MV Alfred sailings, Troon to Brodick service
MV Alfred will operate to and from Troon from 21 October - 20 November and 2 January - 4 February 2025. Please see timetable details here.
Alternative routes to/from Arran - did you know there are two other options for travel to Arran? You can also travel from Ardrossan to Brodick or from Claonaig to Lochranza. (From 14 November 2024, the ferry from Kintyre leaves from Tarbert (Loch Fyne), not Claonaig. If you are travelling between Tarbert (Loch Fyne) and Lochranza, passenger and vehicle reservations are required on this route. To make a booking, please contact the Kennacraig office on +44(0)1880 280281 and select option 2 (on a touch-tone phone).
We will continue to keep this section updated with the most frequently asked questions on the Troon to Brodick service, check back for the latest information before you travel.
Customer FAQs
Please click on the links below for important information to help you prepare for your journey from Troon.
What will the passage and turnaround times be when travelling on MV Alfred between Troon and Brodick?
Passage time between Troon - Brodick is 1 hour and 20 minutes, which is 25 minutes longer than Ardrossan - Brodick which is 55 minutes.
Booking and payment information
Do I need to book before travel?
Yes. We strongly encourage all those intending to travel on this service, including foot passengers, to make a reservation in advance.
Online sales close 2 hours prior to departure time.
We cannot guarantee that customers without a booking will be able to travel.
Our booking system is currently being updated to reflect the timetable. This is being carried out in stages. While this work is underway, it may appear that some sailings appear unavailable, so please do check back for availability.
Payment Information - We are currently unable to accept cash payments at Troon. If you are purchasing tickets at Troon ticket office (subject to availability), please do so using a card or contactless payment method. We accept MasterCard, Visa, Apple, Google or Samsung Pay.
Travelling Troon - Brodick in a vehicle
What arrangements do I need to be aware of when travelling with a vehicle from Troon to Brodick?
If you are travelling to Troon please use the following address for directions: Arran House,100 Port Ranald Dr, Troon, KA10 6HH
Check-in for vehicles closes 30 minutes prior to departure.
When you arrive at the port, follow the signs for 'Vehicle check-in'.
Our team will check you in and direct you to the correct car lane. If you have requested assistance or require assistance, please advise our team that you have done so when you are checking in. Find out more about Passenger Assistance.
Remember, if you arrive at the port without a booking, you may not be able to travel.
The terminal building at Troon is approximately a 10 minute's walk from the car lanes.
The terminal building:
Includes full toilet facilities, including an accessible toilet and baby-changing facilities.
Vending machine serving hot/cold drinks, and snacks. Please note the vending machines are card payment only. MV Alfred which operates this service to/from Brodick does not have any facilities to purchase food or drink on board, so please factor this into your journey plans.
Alternative toilets can also be found in Arran House, just behind the check-in booth, which is closer to the car lanes.
Baby-changing and accessible facilities are not available in Arran House. Please consider this before arriving at the port.
If you're using the facilities, either in the terminal building or Arran House, please remember to be back in your vehicle, ready to board the ferry, at check-in closing time.
Information for motorhome and caravan customers
Following ramp modifications, services operated by MV Alfred can now accommodate all types of vehicles, with the exception of motorhomes over 6 metres or any vehicle towing a caravan. If you are travelling in a motorhome, please make your booking via our Customer Engagement Centre or port of departure. Any customers with a motorhome wishing to travel on this route must be under 6 metres. Customers travelling in motorhomes over 6 metres or in a vehicle towing a caravan are advised to sail from Ardrossan instead. View Ardrossan to Brodick timetable.
Travelling Troon - Brodick as a foot passenger
I'm a foot passenger, what do I need to be aware of when travelling from Troon?
The terminal building is open.
Inside the terminal building, you'll find:
a waiting room,
assistance meeting point,
toilet facilities (including an accessible toilet).
Vending machine serving hot/cold drinks, and snacks. Please note the vending machines are card payment only. MV Alfred which operates this service to/from Brodick does not have any facilities to purchase food or drink on board, so please factor this into your journey plans.
Check-in time for *foot passengers closes 10 minutes prior to departure.
Car parking is available at Troon and, charges apply. Please make sure to follow all guidance and be aware of restrictions which are displayed on signage. We've shared more details in the car parking section below.
I'm a foot passenger travelling from Troon and arriving at the port on foot. Where do I go when I arrive at Troon?*
Foot passenger check-in is in the terminal building and closes 10 minutes' prior to departure. Please note that the terminal building is approximately 10 minutes' walk from the main entrance to the port. Please bear this in mind when planning your timings and journey.
