Exactly How to Get the Mallaig to Armadale Ferry
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The quickest and easiest way to get from Mallaig to Skye is to take the Mallaig to Armadale ferry.
There are several departures every day and the sailing only takes 30 minutes. You can bring your car on the ferry and although the boat is rarely full, I recommend booking in advance.
The ferry docks in Armadale but this is not the part of Skye which most people visit. The majority of the tourist sites are close to Portree which is 1 hour by car from Armadale.
Travelling by public transport from Armadale to Portree requires planning since there are only two buses per day during the summer.
Should I Drive via the Skye Bridge or Take the Mallaig- Armadale Ferry?
The ferry to Armadale is the fastest route to Portree on Skye from Mallaig. It will take you 2 hours (including the check in time) to get to Portree.
This compares to 3.5 hours to drive via Fort William and Invergarry using the Skye Bridge.
From Mallaig or the area around Arisaig I would use the Mallaig to Armadale ferry. From Fort William it is better to drive to the Isle of Skye via the Skye Bridge.
Coming from further afield driving over the Skye bridge is the quickest route to Isle of Skye from Inverness. It is also the best way to get to Skye from Glasgow and from Edinburgh to Isle of Skye.
I highly recommend renting a car with RentalCars.
How Long Is the Ferry Crossing From Armadale to Mallaig?
The ferry crossing from Armadale to Mallaig takes 30 minutes.
What Is the Mallaig to Armadale Ferry Ticket Price?
The Mallaig to Skye ferry ticket price is £17.05 for two adults and one car, one way.
Where to Book Tickets?
The Mallaig to Isle of Skye ferry is operated by Calmac and it is best to book tickets directly.
During the booking process you will be asked for vehicle registration number, weight and other measures. Many people rent a car so there is a box you can tick at the bottom to say you don’t know these details.
You can also add passenger names, but it doesn’t matter if this is left blank.
Tickets are sent by e-mail and by setting up a profile you can access your bookings online as well.
At check in you must show either a printed ticket or display it on your phone. The first page with the overview of the sailing is not your ticket. The tickets are the pages with the QR codes.
There is one QR code for each passenger and one for the vehicle. Tickets for your dog, bikes or anything else you have booked will have their own QR code.
These are often included on the second or third pages when printing the tickets so make sure you have all of them or you will have trouble boarding.
Do I Need to Book the Ferry From Mallaig to Skye in Advance?
I recommend booking the ferry from Mallaig to Skye in advance when travelling with a car. Also motor homes and caravans must reserve tickets ahead of time – you will not be able to use the standby lane.
As a foot passenger there is normally availability on the day.
Can I Change My Ticket?
Yes, tickets for the ferries from Mallaig to Skye can be changed for free by calling Calmac on 0800 066 5000. The customer service centre is open from 7am to 7pm on weekdays and 8am to 7pm on Saturday and Sunday.
New tickets will be e-mailed to you so make sure you can receive and download your tickers whilst you are travelling.
In the past I have called Calmac to change tickets from the car on my way to Armadale. It took just a couple of minutes to change and the new ticket arrived in my inbox a few minutes later.
You can also cancel your ticket, but there is an admin fee that will be deducted from the amount you are refunded.
How Long Before Departure Do You Need to Check In?
Check in closes 20 minutes before departure for vehicles and 10 minutes before departure for foot passengers.
To board the ferry from Mallaig to Armadale you don’t need to bring any ID. All you need is the ticket (QR codes).
Can I Bring My Dog on the Mallaig to Skye Ferry?
Yes, you can bring your dog on the ferries from Mallaig to Armadale, but dogs need a ticket. Tickets for dogs are free and can be added during the booking process.
Tickets either require the dog to remain in the car or in the passenger lounge. The Mallaig to Isle of Skye ferry has an open deck, but they often pack the cars in so tight that you can’t open the car boot during the sailing.
However, it is a short sailing so it is less important to get one of the dog tickets for the passenger lounge. There is a limited number of these tickets so book in advance to get one of these.
Can I Bring My Bike, Kayak or Surfboard on the Mallaig to Armadale Ferry?
Yes, you can bring both bikes, surfboards and kayaks on the ferries from Mallaig to the Isle of Skye.
Whether you are a foot passenger or have a bike or roof rack on your car, you must add the relevant tickets during check out. These additional tickets are free of charge.
Anyone bringing a kayak or surfboard will be asked several questions about vehicle size etc. However Calmac add a disclaimer that they still cannot guarantee travel with these items.
How Much Luggage Can I Bring With Me?
You can bring up to 40kg per person. Foot passengers must be able to carry all their bags.
Boarding the ferry I have never seen Calmac check how much luggage people have.
Food and Drink Onboard the Ferries From Mallaig to Armadale
The ferries from Mallaig to Skye have a kiosk which sells souvenirs, cakes, hot drinks and cold drinks (including alcoholic drinks). The drinks menu is available online, but the food menu is not.
Although food and drinks are served onboard there is no problem bringing your own.
