Search live Oban to Castlebay (Barra) ferry prices
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Other ways to get from Oban to Castlebay
| Option | Notes |
|---|---|
| Fly Glasgow → Barra (BRR) | For Barra. The airport is about 8 km from Castlebay ferry port. Compare flights → · Car hire at Barra → |
Flight times and fares are on the search page; we do not show them here.
The Oban to Castlebay (Barra) ferry
Oban to Castlebay is one of CalMac's longest and most scenic crossings, a passage of around five hours from the harbour town of Oban out to the Isle of Barra at the southern tip of the Outer Hebrides. The ship threads through the Inner Hebrides before reaching the open water and the wonderful approach to Castlebay, where Kisimul Castle sits on its rock in the middle of the bay. Barra is a jewel of the Western Isles, famed for its white-shell beaches, machair, and the beach airport where planes land on the tidal sands. The ferry carries cars, motorhomes, bikes and foot passengers, generally with one sailing a day, so timetables matter when planning. Booking vehicle space well ahead is strongly advised, particularly in summer when Barra is a popular island-hopping destination.
- Long, scenic crossing to Barra in around five hours
- Memorable arrival at Castlebay past Kisimul Castle
- Barra is famed for white-shell beaches and its beach airport
- Departs Oban, the 'Gateway to the Isles'
Oban to Castlebay (Barra) ferry fares we have seen
| Fare basket | Fare seen | Seen on | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult foot passenger, single | £19.70 | 18 October 2026 | CalMac Summer 2026 fare table (valid from 27 March 2026) |
| Adult foot passenger, return | £39.40 | 18 October 2026 | CalMac Summer 2026 fare table (valid from 27 March 2026) |
| Car, single (passengers charged separately) | £91.95 | 18 October 2026 | CalMac Summer 2026 fare table (valid from 27 March 2026) |
| Car, return (passengers charged separately) | £183.90 | 18 October 2026 | CalMac Summer 2026 fare table (valid from 27 March 2026) |
Fares change with date, demand and vehicle; these are figures we saw on the dates shown, not quotes. A booking fee may be added. Check live prices in the search above.
Oban to Castlebay (Barra) ferry times
| Direction | Sailings | Departs | Arrives | Crossing time | Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oban to Castlebay | 3 / day | 13:00, 13:00, 13:00 | 17:45, 18:00, 18:35 | 4h 45 – 5h 35 | Mon |
| Castlebay to Oban | 3 / day | 06:10, 06:40, 06:55 | 11:45, 11:40, 11:40 | 4h 45 – 5h 35 | Mon |
| Oban to Castlebay | 3 / day | 13:00, 13:00, 13:00 | 17:45, 18:00, 18:35 | 4h 45 – 5h 35 | Tue |
| Castlebay to Oban | 3 / day | 06:05, 06:40, 06:55 | 11:40, 11:40, 11:40 | 4h 45 – 5h 35 | Tue |
| Oban to Castlebay | 3 / day | 13:00, 13:00, 13:00 | 17:45, 18:00, 18:35 | 4h 45 – 5h 35 | Wed |
| Castlebay to Oban | 3 / day | 06:05, 06:40, 06:55 | 11:40, 11:40, 11:40 | 4h 45 – 5h 35 | Wed |
| Oban to Castlebay | 3 / day | 13:00, 13:00, 13:00 | 17:45, 18:00, 18:35 | 4h 45 – 5h 35 | Fri |
| Castlebay to Oban | 3 / day | 06:05, 06:40, 06:55 | 11:40, 11:40, 11:40 | 4h 45 – 5h 35 | Fri |
| Oban to Castlebay | 3 / day | 13:00, 13:00, 13:30 | 17:45, 18:35, 18:30 | 4h 45 – 5h 35 | Sun |
| Castlebay to Oban | 3 / day | 06:05, 06:40, 06:55 | 11:40, 11:40, 11:40 | 4h 45 – 5h 35 | Sun |
Winter 2026/27 timetable from CalMac's PDF. Some sailings carry conditions (letter codes) in the PDF and Sunday services differ; check CalMac's timetable and service status before travelling.
