Standard tickets - CalMac Ferries (2024)

FAQs

Can I buy a CalMac ticket on the day? ›

Tickets for all routes can be purchased online at any time. You can also purchase tickets by telephone, at the port or on board, depending on your route.

Keep in mind that the driver of the vehicle should always be included in the reservation as a passenger. Moreover, please note that you cannot book a vehicle ticket only for one part of your trip. Should I buy ferry tickets in advance? Yes, we recommend that you book your ferry tickets in advance.

Tips For Cheaper Ferry Tickets

Avoid peak times - If you can, avoid booking at times of peak demand, such as during school holidays. Book in advance - Generally, the lowest fares are available when you book in advance. So book as early as possible before your travel date.

Ticket office or ticket machine

Buy your tickets on the day directly at the pier at either the ticket office or one of the ticket machines and pay the standard fare.

Ferry bookings can be made any time, even up to the day of the travel. However, if you wish to book in advance for your own peace of mind, this is fine too. All ferry companies differ about when you can actually make a commercial ferry booking. These can range from 2 months to 7 days in advance.

Start your trip early

You'll be one of the first set of passenger vehicles to board and disembark, leaving you more time to relax onboard or driving towards your destination. You'll check in as usual and special boarding lanes, reducing the time spent queuing to board.

On North Sea routes, missing the latest check-in time, without prior notification to our Contact Centre, will result in your booked sailing being cancelled, and will require the purchase of a new ticket for that portion of your journey if necessary.

Prices for ferry tickets usually rise towards the time & date the ship will leave that port. This is especially important on bigger overnight journeys, as the cheapest cabins sell out first. Some ferry operators even offer a small discount for booking more than 60 days in advance.

How early should I arrive for my ferry? ›

Check in typically closes 60 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time. In high season we advise customers to allow 120 minutes before check in closes to pass through all controls. Check in will close promptly, therefore, we advise customers to allow plenty of time prior to departure to pass through all controls.

You are strongly advised to reach the ferry terminal 60 minutes before the departure time. If you have luggage to check in or have not collected your boarding pass, there is no harm to be there at least 90 minutes before the departure time, especially on the weekends or public holidays.

When paying in person at our ports - or when paying for items on board our ferries, we accept contactless methods of payment - including MasterCard, Visa, Apple, Google and Samsung Pay. We also accept cash payments.

Can I show up before my booked time and get an earlier departure? Yes, subject to availability, but at busy periods this may not be possible and you may be asked to return in time for your booked crossing.

Depending on which deck you are on, the crew may ask you to stay in your vehicle until it's safe to get out. When it's safe, head upstairs to the passenger lounges and get comfortable.

That's right, our advance purchase on the day tool can help you to get the cheaper rail fares on the same day of travel.

You can purchase a flight for the same day at the airport, but don't expect it to be cheaper. Most likely it would be far more expensive. It is much cheaper to buy flight tickets far in advance. At the day of the flight, there are always people who do not have a ticket but must fly anyway.

Passenger tickets can be purchased online in advance or at the ticket counter on the date of travel as space allows. This ferry is passenger & bicycles only.

Reservations Required Year-Round on the Cape May-Lewes Ferry

Reservations are required to sail on the Cape May - Lewes Ferry; book travel early to secure your spot.