Major city · United Kingdom
KyleakinCaol Àcain
Stop for one night on the way onto Skye, or skip: the village is a 20-minute walk end to end, and the draws are the bridge and Castle Moil ruins.
Kyleakin is a small village at the Skye Bridge, once the ferry port to the island and now a quiet first or last stop on the A87. It has a handful of places to sleep, a couple of restaurants, the ruins of Castle Moil and a walkable bridge to the mainland. Most travellers pass through; one night is enough, and the case for staying is a bed close to the bridge rather than sightseeing.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GBP
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep
- avoid Nov–Mar (short days, many places shut), midges Jul–Aug
- Airports
- INV · GLA
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
- Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
- United Kingdom ↗Most visitors who do not need a UK visa now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling; this includes EU nationals. Irish citizens are exempt. Check the UK government site for your passport.
- United Kingdom ↗The UK is outside the EU and the Schengen area; a Schengen visa is not valid for the UK.
- United Kingdom ↗Driving is on the left; London has congestion and emissions charges for most vehicles, so do not drive in the city.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Kyleakin999 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Kyleakin, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the pound sterling (GBP, £).United Kingdom-wide
- SIM or eSIMEE, Vodafone (merged with Three in 2025) and O2 run the networks; prepaid SIMs sell in supermarkets, phone shops and airport vending machines…United Kingdom-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere.United Kingdom-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurant with table service: 10–12.5% if no service charge is on the bill; check before adding more.United Kingdom-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United Kingdom-wide
- SafetyA quiet, low-crime village; the real risks are weather, single-track roads and midges.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are scarce and some charge 50p–£1 (≈ US$2) or are card-only.United Kingdom-wide
- Emergency numbers999 police, fire, ambulance · 101 police non-urgent · 111 NHS non-urgent
- Sundays & holidaysShops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 or 11:00–16:00 or 17:00).Shops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 AM or 11:00 AM–4:00 PM or 5:00 PM).United Kingdom-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportINV Inverness (Two trains daily to Kyle of Lochalsh, about 2 h 40 min, then across the bridge; buses to Skye connect with these trains.).
- Getting aroundThe village is small enough to walk end to end in about 20 minutes.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee£3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
- Sit-down mealPub main course£12–18 (≈ US$16–25)
- BeerPint of beer£4.50–6 (≈ US$6–8)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi Kyleakin to Kyle of Lochalsh£10–15 (≈ US$14–20)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week£8–15 (≈ US$11–20)
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per person£28 (≈ US$40)
- Mid-range bedB&B or hotel double room, a night, per room£160 (≈ US$250)
- High-end bedB&B or hotel double room, a night, per room£260 (≈ US$350)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget £45 (≈ US$60) · Mid £90 (≈ US$120) · High £160 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- INV Inverness (Two trains daily to Kyle of Lochalsh, about 2 h 40 min, then across the bridge; buses to Skye connect with these trains.) · GLA Glasgow (Citylink coach 915 runs twice daily from Glasgow Buchanan Station via Glasgow Airport; about 6 h to Kyleakin.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Feb
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Mar
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Apr
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
May
Best
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Jun
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Jul
Avoid
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Aug
Avoid
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Sep
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Oct
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Nov
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Dec
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Best: May–Jun, Sep. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Nov–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)), coolest Jan (2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C) low), wettest Jan (20 rain days), driest May (14). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Kyleakin: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
20 rd
Feb
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
16 rd
Mar
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
18 rd
Apr
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
15 rd
May
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
14 rd
Jun
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
14 rd
Jul
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
17 rd
Aug
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
18 rd
Sep
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
18 rd
Oct
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
20 rd
Nov
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
19 rd
Dec
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
19 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The village is small enough to walk end to end in about 20 minutes. The Skye Bridge has a sidewalk, so you can walk or cycle to Kyle of Lochalsh on the mainland. Buses stop in the car park by Castle Moil Restaurant. Car hire is in Kyle of Lochalsh, not Kyleakin.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 30–40 min on foot
Walk or cycle across the Skye Bridge, or take Stagecoach bus 55
Supermarket, rail station and the bridge viewpoint; the walk over is the point.
