Train stations in Oban

Oban station is on Railway Pier at the harbour, next to the CalMac ferry terminal and a short walk from George Street. ScotRail trains run here from Glasgow Queen Street in around 3 hours, and the line ends at the pier.

Which station to use

Use Oban (OBN). It is the end of the line, so every train from the south stops here, and ScotRail manages it. Staff help is on hand from 05:00 to 20:30 Monday to Saturday and 10:45 to 18:00 on Sunday. The ticket office opens at 05:00 Monday to Saturday and 10:45 on Sunday. The platforms are level with the main entrance and step-free, and there are toilets, free Wi-Fi, a Changing Places toilet, cycle racks and 30 car park spaces (charges apply). There is no left-luggage.

From the station into the centre

You come out at the water's edge. The ferry terminal is about 50 metres away, and buses and taxis wait next to the station. The town is compact and easy to explore on foot. George Street, the main street, is a 4-minute walk from the station. Corran Esplanade is about 7 minutes away, and Dunollie Castle is a 15-minute stroll north of the town along the shore.

McCaig's Tower, the round stone monument on the hill, is visible from the platform. The climb is about 220 feet and takes around 10 minutes. Oban Distillery sits in the town centre at the foot of the cliff.

Trains to and from Oban

On the timetable that runs until 12 December 2026, ScotRail runs up to 6 trains a day from Glasgow Queen Street to Oban and up to 7 the other way.

• Glasgow Queen Street to Oban: about 3 hours 7 minutes on average, first train at 05:20 (Monday to Saturday), last at 18:24. The fastest, the 18:24, takes about 3 hours.
• Oban to Glasgow Queen Street: about 3 hours 13 minutes on average, first train at 05:17 (Monday to Saturday), last at 20:39. The fastest, the 08:56 Monday to Friday, takes about 3 hours.
• Edinburgh to Oban: about 4 hours 15 minutes, changing at Glasgow Queen Street.

Journeys can run a little longer at weekends. From 25 October, Sundays have three trains each way: 09:56, 12:20 and 18:21 from Glasgow Queen Street, and 12:11, 16:11 and 18:11 from Oban. After Crianlarich the Oban trains call at Tyndrum Lower, Dalmally, Loch Awe, Taynuilt and Connel Ferry.

Fort William and Mallaig are on the other branch of the West Highland Line. From Oban you change at Crianlarich. A West Coast Motors bus also links Oban and Fort William directly. Citylink coach 976 runs from Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station to Oban three times a day and takes about 3 hours.

Ferries from the station

CalMac sails from the terminal beside the station to Mull (Craignure, 45 minutes), Lismore (55 minutes), Coll, Tiree, Colonsay and Barra, with Lochboisdale in winter. Foot passengers check in at the terminal at least 10 minutes before departure. All routes from Oban are bookable, and CalMac advises reserving your sailing in advance.

Works and holiday changes

• Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 November 2026: buses replace trains between Crianlarich and Oban. Glasgow to Crianlarich runs as normal.
• Monday 9 to Tuesday 17 November 2026: buses replace trains between Crianlarich and Fort William and Mallaig. Trains between Crianlarich and Oban run normally.
• Saturday 21 to Tuesday 24 November 2026: buses replace trains between Glasgow Queen Street and Crianlarich, including a direct bus. Trains run between Crianlarich and Oban, and on 21, 23 and 24 November a bus leaves Oban at 20:39 for Glasgow Queen Street.
• No trains run between Glasgow Queen Street and Oban on Christmas Day, New Year's Day or Saturday 2 January 2027, and ScotRail had not published its Boxing Day times by mid-October 2026. On Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve the last train from Glasgow Queen Street leaves at 16:34 and the last from Oban at 18:11.

Tickets

ScotRail has no peak fares. Advance singles from Oban to Glasgow Queen Street start at £18.90. Returns from Glasgow Queen Street to Oban start at £38.80. ScotRail charges no booking fees on its own site and app. A 16-25 Railcard, a Two Together Railcard or a Senior Railcard costs £35 a year and takes a third off. With Kids for a Quid, each paying adult can take up to four children aged 5 to 15 for £1 return each; buy it at the ticket office before you travel.

Buy before you board; Oban has a staffed ticket office. Rail & Sail tickets combine train and ferry travel.

Rail passes and reservations

As of October 2026, Interrail covers ScotRail, and the Interrail Great Britain Pass covers Scotland. ScotRail trains need no seat reservation, so with a pass you simply board. Every train to Oban is a ScotRail train, so there is no reservation fee on this line. Ferry tickets are a separate purchase through CalMac.