Exactly How to Get the Ferry to Harris (2026)
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Wondering how to get the ferry to Harris?
The ferry from Skye to Harris is the most convenient way to get to the Isle of Harris. The route is from Uig on Skye to Tarbert on Harris.
It is the best way to travel between Skye and Harris, but there are a few things to know before planning this journey.
The first time I tried to book it I got caught out by how popular the Tarbert to Uig ferry is. I had non-refundable accommodation booked but the ferry was sold out.
This post tells you how to avoid getting into that situation, or what do it if you are. Plus everything else you need to know from “can you bring your dog” to “what happens if the ferry is cancelled”.
To make the wait at the ferry terminals more enjoyable the post also includes a guide to both terminals with a few suggestions for things to do or where to eat close by.
How Long Is the Ferry to Harris?
The best way to travel to Isle of Harris is onboard the ferry from Uig to Harris. It takes 1 hour and 40 minutes.
This is one of the shorter crossings to the Outer Hebrides and a good option for anyone who can get seasick.
There is another ferry route to Harris which is from Berneray to Leverburgh. To read more about this route read my Berneray to Leverburgh ferry guide.
How to Book the Ferry to Isle of Harris from Uig?
Only one company operates the ferry from Isle of Skye to Isle of Harris and that is Calmac. It is best to book direct and the website is easy to use.
Tickets are sent by email. By creating a profile on the website all your bookings are stored under your profile which is handy in case you misplace the e-mail.
It is also possible to book over the phone or at the port offices.
Some websites still talk about the Hopscotch ticket but this ticket type no longer exists. Each leg of a journey must be booked as separate tickets, although they can be purchased as part of a single transaction.
Can I Book a Ticket Without Knowing My Car Registration?
Yes that is no problem. Many people rent a car and therefore don’t know their registration number.
When you add a car to the booking there is an option to say you don’t know your car details. Tick this box and no further details are required.
I highly recommend renting a car with RentalCars.
What Is the Skye to Harris Ferry Price and Are There Any Discounts?
The Uig to Harris ferry price is £95 for 2 adults plus car return.
There are no discounts. Concession rates for the over 60s only apply to islanders or people who own a second home and pay council tax on the islands.
When Does Check In Close?
For cars check in closes 45 minutes before departure.
For foot passengers check in closes 30 minutes before departure.
Do I Need to Show Identification When Boarding?
No, all you need is the ticket with the QR codes for Calmac to scan.
Make sure you have one code for each passenger and one for the car, bike, dog etc. They all have their own code.
Are Tickets Electronic or Paper?
In the past all the ferries in Scotland used to operate based on paper tickets. You had to either print at home or pick up a physical ticket at port office with the QR codes.
Since spring 2023 this has changed. Tickets are now electronic and can be displayed on your phone.
Is There Food and Drink Available Onboard?
Yes, food and drinks are available onboard. The café menu includes hot and cold drinks, cakes and snacks and a restaurant that sells hot food.
The restaurant menu changes depending on the time of day.
Is There Wifi on the Isle of Harris Ferry?
Yes, there is free wifi at the ports and on the ferries to Harris. It can sometimes be slow and doesn’t always work.
Are There Any Restrictions on What I Can Bring Aboard?
Each passenger is allowed up to 40kg of luggage.
Foot passengers must be able to carry their own luggage up the gangway. Special assistance is available for old and disabled passengers but must be booked in advance.
There are no restrictions in terms of what you can bring of food and non-alcoholic drinks but there are restrictions in terms of cars, kayaks, bikes, motorhomes etc.
See the section below which details how to book a ticket for each of these items.
Can You Take Your Car on the Ferry From Skye to Harris?
Yes, you can bring a car but it must be booked when you purchase the ferry tickets. It cost extra to bring a car.
SInce public transport is limited on Harris it is highly recommended to have a car to get around.
There is only one Isle of Harris car hire option so it is much better to hire a car before you get the Skye to Harris ferry. The cheapest car rental rates are normally found at the airport.
Hiring a car from the airport or train station you arrive at also makes getting to the ferry terminals much easier.
