There are 13 ways to get from Portsmouth to Cairnryan by train, bus, car ferry, car, or plane
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Train, Bus via London
best- Take the train from Portsmouth & Southsea to London Waterlootrain
- Take the train from King's Cross to Edinburgh Waverleytrain
- Take the train from Edinburgh Waverley to Glasgow Queen Streettrain
- Take the bus from Glasgow Buchanan to Cairnryan Stena Terminalbus 923
11h 1m£170–271Bus
cheapest- Take the bus from The Hard Interchange to Heathrow Terminal 5bus 030
- Take the bus from Heathrow Terminal 5 to Buchanan Bus Stationbus 802
- Take the bus from Glasgow Buchanan to Cairnryan Stena Terminalbus 923
14h 35m£79–140Train, car ferry
- Take the train from Portsmouth & Southsea to Newport (S Wales)train
- Take the train from Newport (S Wales) to Chestertrain
- Take the carferry from Liverpool to Belfastcarferry
- Take the carferry from Belfast to Cairnryancarferry
20h 15m£162–327Drive 442.8 mi
- Drive from Portsmouth to Cairnryancar 442.8 mi
7h 45m£111–161Train, bus
- Take the train from Southampton Central to Glasgow Centraltrain
- Take the train from Glasgow Central to Girvantrain
- Take the bus from Henrietta Street to Old Pierbus 360 / ...
15h 25m£271–423Train
- Take the train from Portsmouth & Southsea to Winchestertrain
- Take the train from Winchester to Glasgow Centraltrain
- Take the train from Glasgow Central to Ayrtrain
- Take the train from Ayr to Stranraertrain
15h 28m£270–432Fly Southampton Airport to Edinburgh Airport, bus
- Fly from Southampton Airport (SOU) to Edinburgh Airport (EDI)plane SOU - EDI
- Take the bus from Terminal to Buchanan Bus Stationbus
- Take the bus from Glasgow Buchanan to Cairnryan Stena Terminalbus
7h 55m£90–212Train to London City Airport, fly to Edinburgh Airport, bus
- Take the train from Portsmouth & Southsea to London Waterlootrain
- Fly from London City Airport (LCY) to Edinburgh Airport (EDI)plane LCY - EDI
- Take the bus from Terminal to Buchanan Bus Stationbus
- Take the bus from Glasgow Buchanan to Cairnryan Stena Terminalbus
8h 37m£119–356Bus to London Heathrow Airport, fly to Glasgow Airport, train, bus
- Take the bus from The Hard Interchange to Heathrow Terminal 5bus
- Fly from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Glasgow Airport (GLA)plane LHR - GLA
- Take the train from Paisley Gilmour Street to Ayrtrain
- Take the bus from Henrietta Street to Old Pierbus
8h 52m£107–374Fly Southampton Airport to Glasgow Airport, train, bus
- Fly from Southampton Airport (SOU) to Glasgow Airport (GLA)plane SOU - GLA
- Take the train from Paisley Gilmour Street to Ayrtrain
- Take the bus from Henrietta Street to Old Pierbus
8h 15m£80–235Train to London Gatwick Airport, fly to Glasgow Airport, train, bus
- Take the train from Portsmouth & Southsea to Horshamtrain
- Fly from London Gatwick Airport (LGW) to Glasgow Airport (GLA)plane LGW - GLA
- Take the train from Paisley Gilmour Street to Ayrtrain
- Take the bus from Henrietta Street to Old Pierbus
9h 7m£93–212Train to London City Airport, fly to Glasgow Airport, train, bus
- Take the train from Portsmouth & Southsea to London Waterlootrain
- Fly from London City Airport (LCY) to Glasgow Airport (GLA)plane LCY - GLA
- Take the train from Paisley Gilmour Street to Ayrtrain
- Take the bus from Henrietta Street to Old Pierbus
9h 3m£139–439Train, train to Luton Airport, fly to Glasgow Airport, bus
- Take the train from Portsmouth & Southsea to London Waterlootrain
- Take the train from West Hampstead Thameslink to Luton Airport Parkwaytrain
- Fly from Luton Airport (LTN) to Glasgow Airport (GLA)plane LTN - GLA
- Take the train from Paisley Gilmour Street to Ayrtrain
- Take the bus from Henrietta Street to Old Pierbus
9h 32m£117–248
Portsmouth to Cairnryan by train, subway, foot, and bus
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Portsmouth to Cairnryan is to bus which costs £75 - £140 and takes 14h 35m.