Eilean Bàn and Gavin Maxwell Cottage
cautionDoor to door: About 25 min on foot
Walk to the middle of the Skye Bridge
Access to the island is by guided tour only; check times before you set out.
Plockton
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Train from Kyle of Lochalsh, about 10 min
Harbour village on the train line from Inverness; a short, easy add-on from the bridge.
Door to door: About 30 min
Citylink coach or Stagecoach bus 55 along the A87
The next village onto Skye; shops and a base for the Cuillin.
Door to door: About 1 h
Citylink coach 915 or 917
Skye's main town; go for a full day or move your base.
Door to door: About 1 h
Drive or bus south via Broadford
Ferry to Mallaig; only worth it if you are heading to the mainland.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Main Street and the harbour
Waterfront B&Bs, the hostel and the hotels; walk to everything.
A87 roundabout and Old Kyle Farm Road
Guesthouses and B&Bs just off the main road; easiest with a car.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- £45–75 (≈ US$60–100) excl. bed
- Mid
- £75–130 (≈ US$100–180) excl. bed
- High
- £130 (≈ US$180)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| B&B or hotel double room1 × 1 night × £160 | £160 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × £90 | £180 |
| Citylink coach, Glasgow to Kyleakin, one way2 × £40 · check | £80 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × £10 | £20 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | £44 |
| Trip total≈ £242 per person per day, bed included | £484≈ US$650 |
2026 estimate in pounds; travel to Skye excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | £3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Pub main course | £12–18 (≈ US$16–25) |
| Indian restaurant main | £11–16 (≈ US$15–25) |
| Pint of beer | £4.50–6 (≈ US$6–8) |
| Taxi Kyleakin to Kyle of Lochalsh | £10–15 (≈ US$14–20) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | £8–15 (≈ US$11–20) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Buses stop briefly in the village car park: check the return times before you get off.
- Many B&Bs and the seasonal hotel close outside May–September; book ahead and confirm opening.
- Midges are bad on still, damp evenings from June to August: bring repellent.
- Fuel and a supermarket are in Kyle of Lochalsh, across the bridge; the village shop is limited.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 999
- Police non-urgent
- 101
- NHS non-urgent
- 111
Pocket card
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KyleakinCaol Àcain
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Chun an seòladh seo, mas e do thoil eTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance999
- Police non-urgent101
- NHS non-urgent111
Embassy
No embassy in Kyleakin; the nearest US consulate is in Edinburgh and most other countries have embassies in London. Check before you travel.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Citylink coach, Glasgow to Kyleakin: about £40 (≈ US$55) one way, about 6 h (check)
- Train, Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh: about 2 h 40 min, twice daily
- Stagecoach bus 55, Kyle of Lochalsh to Kyleakin: about 10 min across the bridge
Say or show
- Halò — Hello (ha-LAW)
- Tapadh leat — Thank you (TA-pa let)
- Càite a bheil am bus a' stad? — Where is the bus stop? (KA-chuh vayl um bus uh stad)
- Dè a' phrìs? — How much is it? (jay uh PREESH)
- An urrainn dhomh pàigheadh le cairt? — Can I pay by card? (un OO-rin yoh PAY-uh luh karsht)
- Càite a bheil an taigh-beag? — Where is the toilet? (KA-chuh vayl un ty-BEK)
Gaelic is a second language here; everyone speaks English.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Kyleakin. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Jun, Sep · avoid Nov–Mar (short days, many places shut), midges Jul–Aug · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Bridge-to-bed contract: last bus and train times from Kyle of Lochalsh field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Two walking clusters with rescue anchors: Main Street and the harbour, and the A87 roundabout.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Castle Moil, Skye Bridge, Eilean Bàn) and eat pages with last orders.
- Wet-day and midge fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialVisitScotland — Isle of Skye
- officialNational Rail — Kyle of Lochalsh
- officialCitylink coaches
- secondaryWikivoyage: Kyleakin, revision 4893459 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Kyleakin
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