How to Take the Ferry to the Outer Hebrides
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Wondering how to get the ferry to Outer Hebrides?
There are 5 different routes for the ferries to the Outer Hebrides, each one to a different island. There are also 2 ferries between islands in the Outer Hebrides.
I have taken 6 out of the 7 ferries. There is a good reason why I have not taken the 7th. That is because it has been cancelled the two times I tried.
To help you plan your trip this post has all the information you need about the different ferry routes.
I have included my recommendations for which ferries are the best for each island and which ones you might want to consider avoiding.
Unfortunately some routes are less reliable than others.
Outer Hebrides Ferry Map
There are several ferries to Outer Hebrides. The most useful Outer Hebrides ferry routes are:
- Ullapool to Stornoway ferry – 2 hours and 45 minutes
- Uig to Tarbert ferry – 1 hour and 40 minutes
- Uig to Lochmaddy ferry – 1 hour and 45 minutes
- Mallaig to Lochboisdale ferry – 3 hours and 30 minutes
- Oban to Castlebay ferry – 4 hours and 45 minutes
- Leverburgh to Berneray ferry – 1 hour and 10 minutes
- Eriskay to Ardmhor ferry – 40 minutes
None of the ferries sail overnight.
Who Operates the Ferries and How to Book Tickets?
All ferries are operated by Calmac. Tickets can be booked online.
You can set up an account which will store your contact details and all your bookings. It makes it easy to log back in to find your tickets.
You can sign up for text alerts to find out about delayed or cancelled ferries, which I highly recommend.
Since May 2023 electronic tickets can be used to check in. To check in you only need your ticket with a bar code.
There is no requirement for identification such as a passport or driving license.
How to Take the Ferry to the Outer Hebrides
Most people take the ferry to Lewis or Harris, mainly because they are the two most visited islands. However, don’t discount the other potential routes.
By adding a few days either side of your holiday you can take a different route one way and see more of the Outer Hebrides.
Every island is different and they are all worth exploring.
Should I Book in Advance?
Yes. Anyone bringing a car, campervan or motorhome on the ferry should book tickets in advance.
Should I Bring a Car to the Outer Hebrides?
Yes, I strongly recommend hiring a car.
Public transport is limited in the remote parts of Scotland. Having a car makes it easier to get to the ferry terminals.
More importantly, it means that you will see so much more during your holiday.
Book your car hire with Rental Cars
Ferries to the Outer Hebrides
1. Ullapool to Stornoway Ferry – to Isle of Lewis
Journey time: 2 hours and 45 minutes
Departures per day: 2 departures per day during the summer
Wondering how to get to Stornoway and Isle of Lewis? It is possible to travel by plane but ferry is the cheapest way to get to Lewis.
There are ferries from Ullapool to Stornoway. Ullapool is located north on mainland Scotland and a 1.5 hour drive from Inverness Airport.
Stornoway on Lewis is the largest town in the Outer Hebrides.
It is only an hours drive from Harris so this is a convenient route to take whether you are staying on Lewis or Harris.
How rough is the sea?
The two largest ferries to the Outer Hebrides are the ferry to the Isle of Lewis and the ferry to Barra.
They are larger because these are the longer crossings. Sailing across large areas of open water can be met with rough sea conditions.
Storms can happen at any time of year. I have experienced rough crossings in May which is supposed to be a month with generally good weather.
For anyone who suffers from seasickness consider getting the shorter route to Tarbert on Harris, described below, and then drive to Lewis.
Who should book this route?
- Anyone staying on Lewis or Harris
- The ferry from Ullapool to Stornoway is the best route when arriving at Lewis or Harris. Stornoway has a couple of large supermarkets allowing you to stock up before heading to where you are staying. There are very few supermarkets outside of Stornoway
- There is generally good availability
- The ferry to Stornoway is one of the newest in the fleet. It has an observation deck with large glass windows
- On calm days you often see dolphins during the sailing
Where to stay before the ferry?
- In Stornoway stay at top rated Stornoway B&B. Click here to check prices and availability.