The fastest way to get from Portsmouth to Cairnryan is to drive which takes 7h 45m and costs £110 - £160.
No, there is no direct bus from Portsmouth to Cairnryan. However, there are services departing from The Hard Interchange and arriving at Cairnryan Stena Terminal via Heathrow Terminal 5 and Glasgow Buchanan. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 14h 35m.
No, there is no direct train from Portsmouth to Cairnryan. However, there are services departing from Portsmouth & Southsea and arriving at Stranraer via Winchester, Glasgow Central and Ayr. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 15h 28m.
The distance between Portsmouth and Cairnryan is 597 miles. The road distance is 445.4 miles.
The best way to get from Portsmouth to Cairnryan without a car is to train and Bus via London which takes 11h 1m and costs £170 - £280.
It takes approximately 11h 1m to get from Portsmouth to Cairnryan, including transfers.
Portsmouth to Cairnryan bus services, operated by National Express, depart from The Hard Interchange station.
Portsmouth to Cairnryan train services, operated by South Western Railway, depart from Portsmouth & Southsea station.
The best way to get from Portsmouth to Cairnryan is to bus which takes 14h 35m and costs £75 - £140. Alternatively, you can train, which costs £270 - £440 and takes 15h 28m.
What companies run services between Portsmouth, England and Cairnryan, Scotland?
You can take a bus from The Hard Interchange to Cairnryan Stena Terminal via Heathrow Terminal 5, Buchanan Bus Station, and Glasgow Buchanan in around 14h 35m. Alternatively, you can take a train from Portsmouth & Southsea to Old Pier via Winchester, Glasgow Central, Ayr, Stranraer, and Port Rodie Ferry Terminal in around 15h 28m.
- Website
- britishairways.com
Flights from Southampton Airport to Edinburgh Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 45m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- £100–220
Flights from Southampton Airport to Edinburgh Airport via Belfast City
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 45m
- When
- Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- £70–180
Flights from London City Airport to Edinburgh Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 17m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- £75–230
Flights from London City Airport to Edinburgh Airport via Belfast City
- Ave. Duration
- 3h
- When
- Monday to Friday
- Estimated price
- £75–230
Flights from London City Airport to Edinburgh Airport via Dublin
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 30m
- When
- Monday, Thursday, and Friday
- Estimated price
- £75–230
Flights from London Heathrow Airport to Glasgow Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 27m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- £55–320
Flights from London Heathrow Airport to Glasgow Airport via Derry
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 50m
- When
- Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- £150–460
Flights from London Heathrow Airport to Glasgow Airport via Belfast City
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 40m
- When
- Monday to Wednesday
- Estimated price
- £55–320
Flights from London Heathrow Airport to Glasgow Airport via Dublin
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 45m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- £100–250
Flights from London Gatwick Airport to Glasgow Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 30m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- £45–210
Flights from London City Airport to Glasgow Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 19m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- £70–260
Flights from London City Airport to Glasgow Airport via Dublin
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 30m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- £70–260
- Website
- easyjet.com
Flights from Southampton Airport to Edinburgh Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 25m
- When
- Sunday
- Estimated price
- £70–170
Flights from Southampton Airport to Glasgow Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 21m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- £30–150
Flights from London Gatwick Airport to Glasgow Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 30m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- £29–110
Flights from London Gatwick Airport to Glasgow Airport via Belfast (Aldergrove)
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 50m
- When
- Sunday and Monday
- Estimated price
- £29–110
Flights from Luton Airport to Glasgow Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 16m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- £27–110
Flights from Luton Airport to Glasgow Airport via Belfast (Aldergrove)
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 5m
- When
- Sunday
- Estimated price
- £27–110
- Website
- ryanair.com
Flights from London Gatwick Airport to Glasgow Airport via Dublin
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 35m
- When
- Sunday, Monday, Saturday, and Friday
- Estimated price
- £55–300
Flights from Luton Airport to Glasgow Airport via Dublin
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 15m
- When
- Thursday
- Estimated price
- £50–140
- Website
- aerlingus.com
Flights from Southampton Airport to Edinburgh Airport via Belfast City
