north-east side of the island of Kerrera. The two lie opposite each other across Oban Bay, about a kilometre and a half apart as the crow flies. The North Pier Pontoons are on the town side to the east, Kerrera Marina on the island side to the west. There is no road between them; you cross by water taxi.<\/p>\n
About five kilometres north of the town lies Dunstaffnage Marina, a separate harbour with its own approach. It does not belong to Oban Bay.<\/p>\n
Arriving in Oban to start your trip<\/h2>\n
You can reach Oban from Glasgow by train, bus or car. All routes end in the town centre directly on the water, a few steps from the North Pier Pontoons. From there you continue by boat to Kerrera Marina.<\/p>\n
From Glasgow Airport to Oban<\/h3>\n
Glasgow Airport lies west of the city, about 90 kilometres from Oban as the crow flies. The Glasgow Airport Express (route 500) runs from the airport into the city centre around the clock, up to every ten minutes; the journey takes about a quarter of an hour. The bus stops at Queen Street station and terminates at Buchanan bus station.<\/p>\n
From Queen Street, ScotRail trains run direct to Oban. The journey takes just over three hours on average, with up to six services a day on weekdays. The route runs past Loch Lomond and branches west at Crianlarich, following Loch Awe to the coast. From Buchanan bus station, Scottish Citylink coaches run several times daily to Oban in about three hours.<\/p>\n
By car<\/h3>\n
By car, the route from Glasgow runs via the A82 alongside Loch Lomond and then via the A85 to Oban. Driving is on the left in the United Kingdom. If you park in Oban, it is best to leave the car in the long-stay car park at North Pier (see below).<\/p>\n
Entry to the United Kingdom<\/h3>\n
The United Kingdom is not part of the EU. EU citizens (except Ireland) require an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to enter without a visa. You apply for it before travelling via the \"UK ETA\" app or on the UK Government website<\/a>, you pay the application fee online. Usually the decision comes through within minutes. An ETA is valid for two years or until the passport you specified in the application expires, and allows multiple stays of up to six months each (as of October 2026). Travel with exactly this passport. Whether you need a visa instead depends on your nationality.<\/p>\n
Which harbour is mine?<\/h3>\n
If you're arriving as crew: which harbour it is will be stated in your trip documents. \"Oban\" alone isn't enough, as the two harbours lie on different sides of the bay. You can reach the North Pier Pontoons on foot from the station; for Kerrera Marina you book the water taxi. If your trip starts at Dunstaffnage Marina, you take a taxi about five kilometres north from the centre.<\/p>\n
Water taxi to Kerrera Marina<\/h3>\n
Kerrera Marina's water taxi departs from North Pier in the town centre and takes about ten minutes across the bay. You book it in advance online on the marina's website. As things stand at present (October 2026), the usual slip at North Pier is closed for repairs, so the boat will collect you from the North Pier Pontoons instead. If the gate to the pontoons is locked, you'll find the code in your booking confirmation, otherwise at the harbour office at North Pier.<\/p>\n
Parking<\/h3>\n
Long-stay car parks are available at North Pier, right where the water taxi to Kerrera Marina departs. A second option is the car park at the ferry slip to Kerrera on Gallanach Road, about three kilometres outside town.<\/p>\n
Showers and sanitary facilities<\/h3>\n
Both harbours have showers. At North Pier they're in the harbour building, where there's also a changing area and lockers. Kerrera Marina has its own toilet block with hot showers.<\/p>\n
Shopping for the trip<\/h3>\n
For a big shop there's a large Tesco in Oban on Lochside Street at the edge of the centre. It opens Monday to Saturday from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Also at the edge of the centre, on Lochavullin Drive, Marks & Spencer has a food department. You can reach both on foot from the North Pier Pontoons; with lots of provisions a taxi is more convenient.<\/p>\n
There's no supermarket on Kerrera. If you're planning to start your trip at Kerrera Marina, you shop in Oban and take your shopping with you on the water taxi. Meat and some basic provisions are sold directly by Balliemore Farm on the island.<\/p>\n
Doctor and emergency calls<\/h3>\n
The regional hospital is Lorn and Islands Hospital on Glengallan Road in Oban, with an A&E department. For complaints that cannot wait until the next weekday, you can reach Scotland's telephone health service NHS 24 free of charge on 111.<\/p>\n
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- 999: Emergency number for police, fire brigade and ambulance service<\/li>\n
- 999 and \"Coastguard\": maritime emergency, HM Coastguard takes the call<\/li>\n
- VHF Channel 16: Distress and calling channel at sea<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Oban's harbours at a glance<\/h2>\n
The North Pier Pontoons are a visitors' harbour for short stays right in town; Kerrera Marina is a marina with boatyard, fuel and restaurant on the island side. The table shows the main differences.<\/p>\n
![\"Oban](\"https:\/\/www.toernfinder.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/oban-hafenfront-1024x682.jpg\")
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