Photo: Sebastian Schuster / UnsplashCalMac Ferries
More about CalMac FerriesCheck fares on Direct Ferries
Opens Direct Ferries, a ferry booking site. Or book direct with CalMac Ferries.
- Crossing time
- About 5 hours
- Operator
- 1
Checked against calmac.co.uk on 9 November 2026
The Oban to Castlebay ferry takes about 5 hours with CalMac Ferries.
Are you planning a trip from Oban to Castlebay on Barra? This route is sailed by CalMac Ferries, and you can compare it on Ferryu.
The crossing takes 4 hours 45 minutes, and CalMac Ferries runs the route year round, so you can plan your visit to Barra in any season.
- Crossing time: 4 hours 45 minutes
- Operates year round
- Winter timetable: 19 October 2026 to 25 March 2027
- Summer 2027 timetable: 26 March to 17 October 2027
- Pedal cycles travel free
At a glance
- Crossing
- About 5 hours
- Oban to Castlebay
- Arrives
- Castlebay (Barra)
- Scotland
Who sails this route
Photo: Sebastian Schuster / UnsplashSailing with CalMac Ferries
CalMac Ferries operates the Oban to Castlebay route year round, with a crossing time of 4 hours 45 minutes.
The winter timetable covers the period 19 October 2026 to 25 March 2027. The summer 2027 timetable runs from 26 March to 17 October 2027. Book early for the best choice of sailings.
If you're bringing a bike, pedal cycles travel free with CalMac Ferries.
Before you travel
If you're taking a vehicle, please arrive at least 45 minutes before departure. Foot passengers should arrive at least 30 minutes before departure. Be sure to check in good time so your journey starts calmly.
In Castlebay, the terminal is the Caledonian MacBrayne Ferry Terminal, Castlebay HS9 5XD.
When you arrive in Castlebay
check-in for Barra is 45 minutes before departure
Caledonian MacBrayne Ferry Terminal Castlebay HS9 5XD
Weather in Castlebay
- Warmest month: August, average high 14°C.
- Wettest month: December, about 146 mm of rain.
- Sea at its warmest in August, about 15°C.
Temperature
- Air, average daily low to high (1991–2020)
- Sea surface, monthly average (2023–2024)
Rain
Average total for the month, mm (1991–2020)
Temperature
- Air, average daily low to high (1991–2020)
- Sea surface, monthly average (2023–2024)
Rain
Average total for the month, mm (1991–2020)
Show the numbers
| Month | High °C | Low °C | Rain mm | Sea °C |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 8.4 | 6.3 | 144.8 | 9.1 |
| February | 7.8 | 5.8 | 104.8 | 8.7 |
| March | 7.9 | 6.1 | 90.4 | 8.3 |
| April | 8.7 | 7.1 | 67.9 | 9.0 |
| May | 10.3 | 8.8 | 60.9 | 11.2 |
| June | 12.2 | 10.9 | 70.0 | 13.4 |
| July | 13.7 | 12.6 | 77.9 | 14.0 |
| August | 14.4 | 13.2 | 94.6 | 14.5 |
| September | 13.7 | 12.2 | 98.7 | 14.3 |
| October | 12.0 | 10.3 | 139.8 | 12.9 |
| November | 10.3 | 8.4 | 139.2 | 11.7 |
| December | 9.0 | 6.9 | 145.8 | 10.4 |
1991–2020 averages, ERA5 via Open-Meteo, read at the grid point nearest the port (5 km away). Sea surface: 2023–2024 averages from the Open-Meteo Marine Weather API, which has no sea temperatures before late 2022.
Questions answered
How long is the ferry from Oban to Castlebay?
About 5 hours, depending on the sailing.
Castlebay – 4 hours 45 minutes. (CalMac Ferries, calmac.co.uk)
Crossing Time: 4 hours 45 minutes. (CalMac Ferries, calmac.co.uk)
How often does it sail?
The summer 2027 timetable will run from 26 March to 17 October 2027. (CalMac Ferries, calmac.co.uk)
The winter timetable for this route covers the period 19 October 2026 - 25 March 2027. (CalMac Ferries, calmac.co.uk)
Operates year round. (CalMac Ferries, calmac.co.uk)
Compare routes to Scotland
Who sails each route and how long the crossing takes.
| Route | Operator | Crossing |
|---|---|---|
| Oban to Castlebay This route | CalMac Ferries | About 5 hours |
| Aberdeen to Kirkwall | NorthLink Ferries | – |
| Aberdeen to Lerwick | NorthLink Ferries | – |
| Ardrossan to Brodick | CalMac Ferries | About 55 minutes |
| Gills Bay to St Margaret's Hope | Pentland Ferries | – |
| Largs to Cumbrae | CalMac Ferries | – |
| Mallaig to Armadale | CalMac Ferries | About 45 minutes |
| Oban to Craignure | CalMac Ferries | About 45 minutes |
| Scrabster to Stromness | NorthLink Ferries | About 90 minutes |
| Uig to Lochmaddy | CalMac Ferries | About 105 minutes |
| Uig to Tarbert | CalMac Ferries | About 100 minutes |
| Ullapool to Stornoway | CalMac Ferries | About 2½ hours |
| Wemyss Bay to Rothesay | CalMac Ferries | About 35 minutes |
