Islay is the island the whisky world quietly obsesses over. Ten distilleries and counting sit on a green island barely twenty-five miles long, most of them within sight of the sea, several of them world-famous. Getting there is part of the pilgrimage, and you have a genuine choice: a short hop by air from Glasgow, or a slow, scenic crossing by ferry. This guide covers both honestly, so you can pick the one that suits your trip, your budget and your patience.
The route: Glasgow to Islay
The air link is simple. Loganair flies from Glasgow (GLA) to Islay Airport (ILY) year round, with roughly two flights on most weekdays and a typical flying time of around 40 minutes. That is the only scheduled route to the island from the mainland, so if you are flying, you are almost certainly flying Loganair via Glasgow. There is also a once-weekly Hebridean Air Services link from Oban and Colonsay, useful if you are island-hopping rather than starting from a big airport.
Ready to fly to Islay?
Check live Loganair fares and times for the Glasgow to Islay hop.
Getting there by air, and why people bother
Most visitors to Islay are there for one reason: the whisky. As of 2026 the island has eleven working distilleries, from the peat-heavy giants of the south coast to newer names still filling their first casks, with at least one more under construction. That is an extraordinary concentration for an island this size, and it is why Islay draws a steady stream of enthusiasts from all over the world.
The flight is the fast way in. Islay Airport sits at Glenegedale, about five miles north-northwest of Port Ellen, right in the middle of the island, so wherever you are staying you are not far from the terminal. Unlike some Highlands and Islands strips, Islay has a proper paved runway, so the aircraft is a modern turboprop rather than the tiny beach-lander you get on Barra. Loganair retired its long-serving Saab 340s in early 2024 and has been introducing ATR turboprops on island routes, so aircraft type can change: confirm the aircraft and exact timings with Loganair when you book.
On baggage, Loganair's allowance depends on your fare. The cheapest Fly fare typically includes 15kg of checked baggage, with more on Flex fares, and cabin bags must weigh under 6kg and fit the small turboprop lockers. These small aircraft are weight-sensitive, so do not assume you can pay for extra hold luggage at the gate. Check the current allowance for your fare on loganair.co.uk before you travel.
Flight versus ferry to Islay
Many whisky visitors weigh the quick flight against the scenic ferry. Both are good; they just suit different trips. One important note first: the ferry runs from Kennacraig on the Kintyre peninsula, not from a city, so factor in the long drive down from Glasgow (roughly three hours) before you even board.
| Fly (Loganair) | Ferry (CalMac) | |
|---|---|---|
| From | Glasgow Airport (GLA) | Kennacraig, Kintyre |
| To | Islay Airport, Glenegedale | Port Askaig (and Port Ellen, see note) |
| Journey time | Around 40 minutes in the air | Around 2 hours to Port Askaig; about 2h 20m to Port Ellen |
| Take a car? | No, hire on arrival or use local transport | Yes, book vehicle space well ahead |
| Best for | Speed, day trips, foot passengers | Bringing a car, luggage, scenery, budget groups |
| Watch out for | Small aircraft, weight-limited baggage | Long drive to the pier; book vehicles early in summer |
Important current note: Port Ellen harbour is undergoing a major rebuild and is expected to be closed until 2029, so during the works CalMac sailings from Kennacraig operate to Port Askaig only. Timetables and ports change, so confirm your crossing and pier on calmac.co.uk before you set off.
The honest summary: fly if you value your time, are travelling light, or want a day or weekend trip. Take the ferry if you want to bring a car, are carrying a case of bottles home, or simply want the slow approach past the Paps of Jura.
When to go and how to book
Islay is a year-round destination, but late spring and summer are busiest. The headline event is Feis Ile, the Islay Festival of Malt and Music, which in 2026 runs from 22 to 31 May and marks the festival's 40th anniversary. Each day is themed around a different distillery, with special bottlings, tastings and live music. It is wonderful, and it is also when flights, ferries and beds sell out first, so if you are aiming for the festival, book everything as early as you possibly can and check current dates on feisile.co.uk.
Outside the festival, book the flight ahead for the best Loganair fares, and if you want the ferry with a car, reserve vehicle space well in advance for any summer sailing.
Where to stay on Islay
Islay beds are limited and go fast, especially around Feis Ile, so lock in a room early.
What to do once you land
The distilleries are the obvious draw, and most offer tours and tastings, though you should book these ahead rather than turning up. Spread across the island you will find the smoky, sea-sprayed south-coast trio and the softer northern names, plus the newer arrivals still finding their voice. Never drive between tastings; use a local driver or taxi, as Islay's roads are quiet but the drink-drive limit in Scotland is strict.
Beyond whisky, Islay rewards anyone who slows down. There are long empty beaches at Machir Bay and Saligo, the ancient carved Kildalton Cross, big skies full of wintering geese, and some of the best seafood in the Hebrides. Jura, with its wild hills and single distillery, is a short ferry hop away if you have a spare day.
Plan the rest of your island trip
The wide sands of Machir Bay on Islay · Illustration generated with AI If Islay is one stop on a bigger Hebridean plan, our Scottish island flights guide walks through every air-served island and how the routes connect. Islay is also one of Scotland's five whisky regions, so see our Scotland whisky tours guide for the wider distillery picture. For a very different landing, read about the beach runway on Barra. You can also dig into the Islay Airport page, the Glasgow Airport hub and the Loganair route network, or browse all the airports we cover to build your route.
Routes, schedules, baggage rules and ferry timetables change. Every fact above was checked against Loganair, HIAL, CalMac and Feis Ile sources at the time of writing, but always confirm the details directly with the operator before you book.