- In Ullapool I don’t recommend staying in Ullapool itself. All the well rated options have a minimum two night stay. Instead, stay a half an hour drive away at Aultuguish Inn. They have dog friendly room and by letting them know in advance they are fine with you checking in later in the evening. There is also a restaurant on site. Click here to check prices and availability.
For more information on where to stay before the ferry read my guide to the best places to stay in Stornoway.
2. Uig to Tarbert Ferry – to Isle of Harris
Journey time: 1 hour and 40 minutes
Departures per day: 1-2 departures per day in the summer
The Isle of Harris ferry leaves from Uig at the northern end of Skye. Although Skye is an island there is no need to get a ferry from the mainland since it is connected by bridge.
Tarbert is the largest village on Harris.
How rough is the sea?
Being one of the shortest routes to the Outer Hebrides this is a good option if you get seasick. If it gets rough at least it will be for a shorter amount of time.
Who should book this route?
- Anyone staying on Harris and Lewis who suffers from seasickness
- Perfect route for combining a visit to the Outer Hebrides and Isle of Skye
- My recommendation is to get the ferry to Stornoway when arriving for your holiday due to the supermarkets. Take the Tarbert to Uig route on the way back
- Shorter route
- Dolphins are often seen from the ferry. You are most likely to see them close to Uig but its worth always keeping a look out
There is no airport on Harris so this is the only direct way of getting to Harris.
Note: Travelling between two of the most beautiful islands in Scotland makes the Skye to Harris route very popular. Therefore, bookings for the summer season should be made as soon as tickets are released.
This route often sells out quickly, especially on Saturdays, which is the changeover day for cottage rentals.
The first time I tried to book this route it was sold out. Luckily there are a few alternative routes which you can read about in my post on getting the ferry from Skye to Harris.
Where to stay before the ferry?
- In Tarbert stay at top rated Dunarain B&B. It is very popular so make your reservation well in advance. Click here to check prices and availiability.
- On Skye all hotels and B&B’s have a two night minimum stay in the summer months. Either stay at the Marriott at Inverness Airport or Skeabost House Hotel on Skye. It is worth spending two nights in Skye either side of your trip to the Outer Hebrides to explore this amazing island.
For more details on this ferry route as well as summer and winter timetables read my post on getting the ferry to Harris.
3. Uig to Lochmaddy Ferry – to North Uist
Journey time: 1 hour and 45 minutes
Departures per day: 1-2 departures per day in the summer
This route is from Skye to North Uist. It leaves from the same port on Skye as the ferry to Harris. Travelling to Skye you an drive all the way to Uig since there is a bridge across from the mainland.
On North Uist it arrives in the largest village which is called Lochmaddy.
The Lochmaddy ferry is one of the oldest in the fleet. A new ferry is on order from Turkey and is scheduled to be delivered in 2024 or 2025.
Currently the ferry is showing its age a little.
How rough is the sea?
The Lochmaddy to Uig ferry route is one of the shortest journeys to the Outer Hebrides. Since the seas can be rough it is a good route for anyone who gets seasick.
Who should book this route?
- I recommend booking the North Uist ferry when visiting any of the islands between Eriskay and Berneray. Read more below on the ferry to Lochboisdale on South Uist. Unfortunately this is the least reliable of all the ferries to the Outer Hebrides
- Short route
- Good availability
- Close to Uig you can often see dolphins on a calm day
Where to stay before the ferry?
For more information read my guide to the best places to stay on North Uist.
- Opt for the top rated Benview B&B instead of staying in Lochmaddy. The drive to the ferry port is well worth it. Click here to check prices and availability.
- In Skye, during the summer months, it is a common policy for all hotels and B&Bs to require a minimum stay of two nights. On Skye stay at Skeabost House Hotel. For a one night stay I recommend the Marriott at Inverness Airport.
For more details on this ferry route as well as summer and winter timetables read my post on getting the ferry to North Uist
4. Mallaig to Lochboisdale Ferry – to South Uist
Journey time: 3 hours and 30 minutes
Departures per day: 1-2 departures per day in the summer
Mallaig is close to Fort William on the mainland. It has a train station and together with Oban is the ferry terminal that is easiest to get to by public transport.
