The Ultimate Backpacker’s Guide to Oban: Affordable Stays, Island Hopping & Things to Do
- Jay
- 2 days ago
- 9 min read
If you're backpacking through the Scottish Highlands and Islands, you're likely to find Oban a very welcome surprise (just as I did). Perched on the West Coast, close to Fort William, this harbour town has plenty to do without the bustle and price of a bigger city like Edinburgh. It's a slow-paced, scenic and affordable place to visit.
Many backpackers find themselves in Oban heading out to begin island hopping to the picturesque isles of Mull, Tiree, Coll, Barra and beyond, but it is well worth staying for a couple of nights and enjoying some great local seafood or live music in the evenings.
The backpackers choice for hostel in Oban is undoubtedly Oban Backpackers - with a large common space for socialising, communal kitchen, and affordable dorm beds. Dorm beds start from just £27.50 this summer, and if you book from Scotland's Top Hostels you'll always get the best price and flexibility:
Travelling the Scottish Highlands? You can hop between all the major destinations for just £2 on Citylink & Ember buses, check out the best route below:
Is Oban Worth Visiting for Backpackers?
Yes! it is a well connected, picturesque seaside harbour town that makes a great addition to any Scottish backpacking trip, whether you're travelling by bus or heading out on a road trip. There's an affordable backpackers hostel that's also social, and the surrounding countryside offers fantastic walking, cycling and day trips.
While a small town, you'll find plenty of things to do even if you're without a bike or car. From a walk up McCaig's Tower through to visiting nearby Castle Stalker, it's a place that offers all the variety of Scotland you can imagine, from mountains, to Lochs, to the sea!
Beyond that, it's definitely the best base for an island-hopping trip anywhere in Scotland, with ferries departing daily to the neighbouring Isle of Mull, famed for puffins, caves, and pilgrimages to the Isle of Iona. There's also plenty more islands further afield all connected to the port in Oban!
How Expensive Is Oban?
Oban is quite a reasonably priced place, especially compared to nearby popular spots like the Isle of Skye. You can expect to pay around £25-30 for a hostel bed each night, and meals out will cost anywhere between £15-20. If you stay at Oban Backpackers, you can make use of their communal kitchen, and there is a good variety of supermarkets in Oban compared to more remote parts of the Highlands, meaning prices are generally cheaper.
A continental hostel breakfast at Oban Backpackers costs just £4, which is a great way to fuel up for the day. If you're headed out for coffee, it will be around the same price as anywhere else in Scotland, around £3.50-5, or if you're looking to enjoy a pint of beer on the seafront, it will cost around £5-7.
Oban is not crazy cheap, but it is far from expensive, and a little better value for money than alternative more popular destinations nearby.
Which Scottish Islands Can You Visit from Oban?
Oban's nickname is the 'Gateway to the Isles', which makes it the perfect base to start your trip to the remote, stunning Hebridean islands.
The Isles of Mull, Iona and Staffa - Mythical Pasts, Scenic Cliffs
If you're looking for a day trip to a Scottish isle, Mull is the perfect choice. There are several ferries in each direction per day between Oban and Craignure on the Isle of Mull. From Craignure, a direct bus route will connect you with the ferry to the tiny Isle of Iona, an ancient pilgrimage site home to Iona Abbey, established by St. Colunmba and considered one of the centres of Christianity in Europe.
Alternatively, head out to the even smaller isle of Staffa, where Fingal's Cave opens up into the Atlantic Ocean, and was famously featued in the Harry Potter series of films.
A round trip ferry between Oban and Craignure costs £9.80 in May 2026, and the crossing takes just 50 minutes. There are several ferries a day in each direction, check the latest timetables and book your tickets on the Calmac ferries website.
You can take the local 96 bus from Craignure to Fionnphort, where you can take a teeny tiny onward ferry to the mythical Isle of Iona, or a boat tour out to the scenic Isle of Staffa. The ferry and bus times are synchronised to try and make things easy - but don't worry if it sounds complicated, this is a well-travelled day trip, and staff/locals alike will be happy to help. Check the timetables for the 96 bus on the West Coast Motors website.
Isle of Lismore - Celtic Traditions & History Abound
The quiet and unassuming Isle of Lismore is a less-visited destination, but offers just as much beauty as a day trip to the Isle of Mull. Lismore is very low-key, but steeped in ancient Celtic history, and famously Green. From the ferry port, you can either rent a bike or take a 50 minute walk up to the main sights of the island at Clachan.
Visit the Lismore Gaelic Heritage Centre for an insight into the island's fascinating past, then take a walk down to the scenic green ruins of Castle Coeffin on the coast. Across the island (which isn't far!) wander up to Tirefour Broch, the remains of a stone tower with a stunning view out to Loch Linnhe and Ben Nevis on a clear day!
A return ferry between Oban and Lismore costs £7.70 in May 2026, with two departures in each direction every morning and afternoon, taking around 55 minutes each way. See the latest timetables on the Calmac Ferries Website.
Isle of Kerrera - The Easiest Day Trip from Oban
Many people spot Kerrera the first time they arrive in Oban without even realising it! The tiny Isle is located just across the water from the town, and the ferry only takes a few minute, but once you get there it feels like stepping into a much quieter world - with the main hiking route around the island taking you past beaches, rolling hills, and viewpoints looking back towards Oban and the mountains beyond.
Take a walk out to Gylen Castle, a dramatic ruin perched on cliffs on the southern tip of the island. Then, on the way back you can have a relaxed afternoon sipping a cup of coffee at Kerrera Tea Garden.