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 45m
- When
- Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- £70–180
Flights from London City Airport to Edinburgh Airport via Belfast City
- Ave. Duration
- 3h
- When
- Monday to Friday
- Estimated price
- £75–230
Flights from London City Airport to Edinburgh Airport via Dublin
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 30m
- When
- Monday, Thursday, and Friday
- Estimated price
- £75–230
Flights from London Heathrow Airport to Glasgow Airport via Belfast City
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 40m
- When
- Monday to Wednesday
- Estimated price
- £55–320
Flights from London Heathrow Airport to Glasgow Airport via Dublin
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 45m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- £100–250
Flights from London City Airport to Glasgow Airport via Dublin
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 30m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- £70–260
- Website
- loganair.co.uk
Flights from Southampton Airport to Edinburgh Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 45m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- £100–220
Flights from London Heathrow Airport to Glasgow Airport via Derry
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 50m
- When
- Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- £150–460
- Website
- klm.com
Flights from Southampton Airport to Edinburgh Airport via Amsterdam Schiphol
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 50m
- When
- Monday to Friday
- Estimated price
- £55–300
- Phone
- 0345 6000 650
- Website
- South Western Railway
Train from Portsmouth & Southsea to London Waterloo
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 31m
- Frequency
- Every 30 minutes
- Estimated price
- £26–55
- Website
- South Western Railway
Train from Portsmouth & Southsea to Winchester
- Ave. Duration
- 51 min
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- £10–22
- Website
- South Western Railway
Train from Portsmouth & Southsea to London Waterloo
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 31m
- Frequency
- Every 30 minutes
- Estimated price
- £26–55
- Website
- South Western Railway
Train from Portsmouth & Southsea to London Waterloo
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 31m
- Frequency
- Every 30 minutes
- Estimated price
- £26–55
- Website
- South Western Railway
Train from Portsmouth & Southsea to London Waterloo
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 31m
- Frequency
- Every 30 minutes
- Estimated price
- £26–55
- Website
- South Western Railway
Train from King's Cross to Edinburgh Waverley
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 6m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- £130–180
- Website
- London North Eastern Railway Limited (LNER)
- Phone
- +44 (0)344 811 0141
- Website
- ScotRail
Train from Edinburgh Waverley to Glasgow Queen Street
- Ave. Duration
- 50 min
- Frequency
- Every 30 minutes
- Estimated price
- £18–30
- Website
- ScotRail
Train from Glasgow Central to Girvan
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 46m
- Frequency
- 6 times a week
- Estimated price
- £23–40
- Website
- ScotRail
Train from Glasgow Central to Ayr
- Ave. Duration
- 53 min
- Frequency
- Every 30 minutes
- Estimated price
- £15–26
- Website
- ScotRail
Train from Ayr to Stranraer
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 21m
- Frequency
- 5 times a day
- Estimated price
- £22–40
- Website
- ScotRail
Train from Paisley Gilmour Street to Ayr
- Ave. Duration
- 43 min
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- £13–22
- Website
- ScotRail
Train from Paisley Gilmour Street to Ayr
- Ave. Duration
- 43 min
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- £13–22
- Website
- ScotRail
Train from Paisley Gilmour Street to Ayr
- Ave. Duration
- 43 min
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- £13–22
- Website
- ScotRail
Train from Paisley Gilmour Street to Ayr
- Ave. Duration
- 43 min
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- £13–22
- Website
- ScotRail
Train from Paisley Gilmour Street to Ayr
- Ave. Duration
- 43 min
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- £13–22
- Website
- ScotRail
- Phone
- 0345 528 0409
- [email protected]
- Website
- Lumo
Train from Edinburgh Waverley to Glasgow Queen Street
- Ave. Duration
- 53 min
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- £7–14
- Website
- Lumo
- Phone
- +44 (0)345 7000 125
- [email protected]
- Website
- Great Western Railway (GWR)
Train from Portsmouth & Southsea to Newport (S Wales)
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 4m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- £50–95
- Website
- Great Western Railway (GWR)
- Phone
- 03333 211 202
- Website
- Transport for Wales
Train from Newport (S Wales) to Chester
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 44m
- Frequency
- Every 3 hours
- Estimated price
- £45–75
- Website
- Transport for Wales
- Phone
- +44 3447 369 123
- [email protected]
- Website
- Cross Country
Train from Southampton Central to Glasgow Central
- Ave. Duration
- 9h 3m
- Frequency
- 5 times a week
- Estimated price
- £230–350
- Website
- Cross Country
Train from Winchester to Glasgow Central
