CalMac winter timetable, 19 October 2026 to 25 March 2027 (timetable PDF last updated 7 July 2026); passenger-only boat until 16 November 2026
Departures 1–10 / 10
Departures 1–10 / 10
Crossing time
~25 min
Operator
Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac Ferries Ltd)
Map – Tarbert - Portavadie Ferry
| Fare type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult, single | £3.80 |
| Adult, return | £7.60 |
| Child, single | £1.90 |
| Child, return | £3.80 |
| Adult with SPT concession, single | £1.90 |
| Car (driver not included), single | £11.60 |
| Car (driver not included), return | £23.20 |
| Motorcycle, single | £5.80 |
| Pedal cycle, single or return | Free |
These are CalMac's winter 2026/27 fares, valid until 25 March 2027. Vehicle fares do not include the driver. The route is Turn Up and Go: you choose a preferred date when booking online, but the ticket is valid for any sailing within the selected timetable period and cannot be amended or refunded; a specific sailing cannot be reserved. CalMac says the Portavadie slipway is unattended and tickets can be bought on board. While MV Due West runs a passenger-only service (to 16 November 2026) the notice gives no separate fare, so the foot-passenger fare below is the published winter fare and vehicle fares do not apply. All fares in pounds sterling (GBP).
The Tarbert (Loch Fyne) to Portavadie crossing is a CalMac link across Loch Fyne, joining Tarbert on the Kintyre side with Portavadie on the Cowal side. CalMac gives the crossing time as 25 minutes, and the route page lists MV Isle of Cumbrae as the vessel. CalMac says the route operates all year round, though the timetable changes twice a year.
The service is not the usual one at the moment. Port enabling works at the Portavadie slip, part of CalMac's Small Vessel Replacement Programme, mean that only a passenger service runs from Monday 19 October to Monday 16 November 2026. The charter boat MV Due West carries 12 passengers, takes bicycles when there is space, and leaves from the marina pontoons at Tarbert and Portavadie rather than the slipways. Passengers wait at the entrance to the pontoon until a crew member meets them. No cars cross in this period. CalMac's notice does not say what happens after 16 November, so check the service status page before you plan a crossing with a vehicle.
The winter 2026/27 timetable runs from 19 October 2026 to 25 March 2027, and CalMac says the 2027 summer timetable runs from 26 March to 17 October 2027. In winter the boats go on the hour from Tarbert between 08:00 and 11:00 and again between 14:00 and 17:00, with nothing in the middle of the day. Sundays begin an hour later. There are no sailings on 23 November, 23 December, 25 and 26 December, 1 and 2 January, 17 January or 11 February, all planned vessel-maintenance days, and four dates in February and March are marked tidal, meaning timings may differ from the printed table.
This is a Turn Up and Go route. When you buy online you pick a preferred date, but the ticket is good for any sailing in the selected timetable period and you cannot reserve a particular boat. The Portavadie landing is an unattended slipway, check-in closes 10 minutes before departure, and winter vehicle fares do not include the driver.
- Arrive at the slipway a few minutes before departure; vehicle queues build quickly in summer.
- Check the operator's notices before travelling — tides, weather and maintenance affect sailings.
- Confirm accepted payment methods: several crossings are contactless-only.
Frequently asked questions
Not at the moment. CalMac's service notice, updated 21 October 2026, says port works at the Portavadie slip mean a passenger-only service from Monday 19 October to Monday 16 November 2026, operated by the charter boat MV Due West with room for 12 passengers. The boat uses the marina pontoons at both ends, and no vehicles are carried.
On CalMac's winter timetable, Monday to Saturday boats leave Tarbert at 08:00, 09:00, 10:00, 11:00, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00 and 17:00; Sundays start at 09:00. During the passenger-only period to 16 November, Monday to Friday boats leave Tarbert from 07:40 and the last at 17:20.
CalMac's timetable shows 25 minutes, for example 08:00 from Tarbert arriving 08:25, and its port pages say the same.
CalMac's winter 2026/27 fares, valid until 25 March 2027, are £3.80 for an adult single and £7.60 return, with a child £1.90 single. A car is £11.60 single or £23.20 return, and the driver is charged separately. Pedal cycles travel free.
It is a Turn Up and Go service, so you cannot reserve a specific sailing. You may buy online in advance and choose a preferred date, but the ticket is valid for any sailing in the winter timetable period. CalMac also says tickets can be bought on board at the unattended Portavadie slipway, and advises buying ahead.
CalMac lists planned vessel-maintenance days with no service on Monday 23 November, Wednesday 23 December, Friday 25 December, Saturday 26 December, Friday 1 January, Saturday 2 January, Sunday 17 January and Thursday 11 February. Timings may also differ from the printed table on four tidal dates in February and March.
Yes. CalMac lists pedal cycles as free, and groups of six or more must tell the port office beforehand. On the passenger-only MV Due West, bicycles are carried first come first served.
CalMac says the summer 2027 timetable runs from 26 March to 17 October 2027 and that it will confirm a release date on its website. The winter timetable ends on 25 March 2027.