The Western Isles are now well connected. Not only do ferries run almost daily, there are also affordable domestic flights. Here’s an overview of the most important connections.
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IMPORTANT NOTE: All prices given here are meant as worked examples. I’ve compiled them from the official tariffs of CalMac, Loganair and Citylink and rounded them slightly. Ferry prices apply to the 2026 summer season (valid from 27 March 2026); flight and bus prices are indicative figures from current booking searches. All information is given entirely without guarantee – flight and bus fares in particular can vary considerably depending on when you book.
By bus to the ferry ports
The three most important ferry ports are Ullapool right up in the north, Oban in the south, and Uig on the Isle of Skye. There’s no rail link to Ullapool or Uig.
Buses to Ullapool run daily from Edinburgh with a change in Inverness, total price from around £25 to £35 depending on when you book. Journey time is just over five hours. From Glasgow the price is in a similar range, but it takes longer and you need one extra change. The final Inverness-Ullapool leg alone usually costs only around £10 to £15 as a single ticket.
Citylink buses to Oban run several times a day, single fares cost around £16 to £33 depending on how far ahead you book (typical figure: around £21), with a journey time of just under three hours. From Edinburgh it takes around five hours – with a change in Glasgow. From Glasgow you can also get there by train: journey time 3 hours. From Edinburgh by train you also have to travel via Glasgow.
Mein Reiseführer Äußere Hebriden
Auf 264 Seiten beschreibe ich die Inseln Lewis, Harris, North und South Uist, Benbecula, Barra und Vatersay. Außerdem 7 Touren und 180 Fotos.
Mehr Info hier.
To Uig from Glasgow takes around seven to eight hours, the single fare usually lies between £45 and £90 depending on when you book. From Edinburgh the journey takes somewhat longer and tends to be a bit more expensive.
Ferries to Lewis & Harris
The two connected islands are easily reached by ferry. Once again, as is usually the case in Scotland, the operator is Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac).
From Ullapool: the crossing takes about 2:30 hours; the ferry usually runs twice a day, once in the morning and once in the afternoon, and occasionally at night too.
The official CalMac tariff (summer 2026, valid from 27 March) for one passenger is £12.75 one way (£25.50 return), plus £69.05 for a standard car (£138.10 return). A motorbike costs £34.55 one way. For motorhomes and caravans: up to six metres in length £69.05, up to eight metres £172.65, up to ten metres £207.15, and up to twelve metres £241.70 – each for a one-way crossing. Trailers cost between £34.55 (up to 2.5 metres) and £103.60 (up to eight metres) depending on length. Bicycles are carried free of charge.
From the Isle of Skye: a CalMac ferry runs from Uig in the west of Skye to Tarbert, right at the point where Harris and Lewis meet. Here too it crosses the water several times a day. Official CalMac tariffs (summer 2026): £8.50 per passenger one way (£17 return), £41.90 for a car or small motorhome up to six metres (£83.80 return). Longer motorhomes: up to eight metres £104.75, up to ten metres £125.70, up to twelve metres £146.65. Trailers: £20.95 (up to 2.5 metres), £41.90 (up to six metres) or £62.85 (up to eight metres). Motorbike: £20.95. Bicycles are free.
Ferries to Uist and Barra
From the Isle of Skye: also from Uig, a ferry runs once or several times a day (depending on the day of the week) to North Uist, arriving at Lochmaddy harbour. The crossing takes 1:45 hours. The official CalMac tariffs match those on the route to Tarbert on Harris (£8.50 per passenger, £41.90 for a car, each one way).
From Oban: CalMac serves the southern Outer Hebrides – Barra – from Oban, with the ferry docking at Castlebay. It doesn’t run daily, though, so if you’re making firm plans you should check directly on the CalMac website. Official summer 2026 tariffs: £19.70 per passenger one way (£39.40 return), plus £91.95 for a car or small motorhome (£183.90 return). Larger motorhomes: up to eight metres £229.90, up to ten metres £275.85, up to twelve metres £321.85. Trailers: £46 (up to 2.5 metres), £91.95 (up to six metres) or £137.95 (up to eight metres). Motorbike: £46.
From Mallaig: South Uist, with its port at Lochboisdale, is now served mainly from Mallaig on the west coast – the former direct Oban-Lochboisdale link has been dropped from the regular summer timetable, but the ferry from Mallaig now runs regularly instead. Official summer 2026 tariffs: £14.05 per passenger one way (£28.10 return), car or small motorhome £78.05 one way (£156.10 return). Motorhomes up to eight metres £195.15, up to ten metres £234.15, up to twelve metres £273.20. Trailers: £39.05 (up to 2.5 metres), £78.05 (up to six metres) or £117.10 (up to eight metres). Motorbike: £39.05. Note: because of tides, and occasionally daylight hours too, the summer and winter timetables are each adjusted on individual days – always check the CalMac website beforehand.
Flying: From Glasgow, Edinburgh or Inverness
With the small British airline Loganair, you can also fly directly to the Outer Hebrides. Glasgow has become the central hub here, while Edinburgh and Inverness now only offer a handful of direct connections. Possible departure points and sample prices including up to 21 kg of baggage (15 kg checked, 6 kg hand luggage):
- Glasgow to Barra twice daily except Sundays. Price ranges from around £85 to £155 one way, depending on when you book
- Glasgow to Benbecula (between North and South Uist) several times a week. Price is around £140 to £180 one way, depending on when you book
- Glasgow to Lewis (Stornoway) daily. Price ranges from £135 to £160 one way, depending on when you book, with baggage possibly costing extra
- Edinburgh to Benbecula
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday(this direct link no longer exists – Benbecula can now only be reached direct from Glasgow) - Edinburgh to Stornoway daily, price around £110 to £155 one way
- Inverness to Barra
daily except Saturday and Sunday, price around £90(this connection no longer exists) - Inverness to Benbecula Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday – the flight routes via Stornoway (no longer a true nonstop, but without changing planes), price around £100 to £140 one way
- Inverness to Stornoway daily, price around £120 to £150 one way
Mein Reiseführer Äußere Hebriden
Auf 264 Seiten beschreibe ich die Inseln Lewis, Harris, North und South Uist, Benbecula, Barra und Vatersay. Außerdem 7 Touren und 180 Fotos.
Mehr Info hier.