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 46m
- Frequency
- 5 times a week
- Estimated price
- £220–340
- Website
- Cross Country
- Phone
- +44 (0)3457 282930
- Website
- Southern
Train from Portsmouth & Southsea to Horsham
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 14m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- £21–40
- Website
- Southern
- Phone
- +44 (0)345 026 4700
- Website
- Thameslink
Train from West Hampstead Thameslink to Luton Airport Parkway
- Ave. Duration
- 23 min
- Frequency
- Every 20 minutes
- Estimated price
- £17
- Website
- Thameslink
- Phone
- +44 28 9066 6630
- Website
- Translink
Bus from Glasgow Buchanan to Cairnryan Stena Terminal
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 20m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- £4
- Website
- Translink
- Belfast urban network
- £4
Bus from Glasgow Buchanan to Cairnryan Stena Terminal
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 20m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- £4
- Website
- Translink
- Belfast urban network
- £4
Bus from Glasgow Buchanan to Cairnryan Stena Terminal
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 20m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- £4
- Website
- Translink
- Belfast urban network
- £4
Bus from Glasgow Buchanan to Cairnryan Stena Terminal
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 20m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- £4
- Website
- Translink
- Belfast urban network
- £4
- Phone
- +44 (0)3717 81 81 81
- Website
- National Express
Bus from The Hard Interchange to Heathrow Terminal 5
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 30m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- £9–17
- Website
- National Express
Bus from Heathrow Terminal 5 to Buchanan Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 45m
- Frequency
- Twice a week
- Estimated price
- £65–120
- Website
- National Express
Bus from The Hard Interchange to Heathrow Terminal 5
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 30m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- £9–17
- Website
- National Express
- Phone
- 0345 810 1000
- [email protected]
- Website
- Stagecoach West Scotland
Bus from Henrietta Street to Old Pier
- Ave. Duration
- 48 min
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- £8–12
- Website
- Stagecoach West Scotland
Bus from Henrietta Street to Old Pier
- Ave. Duration
- 48 min
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- £8–12
- Website
- Stagecoach West Scotland
Bus from Henrietta Street to Old Pier
- Ave. Duration
- 48 min
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- £8–12
- Website
- Stagecoach West Scotland
Bus from Henrietta Street to Old Pier
- Ave. Duration
- 48 min
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- £8–12
- Website
- Stagecoach West Scotland
Bus from Henrietta Street to Old Pier
- Ave. Duration
- 48 min
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- £8–12
- Website
- Stagecoach West Scotland
Bus from Henrietta Street to Old Pier
- Ave. Duration
- 48 min
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- £8–12
- Website
- Stagecoach West Scotland
- Phone
- 0141 352 4444
- [email protected]
- Website
- Scottish Citylink Coaches Ltd
Bus from Terminal to Buchanan Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 2m
- Frequency
- Every 15 minutes
- Estimated price
- £7–15
- Website
- Scottish Citylink Coaches Ltd
- Single
- £7–15
Bus from Terminal to Buchanan Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 2m
- Frequency
- Every 15 minutes
- Estimated price
- £7–15
- Website
- Scottish Citylink Coaches Ltd
- Single
- £7–15
- Phone
- +44 (0)131 510 4007
- [email protected]
- Website
- Ember
Bus from Terminal to Buchanan Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 7m
- Frequency
- Every 20 minutes
- Estimated price
- £7–10
- Website
- Ember
Bus from Terminal to Buchanan Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 7m
- Frequency
- Every 20 minutes
- Estimated price
- £7–10
- Website
- Ember
- Phone
- +44 844 770 7070
- [email protected]
- Website
- Stena Line
Car ferry from Liverpool to Belfast
- Ave. Duration
- 8h
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- £36–100
- Website
- Stena Line
- Passenger
- £36
- Car Passenger
- £139
Car ferry from Belfast to Cairnryan
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 22m
- Frequency
- 4 times a day
- Estimated price
- £19–36
- Website
- Stena Line
- Passenger
- £36
- Car Passenger
- £149
Want to know more about travelling around United Kingdom
Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.
Related travel guides
Travelling to the UK: What do I need to know?
Read the travel guide
How to get from London to Edinburgh
Read the travel guide
The London Underground: Essential tips to navigate the Tube
Read the travel guide
Booking & Getting There
Portsmouth to Cairnryan bus services, operated by National Express, arrive at Heathrow Terminal 5 station.
Portsmouth to Cairnryan train services, operated by South Western Railway, arrive at Winchester station.
Yes, the driving distance between Portsmouth to Cairnryan is 445 miles. It takes approximately 7h 45m to drive from Portsmouth to Cairnryan.
There are 206+ hotels available in Cairnryan.




























