Mallaig to Armadale Ferry Timetable
Please note that the Mallaig to Skye ferry times shown below are from a previous year. The ferry schedule rarely changes but please use this as a guide when planning your trip. There is no guarantee the ferry times will be the same every season.
Armadale to Mallaig Ferry Summer Timetable
Mallaig to Armadale Winter Timetable
How Reliable Is the Mallaig to Armadale Ferry?
The Mallaig to Skye ferry is a reliable route. In bad weather the ferry will be cancelled, but the route is fairly sheltered compared to the ferry routes to the Outer Hebrides.
This is one of the most frequent and popular ferries on the Calmac network so it rarely gets cancelled for reasons other than weather. The same cannot be said for some of the other ferries from Mallaig, such as the ferry to South Uist.
What Happens if the Ferry Gets Cancelled?
Should the Mallaig to Skye ferry get cancelled your best option is to drive via Invergarry and Fort William, which takes 3.5 hours.
The compensation you get from Calmac depends on the reason the ferry was cancelled. For this route it is likely to be weather related which means that you have fewer entitlements:
- Claim additional mileage (up to 63 miles). From Armadale to Mallaig it is 135 miles, but you can only submit a claim for this additional mileage (which will be considered on a case by case basis) if the cancellation is NOT due to weather.
- Claim cost for food or drinks up to maximum limits set by Calmac for delays of more than 90 minutes.
Book your car hire with Rental Cars
Mallaig Ferry Terminal
How to Get To the Ferry Terminal
Mallaig ferry terminal is on the outskirts of the small village of the same name. It is a short walk from the village and the train station.
Although Mallaig has good transport links I recommend hiring a car because you will be able to see much more of Skye. For the cheapest car hire prices hire your car at the larger airports such as Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Using public transport you can get to Mallaig either by train or bus. The train station is on the same side of town as the ferry terminal.
Trains to Mallaig arrive from Glasgow, stopping at Fort William. If taking the bus you need to change in Fort William.
I highly recommend renting a car with RentalCars.
What to See in the Area if You Are Early for the Ferry
Mallaig itself is not the most interesting town. Except for the harbour there is not much to see or do.
If you want a meal before boarding the ferry try The Cabin for fish and chips. For baked goods and cakes my favourite is The Bakehouse & Crannog.
When travelling by car it is better to do some sightseeing before you get to Mallaig. Some of the options are:
- Arisaig: a cute seaside village with a local museum.
- Traigh Beach: next to the golf course is a pretty beach that is popular for water sports.
- Camusdarach beach: located along the B8008 between Arisiag and Morar. The beach is a 5-minute walk from the parking area. It is the longest beach in the area and has fantastic views out to the Small Isles on a clear day.
- Silver Sands of Morar: a series of beaches perfect for a walk at low tide. It is the easiest of the beaches close to Mallaig to stop at since it is close to the A830, the main road to Mallaig.
- Things to see and do in Morar: visit the Morar Cross and the church called Our Lady of Perpetual Succour & St Cumin’s. At Loch Morar have a look for the monster called Morag.
- Glenfinnan: Walk to one of the Glenfinnan viewpoints to see the viaduct, the Glenfinnan monument and Loch Shiel. You need a full day to get the steam train from Fort William to Mallaig.
Armadale Ferry Terminal
How to Get To the Ferry Terminal
Public transport is limited so driving is the best way to get to the ferry terminal. This advice also applies for visiting sites on Skye. You will be able to experience a lot more by having your own car.
In terms of public transport, bus 52 runs between Armadale pier and Broadford. In Broadford change to the bus to Portree.
Check the bus schedule in advance to catch one of the buses that correspond to your arrival. Then it can take just one hour and 20 minutes from Armadale to Portree.
There is no train from Mallaig to Skye.
I highly recommend renting a car with RentalCars.
What to See in the Area if You Are Early for the Ferry
There is little to do around the ferry terminal except for going to The Shed cafe or the small gifts shops. The cafe has a terrace with sea views, in nice weather it is a popular place to wait for the ferry.
In the village there is a gallery called Nigel Grounds Gallery which is open weekdays from 10am to 5pm. Or stop on your way to the ferry terminal:
- Armadale castle: there is an entrance fee so give yourself enough time to make a visit here worth it.
- Torabhaig distillery: tours and tastings require more time. For a shorter stop have a look around the shop, the buildings and the ruins of Knock Castle.
- Traigh Ostaig (beach): This hidden beach is close to Kilbeg. It is at the what3words location of slicing.crossings.diagram. It is less than a 10 minutes’ walk down to the beach, but a steep climb back up.
Final Thoughts on the Mallaig to Isle of Skye Ferry
The ferries from Mallaig to Armadale are frequent and reliable. The ferry is the easiest way to get to Skye from Mallaig and the surroundings. It is also a perfect way to do a day trip to the area around Armadale.
However, the ferry doesn’t run late into the evening making it difficult to visit Portree on a day trip. There is so much to see on Skye that the area around Portree deserves more than just a day. I would recommend spending at least two nights on Skye.
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