Scope out your trip. Do you want one longer sailing (2 hours or more), several short ones (15 to 20 minutes) or a combination? Do you want to go to one island and stay, or take day trips to several islands? Do you want to "island hop" (take ferries to three or more islands, spending a night or more at each and continuing on)? Your trip can be as simple or ambitious as your time and energy level will allow.
For example purposes, a short day trip is illustrated by the photos. They show a journey that begins in Oban (mainland Scotland), sails to Craignure (Isle of Mull) and back. This particular route takes about 40 minutes each way, runs multiple times daily year round, and costs approximately $9 US round trip. The exact price in US dollars cannot be quoted, as it is subject to currency fluctuations.
Plan your itinerary and record it in a notebook or journal. Plan and record an alternative itinerary "Plan B" (see Warnings).
An indispensable planning source is CalMac's Explore brochure, which includes individual island descriptions, accommodation information, attractions, recommendations for families, suggested itineraries and timetables for each island group. Ticket prices are set and listed for the current year. A variety of cost-saving travel passes is also available. The guide may be ordered online (see Resources), or obtained at ferry terminal offices and is sometimes available at Visit Scotland (tourist information centers) offices in larger cities and ports.
Go to the ferry terminal and buy your tickets. This must be done before boarding; you cannot buy tickets on the ferry. A one-way ticket is called a single; a round trip ticket is called a return.
Tickets may be purchased by major credit card, debit card or cash (pounds).
Report to the ferry boarding area 15 minutes before sailing time if you are bringing a motor vehicle (they are boarded first), 10 minutes beforehand if not. You must have your ticket to board.
