Ferries to the Hebrides
Which ferry for which Hebridean island?
The Hebrides are two chains of islands off Scotland’s west coast. The Inner Hebrides, such as Skye, Mull and Islay, lie close to the mainland and are mostly a short hop. The Outer Hebrides, from Lewis down to Barra, are a proper sea crossing away. Almost every ferry is run by CalMac, and thanks to the Road Equivalent Tariff the fares are surprisingly low.
Which island, which ferry?
| Island | Ferry | Crossing | Single: adult / car* | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skye | Skye Bridge (free) or Mallaig – Armadale | bridge, or about 40 min | £4.00 / £13.25 | Mountains, a first taste of the islands |
| Raasay | Sconser (Skye) – Raasay | about 25 min | £2.65 / £8.75 | A quiet day trip from Skye |
| Mull | Oban – Craignure (also Lochaline – Fishnish, Kilchoan – Tobermory) | 45 – 50 min | £4.90 / £18.20 | Tobermory, wildlife, the way to Iona |
| Iona | Fionnphort (Mull) – Iona | about 10 min | £2.40, foot passengers only | The abbey and white beaches |
| Coll and Tiree | Oban – Coll – Tiree | about 2h40 / 3h50 | £11.80 / £62.75 (Coll), £14.20 / £77.30 (Tiree) | Beaches, surfing, peace and quiet |
| Colonsay | Oban – Colonsay | about 2h30 | £9.95 / £50.95 | Small and unspoilt |
| Islay | Kennacraig – Port Askaig | 1h55 | £9.00 / £45.40 | Whisky: ten distilleries |
| Jura | Port Askaig (Islay) – Feolin | about 5 min | council ferry, car + driver from about £17 | Wild walking, the Paps of Jura |
| Gigha | Tayinloan – Gigha | about 20 min | £3.70 / £10.45 | A short island day out |
| Small Isles | Mallaig – Eigg, Muck, Rum, Canna | 1 – 2.5 hours | from £5.45, vehicles by permit only | Remote islands without cars |
| Outer Hebrides | Ullapool, Uig, Oban, Mallaig | 1h40 – 5h35 | £8.50 – £19.70 / £41.90 – £91.95 | Island hopping from Lewis to Barra |
*CalMac winter 2026/27 single fares, valid until 25 March 2027; car fares exclude the driver. Crossing times are approximate. Jura is served by an Argyll & Bute Council ferry outside the CalMac fare scheme.
Detailed guides: ferry to the Outer Hebrides and ferry to Islay.
Lots of ferries
For a clear overview of all ferry routes, you can check the map with all crossings. We’ve also included the Firth of Clyde crossings, as they could be part of your trip to the Hebrides.
You can use the booking module and select Scotland as your destination to find all the crossings to and within Scotland and the Inner and Outer Hebrides for example
Ferry Map: ferry routes to all the Hebrides
Use the interactive map to find the right crossing and ferry company. You can zoom in and out and view the routes in the ports.
On the map, you can clearly see the locations of the Inner and Outer Hebrides. The strip of islands in the northwest is part of the Outer Hebrides, where you’ll find the longer ferry crossings. The Inner Hebrides are closer to the Scottish coast, with shorter and easily accessible ferry routes.
Further south, you’ll find areas like the Kintyre Peninsula, Isle of Arran, and Isle of Great Cumbrae, which are part of the Firth of Clyde region.
You can click on the map for more information on specific routes or keep scrolling for additional details.
Crossings to the Hebrides, Scotland
Guide ferries to the Hebrides
Ferries to the Outer Hebrides
Four ports serve the Outer Hebrides: Ullapool – Stornoway for Lewis (about 2h40 – 3 hours), Uig on Skye for Tarbert on Harris and Lochmaddy on North Uist (about 1h45), Mallaig – Lochboisdale for South Uist (about 3h30) and Oban – Castlebay for Barra (about 5 hours). Two short ferries link the islands, so you can drive the whole chain. Our Outer Hebrides ferry guide has the winter timetable, fares and an island-hopping route from north to south.
Ferries to the Inner Hebrides
The Inner Hebrides fall into three groups: Skye and Raasay in the north, the Small Isles south of Skye, and the southern islands around Mull, Islay and Jura. The Firth of Clyde islands such as Arran and Bute are not officially part of the Hebrides, but they are close enough to combine on the same trip.
Ferries to Skye and Raasay
Most people drive onto Skye over the free Skye Bridge at Kyle of Lochalsh. The ferry is the scenic alternative: CalMac sails Mallaig – Armadale in about 40 minutes, but this winter it uses the smaller MV Lochnevis, so booking is essential and caravans, motorhomes and commercial vehicles cannot travel in winter. From April to mid-October the community ferry MV Glenachulish crosses from Glenelg to Kylerhea in a few minutes, the last turntable ferry of its kind.
Raasay is a short CalMac crossing from Sconser on Skye, about 25 minutes, turn up and go. From Uig on Skye ferries continue to Harris and North Uist in the Outer Hebrides.