If you're walking to the terminal, please follow the green pedestrian walkways, and take particular care when using the pedestrian crossings. This is a busy port area with vehicles entering and leaving the site.
I'm a foot passenger travelling from Troon, and I'm getting dropped off in vehicle. Where do I go when I arrive at Troon?
If you're getting dropped off by vehicle (including taxis), enter the port site and follow the signs for 'Passenger drop-off'. The drop-off area is located approximately 2 minute's walk from the terminal building. A disabled drop-off area, marked by yellow chevrons, is located at the far end of the drop-off area closest to the terminal building.
I'm a foot passenger travelling from Troon and want to leave my car in the car park. What should I be aware of?
Car parking is available at Troon, which can be found to the left-hand side upon arrival at the port. The car park at Troon is owned and operated by Associated British Ports (ABP).
Car parking charges apply. Please make sure to follow all guidance and be aware of restrictions which are displayed on signage. We've shared more details in the car parking section below.
Please note that the terminal building is located approximately 10 minutes' walk from the car park, however a shuttle bus will be available.
I'm planning on bringing my bike to Troon. Is there anything I need to know?
Unfortunately, there are currently no bicycle racks or storage available at Troon. Please bear this in mind if you're planning on using the port facilities.
Due to space constraints, bicycles will not be permitted in the terminal building. Unfortunately, there is currently no waiting shelter for bicycles at Troon. Cyclists should take care when travelling through the port area and dismount their bicycles when using the pedestrian walkways.
If you're taking your bike on the ferry, please remember to book online in advance to guarantee space. The port team will direct you when arriving at the port and boarding the ferry.
Are there any public transport connections to Troon?
Yes, there is a train station in Troon with regular trains to/from Glasgow. Find out more on our shuttle bus between Troon train station and Troon ferry terminal.
Shuttle bus information
Will there be a shuttle bus between Troon train station and Troon ferry terminal to support this service?
Yes. A shuttle bus will operate between Troon train station and Troon ferry terminal. Please view our shuttle bus transport page for details on the shuttle bus - including the timetable and important accessibility information.
Will there be a shuttle bus between Ardrossan and Troon?
The Ardrossan-Brodick service remains in operation and so this means there will be no shuttle bus between Ardrossan and Troon. During a period of disruption to the Ardrossan-Brodick service, any relevant information will be published on our Service Status & Information pages.
Is the shuttle bus accessible?
The shuttle buses are normally operated by coaches, which are not low-floor accessible vehicles. However, we can make arrangements to provide an accessible vehicle on request. If you have passenger assistance requirements please visit our shuttle bus information page.
Information for passengers who need assistance
What are the arrangements for those passengers who require assistance?
If you require assistance, please contact us in the usual way, 48 hours prior to your journey. Alternatively, please make yourself known to our team at the port, and we'll do as much as we can to help.
How will passengers embark and disembark MV Alfred which operates the service between Troon - Brodick?
Customers will embark and disembark the vessel by linkspan, which means customers will access passenger areas via the car deck.
If you require assistance with boarding, including wheelchair or lift access requests, please contact us in the usual way, 48 hours prior to your journey. Alternatively, please make yourself known to our team at the port, and we'll do as much as we can to help.
What to expect at Troon
What facilities are available at Troon?
We've provided a list of what to expect below:
The terminal building is open at the end of the pier, beside the linkspan. Inside the terminal building, you'll find the waiting room, assistance meeting point, and toilet facilities (including an accessible toilet and baby-changing facilities).
The terminal building also includes a ticket office, however we strongly encourage you to book online in advance to guarantee travel. Online sales close 2 hours prior to departure. Payment Information - We are currently unable to accept cash payments at Troon.
Vending machine serving hot and cold drinks, and snacks. Please note the vending machines are card payment only. MV Alfred which operates this service to/from Brodick does not have any facilities to purchase food or drink on board, so please factor this into your journey plans.
The terminal building is located approximately 10 minutes' walk from the main entrance to the port the customer car park and car lane areas. Please bear this in mind in relation to check-in closing times (check-in closes 30 minutes prior to departure for vehicles, and 10 minutes prior to departure for foot passengers)
Alternative customer toilets are available at Arran House, which is located at the main entrance to the port beside the car park and car lanes. Baby-changing and accessible facilities are not available in Arran House. Please consider this before arriving at the port.
