Ferry concessions for National Entitlement Card holders
You can get 4 free ferry vouchers each year if you:
- have a National Entitlement Card (NEC) – you may know this as your free bus pass
- live on certain Scottish islands
- meet any other requirements depending on your NEC type
You do not need to apply for the ferry vouchers separately. If you qualify, you’ll automatically receive them. You’ll get a letter with either:
- paper vouchers included
- information about how to download digital vouchers onto your NEC
If you’re under 22 years old, you might also get free travel between the islands in your local council area.
Find out more about ferry vouchers and inter-island travel on the Transport Scotland website.
If you have an older person’s NEC or a disabled person’s NEC
You can get ferry vouchers if you live in Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Orkney or Shetland.
If you have a young person's NEC
You can get ferry vouchers if you live in Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Orkney, Shetland, or islands in North Ayrshire, Argyll and Bute or Highland Council areas and:
- are aged 16 to 21
- are aged 22 to 25 and a full time volunteer (30 hours a week or more)
You can also get free foot passenger travel on ferries between the islands in your own council area if you:
- are aged under 22
- live in Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Orkney or Shetland
You’ll need to show your NEC when you travel.
How you get your vouchers
Some people receive paper ferry vouchers in the post. If you live in Orkney or Shetland, your vouchers will be digital and stored on your card.