Lochboisdale is at the southern end of South Uist. It is the largest village on the island.
Who should book this route?
This is the only ferry I have not taken. It is not because I haven’t tried but because it has been cancelled both times I had it booked – two years in a row.
Its generally accepted that this is the least reliable ferry route to the Outer Hebrides.
The Mallaig to South Uist ferry seems to be the first to get reallocated to a different route if there are issues elsewhere in the Calmac network.
Since Calmac operate all the ferries to the Scottish islands and there are no “spares”, this happens more often than you might expect.
South Uist is a beautiful island to visit with lots of great beaches and interesting sights. Don’t let the fact that this is such an unreliable ferry stop you visiting South Uist!
Take one of the ferries to North Uist instead. From Lochmaddy it is a 1-hour drive to Lochboisdale in South Uist and 1 hour 15 minutes to Eriskay in the south. That is what I will do next time I visit.
Where to stay before the ferry?
For more information on where to stay read my guide to the best Benbecula, Eriskay and South Uist accommodation.
- Brae Lea Guest House in Lochmaddy is only a couple of minutes drive from the ferry port. Click here to check price and availability.
- In Mallaig stay at one of the many B&B’s in town. I normally stay at The Moorings.
5. Oban to Castlebay Ferry – to Isle of Barra
Journey time: 4 hours and 45 minutes
Departures per day: 1 departure per day in the summer
Oban is a much larger town on the mainland, a 2.5 hour drive from Glasgow.
Barra is one of the southernmost islands in the Outer Hebrides. The ferry terminal is in the largest town called Castlebay.
How rough is the sea?
The Oban to Barra ferry is the longest to the Outer Hebrides. Much of the journey is in open sea. The only protected stretch is the circa 1.5 hours the ferry sales along the Isle of Mull.
For anyone who gets seasick, Barra has an airport with direct flights from Glasgow and this is probably a better option. Flights can be booked at Expedia.
It is more expensive than the ferry.
Who should book this route?
- Anyone staying on Barra or Vatersay
- Oban and Mallaig are the only two ferry ports on the mainland that you can get to by public transport. Both have train stations. Ferries to Barra correspond with the train schedule making this the easiest island in the Outer Hebrides to get to without a car
- Since it is a large ferry there is generally good availability
- The area of sea between the Small Isles and Mull is one of the best places to see whales in the UK. Last time I took this ferry I had a minke whale swimming right next to the boat!
Where to stay before the ferry?
- Despite the ferry from Barra leaving very early in the morning I normally don’t stay in Castlebay. Very few hotels allow for a one night stay, one that does is Todday Snug Self Catering Studio in Brevig.
- In Oban you will be spoilt for choice. At the top end are hotels such as No17 The Promenade. A more budget friendly option with free cancellation is Ardmhor Guest House, click here to check prices and availability.
For more details on this ferry route as well as summer and winter timetables read my post on getting to Barra.
Ferries Between the Islands in the Outer Hebrides
Many islands in the Outer Hebrides are connected by causeways making it easy to drive between them.
Harris and Lewis are actually one island and it only takes an hour to drive from Stornoway to Tarbert.
To get further south you must take the Leverburgh to Berneray ferry.
The longest series of causeways are between Berneray and Eriskay where 6 islands are connected.
From here there is no bridge to Barra but there is a ferry from Eriskay to Ardmhor on Barra.
Barra and Vatersay are linked by a causeway. Vatersay is as far south in the Outer Hebrides as you can get to by car.
Should I Book Ferry Tickets in Advance?
Most of the time there will be availability for both ferries if you just turn up on the day. However, when you have hotel bookings or are planning a day trip there is a risk to not booking the ferry in advance.
Should you change your mind about ferry times you can call Calmac and change the sailing at no additional cost.
Note: Anyone with a caravan or motorhome can no longer use the standby lanes. You must book tickets in advance.
This applies to ferries between the islands in the Outer Hebrides as well as the ferries from the mainland/Skye to the Outer Hebrides.
