Kirkwall - Lerwick
Ferry to Shetland Islands
Kirkwall - Lerwick
Ferry to Shetland Islands
Fares for the Kirkwall to Lerwick crossing usually range somewhere between $44* and $781*. Most travellers pay around $492* for a Kirkwall Lerwick ferry ticket, and the cheapest fares on this route begin at $44*. Foot passengers can expect to pay roughly $116* on average. Bringing a car along typically brings the average fare up to $650*.
Fares vary according to passenger count, vehicle type, the route itself and what time you sail. Figures come from fares searched in the previous 30 days, don't include service fees, and were last checked September 26.
There's a quick way to stack up ferry fares and operators from around the world side by side, so you can pick the crossing that best suits you. Getting in early tends to open up the widest choice of prices and sailing times.
Direct Ferries has discounts running throughout the year. Where a senior discount applies to your crossing, it's applied the moment you pick the matching age bracket in the passenger section of your search.
If you're a student or recent graduate, a 5% discount is up for grabs. Head to our partner Student Beans to confirm your status and you'll receive a code to enter at checkout.
A handful of Spanish and Italian ferry routes also offer a resident discount — choose the "Residents" option if it appears during your search and the lower fare is applied straight away. You'll usually need to show proof of address, like a residency card or certificate, when you check in.
Kirkwall Lerwick sailings generally depart at around 23:45.
With a longer crossing time, a trip between Kirkwall and Lerwick is better suited to a weekend away or an extended stay, so you get proper value out of the journey.
Yes, Northlink Ferries carries vehicles on the Kirkwall to Lerwick route. Check our Deal Finder for up-to-date car ferry pricing on this crossing.
Whether a caravan or campervan is welcome on board the Kirkwall to Lerwick ferry comes down to the ship and operator running the sailing. Pop your travel details into our Deal Finder, and we'll check the operators on this route for you.
Yes, Northlink Ferries takes bicycles on the Kirkwall to Lerwick crossing. Most operators are happy to carry bikes, but it's always worth confirming their exact policy before you turn up at the terminal.
Yes, Northlink Ferries carries foot passengers between Kirkwall and Lerwick.
Pet owners are in luck — Northlink Ferries allows pets on board between Kirkwall and Lerwick. Travelling with a pet on this crossing costs an average of $440.
Fares reflect searches from the last 30 days, exclude service fees, and were last checked September 26.
Before you bring a pet on board, it helps to have the following sorted:
It depends on which operator you're sailing with — some ferries keep pets in your vehicle for the whole trip, while others have dedicated pet areas, kennels, or even pet-friendly cabins. Our Deal Finder lays out the options so you can pick the crossing that works for your pet.
There's a bit to know before travelling with a guide or assistance dog. Let our customer service team know in advance, or mention it to the ferry operator when you book, so everything's arranged ahead of time.
Carry any certification or documentation your dog needs, since you could be asked to show it at boarding or partway through the crossing.
Rules for guide dogs and assistance dogs can differ from general pet policy, even on sailings where pets aren't otherwise allowed. Reach out to our customer service team to check what applies to your sailing, or visit our Special Assistance Help page for more detail.
Whether the Kirkwall to Lerwick route has an overnight sailing depends on a mix of factors. Search with your travel dates, and we'll show you whether an overnight option exists, plus current timetables, crossing times and daytime alternatives.
Note that overnight sailings can occasionally take a bit longer than daytime crossings.
What you'll need to travel varies by route, so it pays to check ahead of your sailing. A valid passport is typically required for the Kirkwall to Lerwick crossing, along with any visa or national ID required for your nationality. As rules depend on both where you're from and where you're headed, our Check-in, Travel Documents & Tickets guide is worth a read to avoid any hold-ups at check-in.
Booking couldn't be simpler — select your departure port, arrival port and travel date to see everything on offer. From there, you can weigh up alternative routes and departure times to land on the best fit.
