Stromness - Scrabster
Ferry to Scotland
Stromness - Scrabster
Ferry to Scotland
Fares for the Stromness to Scrabster crossing usually range somewhere between $53* and $630*. Most travellers pay around $279* for a Stromness Scrabster ferry ticket, and the cheapest fares on this route begin at $53*. Foot passengers can expect to pay roughly $115* on average. Bringing a car along typically brings the average fare up to $481*.
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.
Sailings on the Stromness Scrabster route generally kick off from Stromness at around 06:30, and the last departure of the day is usually around 16:45.
You certainly can — with a short crossing and sailings running daily, Stromness to Scrabster is an easy day trip. Taking a vehicle, where possible, gives you the freedom to explore a bit further once you land.
Yes, Northlink Ferries carries vehicles on the Stromness to Scrabster 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 Stromness to Scrabster 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 Stromness to Scrabster 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 Stromness and Scrabster.
Pet owners are in luck — Northlink Ferries allows pets on board between Stromness and Scrabster. Travelling with a pet on this crossing costs an average of $327.
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 Stromness to Scrabster 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 Stromness to Scrabster 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 Stromness to Scrabster 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 Stromness to Scrabster 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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| Stromness - Scrabster Ferry Route Prices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Foot Passenger | $115 | |
| Average Price with Car | $481 | |
| Average Price with Motorbike | $158 | |
| Average Campervan Price | $327 | |
| Average Cabin Price | $302 | |
| Stromness - Scrabster Ferry Route Summary | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Orkney Islands |
| Destination | Scotland |
| No. of Operators | 1 |
| Operators | Northlink Ferries |
| Average Price | $279 |
| Average Pet Price | $327 |
| Average Daily Sailings | 2 |
| Average Weekly Sailings | 15 |
| Average Sailing Duration | 1 h 30 m |
| Fastest Sailing Duration | 1 h 30 m |
| First Ferry | 06:30 |
| Last Ferry | 16:45 |
| Distance | 26 Nautical Miles |
* Prices subject to change, pricing is taken from last 30 days, last updated 1 September 2026.
Stromness is a town in Orkney, Scotland, and is located in the south west of the island. The town is home to a well established port and at its heart is the main street which is lined with shops and houses. The town is made up of narrow lanes and alleys which lead off the main street, and is definitely full of charm. Records show that the town can trace its history back to the 16th century where an inn was located at the site of the current town. However, the town grew in importance during the 17th century when England was at war with France.
Located in the north part of the town are the harbour and quays that are now services by a new access road. facilities at the port include a tourist information office, vending machines, lockers and facilities for disabled passengers. A ferry service from Stromness to the Scottish mainland via the port of Scrabster operates as many as three times a day with the journey taking around 1 hour and 30 minutes.
The Scottish town of Scrabster is located around 11 miles from the Castle of Mey and is within walking distance of Thurso, the second largest town in the Highlands. The Scottish Highlands are widely regarded as Europe's last remaining wilderness and is full of flora and fauna and has been a popular destination with the British royal family for decades. Visitors to Caithness and Sutherland have plenty of things to see and do which includes a number of historic buildings and a beautiful coastline. Scrabster is the most northerly port on the Scottish mainland and has been a popular port of choice for the Queen and her family when they disembarked from the Royal Yacht Britannia every August to visit the Queen Mother at her Highland holiday home, Castle of Mey, 11 miles from Scrabster. Today, visitors can follow in their footsteps, as the Castle is open to visitors.
Ferries from the port depart to Stromness in Orkney.
