Exactly How to Get the Ferry to Stornoway From Ullapool
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The ferry from Ullapool to Stornoway is the only ferry to the Isle of Lewis. It takes 2 hours and 45 minutes and departs twice a day in the summer.
The ferry rarely sells out and it is more reliable than some of the ferries operating further south in the Outer Hebrides. However, the crossings can be rough, regardless of the time of year.
The ferry to Stornoway from Ullapool is fairly new and it has a large observation deck with panoramic window. The front row seats are usually the first to be taken so be quick if you want to secure one of these. These seats are the best to look for wildlife along the way.
During the sailing make sure you keep a look out for dolphins and whales. From May to July you can sometimes see puffins bobbing in the water as you approach Stornoway.
How Long Is the Ferry From Ullapool to Stornoway?
The crossing from Stornoway to Ullapool takes 2 hours and 45 minutes. It is the cheapest way to travel to Stornoway.
Most of the journey is in open seas and there are often large swells. During the summer you are more likely to have a calm crossing, but that is not always the case. The worst crossing I have had was in May.
Anyone who gets seasick should consider taking one of the domestic flights to the Isle of Lewis, or take the ferry from Uig to Tarbert on Harris and drive up to Lewis. This crossing is only 1 hour and 40 minutes.
There is no ferry from Uig to Stornoway. The Ullapool to Stornoway ferry is the only ferry travelling to Lewis.
How Much Does the Ullapool to Stornoway Ferry Cost?
The Ullapool to Stornoway ferry costs £82.95 for 2 adults and a car, one way. The ticket prices don’t vary by season and there are no discounts for tourists.
In the past there was a “hopscotch ticket” which provided a discount. However, prices are now fixed for each leg and there is no discount for buying multiple ferry tickets at the same time.
Calmac is the ferry company that runs the ferries from Ullapool to Stornoway and it is best to buy direct.
Ferry tickets Ullapool- Stornoway can be booked on the Calmac website.
After purchase tickets are sent by e-mail. I recommend setting up a profile, that means that your tickets will be saved there as well.
What Does My Ticket Look Like?
The ticket is several pages long. It is easy to think that the first page, which shows the time of the sailing, is the ticket, but that is not the case.
To board you need the QR codes which are included on subsequent pages. There is one QR code for each passenger, car and anything else you might have added to your booking.
In the past you had to have paper tickets but you can now display the QR codes on your phone.
Should I Book in Advance?
During the summer you should book tickets in advance, especially if you are bringing a car. The Ullapool to Stornoway ferries rarely sell out but I always book a couple of months in advance to ensure I can travel on the date and time I want.
Following a change to the rules, motorhomes and caravans can no longer use the stand by lane. You must book a ticket in advance.
Can I Change or Cancel My Ticket for the Ferry to Isle of Lewis?
Yes you can change your ticket to another sailing free of charge. This can be done online if you have a profile or by calling Calmac.
Should you wish to cancel your ticket there is an admin fee which will be deducted from the amount refunded.
Can I Bring My Car on the Ferries to Isle of Lewis?
Yes , you can bring your car on all of the Outer Hebrides ferries operated by Calmac.
Do I Need to Register My Car Details?
When purchasing your ticket you will be asked for car details and passenger names.
Many people who take the ferries from Ullapool to Stornoway are on holiday and will be renting a car. On the Calmac website you can tick a box saying you don’t know your car registration and details, such as weight and size.
You have to fill in the name for the lead passenger but the name of the other passengers can be kept blank.
When Does Check In Close?
The check in for the Stornoway to Ullapool ferry closes 45 minutes before departure for vehicles and 30 minutes before departure for foot passengers.
You don’t need any ID to check in but as described above, make sure you have all the QR codes included with your ticket.
What Are the Restaurants on Board Like?
There is a café/bar and a canteen-style restaurant serving hot food. The menu varies depending on the time of day.
You can also bring your own food and drink to consumer on board.
