Turn Up and Go
Turn Up and Go routes
A number of our short or frequent services are Turn Up and Go routes. On these routes, you can pre-purchase your ticket online in advance of travel, and it'll be valid for use in the timetable season for which its purchased - either winter or summer.
Simply check the service status for your chosen route, show up at your port of departure, and travel on the next available sailing. We encourage you to plan ahead as your first choice of sailing may not always be available and wait times may be extended.
Click below for useful information about travelling on Turn Up and Go routes:
Turn Up and Go routes and timetables
We operate the following Turn Up and Go routes. Click on the links for the winter and summer timetables, the date periods for each timetable season, and fares for the route.
ARRAN: Claonaig/Tarbert - Lochranza (summer season only - a bookable Tarbert (Loch Fyne) - Lochranza service operates in winter)
BUTE: Wemyss Bay - Rothesay
BUTE: Colintraive - Rhubodach
COWAL & KINTYRE: Tarbert (Loch Fyne) - Portavadie
COWAL: Dunoon: Gourock - Dunoon (passenger only service: for car ferry please contact Western Ferries )
CUMBRAE: Largs - Cumbrae Slip (Millport)
GIGHA: Tayinloan - Gigha
KERRERA: Gallanach - Kerrera (passenger only service, vehicle permits required)
MULL: Fionnphort - Iona (foot passenger only, vehicle permits required)
MULL: Lochaline - Fishnish
MULL: Tobermory - Kilchoan
RAASAY: Sconser - Raasay
ROSNEATH: Gourock - Kilcreggan (passenger only service)
How to buy a Turn Up and Go ticket
You can buy your tickets in advance of travel, across all our routes. The best way to buy your ticket is online*, here on our website, where you can also register for your online customer account - for quick access to all of your tickets and reservations.
When you buy a ticket online, you'll immediately receive an eTicket direct to your inbox. Each eTicket has a QR code, meaning you'll instantly be ready to board. There's no need to print at home or collect tickets from the port - eTickets can be scanned from your device.
You can also buy your tickets over the telephone with our Customer Engagement Centre, in person at one of our port offices or, on some routes, on board the vessel itself.
*Some exceptions apply online for concession products - read here for details. If you're travelling in a commercial or haulage vehicle, read our commercial FAQs. All tickets are subject to our Conditions of Carriage.
Turn Up and Go ticket types
We offer the following range of products for our Turn Up and Go routes:
Turn Up and Go single tickets
Single tickets for Turn Up and Go routes are valid for one single journey, in one direction, on the specific route you have chosen. When you pre-purchase a single ticket online for a Turn Up and Go route, you'll be asked to select a departure date, but you can use the single ticket at any time, on any sailing, during the timetable season for which you've purchased it - either winter or summer. Our timetable pages advise the date periods for each winter/summer season.
Turn Up and Go return tickets
Return tickets for Turn Up and Go routes are valid for one return journey, on the specific route you have chosen. When you pre-purchase a return ticket online for a Turn Up and Go route, you'll be asked to select outward and return departure dates, but you can use the return ticket at any time, on any sailing, during the timetable season for which you've purchased it - either winter or summer. Our timetable pages advise the date periods for each winter/summer season.
Turn Up and Go 10-journey tickets
10-journey tickets are a convenient option for frequent travellers on our Turn Up and Go routes - they offer 10 single journeys, in either direction, on your chosen route. Simply set up an online customer account and, when purchased, your 10-journey ticket will be sent direct to your inbox with a QR code, and will also be accessible through your account. Each time you travel, your QR code will be scanned and a single journey deducted.
A 10-journey ticket is valid for the timetable season - either winter or summer, for which the product was purchased. Our timetable pages advise the date periods for each winter/summer season.
For more detailed information on our 10-journey tickets, read our frequent traveller section.
Purchasing 10-journey tickets online? - 10-journey tickets for the next timetable season will be available for sale close to the beginning of the timetable season. Please remember that they cannot be used until the new timetable period begins. Our staff will be on hand to remind you and support you.
10-journey tickets for the summer 2024 timetable season (29 March - 20 October 2024) could only be used between 29 March - 20 October 2024.
10-journey tickets for the winter 2024/2025 timetable season (21 October 2024 - 27 March 2025), when purchasing online, select the W-24 option on our online booking system. Journeys on Winter 2024/2025 10-journey tickets can be used between 21 October 2024 - 27 March 2025.
Validity of Turn Up and Go tickets
When making your purchase, please bear in mind that Turn Up and Go tickets are valid for use only in the timetable season for which they are purchased - either winter or summer. They cannot be used outside the timetable period you have bought them for, and they are non-refundable.
This also applies to 10-journey tickets - all 10 journeys must be used within the timetable season for which they have been purchased, and cannot be amended or carried over into the subsequent timetable season.
Unused tickets - including unused journeys on 10-journey tickets - are non-refundable, so its important that you consider how you plan to use your ticket carefully before purchasing.
Travelling in a group
If you have purchased tickets online as a group or for any number of travel companions, for use on any of our Turn Up and Go routes, the full party must travel on the same sailing. This applies to both legs of your journey. If you are unsure if all members of your group are travelling together, please complete separate transactions online. Please note once any QR code which is associated with your booking is scanned, this will check in everyone in your group and cannot be scanned again until your return journey.
Travelling in a vehicle on only one leg of your journey
On our Turn Up and Go routes, if you intend to travel as a foot passenger on one leg of a return journey, and with a vehicle for the other, please purchase completion separate transactions for each leg of your journey, so you'll have the appropriate ticket for each leg.
Planning ahead for your journey
When travelling on a Turn Up and Go route, remember that your ticket does not constitute a reserved space for a specific sailing. Therefore, we encourage you to plan ahead as your first choice of sailing may not always be available, especially at busy times. Always check the service status of your route before travelling.
FAQs
Why is my single / return ticket for a Turn Up and Go route no longer valid after the new timetable season begins?
Tickets purchased for our Turn Up and Go routes are valid for use in the timetable season for which they are purchased - either winter or summer, and are non-refundable.
Can I amend my 10-journey ticket product if I still have tickets to use from the previous season and transfer them to the new season timetable?
No. The 10-journey ticket product cannot be amended. Unused journeys are not usable after the end of the timetable period for which it the ticket was purchased - either winter or summer, so its important that you consider how you plan to use this product carefully before purchasing.
Can I get a refund, or a partial refund, for my 10-journey ticket if I have unused journeys?
No. Unused 10-journey tickets cannot be refunded or partially refunded, so its important that you consider how you plan to use this product carefully before purchasing.