Should you wish to hire a car on Harris this can be done in Tarbert. Car Hire Hebrides have pick-ups next to the Essence of Harris shop in the middle of Tarbert.
I highly recommend hiring a car for your trip
Can You Bring Dogs Onboard?
Yes, you can but dogs must have their own ticket since there are limited spaces.
Tickets for dogs are free and can be added when booking online.
Previously you did not need a ticket when leaving your dog in the car or you were planning to sit outside for the whole journey. Please note that this is no longer correct. You always need a ticket to bring a dog.
Can You Bring Bikes or Kayaks?
Yes, you can bring bikes and kayaks. They must be booked in advance to make sure there is room onboard.
Tickets for bikes and kayaks are free of charge.
What Are the Restrictions for Motorhomes and Caravans on the Uig to Harris Ferry?
- Tickets must be booked in advance. You cannot join the standby queue for this route unless you are a local resident or your previous sailing was cancelled. Even if there are free spaces you cannot join the standby queue. Instead you have to buy a ticket for the next ferry.
- In the Outer Hebrides you should only stay in official campsites or designated overnight spots. Bookings for campsites must be made ahead of travelling. Calmac may ask to see proof of bookings during the check in process.
For more amazing beaches have a look at my Isle of Harris beach guide.
Where to Stay Before the Ferry?
Accommodation both on Skye and on Harris books of far in advance so plan well ahead. Many of the better alternatives have a two night minimum stay during the summer.
My recommendations are:
- Isle of Harris: Stay at a 5* Rated B&B close to Tarbert
- Isle of Skye: For a longer stay on Skye book a B&B with a hot tub or stay in a cosy House Hotel
Is It Necessary to Book Tickets in Advance?
Yes, tickets for this route must be booked in advance in the summer months.
At this time the Uig to Tarbert ferry (or the Tarbert to Uig ferry) is the most popular way to get to Harris and sells out months in advance.
Most rental cottages have Saturday as their changeover day. To book this journey on a Saturday you should aim to book as soon as tickets for the summer season are released.
Tickets are released around the third Friday in January. The exact date can be found on the Calmac website. It is shown on the page called “summer schedule” under the route you are looking at.
This page only has a date on it until the new schedule and tickets are released. The schedule and tickets are released at the same time.
Put a reminder in your calendar to buy your tickets the same day they are released. This goes for foot passengers as well as people travelling with cars.
What to Do if the Ferry to Harris or Skye Is Sold Out?
Shortly after the summer schedule is released the Saturday journeys for the ferry from Harris to Skye sells out.
If you find yourself in the situation with prepaid accommodation booked and the ferry Uig to Harris (or in the other direction) being sold out – don’t panic. Below are two alternative routes you can try.
Option 1 – Leverburgh – Berneray & Lochmaddy – Uig
The route described here works best as an alternative to the Harris to Skye ferry. Travelling to Harris, taking the ferry to Stornoway is a better option (see option 2 below).
On a Saturday it is only possible to travel this route from Harris to Skye. On other days of the week it can be done in either direction.
The ferries from Leverburgh to Berneray and Lochmaddy to Uig are much easier than the Tarbert to Uig ferry to book.
To make this into an enjoyable day trip take the ferry to Berneray in the morning and from Lochmaddy in the afternoon. This leaves you with a couple of hours to explore Berneray or North Uist.
If you have not explored beyond Harris and Lewis this route is highly recommend. In addition to pretty much being guaranteed to see seals at low tide there are two pretty beaches, West and East beach on Berneray.
North Uist is not as well-known but its beaches can compete with both Luskentyre and Hushinish on Harris.
Option 2 – Stornoway – Ullapool & 1 Hour Drive to Tarbert on Harris
The second option is to travel to Isle of Lewis and Stornoway. Get this route to Harris rather than the Uig Tarbert ferry if you are staying in a self-catering cottage for a week.
There are a couple of large supermarkets in Stornoway allowing you to stock up for the week before driving to your cottage. The selection at the shops on Harris is very limited.
The ferry to Stornoway is much larger and therefore easier to book. The only downsides are that it is a longer ferry route taking nearly 3 hours and the sea can be rough, even in the summer months.