How Much Luggage Can I Bring?
You can bring up to 40kg of luggage but I have never seen anyone stop and check a car.
Foot passengers must be able to carry their own bags.
Can I Bring My Dog on Board?
Yes you can bring your dog on the ferry to the Isle of Lewis. However, dogs must have a ticket. These tickets are free and can be added during the booking process.
There are two types of ticket:
- Pet in pax lounge: Allows you to bring your dog on board. You must sit in specific pet areas that are clearly marked. There are a limited number of these tickets so book early to for the best chances of getting one.
- Pet remain in car: During the sailing the car deck is closed so you can’t go back to check on your dog. The car deck can be noisy given the boat movement sets off car alarms. You can often hear the faint sound of the alarms in passenger lounges.
Can You Bring Bikes, Surfboards or Kayaks on the Stornoway- Ullapool Ferry?
Yes you can, but you must add a free ticket during the booking process.
For kayaks you will be asked questions around how large your trailer is. Even after answering these questions Calmac state that they cannot guarantee that there will be enough space on the ferry.
Is There WiFi on the Ferries to Lewis?
In theory yes, but it rarely works properly. Please remember to set your phone to Airplane mode to ensure you don’t end up with significant roaming charges.
The reason you might be charged is that when you are on a ferry your phone might pick up a maritime network.
How Reliable Are the Ferries to the Isle of Lewis?
Stornoway is the largest town on Lewis and the ferry is one of Calmac’s newer vessels. Together with the ferry from Oban to Barra, it is the largest vessel in the Calmac fleet.
This means that the ferry to Stornoway is considered too large to be redeployed to other parts of the network and given it is relatively new, there are fewer mechanical issues.
Many of the cancellations for the ferries to the Outer Hebrides in recent years have been related to redeployment of vessels.
Cancellations for weather can happen at any time but are more likely to happen during the winter months. I recommend to plan at least a day or two in between your ferry and flight home during the summer. During the winter, consider even more time in between.
Alternative Routes
Your entitlements in case of a cancellation are set out below. However, should your ferry be cancelled, the most important thing to do is to book an alternative route.
In the event of cancellation lots of passengers will be looking for alternative routes and the best alternatives sell out fast.
There is not much accommodation in Stornoway or on the Isle of Lewis in general so if the ferry to Ullapool us cancelled there are unlikely to be many available rooms.
Two alternative options are set out below. Both routes are described from Lewis to the mainland but are applicable in either direction.
Option 1 – Drive to Tarbert (Harris) – Ferry from Tarbert (Harris) to Uig (Skye)
The best alternative is to travel to Isle of Harris and onto Skye. The drive to Tarbert from Stornoway is 1 hour and you don’t need to take a ferry since Harris and Lewis is a single island.
The ferry from Harris to Skye takes 1 hour and 40 minutes. The problem is that this ferry is very difficult to book during the summer months.
It often sells out, especially on Saturday, which is the day most rental cottages have their changeover day.
For more information read my post on the ferry from Harris to Skye.
Option 2 – Drive to Leverburgh (Harris) – Ferry from Leverburgh to Berneray – Ferry Lochmaddy (North Uist) to Uig (Skye)
Please note that this route is not possible from the mainland to Lewis on Saturdays.
On first glance this route might seem complicated. It involves a couple of legs and it will mean a long day.
On the plus side you can arrange it so you have a couple of hours to explore either Berneray beach or Clachan Sands on North Uist. These two islands further south are completely different to Lewis and Harris.
The steps are:
- From Stornoway to Leverburgh it is a 1.5 hours drive.
- Take the ferry to Berneray for the 1 hour journey over to this small island.
- Causeways link Berneray and North Uist and it is a 20 minute drive between the two ferry terminals.
- The ferry from Lochmaddy to Uig is another short crossing taking 1 hour and 45 minutes. It is much easier to book than the ferry from Harris to Skye.
For more information read my posts on the ferry from Lochmaddy to Uig.