6. Leverburgh to Berneray Ferry – Isle of Harris to Isle of Berneray
Journey time: 1 hour
Departures per day: 3-5 departures per day in the summer
Leverburgh is the ferry terminal on the western side of Harris. There is a regular service to Berneray, which is the island south of Harris.
It is a small ferry and it doesn’t have many services. For food stop at Berneray Bistro close to Berneray ferry terminal.
Who should book this route?
- Everyone on an island-hopping itinerary
- Perfect for a day trip to Harris, Berneray or North Uist
Why go on a day trip?
The reason to do a day trip to Harris is because the beaches. On a day trip you can visit both Scarista beach and Huisinis beach as well as many of the other amazing beaches on Harris.
Going south it is possible to visit either Berneray or parts of North Uist on a daytrip.
Berneray is a small island but it has a couple of great beaches. West Beach is particularly impressive and you can see seals up-close.
North Uist is connected to Berneray by a causeway. It is a larger island than Berneray. The beaches in North Uist rival those in Harris and the island also has interesting historic sights such as Dun an Sticir.
For more details on this ferry route as well as summer and winter timetables read my post on getting the ferry from Leverburgh to Berneray.
7. Eriskay to Ardmhor Ferry – Isle of Eriskay to Isle of Barra
Journey time: 40 minutes
Departures per day: 5 departures per day in the summer
The ferry terminal in Eriskay is on the southwestern side of the island. It is literally at the end of the road.
On Barra the ferry terminal is on the northern end of the island. The port is called Ardmhor. It is a different ferry terminal than the terminal for the ferry to Oban.
Some maps show a Castlebay to Lochboisdale ferry route but this is not in operation. The Barra to Eriskay ferry is the only ferry route between the islands.
There are no services to speak off on the ferry. The best place to eat is at the Ardhmor Café which is inside the ferry terminal building. On Eriskay stop at the Politician pub.
Who should book this route?
- Anyone on an island-hopping itinerary
- Perfect for a day trip to Barra, Vatersay, Eriskay and South Uist
Why go on a day trip?
There are enough attractions on Barra and Vatersay that they deserve a couple of days but you can see the main highlights on a day trip.
Start with the beaches on Barra and time your visit to Traigh Mhor for low tide when it becomes the runway for the island airport. It is the most interesting thing to see and do on Barra.
Close by is Vatersay with the the two pretty beaches called Traigh a Bhaigh and Bagh a’Deas.
Travelling north to Eriskay, an island that can be explored in a few hours. The prettiest beach is called Prince’s beach and is right next to the ferry terminal.
For more details on this ferry route as well as summer and winter timetables read my post on getting to Barra.
FAQ
How to get to the Outer Hebrides?
There are two ways to get to the Outer Hebrides, ferry or plane. There are 5 ferry routes to the Outer Hebrides. Ferries take longer but it is the cheapest way to get to the islands.
Airports can be found on the islands of Barra, Benbecula and Lewis. Flying is quicker but more expensive.
Can I take my car to the Outer Hebrides?
Yes by taking a ferry you can take your car to the Outer Hebrides. When bringing a car it is important to book ferry tickets in advance because some of the ferries sell out.
Can I bring my dog on the ferry?
Yes, you can bring your dog on the ferry. All dogs must have a ticket. Tickets are free of charge and can be added whilst making your booking.
Can I bring a campervan or motorhome on the ferry?
Yes, you can bring your campervan or motorhome. Ferries must be pre booked since campervans and motorhomes can’t use the standby lanes.
You might have to show reservations for campsites for the period you are in the Outer Hebrides. Please note that you are only allowed to stay in official campsites if you have a campervan or motorhome.
How much luggage can I bring on the ferry?
You can bring 40kg of luggage with you. Foot passengers must be able to carry their own luggage.
Can I buy a hopscotch ticket to island hop the Outer Hebrides by ferry?
The hopscotch ticket no longer exists and tickets must be bought for each journey. You can buy multiple ferry tickets in one transaction. To make this easier Calmac has created suggested itineraries that you can find on their website.
What is the best time of year to take a ferry to the Outer Hebrides?
