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CalMac Summer Timetables and Bookings

Posted by (Lake District, England) on

The summer 2024 timetable will be available to view on the CalMac website at 09:00 on Thursday 11 January. Bookings and advance purchase for Turn Up and Go routes are then expected to open on a phased approach between Thursday 18 January and Monday 12 February.

Phase one - Thursday 18 January
The following routes are expected to open for bookings on 18 January:

Ardrossan - Brodick

Oban - Craignure

Oban - Castlebay

Oban - Coll - Tiree

Ullapool - Stornoway

Ardrossan - Campbeltown

Mallaig - Armadale

Mallaig - Small Isles

Barra - Eriskay

Berneray - Leverburgh

Mallaig - Lochboisdale

Phase two - Tuesday 23 January
The following routes are expected to open for pre-purchase on 23 January:

Claonaig - Lochranza

Colintraive - Rhubodach

Wemyss Bay - Rothesay

Tarbert (Loch Fyne) - Portavadie

Fionnphort - Iona

Lochaline - Fishnish

Tobermory - Kilchoan

Gallanach - Kerrera

Sconser - Raasay

Tayinloan - Gigha

Phase three - Monday 12 February
The following routes are expected to open for bookings and pre-purchase on 12 February:

Largs - Cumbrae

Oban - Colonsay

Kennacraig - Islay (There will be some summer amendments due to Infrastructure work at Kennacraig and Port Askaig to prepare for the new ships due in 2025)

Uig - Tarbert - Lochmaddy

Gourock - Kilcreggan

Gourock - Dunoon

Oban - Lismore

Fares will rise by 8.7% being the current Consumer Price Index (Inflation Rate)- a Scottish Government Decision.

Posted by
26 posts

I need to book a few rail/sail/bus combos and the current Scotrail scheme of off-peak price + sail will be in effect during my visit But I have not found when the May/june rail timetable will be released. Do you know? I believe I need to book rail/sail together?

Posted by
8036 posts

In theory Scotrail releases it's fares 8 weeks ahead of time, although that may be less around timetable change over time.

However the big problem is that CalMac changed their ticketing system last April. At that point all rail/sail tickets to CalMac were withdrawn. I have twice failed to secure them at Glasgow Central Station, either on the machines or at the booking office. This was both due to capacity problems on the ships, and because of late running ships missing their rail connections. It was a nightmare for both parties and no cheaper either.
Then, as now, Scotrail still have the Sail-Rail page on their website, but the only ones that I know of on sale are to Belfast via Cairnryan.

By all means e-mail Scotrail to double check but to the best of my knowledge the product no longer exists, at least on the Clyde. You need to buy separate rail and ferry tickets. I have heard an unconfirmed rumour of the one to Mull via Oban still existing- but would be surprised if it does.

Posted by
8036 posts

Also note that sailings to Arran may relocate from Ardrossan to Troon as their mainland port during the 2024 summer timetable for at least two years.
Issue of tender documents for the redevelopment of Ardrossan Harbour has again been delayed. But if and when the new route ship, the "Glen Sannox" finally enters service (6 to 7 years late) then the route will have to move to Troon, as she does not fit in Ardrossan Harbour (either berth) as it is now configured.
The infrastructure for passenger operations at Troon has been commissioned, so this could happen at fairly short notice.

Due to extended passenger times the timetable from Troon, if it opens, will be different to the current timetable.

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