Source: assets.calmac.co.uk, checked 18 October 2026. This timetable is valid from 19 October 2026 to 25 March 2027. Timetables change by season; the search shows the sailings for your date. Live status: calmac.co.uk.
Who sails Oban to Castlebay (Barra)
| Operator | Ships | Crossing | Sailings | Foot passengers | Pets | Check-in |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) | Isle of Lewis | 4 hours 45 minutes | up to 3 / day each way (winter) | Yes | Allowed: 'pet in lounge' ticket (limited) or pet stays in the car; assistance dogs anywhere except play areas | vehicles 45 minutes before, foot passengers 30 minutes before |
Rules differ by operator and ship; confirm when you book. Sources: calmac.co.uk. Checked 18 October 2026.
What to know about the Oban to Castlebay (Barra) crossing
Check-in
Vehicles must check in 45 minutes before departure; foot passengers 30 minutes before departure. (calmac.co.uk)
Foot passengers
Carried on every sailing. (calmac.co.uk)
Pets
Pets travel on a lead in designated areas or stay in the car. CalMac sells a 'pet in passenger lounge' ticket (limited numbers) or a 'pet remains in car' option (you cannot return to the car deck during the crossing). Assistance dogs are allowed in all public areas except children's play areas. (calmac.co.uk)
Bicycles
Pedal cycles free, single and return; groups of 6 or more notify port office in advance. (calmac.co.uk)
Accessibility
Blue badge concession online; passenger assistance page linked. Castlebay: accessible toilets. Oban: accessible toilets, lift. (calmac.co.uk)
Where the ferry leaves from and arrives
Oban ferry terminal
- Address
- Caledonian MacBrayne, Ferry Terminal, Oban, PA34 4DB.
- Facilities
- Free Wi-Fi, ticket office, waiting areas, toilets, baby changing, vending machine, defibrillator, lift.
Source: calmac.co.uk, checked 18 October 2026.
Castlebay ferry terminal
- Address
- Ferry Terminal, Castlebay, HS9 5XD.
- Facilities
- Free Wi-Fi, ticket office, waiting area, toilets, baby changing, 2 EV charging points.
Source: calmac.co.uk, checked 18 October 2026.
Arriving in Castlebay? Book a car at Isle of Barra North Bay (BRR), about 8 km from the port →
Staying in or around Castlebay
Ports & operators on this route
Oban to Castlebay (Barra) ferry — common questions
How long is Oban to Castlebay?
Around five hours out to the Isle of Barra in the southern Outer Hebrides.
Who operates the Barra ferry?
CalMac (Caledonian MacBrayne) runs the Oban to Castlebay crossing.
How often does the Barra ferry sail?
Generally once a day, so it is worth checking the timetable carefully and booking vehicle space well ahead in summer.
How much is the Oban to Castlebay ferry?
CalMac publishes a fixed fare table for this route (Summer 2026 table, valid from 27 March 2026): the adult foot-passenger single and the car single we saw on 18 October 2026 are in the fares table on this page, with the source. Passengers are charged separately from the vehicle, and the fare is the same whoever you book with.
What time is the first ferry from Oban to Castlebay in winter?
In the winter 2026/27 timetable the first weekday sailing from Oban leaves at 13:00 (Mon). Times change by season and on some dates; check CalMac's timetable and service status before travelling.
Related ferry routes
Other routes from Oban
Where these facts come from
Checked by the CheapFerries editorial team on 18 October 2026. Operators change timetables, fares and rules, so confirm details for your sailing when you book.
- calmac.co.uk www.calmac.co.uk/en-gb/route-information/oban-castlebay
- assets.calmac.co.uk assets.calmac.co.uk/media/riggcnoa/wtt-20-oban-castlebay.pdf
- calmac.co.uk www.calmac.co.uk/en-gb/ports/oban-port/
- calmac.co.uk www.calmac.co.uk/en-gb/ports/castlebay-port/
- calmac.co.uk www.calmac.co.uk/en-gb/travel/travelling-with-pets/