The ferry to Kerrera leaves from Gallanach, just a short one hour walk from Oban, or you can take the local 417 bus close to the ferry terminal from Oban town Centre. Check the latest timetables on the West Coast Motors website. The ferry leaves regularly throughout the day and only takes 5 minutes in each direction, it costs £4.20 for a return in May 2026.
Other Isles Further Afield - Coll, Tiree and Barra
Beyond a day trip, you can consider the Isles of Coll, Tiree and Barra as incredible next destinations when you are ready to leave Oban. The famous white sands of Coll and Tiree meet bright turquoise weather - Tiree is especially popular for surfing and wind sports.
If you carry on to the Isle of Barra, one of the more remote islands, you'll see its famous tidal beach airport and rugged coastlines. Ferries to all of these isles can be booked through the Calmac website.
What Are the Best Free Things to Do in Oban?
While Oban is a small town, there are still plenty of things to do close by that don't cost you even a penny!
Wander up to McCaig's Tower, with panoramic views looking out across the harbour, nearby islands, and sunset over the Inner Hebrides. Dating back to the 1800s, the tower was originally designed to replicate the Colosseum in Rome! It overlooks the town and is easily spotted when you first arrive in Oban, with the walk taking around a dozen or so minutes up to the top.
Take the Coastal Walk along to Dunollie Castle, a scenic clifftop route with seaside views, where the ruins just out onto a headland overlooking Oban Bay. This was the stronghold of Clan MacDougall, one of the most powerful medieval clans in the region. It only takes around half an hour to get there from the town centre.
Carry on along the coast to reach Ganavan Sands, a wide, sandy beach framed by grassy headlands and unmatched views out to the islands. Pro tip - bring a picnic from one of Oban's supermarkets to make the best budget day out!
Looking for something off the beaten track to explore? You can explore the ruins of Oban Hydro, a proposed hotel that was never finished located a short walk south of the town. Be warned - the path leading up looks inconspicuous but it is a fascinating discovery.
Where Can You Find the Best (Affordable!) Seafood & Whisky in Oban?
Many who visit Oban will head right for the world-famous namesake Oban Distillery, located just on the harbour. It's one of the most popular tourist attractions in the town, with a tour of the distillery costing around £22. While that won't be in every backpacker's budget, you can certainly sample some great whisky in the town's many pubs.
Nearby, the Whisky Vaults has a brilliant beer garden, and drams ranging from affordable up to eye-wateringly expensive, for every budget! Right out on the harbour, you'll also find the Oban Inn, a beautifully designed pub covered in maps and nautical memorabilia. It makes a great spot for a relatively affordable seafood dinner, or to sample a wee dram of whisky.
Alternatively, head along to The Oban Fish & Chip Shop on Breadalbane Street, for a cheap and cheerful takeaway seafood dinner!
What is Nightlife Like for Backpackers in Oban?
While Oban is a small town, it packs a punch in terms of the number of pubs backpackers can visit. There certainly isn't a nightclub, but the closest thing comes at Markie Dan's, a charming spot with some kind of live event on most nights of the week, from bands through to pub quizzes, which makes it an excellent spot for socialising. It's also open through till 1am through the week and 2am on the weekends!
Before heading to Markie Dan's, you can take in some local atmosphere at Oban's other pubs - both Aulay's Bar and the Tartan Tavern are often bustling with people. If you're lucky enough to be visiting on a Thursday, head down to The View, where they put on a Traditional Scottish Folk Dance called a Ceilidh.
If you're wanting a quieter night in, Oban Backpackers has plenty of board games, card games, and a relaxed laidback atmosphere where you can socialise with fellow travellers.
Where Should Backpackers Stay in Oban?
The clear choice for hostels is Oban Backpackers - with spacious, bright dorm rooms that offer wide comfy beds that come complete with fitted sheets, duvets and 2 comfy pillows.
Powerful hot showers are guaranteed to leave you feeling refreshed and ready for your next adventure. There's even a fully equipped self-catering kitchen that has everything you will need to cook your favourite meal and plenty of storage space and fridges available for you to use.
Staying there keeps things easy and affordable, as you can stock up on supplies at Oban's supermarkets. It's also a great hostel for socialising, with a bright, eclectic and laidback lounge to hang out in with board games, card games, and free tea or coffee any time of day or night.
Dorm beds start from just £27.50 this summer, and if you book from Scotland's Top Hostels you'll always get the best price and flexibility:
Where Should You Go After Oban? (Backpacker Route Ideas)
There's been great news this year for backpackers travelling the Scottish Highlands - almost every bus in between Highland destinations now costs just £2 for a single journey! From Oban, consider a trip on to Fort William, where you can take a direct bus in around 1 hour 20 minutes. You can climb Ben Nevis, Scotland's tallest mountain, or head out to see the world-famous Glenfinnan Viaduct.
A direct £2 bus can also take you to Lochside Hostel, right on the shores of Loch Ness! It's one of the most social hostels in the Highlands, with daily social events, kayak hire, and hiking routes right on your doorstep. You can get there in just over 2 hours from Oban.
Or consider a £2 trip to Inverness, the 'capital' of the Highlands, with bustling museums, art galleries, nightlife, and plenty to explore in a walkable and picturesque city centre.
Heading back to Edinburgh? Explore these three remarkable social hostels in Edinburgh's Old Town:
So, Is Oban Worth Adding to Your Scotland Backpacking Trip?
Yes, if you're backpacking around Scotland, you should certainly consider a trip to Oban. It's a laidback spot that'll also offer you plenty to do, from coastal walks, to castle ruins, sampling local seafood, whisky and more.
Oban Backpackers offers a great social option while also being affordable, and it makes a great addition to your route if you're hostel-hopping between destinations like Fort William, the Isle of Skye and Edinburgh.
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