Lochboisdale - Oban
Ferry to Scotland
Lochboisdale - Oban
Ferry to Scotland
See ferry fares and operators from all over the world in one spot, and find the sailing that fits your trip. Booking early is usually the surest way to get a good price and plenty of choice.
Discounts are available with Direct Ferries all year round. If a senior discount applies to your crossing, it's applied for you automatically once the right age bracket is selected in the passenger options.
Students and recent graduates can claim a 5% saving. Register with our partner Student Beans to verify eligibility, then apply your discount code at checkout.
Resident discounts also apply to a number of Spanish and Italian routes — pick the "Residents" option during search and the fare adjusts automatically. Be ready to show proof of address, such as an ID card or residency certificate, at check-in.
Requirements for travel documents change from route to route, so check what's needed ahead of time. A valid passport is usually required for Lochboisdale to Oban travel, plus any visa or national ID relevant to your nationality. Since the rules depend on your citizenship and destination, our Check-in, Travel Documents & Tickets guide is the place to check for the latest guidance and avoid delays at check-in.
To book, just add your departure port, arrival port and preferred date, and you'll see every fare and sailing on offer. You can also compare alternative routes and times to find your best match.
Look out for early-bird pricing and flexible ticket options, such as upgrades or flexi-fares that let you make changes down the line. Entering accurate details — passenger count, vehicle specs and so on — keeps the process running smoothly.
As soon as your booking is confirmed, a confirmation email will land in your inbox. What happens next with your boarding pass depends on the operator you've booked.
Some operators issue boarding passes right away, while others need you to check in at the port itself. Where it's supported, the Direct Ferries app lets you check in online in advance.
You'll usually find ticket desks close to the ferry terminal. Giving yourself a little extra time before departure means you can collect tickets and check in without any stress.
Bring your confirmation email and valid photo ID, such as a passport or identity card, to check in. Pet owners should have vaccination and insurance documents on hand, and anyone with a resident discount should carry proof of address.
There are a few reasons departures from Lochboisdale to Oban might not show for your chosen date — a schedule change, sold-out sailings, or a seasonal lull are the most likely. Try another date or check alternative routes through our Route & Port finder.
Booking your Lochboisdale to Oban ferry well ahead of time generally works in your favour — you'll usually find better fares and a wider choice of departures and cabins.
A few weeks ahead is usually enough notice to catch the best offers, though fares can still fluctuate with the season and remaining space.
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Lochboisdale is the main port and settlement on South Uist, an island in the Scottish Outer Hebrides. Once a thriving fishing port in the 19th Century, the southeastern town of Lochboisdale now offers the only route from South Uist to Isle of Barra, as well as frequent crossings to Oban on the mainland. The ferry terminal is situated at the southern end of the A865 and has a small waiting room and toilet facilities inside the terminal building, with a taxi rank situated just outside. Originally completed in 1880, Lochboisdale’s pier was rebuilt in 1966 to accommodate the new car ferries, allowing the innovative ‘roll-on roll-off’ system to flourish. Also, the Lochboisdale Hotel was built in 1882 and still boasts stunning views overlooking the harbour.
Regarded as the seafood capital of Scotland, Oban is the largest town in Argyll on the west coast, offering routes to almost all of the Hebridean Islands. Inside the terminal building, you will find an excellent range of refreshments, a large waiting area and toilet facilities. The port is within easy reach from most Scottish cities, with a number of roads serving the area. If driving from Inverness, simply follow the A82 southbound, whereas if you are coming from Glasgow, head north on the A82. The Oban railway station is situated just fifty metres from the terminal alongside a few bus stops, making it even easier to travel to ‘the gateway to the isles’. In Oban, award-winning seafood restaurants come in abundance, so an exquisite meal is never too far away. The town also boasts some spectacular historic monuments, namely McCaig’s tower, an impressive circular structure overlooking the coast.