May to August has the most stable weather and you are most likely to have a calm sailing during these months. Having said that, the weather in this part of the world is unpredictable. The worst sea conditions that I have had on all my trips to the Outer Hebrides was in May.
How reliable are the Outer Hebrides ferries?
Unfortunately the answer is “not very”. Lack of investment in the fleet has resulted in old ferries and there are no spare vessels if anything goes wrong.
Over the last few years there have been several incidents which have resulted in the North Uist ferry, the South Uist ferry, the ferry to Barra and the ferry to Lewis being cancelled for prolonged periods.
I have noted above about the South Uist ferry which I think is the least reliable. I would make sure you have a backup plan if you decide to book this route.
Calmac are investing in the fleet with several ships on order so hopefully this will get better over the next few years.
Another factor which can lead to delays and cancellations is the weather. Storms can happen at any time of year but are more likely between October and early April.
To make sure you don’t miss an international flight always have a few days between the ferry and flying home.
What happens if my ferry is cancelled?
It depends on the reason for the cancellation. The level of compensation varies whether it was cancelled due to weather or if it is a technical issue.
Calmac will notify you of the cancellation but it will be up to you to find an alternative route and/ or arrange accommodation if that is required.
What are the alternative transportation options if I can’t get the ferry?
There are three airports in the Outer Hebrides. They are on the islands of Lewis, Benbecula and Barra. Flights arrive from Glasgow, Edinburgh and Inverness depending on the airport. Flights are more expensive than ferries.
Is there a ferry from Skye to Outer Hebrides?
Yes, there are two ferry routes from Skye to the Outer Hebrides. One ferry goes to Lochmaddy on North Uist and one to Tarbert on Harris. Both routes leave from Uig on the northern end of Skye. The Isle of Skye is connected to the mainland by bridge.
Why is the Oban to Lochboisdale ferry not mentioned?
There is no ferry from Oban to Lochboisdale during the summer months.
The only way to get between these two destinations is to get the Oban to Castlebay ferry and another ferry from Ardmhor on Barra to Eriskay.
From Eriskay to Lochboisdale it is a 20-minute drive.
Why is the Castlebay to Lochboisdale ferry not mentioned?
There is no ferry between Castlebay and Lochboisdale. The only way to get between South Uist and Barra is by taking the Eriskay to Barra ferry.
How long is the ferry from Skye to Outer Hebrides?
The ferry from Skye to the Outer Hebrides is about 1 hour and 45 minutes. There are two routes from Uig on Skye. One is to Lochmaddy on North Uist and one to Tarbert on Harris.
How do I get to the Outer Hebrides from mainland Scotland?
There are five ferry routes to the Outer Hebrides. The routes are Ullapool to Stornoway, Uig to Tarbert, Uig to Lochmaddy, Mallaig to Lochboisdale and Oban to Castlebay. It is not possible to drive to the Outer Hebrides.
How to get to Lewis and Harris?
The best ferry routes for Lewis and Harris are: for Lewis, the Ullapool to Stornoway ferry and for Harris, the Uig to Tarbert ferry.
What is the shortest ferry crossing to the Outer Hebrides?
The shortest ferry crossing to the Outer Hebrides is from Uig on Skye to Tarbert on isle of Harris. The ferry takes 1 hour and 40 minutes.
Is there a ferry to Benbecula?
No, there are no ferries to Benbecula. Instead get the ferry from Skye to Lochmaddy on North Uist or from Mallaig to Lochboisdale on South Uist. Both are a short drive from Benbecula.
Final Thoughts
Getting the ferry is the cheapest way of getting to the Outer Hebrides. With one going to every group of islands it is also convenient. It is the route I take every time I go.
For anyone looking for a faster route, get the plane to one of the three airports in the Outer Hebrides. The airports are on the islands of Barra, Benbecula and Stornoway.
Whatever route you choose, the Outer Hebrides islands are magical and it will be a trip you will remember forever!
LOOKING FOR MORE ON THE OUTER HEBRIDES?
Exactly How to Get the Ferry to Harris
Exactly How to Get to Isle of Lewis
17 Best Outer Hebrides Beaches