For a late arrival or early morning departure consider staying in one of the Stornoway hotels close to the ferry. Alternatively, it is only an hours drive to Harris so you can easily make it all the way in one day.
Can I Change or Cancel My Ticket?
Yes, you can change or cancel your ticket. Changes are free (when made before the time and date of travel) but cancellations incur a small fee. After deducting an admin fee the rest of the ticket price will be refunded.
Call the Calmac ticket centre to cancel or change tickets.
Book your car hire with Rental Cars
How Reliable Are the Ferries from Skye to Harris?
The Uig to Tarbert ferry is one of the most reliable of the ferries to the Outer Hebrides because it is often sold out.
This means it must be one of Calamc’s more profitable routes and it is therefore rarely cancelled for reasons other than weather.
Although storms can happen at any time of year they are most likely to affect the service during the autumn and winter months.
At this time of year make sure you have a few days buffer between when you are planning on getting the ferry and when you are flying back home.
What Happens When Your Ferry Gets Cancelled?
Your entitlements depend on the reason for the cancellation. It if is due to weather you have fewer rights than if it is due to technical fault or Calmac redeploying the vessel to use on another route.
For all cancellations you can:
- Rebook onto an alternative route at no extra cost (even if the new route is more expensive). By calling Calmac’s booking line they will do this for you. Alternatively book it yourself and claim back the cost by filling out a Passengers Right Claim form.
- Claim additional mileage (up to 63 miles) for a change to departure and/ or arrival point. If the alternative departure/arrival point is further than 63 miles then each claim will be assessed on a case-by-case basis, as long as the cancellation was not due to weather.
- Claim cost for food or drinks up to maximum limits set by Calmac.
For cancellations NOT due to weather:
- Claim for accommodation for up to a maximum of 3 nights at £70 per person per night.
- Claim for site fees if travelling by motorhome or caravan.
- 50% of the original ticket price will be refunded.
All claims must be made within 2 months of the date of the disrupted services.
There are several limits and exclusions. Read Calmacs passenger rights page to understand your rights should your service be delayed or cancelled.
Calmac are slow at informing customers about cancellations which are not due to weather. This means that the quickest alternative routes are often sold out before you know and it can be difficult to find available accommodation.
To stay up to date follow Calmac on twitter or sign up for “service status” text updates. For the text updates you can choose the route you want to receive updates for.
Should your ferry be cancelled look at the section above called ‘What if I can’t book the ferry to Harris’. This shows you the best alternative routes to the ferry to Harris from Uig, or the ferry Skye to Harris.
To plan your trip my Guide to the top things to see and do on Harris
Skye to Harris Ferry Timetable
Uig to Tarbert Ferry Timetable – Summer Months
The ferry from Uig to Tarbert runs more often in the summer than in the winter. It is also worth noting that during the winter the schedule is more likely to change because of tide levels as well as maintenance work.
Please note that the below timetables should only be used as a guide when planning your trip. Although they don’t change often there is no guarantee that the Uig to Tarbet ferry times will be the same next year.
Historic ferry times Uig to Tarbert in the summer months
Tarbert to Uig Ferry Schedule – Winter Months
Please note that the below timetable for the ferries to Isle of Harris should only be used as a guide. Although they don’t change often there is no guarantee that the Tarbet to Uig ferry times will be the same next year.
Historic ferry times Tarbert to Uig in the winter months
How Long Is the Ferry From Oban to Harris?
Online I see people asking about the ferry from Oban to Harris. Unfortunately it doesn’t exist.
In the summer months there is a ferry from Oban to Barra. In the winter months there is also a ferry from Oban to Lochboisdale on South Uist.
To travel from Oban to Harris travel via Uig on Skye. From Oban to Skye it takes 3.5 hours by car. By bus you must go via Fort William and change to a bus to Skye.
What Is the Best Ferry to Harris and Lewis?
There is no one best route for the ferry to Harris and Lewis. It depends on which island you are going to since there is a ferry operating to each island.