Look for early-booking deals and flexible fare types, like upgrades or flexi-tickets, which give you room to change plans later. Double-check details such as passenger numbers and vehicle specs as you go, to keep the booking process painless.
You'll get a confirmation email the moment your booking goes through. From there, how your boarding pass turns up depends on the operator.
Some operators send the boarding pass straight away, while others want you to check in at the port. Where it's on offer, online check-in through the Direct Ferries app can save you time at the terminal.
Ticket desks tend to sit right by the ferry terminal. Building in some extra time before you sail means you won't be rushed collecting tickets and getting checked in.
Have your confirmation email and valid photo ID — a passport or identity card — ready at check-in. If a pet's travelling with you, bring their vaccination and insurance papers, and hold onto proof of address if you booked with a resident discount.
A gap in sailings from Kirkwall to Lerwick on your chosen date usually comes down to something like a timetable adjustment, limited space, or a seasonal dip in service. Try a different date, or browse other options with our Route & Port finder.
Generally speaking, booking your Kirkwall to Lerwick ferry sooner rather than later pays off — earlier bookings usually mean lower fares and more choice of departure times and cabins.
A few weeks' lead time is usually enough to catch a good deal, though fares can still move around depending on the season and what's left available.
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| Kirkwall - Lerwick Ferry Route Prices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Foot Passenger | $116 | |
| Average Price with Car | $650 | |
| Average Price with Motorbike | $294 | |
| Average Campervan Price | $670 | |
| Average Cabin Price | $564 | |
| Kirkwall - Lerwick Ferry Route Summary | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Orkney Islands |
| Destination | Shetland Islands |
| No. of Operators | 1 |
| Operators | Northlink Ferries |
| Average Price | $492 |
| Average Pet Price | $440 |
| Average Daily Sailings | 1 |
| Average Weekly Sailings | 3 |
| Average Sailing Duration | 7 h 45 m |
| Fastest Sailing Duration | 7 h 45 m |
| First Ferry | 23:45 |
| Last Ferry | 23:45 |
| Distance | 129 Nautical Miles |
* Prices subject to change, pricing is taken from last 30 days, last updated 1 September 2026.
Kirkwall is the largest town and capital of the Orkney Islands which are located just off the northern coast of Scotland. St Magnus Cathedral stands in the centre of Kirkwall and was founded in memory of Saint Magnus Erlendsson, Earl of Orkney between 1108-1117. Other attractions in the town include the former Bishop's Palace and Earl's Palace, located adjacent to the cathedral. Also in the town, and containing a number of artefacts of historical importance, are two museums. Shopping in Kirkwall is mainly located on Albert Street and Bridge Street.
The town is located on the main island and is around 10 km from Finstown, 24 km from St Margaret's Hope and 26 km from Stromness. Around 3 km from Kirkwall is the Hatston Ferry Terminal which is operated by NorthLink Ferries. There are places to purchase refreshments a short distance from the terminal. Ferry services operating from the port depart to Aberdeen in Scotland, with a crossing time of around 6 hours. There are also services to Lerwick, the capital of the Shetland Islands, with a crossing time of roughly 7 hours and 45 minutes.
Lerwick is a town and port, and capital, of the Shetland Islands which are located roughly 160 km off the north coast of Scotland, 340 km to the north of the city of Aberdeen and 370 km to the west of Bergen in Norway. The town takes its name from the Old Norse and its descendent, Norn, which was spoken in Shetland until the middle of the 19th century and means 'bay of clay'. The Norwegian name for the town is Leirvik with 'leir' meaning clay and 'vik' meaning bay or inlet. There are other towns in western Norway with similar names.
The town's port is a busy fishing and ferry port that also services that support the offshore oil industry. There is an overnight passenger ferry service to Aberdeen, that calls at Kirkwall in the Orkney Islands. Also, the Shetlands Islands Council operate a ferry service to Out Skerries and Bressay from a terminal in the centre of town.
