Plan your Trip
One of the unique things about the Ayrshire Coastal Path is how well-served it is by the public transport network! Below you will find some guidance on the best ways to travel between sections whether you choose to drive, or travel by bus/train.
For public transport information we recommend the following resources to find out timetables and costs:
Car Parking
Glenapp Estate provides a small day car park under trees on the old A77 road beyond the White Cottage exit gate. Look out for signs. Only room for 3-4 cars with careful parking. Could walkers please consider others when parking.
Can we suggest:
1. Use public transport where possible.
2. Preferably leave cars at Ballantrae (plenty of parking at The Vennel, Ballantrae,KA26 0NH), take bus to Glenapp Kirk and walk back.
3. Park sensibly in the parking area provided. NOT in front of the cottages.
4. Do not leave cars overnight
5. Do not park down the working estate road along which the ACP runs.
6. Do not park in the Glenapp Kirk access road or car park
Bus
Local bus service from Ayr/Girvan/Stranraer stops at Glenapp Kirk and Ballantrae. Service every 2-3hrs. Note that the bus stop at Glenapp is unmarked..
Car Parking
Ballantrae - plenty of parking at The Vennel, Ballantrae (KA26 0NH)
Lendalfoot - Varyag Memorial (KA26 0JG)
Bus
Local bus service from Ayr/Girvan/Stranraer connects Ballantrae and Lendalfoot.Local bus service connects Ballantrae and Lendalfoot. Note that the bus stop in Lendalfoot is unmarked. It is called “Telephone Exchange” and is just over half a mile walk from the Varyag Memorial car park. 10 minute journey. Service every 2-3hrs.
Car Parking
Lendalfoot - Varyag Memorial (KA26 0JG)
Girvan - Beach car park (KA26 9AG) or Ainslie car park (KA26 0HW) located at southern end of Girvan
Bus
Local bus service from Ayr/Girvan/Stranraer connects Lendalfoot and Girvan.
Note that the bus stop in Lendalfoot is unmarked. It is called “Telephone Exchange” and is just over half a mile walk from the Varyag Memorial car park. 17 mins journey. Service every 2-3hrs.
Train
Girvan train station is approx 10 mins walk from the bus stops.
Car Parking
Girvan - Beach car park (KA26 9AG) or Ainslie car park (KA26 0HW) located at southern end of Girvan
Turnberry - (near the A719/A77 junction)
Maidens - Harbour Road car park (KA26 9NR)
Bus
Local bus service from Ayr/Stranraer to Girvan
Local bus service connects Girvan and Maidens. 17 mins journey. Service every 1-2hrs.
Train
There are trains to Girvan from Ayr and Stranraer. Girvan train station is approx 10 mins walk from the bus stops for onwards travel to Maidens.
Car Parking
Maidens - Harbour car park (KA26 9NR)
Culzean Castle & Country Park - entry fee applies (KA19 8LE)
Croy Shore car park (KA19 8JS)
Dunure - Kennedy Park (at the castle) - Dunure Community Council offers FREE parking at Kennedy Park from October until Easter. Between Easter and end September, there is a small £3 daily car parking charge to help maintain the car park, picnic and play areas. The park gates remain open at all times. Please refrain from parking at the Harbour which has very limited parking and it’s essential we leave those spaces for visitors to the local businesses. Thank you for your understanding and support of our local community. Ayr - town centre car parks (charges apply), Ayr Seafront car parks or Doonfoot at the southern end of Ayr.
Bus
No direct public transport option between Maidens and Dunure. Option to travel via Ayr. Hourly service between Ayr bus station and Dunure takes approx 20 mins. Service between Ayr bus station and Maidens takes approx 45 mins and runs every 1-2hrs.
Car Parking
Dunure - Kennedy Park (at the castle) - Dunure Community Council offers FREE parking at Kennedy Park from October until Easter. Between Easter and end September, there is a small £3 daily car parking charge to help maintain the car park, picnic and play areas. The park gates remain open at all times. Please refrain from parking at the Harbour which has very limited parking and it’s essential we leave those spaces for visitors to the local businesses. Thank you for your understanding and support of our local community.
