Kirkwall – Lerwick
Ferries to Shetland Islands
Kirkwall – Lerwick
Ferries to Shetland Islands
Northlink Ferries provides the ferry from Kirkwall to Lerwick. Kirkwall Lerwick ferries cost around $99 and $658, depending on ticket details. Prices exclude any service fees. Ferry schedules change seasonally, use our Deal Finder to get the latest ferry ticket information for Kirkwall Lerwick ferries.
Kirkwall Lerwick ferries typically depart at 23:45.
The Kirkwall Lerwick ferry trip can take around 7 hours 45 minutes. Crossing times can vary between ferry operator and seasons.
There are around 4 weekly sailings from Kirkwall to Lerwick serviced by Northlink Ferries. Timetables can vary by season and operator.
Kirkwall Lerwick ferry prices typically range between $99* and $658*. The average price is typically $497*. The cheapest ferries from Kirkwall to Lerwick start from $99*. The average price for a foot passenger is $159*. The average price for a car is $521*.
Ferry price can vary based on booking factors such as number of passengers, vehicle type sailing times. Pricing is taken from searches over last 30 days and exclusive of service fees, last updated July 25.
The distance between Kirkwall to Lerwick is approximately 149 miles (239km) or 129 nautical miles.
Yes, Northlink Ferries allow cars on board ferries between Kirkwall and Lerwick. Use our Deal Finder to get live pricing for car ferries between Kirkwall and Lerwick.
Foot passengers can travel on the Kirkwall to Lerwick ferry with Northlink Ferries.
Pets can travel on ferries from Kirkwall to Lerwick with Northlink Ferries. Pets may have to stay in the vehicle during the journey depending on the operators guidelines.
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| Kirkwall - Lerwick Ferry Route Summary | ||
|---|---|---|
| Departure Country | Orkney Islands | |
| Destination Country | Shetland Islands | |
| No. of Operators | 1 | |
| Operators | Northlink Ferries | |
| Average Price | $497 | |
| Average Daily Sailings | 1 | |
| Average Weekly Sailings | 4 | |
| 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 July 2025.
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.