If you're using the facilities, either in the terminal building or Arran House, please remember to be back in your vehicle, ready to board the ferry, at check-in closing time.
Is there a drop-off area at Troon?
Yes. If you're getting dropped off by vehicle (including taxis), enter the port site and follow the signs for 'Passenger Drop-Off'. The drop-off area is located approximately 2 minutes' walk from the terminal building. A disabled drop-off area, marked by yellow chevrons, is located at the far end of the drop-off area closest to the terminal building.
Is there a smoking area at Troon?
There are no smoking areas anywhere within the port.
What if I need help at the port?
We know many of our customers will be unfamiliar with the surroundings at Troon, and we'll be on hand to help. You'll find our team in the terminal building and the vehicle check-in booth.
I want to use onward transport from Brodick. What should I be aware of?
The ferry times for Troon - Brodick service will not connect with Island bus services. This is because we're operating an additional timetable from Troon. Island bus connections will remain available for customers travelling Ardrossan - Brodick.
Car parking at Troon
Is car parking available at Troon?
Yes. A car park, owned and operated by the port's owners, Associated British Ports (ABP), is available. There are 356 car spaces, including 6 accessible bays which are closest to the bus-pick up point at the northern end of the car park.
Where is the car park?
The entrance to the car park is on the left-hand-side upon arrival at Troon port, and is located approximately 5-10 minutes' walk from the passenger terminal building. A complimentary shuttle bus operates between the car park and the terminal building around ferry departure and arrival times. Please read our dedicated section for full details of the shuttle bus service.
When is the car park open?
The car park, which is owned and operated by Associated British Ports, is open as follows:
Monday-Thursday, 07:00 - 17:30
Friday, Saturday & Sunday, 07:00 - 20:30
Is there a charge for the car park?
Yes, the port's owners, Associated British Ports, have advised that car parking charges are in operation.
The car parking fees are as follows:
£5.00 for the first 24 hours of parking
£4.00 for each additional 24 hours of parking
The car park and the charges are managed by the port owners. They have advised car park users via signage on site that fines will be in effect if customers overstay - for example, if a car park user stays for longer than they have paid for, they may receive a fine from ABP.
Since the site is operated by ABP, Caledonian MacBrayne has no control over this. However, we are keen to make our customers aware - and should you need support on this matter, please call ABP's operators on 01292 313412 or 07708 395866, or visit the Park Maven website.
Is there a minimum amount of time you can enter the car park for without incurring a charge?
Please remember there is a dedicated drop-off area at the far end of the pier, close to the terminal building. However, if you are dropping someone off in the car park, or if you enter the car park in error - you won't be charged, so long as your stay is less than one hour from the point of entry.
How do I pay for the car park?
To avoid queues when leaving the car park, customers are required to pay on arrival.
Please follow the instructions on the payment machine, entering the registration number of the vehicle you are leaving at the car park when asked to do so. There is no need to display a parking ticket - the car park operates on Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR).
Confirmation of your completed transaction will be shown on the screen, once you've made your payment. Parking is paperless, however there is an option to obtain a ticket by pressing a button.
Payment machines are available at the following locations:
One machine near the entrance to the car park, which accepts cash (coins only) and card/contactless
Two machines near the exit from the car park, which accept card/contactless only
You can also choose to pay online by scanning the QR code displayed on signage around the site, or by visiting the Your Parking Space website.
Are there restrictions or conditions on using the car park?
Yes. The car park is owned and managed by Associated British Ports. You can find full details of their restrictions and conditions on the signage - which ABP has displayed on fences and posts within the car park.
As the car park is owned and managed by Associated British Ports, please do take the time to familiarise yourself with the restrictions and conditions prior to leaving your vehicle. You can also visit the Park Maven website for full details.
How do I request assistance to/from the car park?
Please note that a complimentary shuttle bus operates between the car park and the terminal building around ferry departure and arrival times. Please read our dedicated section for full details of the shuttle bus service.
If you require additional assistance, please contact our port team at Troon, or our Customer Engagement Centre on 0800 066 5000. Alternatively, you can contact our Assistance Team.
So that we can plan for your arrival and provide as much help as possible, we kindly ask that customers requiring assistance contact us at least 48 hours in advance of their journey.
Who do I contact if I need help or more information about the car park?
The car park at Troon is owned and operated by Associated British Ports (ABP). Their contact details are displayed within the car park facility. If you have a question which is not answered here, or if you need support on this matter, please call ABP's operators on 01292 313412 or 07708 395866, or visit the Park Maven website.