What Are My Entitlements if the Stornoway- Ullapool Ferry Is Cancelled?
Your entitlements depend on the reason for the cancellation. If it’s weather related your rights are more limited compared to cancellations due to technical faults or Calmac redeploying the vessel.
For all cancellations:
- You can rebook on an alternative ferry at no extra cost. To change your booking log into your profile online, call Calmac’s booking line or you can buy it yourself online and claim back the cost.
- If the departure or arrival point changes you can claim additional mileage of up to 63 miles. Distances longer than 63 miles can be claimed if the cancellation is unrelated to weather, but each claim will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
- Claims for food or drink costs within limits set by Calmac.
For cancellations NOT due to weather you are also entitled to:
- Refund of accommodation costs of up to £70 per person per night for a maximum of 3 nights. The truth is, however, that should you have to stay overnight you are likely to be out of pocket. Given the prices of hotels in the Outer Hebrides £70 doesn’t stretch far.
- Site fees for motorhome or caravans.
- A 50% refund of the original ticket price.
Claims must be submitted within 2 months of the cancelled sailing. Calmac’s passenger rights page details all specific limits and exclusions.
Calmac tend to inform customers shortly before they are meant to travel if there is a disruption. Even if they know they have cancelled a route due to redeploying the vessel they will unlikely inform passengers straight away.
This means that many of the best alternatives might be booked by the time you find out.
To stay up to date follow Calmac on Twitter or sign up for “service status” text updates. You can choose your preferred route and be informed about disruptions for this route only.
Since customers can change tickets for free availability often changes, especially during times of disruptions. If your preferred ferry is booked out, check back closer to the time you are travelling since availability might open up again.
The only ferry this is unlikely to apply to is the Harris to Skye ferry.
To plan your trip read my post on the best things to do in Lewis
Ullapool- Stornoway Ferry Times
The ferry times from Ullapool to Stornoway shown below are historic. The timetable rarely changes but please use the below only as a guide.
There is no guarantee that the Ullapool to Stornoway ferry timetable will be the same next season.
Ullapool to Stornoway Ferry Times in the Summer
Please note that the below Stornoway to Ullapool ferry times should be used as a guide.
Ullapool to Stornoway Ferry Times in the Winter
Please note that the below Stornoway to Ullapool ferry times should be used as a guide.
To plan your trip to Lewis read my guide to the Isle of Lewis
Stornoway Ferry Terminal (Isle of Lewis)
How to Get There
The ferry terminal is close to the town centre. When driving the A866 you will see signs for the ferry terminal.
Services
Opposite the ferry terminal is a Tesco superstore.
When the ferry arrives this seems to be where many passengers head to. It is a good idea to stock up here because there are few supermarkets outside of Stornoway. Should the Tesco car park be full try the Co-op on MacAulay Road.
One of the best nearby coffee shops is No9 Coffee Shop and Cocktail Bar. It is closed on Sundays, as are most other cafes and restaurants.
Things to Do Whilst Waiting for the Ferry
Before the morning ferry nowhere will be open, but for the afternoon departure consider some of the best things to do in Stornoway:
- Lews Castle: Stop on the way to Stornoway ferry terminal or it is a 15-20 minute walk from the ferry terminal. You can go inside the castle and there is also a café. Next door to the castle is an excellent museum, but this requires at least an hour to do it justice.
- An Lanntair: a cultural centre with exhibits and a café. It is closed on Sundays.
- See one of the nearby beaches: visiting the beaches, such as Garry beach, or the ruins of St Columba’s Church at Melbost beach, requires more time. Only consider this if you have quite a bit of time.
Where to Stay
I recommend staying in one of the B&B’s in Stornoway or just outside
- Stornoway B&B: In Stornoway stay at top rated Stornoway B&B. Click here to check prices and availability
For more information on the hotels in Stornoway read my post on the best hotels in Stornoway.
