There are 6 ways to get from Retford to Cairnryan by train, bus, or car
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
best- Take the train from Doncaster to Edinburgh Waverleytrain
- Take the train from Edinburgh Waverley to Glasgow Queen Streettrain
- Take the bus from Glasgow Buchanan to Cairnryan Stena Terminalbus 923
8h 6m£65–202Bus
cheapest- Take the bus from Meadowhall Interchange/B1 to Leeds City Bus Stationbus
- Take the bus from Leeds City Bus Station to Buchanan Bus Stationbus
- Take the bus from Glasgow Buchanan to Cairnryan Stena Terminalbus 923
12h 21m£36–53Drive 262.2 mi
- Drive from Retford to Cairnryancar 262.2 mi
4h 38m£66–95Train
- Take the train from Doncaster to Glasgow Centraltrain
- Take the train from Glasgow Central to Ayrtrain
- Take the train from Ayr to Stranraertrain
10h 16m£109–269Train, bus via Carlisle
- Take the train from Retford to Leedstrain
- Take the train from Leeds to Carlisletrain
- Take the train from Carlisle to Dumfriestrain
- Take the bus from Dumfries station to Port Rodiebus 500
11h 27mBus, train
- Take the bus from Sheffield Meadowhall Interchange to Carlislebus
- Take the train from Carlisle to Dumfriestrain
- Take the bus from Dumfries station to Port Rodiebus 500
12h 33m
Retford to Cairnryan by train, foot, and bus
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Retford to Cairnryan is to bus which costs £35 - £55 and takes 12h 21m.
The fastest way to get from Retford to Cairnryan is to drive which takes 4h 38m and costs £65 - £95.
No, there is no direct bus from Retford station to Cairnryan. However, there are services departing from Retford Bus Station and arriving at Cairnryan Stena Terminal via Doncaster Frenchgate Interchange/B7, Meadowhall Interchange/B1, Leeds City Bus Station and Glasgow Buchanan. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 12h 21m.
No, there is no direct train from Retford to Cairnryan. However, there are services departing from Retford and arriving at Stranraer via Doncaster, Glasgow Central and Ayr. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 10h 16m.
The distance between Retford and Cairnryan is 382 miles. The road distance is 263.8 miles.
The best way to get from Retford to Cairnryan without a car is to train and Bus which takes 8h 6m and costs £65 - £210.
It takes approximately 8h 6m to get from Retford to Cairnryan, including transfers.
Retford to Cairnryan bus services, operated by FlixBus, depart from Meadowhall Interchange/B1 station.
Retford to Cairnryan train services, operated by Cross Country, depart from Doncaster station.
The best way to get from Retford to Cairnryan is to bus which takes 12h 21m and costs £35 - £55. Alternatively, you can train, which costs £100 - £270 and takes 10h 16m.
What companies run services between Retford, England and Cairnryan, Scotland?
You can take a bus from Retford Bus Station to Cairnryan Stena Terminal via Doncaster Frenchgate Interchange/B1, Doncaster Frenchgate Interchange/B7, Meadowhall Interchange/B1, Leeds City Bus Station, Buchanan Bus Station, and Glasgow Buchanan in around 12h 21m. Alternatively, you can take a train from Retford to Old Pier via Doncaster, Glasgow Central, Ayr, Stranraer, and Port Rodie Ferry Terminal in around 10h 16m.
Train from Doncaster to Edinburgh Waverley
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 47m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- £80–110
- Website
- London North Eastern Railway Limited (LNER)
- 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
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Booking & Getting There
Retford to Cairnryan bus services, operated by FlixBus, arrive at Leeds City Bus Station.
Retford to Cairnryan train services, operated by Cross Country, arrive at Glasgow Central station.
Yes, the driving distance between Retford to Cairnryan is 264 miles. It takes approximately 4h 38m to drive from Retford to Cairnryan.
There are 213+ hotels available in Cairnryan.