The ferry from Skye to Harris described here is the best route to Harris. The best route to Lewis is from Ullapool to Stornoway.
Uig Ferry Terminal Guide
How to Get to the Terminal
Driving to Isle of Skye, the roads are of a high standard all the way to Uig. The terminal is at the end of the A87 on the tip of Skye.
It is a 3-hour drive to the ferry terminal on Isle of Skye from Inverness. Getting to Skye from Edinburgh or from Glasgow to Isle of Skye, it is a 6-hour drive.
Services
Uig ferry terminal has a port office with a waiting room which is open from 8.15am to between 6.30pm and 7.30pm from the end of April to middle of October.
There are toilets both inside the terminal and around the side in a separate building.
The second set of toilets are always open and are located between the port office building and the Isle of Skye Brewing Company.
Electrical charging stations are in front of the Brewing Company and a petrol station, just before you get to the check in.
At the terminal there are three cafes but the food is not great. To eat before boarding stop at The Ferry Inn or The Gallay Café instead.
The options at the port are:
- The Anchorage Cafe – Next to the petrol station is a small café that sells sandwiches and greasy-spoon type meals. It is the best place to eat at the terminal.
- Skye’s the Limit Tearoom – Serves hot drinks, cakes and light lunches.
- The Pier Restaurant and Bar – The large outside deck and views out to sea is the main reason to come. The menu has a wide selection.
For more information on how to get to Uig ferry terminal read my guide on how to get to Skye
Things to Do Whilst Waiting for the Ferry From Uig to Tarbert
If you arrive well before check in closes, consider seeing one of the sites below. There is little to see and do at the terminal.
- The Fairy Glen: Park at the Fairy Glen Parking which is a pay and display car park. Expect to spend about an hour visiting the area which is full of interesting rock formations.
- Rha Waterfalls: The waterfall is in Uig. It is a short but steep walk up from the main road. The path starts past the police station on the A885.
- Idrigail Bay Viewpoint: Drive to the top of the ridge behind the port for panoramic views out over the bay and the port below. It is a short drive along the A855 and the what3words for the location of the parking is desks.gifted.cookie.
Where to Stay Around Uig Ferry Terminal
Most places on Skye have a minimum two nights stay during the summer months. It can be difficult to find anywhere for one night.
Also, consider what time you will be checking in to the hotel. Arriving by one of the later flights from London means that you will arrive very late. Many hotels don’t allow late check-in (after 9pm).
In Inverness two good options that allow late check in and one night stays are:
- Courtyard by Marriott Inverness Airport
- Benleva hotel (let the hotel know if you will arrive late)
Glasgow:
Edinburgh:
There is plenty to see and do on Skye, so consider staying for a couple of days. Two cosy country hotels with open fires close by are:
Tarbert Ferry Terminal Guide
How to Get to the Terminal
The terminal is in front of the Isle of Harris Distillery. A one-way system through Tarbert means that you must drive through town before you get to the ferry check in.
From Leverburgh it takes 40 minutes to get to the terminal. From Stornoway on Lewis, it is about an hour.
Services
In 2023 a port office opened which has a waiting room, toilets and baby changing facilities. Opening hours differ depending on the day of the week and time of year but it is generally open from 9am to 5pm.
Things to Do Whilst Waiting for the Ferry From Tarbert to Uig
- Browse the Isle of Harris Tweed Shop: Do some last-minute souvenir shopping before boarding. The store is open Monday to Saturday 9am to 5.30pm
- Isle of Harris Distillery: After tweed, the most famous export from Harris is the gin. You probably won’t have time for a tour but it is interesting to browse the shop which is open Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm.
- Have a coffee: The two places recommended for coffee in Tarbert are the Loomshed Deli & Coffee Shop and the Waterside Café.
Where to Stay Around Tarbert Ferry Terminal
Most people stay in self catering cottages for a week. There are few hotels and bed and breakfasts that offer shorter stays. The ones that do book out very early, plan well in advance to stay at either of the below options:
LOOKING FOR MORE ON THE OUTER HEBRIDES?
Top 10 Best Isle of Harris Beaches
The Ultimate Luskentyre Beach Guide
