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Getting Here

Most visitors arrive in Dunoon by ferry across the Firth of Clyde from Gourock. You can also drive round by road through Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park.

By ferry

Cars and foot passengers

Western Ferries

  • McInroy's Point (Gourock) to Hunter's Quay, about 2 miles north of Dunoon town centre
  • Crossing takes about 20 minutes
  • Every 20 minutes for most of the day, every 15 minutes at busy times, from early morning to late at night, all year
  • No booking needed: turn up and go
Western Ferries
Foot passengers only

CalMac

  • Gourock to Dunoon pier, right in the town centre
  • Crossing takes about 20 to 25 minutes
  • Roughly every half hour on weekdays and Saturdays, hourly on Sundays
  • The boat leaves from the end of the platform at Gourock railway station
CalMac timetables & status

Sailings can be changed or cancelled in bad weather. Please check the ferry company's website or service status before you travel.

By train

ScotRail trains run from Glasgow Central to Gourock about every half hour. At Gourock the CalMac ferry to Dunoon leaves from the end of the platform, so you can step off the train and straight onto the boat.

ScotRail journey planner

By car

Quickest: car ferry from Gourock

From Glasgow take the M8 and A8 west to Gourock (about 45 minutes), then follow the signs for Western Ferries at McInroy's Point. The ferry brings you into Hunter's Quay, a few minutes' drive from the town centre.

Scenic: all the way by road

Take the A82 up the side of Loch Lomond to Tarbet, then the A83 over the Rest and Be Thankful. Turn onto the A815, which runs down Loch Fyne to Strachur and along Loch Eck to Dunoon. Allow around two hours from Glasgow.

The A83 at the Rest and Be Thankful is sometimes closed after heavy rain, with traffic sent along the Old Military Road diversion. Check Traffic Scotland before you set off.

By bus and taxi

There is no direct bus from Glasgow to Dunoon. The easiest way by public transport is the train to Gourock and the CalMac ferry. Use Traveline Scotland to plan the whole journey.

Local buses around Cowal are run by West Coast Motors and most stop at Dunoon pier:

  • 480 Hunter's Quay, Dunoon, Upper Kirn and Milton
  • 489 Toward, Dunoon and Ardentinny
  • 484 / 486 Dunoon, Strachur, Inveraray, Lochgoilhead and Carrick Castle
  • 478 Dunoon, Colintraive (for Bute), Tighnabruaich and Portavadie

There is also the Cowal Dialabus and the WestGo on-demand bus. For taxis and private hire, see Bus / Taxi / Hire in the directory.

West Coast Motors timetables

By air

Glasgow Airport is the nearest, about half an hour's drive from Gourock and the ferries. Edinburgh Airport also has flights, and there is car hire at both.

Parking in Dunoon

Free car parks

  • Hanover Street
  • Kirk Street
  • Jane Street
  • Edward Street
  • Community Centre, Edward Street
  • Pilot Street
  • Dolphin Hall, Manse Avenue
  • Glenmorag, Kilbride Road
  • Hunter's Quay, Victoria Road

Pay and display

  • Argyll Street
  • Jane Villa, Argyll Street
  • Moir Street
  • Car Ferry Terminal, Alexandra Parade
  • Coal Pier, Alexandra Parade
  • Swimming Pool, Alexandra Parade

Car park list from Argyll and Bute Council. Charges and free parking can change, so see the council's car parks page for the latest details.

Onward to Bute and Kintyre

  • Isle of Bute: the short CalMac crossing from Colintraive to Rhubodach takes about 5 minutes.
  • Kintyre: the CalMac ferry from Portavadie to Tarbert crosses Loch Fyne in about 25 minutes.

Travel details checked October 2026. Timetables change, so always check with the operator before you travel.