Ullapool Ferry Terminal (Isle of Skye)
How to Get There
Ullapool is a cute seaside village which is one of the stops on the NC500.
The ferry terminal is a 1 hour and 20 minute drive, or roughly the same by bus, from Inverness.
There is one road through Ullapool and the ferry terminal is about half way through the village. Before the ferry departs Calmac staff will direct cars to the vehicle waiting area which is just off the seafront.
There is a small terminal building in one corner of the car park. Inside are toilets and a small waiting room.
Opposite the terminal building are chargers for electrical cars.
Services
On the seafront are some small shops, hotels and cafes. On a warm day Tea by the Sea is popular since you can sit outside.
For something to eat, try the Seafood Shack which is close to the terminal building.
A little further away is a large Tesco should you wish to buy anything to bring with you for the crossing.
Things to Do Whilst Waiting for the Ferry
Except for walking along the seafront there is little to do in Ullapool, especially before the morning ferry. The Ullapool museum is an interesting stop before getting the afternoon ferry, but it is closed in the morning.
If arriving early for the afternoon ferry you should consider driving out to Rhue for the art gallery and the lighthouse.
Where to Stay
In Ullapool, I suggest avoiding staying within the town itself. There are very few good options that allow a single-night stay. Instead, stay approximately thirty minutes away at Aultuguish Inn.
They offer dog-friendly accommodations and are accommodating regarding late check-ins with prior notice. Additionally, there is a restaurant conveniently located on-site.
For pricing and availability, you can click here to explore your options.
FAQ on the Ferry to the Isle of Lewis
Where Do You Get the Ferry to Stornoway?
Ferries to Stornoway depart from Ullapool on the mainland. Ullapool is north of Inverness, which is the closest train station and airport. It takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes from Inverness to Ullapool by car or bus. The buses to from Inverness to Ullapool are direct.
Is There a Ferry From Ullapool to Harris?
No, there is no Ullapool to Harris ferry. To travel from Ullapool to Harris there are two options:
- The quickest route is to take the ferry to Stornoway and drive to Harris. It takes about 1 hour to drive from Stornoway to Tarbert. The total journey time would be about 5.5 hours.
- Another option is to travel to Isle of Skye and then get the ferry to Harris. From Ullapool to Uig on Skye it is a 3.5-4 hour drive. From Uig you can take the ferry to Harris. The total journey time from would be about 7 hours.
Ferries to Stornoway That Do Not Exist
There is only one ferry to Stornoway and that is the ferry departing from Ullapool, described above. People often search online for the below ferries but they do not exist:
- Ferry to Stornoway from Skye: The ferries from Uig on Skye go to Harris or North Uist. There is no Uig to Stornoway ferry or Skye to Stornoway ferry. Take the ferry from the Isle of Skye to Harris and drive to Lewis. It is 1 hour by car from Tarbert on Harris to Stornoway on Lewis.
- Ferry to Stornoway from Inverness: There is no Inverness to Stornoway ferry. Drive to Ullapool and take the ferry described above.
- Ferry to Stornoway from Aberdeen: There is no ferry. From Aberdeen to Ullapool is a 3.5 hour drive.
- Ferry to Stornoway from Oban: There are ferries from Oban to the islands further south in the Hebrides, such as Barra, but no ferries to Lewis. From Oban to Ullapool it is a 4 hour drive.
- Ferry to Stornoway from Glasgow: There are no ferries. The fastest option is flying. There are direct flights from Glasgow to Stornoway. From Glasgow to Ullapool it is a 5 hour drive.
Final Thoughts on the Ferry Stornoway- Ullapool
The Ullapool to Stornoway ferry is the best way to get to the Isle of Lewis. It is a long crossing and it can be rough, but on the plus side this ferry is easier to book than the ferry from Skye to Harris.
Lewis is often overlooked in favour of Harris but Lewis it is an amazing island. The beaches are fantastic, there are many good walks, interesting sights and there are museums and cultural centres which you can visit on rainy days.
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