Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit?

Oban is a great town to visit year-round, with numerous boat trips and extended restaurant opening hours from May to late September. Cooler Autumn and Spring months are great for walking, cycling and exploring when the town is less busy. Winter is a great season to visit, with many winter-themed events to enjoy and cosy accommodation in and around the town. It's always best to book ahead for both accommodation and restaurants where possible.

The town hosts many excellent events that you might time your visit around. Check out our What's On page for the latest.

Which Islands can I visit from Oban?

Many of our islands are available for day trips from Oban; of course, we would also like you to stay on our islands and support the local economy. Some of our islands are less car-friendly, so please research and consider leaving the car behind. We recommend booking ferry tickets in advance of your trip to ensure a smooth travel experience, particularly during the winter months. Find out more CalMac Ferries.

• Isle of Mull (40-45 minute ferry)
• Iona (short passenger ferry from Mull)
• Kerrera (a few minutes by ferry)
• Lismore (about 55 minutes by ferry)
• Colonsay (about 2 hours 20 minutes by ferry)
• Staffa (boat tours, famous for Fingal’s Cave)
• Seil, Luing and Easdale (reachable via nearby ferries)
• Coll & Tiree (longer ferry trip, about 2.5 hours)

Where can I park the car for easy access to the town centre?

Oban has many on-street parking places, most of which are pay-and-display and offer pay-by-mobile facilities.

• Lochavulin Car Park (65 spaces) - first 2 hours free
• Albany Street (36 spaces)
• Corran Halls, 2 car parks (90 spaces) & (57 spaces)
• Tweedale Street (90 spaces)
• Longsdale Road / Atlantis Leisure (92 spaces)
• North Pier Car Park (70 spaces)

Most of the car parks in Oban are managed by the local authority; find out more here.

Where can I park the car for longer than 24 hours?

For longer-term parking, use the Tesco car park and pay by phone.

EV Charging Points

Some private guesthouses and hotels offer EV charging for guests

• Tesco Superstore
• Oban Ferry Terminal
• Tweeddale Street Car Park
• Corran Halls Car Park    

Where are the toilets & baby changing facilities in Oban?

North Pier
•    Open most days 8:00 AM to 8:00 pm (till 6:00 pm in the winter)
•    Cash only, entry charge
•    Includes disabled access and shower facilities
Pulpit Hill
•    On the outskirts of Oban with car parking
•    Free
Ganavan Sands
•    Ganavan Sands Beach. 
•    Open from 8:00am to 8:00pm in the summer and 8:00am to 6:00pm in the winter
•    Disabled access available 
•    Free
Oban library public toilets
•    Includes disabled access facilities & baby changing 
•    Toilets are open within library opening times, see website for current hours.
•    Free
Other toilets within Oban
•    Most grocery stores within Oban have free toilets, including Lidl, Aldi, Tesco and Marks and Spencer. Most have disabled access & baby changing facilities
•    Atlantis Leisure Centre has free toilets & baby changing for customers
•    CalMac ferry terminal and port have free toilets & baby changing
•    Oban train station has toilets & baby changing for customers to use free of charge, but sometimes not available

How can I travel around car-free?

From Glasgow:

Always check timetables and pre-booking options. All modes take approximately 3 hours.

• Citylink
• Ember Electric Bus
• Scotrail

Taxis:
Please consider pre-booking a taxi, especially during the summer and for early and late pickups. Taxi ranks are at the train station. There are several Taxi companies in Oban, often family businesses – please check out their individual websites for pricing and more details.
Train:
Oban train station is in the centre of the town, and serves as the main public transport hub. Regular daily trains reach major cities including Glasgow (Queen’s Street) and provide connections to Edinburgh, London and Inverness. 
www.scotrail.co.uk
Buses:
There are several buses to help you get around Oban and its surrounding areas. West Coast Motors offers a variety of timetables to help you reach surrounding areas regularly. Many of these buses can pick up from the train station bus stop. 
www.westcoastmotors.co.uk

Where are the play parks and recreational areas?

• Oban has a few recreational areas and play parks.
  Directly next to the Atlantis Leisure Centre is the open community playpark and playground. There is a soft play area also at the Atlantis leisure centre for younger children.
• The Rockfield Centre has a very small indoor play area alongside the cafe.
• Tralee Bay in Benderloch has a coastal park playground next to the beach (PA37 1QR). Please note that the main access for Tralee Bay Holiday Park guests is via the road entrance; other users can access it via the designated path along Tralee Beach.

Where can I hire bikes and water activity equipment?

Bikes:

There are several places you can hire bikes. Prices vary from a single-day hire of a mountain or touring bike, around £40 per day, to an E-bike at £70. Bikes can be hired for longer periods.

• Oban Cycles
• Rusty Cycle Shed
• Appin E-bikes
• Isle of Lismore Bike Hire
• Sunnybrae Holiday Park (Isle of Luing)

Water activities and hire:

• Puffin Dive Centre offers a range of water sports courses, training, and activities, including paddleboarding and scuba diving.
• Sea Kayak Oban offers sea kayaking courses, training, trips and kayak hire.
• Oban Sailing Club hosts several training sessions and events each year, many of which are open to non-members.
• Basking Shark Scotland offers a series of experiences for families and adults (8 years old+), including snorkelling, night snorkelling, stand-up paddleboarding, and wild swimming.

Where can I try whisky?

Oban is great for whisky lovers, with many bars and restaurants stocking a wide range of whiskies from all over Scotland. Oban also has its very own distillery offering tours and tastings. Visit our sister website Wild About Argyll for inspiration.

What can visitors enjoy in the town?

Oban has a wide variety of activities for the whole family to enjoy. Explore our See & Do pages for inspiration. During the busy Summer months, plan and book in advance to avoid disappointment.

What about accommodation?

A wide range of accommodations is available in and around Oban, from self-catering options to welcoming hotels and lodges. Consider staying in the surrounding areas as well as in the town, and book directly for the best prices.