Ferries to the Small Isles (Eigg, Muck, Rum, Canna)
MV Lochnevis sails from Mallaig to Eigg, Muck, Rum and Canna, calling at several islands per trip, so you can hop between them. Fares are low, from £5.45 per adult to Eigg, but cars are not allowed without a permit: these are islands to explore on foot or by bike. Some winter dates have no service because of maintenance, and with Lochnevis also covering Armadale this winter, check the timetable before you plan.
Travel tip: Check the route status
The crossings around the Hebrides are very seasonal. In addition, bad weather or tides can affect sailings. Therefore, check in advance the status of the crossings. For CalMac sailings, you can find information about this on the Service status & info page.
Ferries to the southern Hebrides
- Mull: the main route is Oban – Craignure (45 – 50 minutes), plus the short Lochaline – Fishnish and Kilchoan – Tobermory crossings. Taking a motorhome? You need a booked pitch before you travel.
- Iona: from Fionnphort on Mull, about 10 minutes, foot passengers only.
- Coll and Tiree: MV Clansman from Oban, with Tiree about 3h50 away.
- Colonsay: from Oban, and in winter on Saturdays linked with Port Askaig on Islay.
- Islay and Jura: from Kennacraig to Port Askaig in 1h55. Port Ellen is closed for rebuilding until 2029. Jura is five minutes from Port Askaig on the council ferry. See our Islay ferry guide.
- Gigha: from Tayinloan on Kintyre, about 20 minutes.
- Lismore and Kerrera: small ferries from Oban and Gallanach, ideal for a day trip.
Travel tip: Check the route status
The crossings around the Hebrides are very seasonal. In addition, bad weather or tides can affect sailings. Therefore, check in advance the status of the crossings. For CalMac sailings you can find information about this on the Service status & info page.
Ferries Firth of Clyde (Bute, Arran, Cumbrae, Kintyre, Dunoon)
The Firth of Clyde is formed by the Clyde Estuary and sea lochs to the north of the Firth and Loch Ryan in the south of the area. Bute, Arran, Ailsa Craig, and the Cumbraes are islands in this area. The outer boundary where the Firth of Clyde meets the Irish Sea extends from the southern tip of the Mull of Kintyre to Corsewall Point.[1]Scottish Marine and Freshwater Science Volume 3 Number 3: Clyde Ecosystem Review, www.gov.scot
Various ferries sail in this area, as seen in the picture.
Firth of Clyde Ferries
Island hopping in the Hebrides
The Hebrides are made for island hopping, but the old Hopscotch tickets no longer exist. You now book each crossing as a single fare, and CalMac lets you book several legs in one transaction with its multiple-journey option. Because fares are set by the Road Equivalent Tariff, a week of island hopping by car is often cheaper than a single long ferry elsewhere in Europe.
- A classic loop: Oban – Mull – Iona, then Oban – Coll – Tiree or across to Islay and Jura.
- The big one: Ullapool to Lewis, south through Harris and the Uists, and back from Barra to Oban.
- Check-in: usually 30 – 45 minutes before departure with a car; late arrivals can lose their space.
- New ships: CalMac is bringing several new vessels into service in 2026 and 2027, so timetables and ships can change during the season.
About the Hebrides
The Hebrides stretch along the whole west coast of Scotland. People come for the beaches, walking, wildlife and the culture: Gaelic is still spoken on many islands, and Islay alone has ten working whisky distilleries. On Lewis and Harris many shops and attractions close on Sundays, so plan your shopping ahead.
- Relevant Guides
- Photo Gallery
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FAQ: ferries to the Hebrides
How do you get to the Hebrides by ferry?
Almost all ferries are run by CalMac. The main ports are Oban for Mull, Coll, Tiree, Colonsay and Barra, Mallaig for Skye, the Small Isles and South Uist, Kennacraig for Islay, Ullapool for Lewis and Uig on Skye for Harris and North Uist. Skye can also be reached by the free Skye Bridge.
What is the easiest Hebridean island to reach?
Skye, because you can drive over the free Skye Bridge. By ferry, Mull is the easiest: Oban – Craignure takes about 45 to 50 minutes with frequent sailings.
How much is the ferry to the Hebrides?
Fares are set under the Road Equivalent Tariff and are low: in winter 2026/27 an adult single costs from about £2.40 (Iona) to £19.70 (Barra), and a car from about £9 to £92. Car fares do not include the driver.
Is there an island-hopping ticket for the Hebrides?
No, the old Hopscotch tickets have been withdrawn. You pay single fares per crossing, but CalMac lets you book several crossings in one transaction with its multiple-journey option.
Do I need to book the ferry to the Hebrides?
Yes. CalMac advises booking in advance, also for foot passengers, and car spaces on popular routes sell out in summer. Some small crossings, such as Raasay and the Jura ferry, are mostly turn up and go.
What is the difference between the Inner and Outer Hebrides?
The Inner Hebrides, including Skye, Mull, Islay and Jura, lie close to the mainland with short crossings. The Outer Hebrides, from Lewis to Barra, are further west and need a crossing of about 1h40 to 5h35.
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References
| ↑1 | Scottish Marine and Freshwater Science Volume 3 Number 3: Clyde Ecosystem Review, www.gov.scot |
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Can you take dogs on the ferry to Arran?
Hi Richard,
Yes you can bring your dog on the ferry to Arran. More information here as well: https://www.calmac.co.uk/article/5952/Travelling-with-pets