How to get to the Isle of Barra, Scotland in 2024
There are two main ways to get to the Isle of Barra: by ferry and by plane.
Ferries run between Oban on the West Coast of the Scottish mainland and Castlebay, the capital of Barra.
A regular ferry service from Ardmhor on the North side of Barra also links the island to the rest of the Outer Hebrides including Eriskay, South Uist, Benbecula and North Uist.
There is also a regular plane service between Glasgow and Barra with the plane landing on the cockle strand beach.
How do I get to the Isle of Barra by ferry?
Most people and goods travel to Barra by ferry from Oban.
The journey takes about 4.5 hours and is operated by Caledonian MacBrayne, or Calmac, as they are known.
The best place to get current timetables, ticket prices and see service updates is on the Calmac website.
The vessels that make this journey are among the largest in the Calmac fleet and they have a variety of facilities for passengers including catering.
This includes tea, coffee and main meals. Classics include fish and chips, steak pie and macaroni cheese.
But beware. If you get seasick you may want to wait until the ferry leaves the relatively sheltered waters of the Sound of Mull before eating.
About 2.5 hours out of Oban the ferry enters the Minch, which is a much more exposed body of water and on a windy day can make for a rocky crossing. If it is calm and your stomach feels fine, it is worth trying the Calmac fare.
When you arrive in Castlebay, No 1 Ardveenish is seven miles from the pier. Take a right when you come off the boat, and follow the road round until you reach a right turn signposted 'Airport'. Take this turn, and after 1/2 a mile you will see No1 on your right overlooking the bay. The house is after the Ardveenish township junction.
If you are travelling to Barra from Uist you can get the smaller car ferry from Eriskay to Ardmhor, which is also operated by Calmac.
This journey takes about 45 minutes and lacks catering facilities, which is no big deal given how short the journey is.
To get to No 1 Ardveenish, head off the ferry, and when you meet the junction with the A888 take a left in the direction of Castlebay. After 1/2 a mile you will enter the township of Ardveenish; No1 is the first on your left, overlooking the bay.
How much does it cost to get the ferry from Barra to Oban?
The best place to get current ticket price information is on the Calmac website but below are recent prices to give you an indication and help you plan:
Winter ferry prices from Oban to Barra
Adult with no vehicle: £15.90 one-way / £31.80 return
Child under 5: Free but must have a valid ticket
Child aged 5-15: £7.95 one-way / £15.90 return
Cars (excluding driver): £74.30 one-way / £148.60 return
Motorcycle: £37.15 one-way / £74.30 return
Pedal bicycles: Free but groups of 6 or more must tell the ferry terminal in advance of travelling
Summer timetables and fares are available here.
Calmac ask that passengers and their vehicles arrive at the ferry terminal no more than 45 minutes before departure.
If taking a vehicle it is always advisable to book in advance, especially in the busy summer months where spaces can be scarce.
Ferry prices from Eriskay to Barra
Adult with no vehicle one-way: £3.35 / £6.70 return
Child under 5: Free but must have a valid ticket
Child aged 5-15: £1.70 one-way / £2.40 return
Cars (excluding driver): £74.30 one-way / £148.60 return
Motorcycle: £37.15 one-way / £74.30 return
Pedal bicycles: Free but groups of 6 or more must tell the ferry terminal in advance of travelling
How do I get to the Isle of Barra by plane?
There are daily flights from Glasgow airport to the Island of Barra. These are operated by Loganair who will provide the latest timetables, prices and service information.
The plane that travels to Barra is a small Twin Otter which can hold around 12 passengers. It is a unique experience.
It is a tight fit and there is no air steward to serve you drinks. Instead you get a briefing from the co-pilot on what to expect on the hour long journey and the open cockpit means you can see the pilots at work.
Pack some boiled sweets to sook or chew if your ears are prone to popping when at high altitudes.
As you leave Glasgow the city will give way to the lush green pastures and lochs of Argyll before you leave the mainland behind and fly over the Inner Hebrides.
On a sunny day it is one of the most scenic journeys anywhere but the best is year to come.
As you approach Barra you will see the rocky coast give way to the white sands of the famous Traigh Mhor (large beach) which also serves as the landing strip.
As you land you’ll be among the few people on earth who have arrived at the only airport in the world to have its runway washed daily by the tide.
No 1 Ardveenish is minutes away from the airport. Head left (or South) on the road. After a 5 minute drive you will enter the township of Ardveenish; No1 is the first on your left, overlooking the bay.
How much does it cost to fly from Glasgow to the Isle of Barra?
The best place to get up to date timetable and ticket price information is the Loganair website but one-way fares are approximately £80 making it about £160 for a return ticket per person.
It is also worth noting that the service gets very busy in the Summer months and it is advisable to book as far in advance as you can.
It is also worth being aware that as Barra has become an increasingly popular visitor destination it is increasingly hard for locals to book a seat for hospital and other appointments.
This is not to suggest you shouldn’t fly to Barra but it is worth considering whether a ferry journey may be an alternative worth considering.
What Barra Accommodation is available?
There are a variety of accommodation types on Barra from hotels to B&Bs through to self-catering cottages and pods.
While we would obviously recommend staying at No 1 Ardveenish, its popularity means that it is not always available.
There are a number of other ways to find a place to stay, including:
Most Barra accommodation providers would prefer you book directly with them as it saves them paying platform fees and provides the best value for guests too.
And finally …
Barra is a special place and we hope you fall in love with it. But it is not just the tranquility and tradition that makes Barra special, it is also the people.
Vibrant communities need to attract visitors but this doesn’t come without strains on the local infrastructure.
Alongside investing in travel please also consider investing in the local community - shopping in the local shops, buying local products, eating in local cafes and restaurants - and doing so with patience.
There is a story of a Barra priest sitting on a plane to Rome when he starts talking to his fellow passenger who is Spanish.
They discuss language and the Spaniard asks if there is a word in Gaelic for ‘mañana’ (tomorrow / sometime in the future)?
The Barra priest responds ‘Oh no, we have nothing that expresses that kind of urgency’.
Barra is not like the mainland. That is what makes it special. Go with the flow.
