Getting here
Getting to the Hebrides and then travelling around the islands is more straightforward today than ever before, whatever your chosen method of transport. The introduction in July 2009 of RET (Road Equivalent Tariff) nearly halved the cost of ferry crossings, and made the Outer Hebrides an affordable holiday destination for many more people. If travelling on foot, City Link run buses to both Ullapool and Uig to connect with the Cal-Mac ferry services.
Stornoway receives eleven flights every weekday from five different airports and slightly fewer over the weekend.
Some of the island roads remain "challenging" to drive, even to this day a few are still single track and unfenced, sheep wander freely! However, most have been upgraded and we are often told by visitors that the condition of our roads is better than those provided by their own local authorities.
Looking for directions to the Outer Hebrides? Enter your home postcode or city into the textbox below and you will be taken to Google Maps. You will be given options and directions to get to Stornoway.
Tip. Generally, we locals prefer to travel Ullapool to Inverness and then down the A9.
There are many different methods of transport, the table below provides links to route planners and timetables, as well as an idea of journey times.
| Route | Service/ Timetables | Journey Times | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inverness - Ullapool | Citylink | 1hr | |
| Ullapool - Stornoway (Lewis) | Cal Mac | 2hr 45min | 45 min check in for vehicles. |
| Glasgow - Uig (Skye) | Citylink | 7hr | |
| Uig (Skye) - Tarbert (Harris) | Cal Mac | 1hr 40min | 30 min check in for vehicles. |
| Stornoway (Lewis) - Tarbert (Harris) | Bus | 1hr | Town centre to pier. |
| Berneray - Leverburgh (Harris) | Cal Mac | 1hr | Subject to change due to tidal conditions. |
| Tarbert (Harris) - Leverburgh (Harris) | Bus | 45min | Pier to Pier. |
| Balivanich (Benbecula) - Stornoway (Lewis) | Flybe | 30min | |
| Aberdeen - Stornoway (Lewis) | Eastern Airways | 55min | No weekend flights. |
| Inverness - Stornoway (Lewis) | Flybe | 40min | |
| Glasgow - Stornoway (Lewis) | Flybe | 1hr 5min | |
| Edinburgh - Stornoway (Lewis) | Flybe | 1hr 10min |
By Air
Stornoway is connected by daily flights to the major Scottish airports, Glasgow, Edinburgh (not Saturday), Inverness and Aberdeen (not weekends) and onwards to Benbecula and Barra. At some times possible it is possible to fly from London to Stornoway in 3hrs or so!
Flybe operate regular flights, from Glasgow, Edinburgh and Inverness to Stornoway, Barra and Benbecula
www.flybe.comEastern Airways now operate a daily service between Stornoway and Aberdeen.
www.easternairways.comBy Ferry
You can travel from Ullapool to Stornoway in 2hrs 40 minutes on the large and comfortable "Isle of Lewis ". Alternatively you can choose the shorter crossing,1 hr 40minutes on the "Hebridean Isles" from Uig (Isle of Skye) to Tarbert (Isle of Harris). By the way, if you don't already know, the "islands" of Lewis and Harris are actually the same landmass! Also, the Isle of Skye is connected by a bridge to the mainland.
During your journey across the Minch you can take in an array of islands, as well as carry out a bit of dolphin and porpoise spotting!
Tip The shorter crossing is also much more sheltered, for those who might dread the prospect of a rough ferry crossing.
www.calmac.co.ukCar Hire
If flying or if you don't wish to take your car on the ferry, there are several car hire firms including MacKinnon Plant Hire.
tip. Some of Ali's cars are a bit dated, be sure to ask for a late model!
Mackinnon Self Drive
