Waverley Excursions
ENTRY
from £1
WHERE
Glasgow
What it’s like
A trip on a genuine paddle steamer down the Clyde, with under-fives sailing free and kids five to sixteen for just £1.
This is the last seagoing paddle steamer left, and the appeal for kids is fairly obvious once you're on board: real paddles churning away, decks to explore, and a proper sea trip rather than a static museum piece. Sailings run on the Glasgow and Clyde Coast routes, and further out to Oban and the Inner Hebrides, so you can pick a short hop or make a day of it.
The pricing is genuinely kind to families. Under-fives go free, and five to sixteens are £1 on the main Clyde and Oban routes, though you'll need an adult with you as unaccompanied under-16s aren't allowed on board. There's somewhere to get a meal or snack while you're sailing, which matters if you've got a longer route planned and a child who eats on a schedule.
Book ahead if you can. It's not just good practice, sailings can sell off in advance and you'll want your ticket sorted before you turn up. If your trip is within a week, tickets wait for you at the Purser's Office; book earlier than that and they're posted out. Turn up 10 minutes before departure since boarding shuts five minutes prior, and don't expect a refund if you simply change your mind, tickets are non-refundable unless the sailing itself is cancelled.
Access is the one to think through properly if anyone in your party uses a wheelchair. The gangways are ridged, so wheelchairs can't be pushed across, meaning anyone who can't walk needs to be carried by crew, and there's a 14 stone weight limit on that. Electric wheelchairs and scooters can't come aboard at all, and not every pier they call at has good access. There's a disabled toilet on the promenade deck for Radar Key holders.
Facilities
Need to know
- Booking
- Advance booking recommended. Tickets collected at Purser's Office if sailing within 7 days, otherwise posted
- Wheelchairs
- Gangways have ridges so wheelchairs can't be pushed across
- Dogs
- Well-behaved dogs allowed on selected sailings (maximum ~3.5 hours on board)
- Unaccompanied under-16s aren't allowed on board, so it's a family ticket not a teen day out
- Sailings run in passenger service until Sunday 18th October
- Dogs are allowed on selected sailings if booked in advance at £5, on a lead and kept out of the Dining Saloon and Tea Bar
- The Booking Office keeps shorter hours on Saturdays, 0930 to 1300, versus weekdays
Plan your visit
How much does it cost for kids?
Under-fives sail free. Kids five to sixteen are £1 on the Glasgow and Clyde Coast, and Oban and Inner Hebrides sailings, and they need to be with an adult.
Do we need to book in advance?
It's recommended, and sensible given sailings can sell out. If you book within 7 days of travel, your tickets are waiting at the Purser's Office, otherwise they get posted to you.
Can we just buy tickets on the day?
You can buy on board at the Purser's Office, subject to availability. Popular sailings do sell out ahead of time though.
What time should we arrive?
Be at the ship 10 minutes before departure. Boarding closes 5 minutes before, though gangways usually open up to half an hour early at the starting port.
Is there food on board?
Yes, there's somewhere to get a meal or snack during the sailing.
Is it accessible for wheelchair users?
It's tricky. The gangways are ridged so wheelchairs can't be pushed across, meaning anyone who can't walk has to be carried by crew, with a 14 stone weight limit. Electric wheelchairs and scooters can't be taken on board at all.
What if we need to cancel or change the date?
Tickets are non-refundable unless the sailing itself is cancelled. You can transfer to another date if you contact the Booking Office at least 24 hours ahead, though amendments carry a £5 admin fee.
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