Cairnryan
4
4
Date of visit: February 2025
I am a disabled person. I have experience of challenges around: a hidden impairment, accessing toilets and moving around.
I use or have experience of: changing places toilet, disabled toilet, hidden impairment, powerchair, toilet with hoist, toilets, walking aid, wheelchair
Overall Rating
Good
After spending two hours on a surprisingly accessible coach from Buchanan Street Bus Station, I can honestly say I was relieved, even with a three hour ferry crossing ahead of me. At Cairnryan I found a reasonably equipped terminal, though I wish they had a Changing Places toilet as this was something the Stena ferry lacked. As you wait for the ferry there is an accessible toilet, a Tayto Crisps vending machine and a small café and waiting room.
Disabled Access In and Around
Good
The route to the entrance is well maintained, with level slabs and straightforward access. At the entrance there are automatic sliding doors, and straight ahead seating is provided for those who may need a rest after the walk from the bus. The assistance desk/travel centre and the check-in desk can be found to the left. The assistance desk and check-in desk have a lowered counter, and a hearing loop There is a security area near check-in but there was no security staff. Although broken at the time of my departure, there are long ramps, with level sections and individual chairs along the route – I saw this on the way back. On my initial journey, I used the shuttle bus to the ferry, which took me in via the onboard car park. I used the ferry's lift to get to the appropriate floor.
Accessible facilities: Lift to some areas, Step-free entrance, Seating at regular intervals
Parking & Transport
Good
I travelled to this place by bus
As mentioned, I took the bus from Buchanan Bus Station in Glasgow. With my National Entitlement Card the bus journey cost me a total of £1 but I paid full price for the ferry. A helpful bit of advice to note is that if your return crossing is delayed, the bus will wait for you. I spent a further £1 on a later coach without realising this. I was not upset at the extra cost but knowing this ahead of time might make things a little less stressful. There are 15 accessible parking spaces close to the entrance and a drop off and taxi zone. There are 8 EV charging bays with options for CCS at 100 kw or CHAdeMo at 50 kw. For those who do not require accessible parking spaces, there are over 300 standard bays. Parking is not free and should be booked in advance unless you are taking your car on the ferry. There are marked crossings leading to the entrance from where the bus stops.
Accessible facilities: Electric Vehicle Charging, Drop-off or pick up point, Dedicated on-site parking
Accessible Toilets
Poor
I visited the one visible accessible toilet at the terminal and I was not impressed. The toilet has contrasting grab rails on either side of the toilet pan, which are much more useful when the red emergency cord is not wrapped around them. I untied the cord from the left grab rail. There is a left-side transfer space, which is occupied by a bin and makes it useless. There are contrasting rails on either side of the small sink, which has a small lever-style tap and a soap dispenser mounted above. There is no mirror or colostomy shelf in this loo and the door opens outward. There isn't much space to turn, but I managed with a manual wheelchair.
Facilities: Accessible toilet
Staff
Good
I had to take a small shuttle bus to the ferry as the ramps were out of order, but the staff were helpful and made sure I was safe on the bus and when boarding.