Ayr - town centre car parks (charges apply), Ayr Seafront car parks or Doonfoot at the southern end of Ayr.
Bus
Frequent local bus service connects Dunure and Ayr. 20 mins journey.
Train
Ayr train station is a 10 min walk from the Ayrshire Coastal Path and bus station.
Car Parking
Ayr - town centre car parks (charges apply), Ayr Seafront car parks or Doonfoot at the southern end of Ayr.
Troon - at Yacht Marina(KA10 6DJ) or beside the Promenade.
Train
Frequent train service between Ayr and Troon. 14 minute journey.
Ayr train station is a 10 min walk from the Ayrshire Coastal Path.
Troon train station is an 8 minute walk from the Ayrshire Coastal Path.
Bus
Local bus service connecting Ayr and Troon. 30 minute journey.
Airports
International and domestic flights to/from nearby Prestwick Airport.
Car Parking
Troon- at Yacht Marina (KA10 6DJ) or beside the Promenade.
Irvine- Beach Park (KA12 8FA)
Train
Frequent train service between Troon and Irvine. 7 minute journey. Troon train station is an 8 minute walk from thebeach. Irvine train station is right on the Ayrshire Coastal Path trail and isa 15 minute walk from the Beach Park.
Car Parking
Irvine- Beach Park (KA12 8FA)
Ardrossan- on-street parking around Ardrossan Cross or car park at South Beach.
Train
Frequent train service between Irvine and Ardrossan via Kilwinning. There are two train stations in Ardrossan: Ardrossan Town and Ardrossan South Beach and both are a few minutes walk from the trail. Total journey time normally approx 40 mins. Irvine train station is right on the Ayrshire Coastal Path and is a 15 minute walk from the Beach Park.
Bus
Frequent bus service between Irvine and Ardrossan. Journey time approx 30 mins.
Ferry
Ferries for the Isle of Arran depart from Ardrossan.
Car Parking
Ardrossan- on-street parking around Ardrossan Cross or car park at South Beach.
Portencross- Portencross car park (KA23 9QA)
Bus
There is no public transport to Portencross. Closest bus stops are 2 miles away on A78 with frequent bus services to/from Ardrossan. 13 min journey.
Train
There is no public transport to Portencross. Closest train station is West Kilbride 2.3 miles away, with frequent trains to/from Ardrossan. 7 min journey.
Ferry
Ferries for the Isle of Arran depart from Ardrossan.
Car Parking
Portencross- Portencross car park (KA23 9QA)
Largs- car park at Marina (KA30 8EZ) or on Esplanade (KA30 8BG) - charges apply
Bus
There is no public transport to Portencross. Closest bus stops are 2 miles away on A78 with frequent bus services to/from Largs. 30 mins journey.
Train
There is no public transport to Portencross. Closest train station is West Kilbride 2.3 miles away, with frequent trains to/from Largs. 11 min journey. Largs train station is a 2 minute walk from the Esplanade and 30 min walk from Largs Marina.
Ferry
Ferries for Great Cumbrae Island (Millport) depart from Largs.
Car Parking
Largs- car park at Marina (KA30 8EZ) or on Esplanade (KA30 8BG) - charges apply
Skelmorlie - Wemyss Bay train station (PA18 6AA) 15 min walk from the Ayrshire Coastal Path trailhead - charges apply. On street parking also available in Upper Skelmorlie - 10 mins walk from the ACP trailhead. .
Bus
Frequent bus service connects Largs and Skelmorlie. 13 min journey. Note that the train station at Wemyss Bay does not serve Largs unless you travel via Glasgow.
Trains
Trains from Largs to Ayr/Glasgow
Trains from Wemyss Bay to Glasgow
No direct train service between Largs and Wemyss Bay
Ferry
Ferries for Great Cumbrae Island (Millport) depart from Largs.
Ferries for the Isle of Bute depart from Wemyss Bay (just outside Skelmorlie)
