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Home / Europe / Orkney Islands / Kirkwall / Lerwick Kirkwall Ferry

Popular Ferry Operators for Lerwick - Kirkwall

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Ferry from Lerwick to Kirkwall

Northlink Ferries provides the ferry from Lerwick to Kirkwall. Lerwick Kirkwall ferries cost around $64 and $510, 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 Lerwick Kirkwall ferries.

Ferry times from Lerwick to Kirkwall

Lerwick Kirkwall ferries typically depart at 17:30.

How long is the ferry from Lerwick to Kirkwall?

The Lerwick Kirkwall ferry trip can take around 5 hours 30 minutes. Crossing times can vary between ferry operator and seasons.

Lerwick Kirkwall Ferry Operator Schedules

There are around 3 weekly sailings from Lerwick to Kirkwall serviced by Northlink Ferries. Timetables can vary by season and operator.

Ferry prices from Lerwick to Kirkwall

Lerwick Kirkwall ferry prices typically range between $64* and $510*. The average price is typically $251*. The cheapest ferries from Lerwick to Kirkwall start from $64*. The average price for a foot passenger is $95*. The average price for a car is $301*.

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 March 25.

How far is it from Lerwick to Kirkwall?

The distance between Lerwick to Kirkwall is approximately 149 miles (239km) or 129 nautical miles.

Can I travel by car on the Lerwick Kirkwall ferry?

Yes, Northlink Ferries allow cars on board ferries between Lerwick and Kirkwall. Use our Deal Finder to get live pricing for car ferries between Lerwick and Kirkwall.

Can I travel as a foot passenger from Lerwick to Kirkwall?

Foot passengers can travel on the Lerwick to Kirkwall ferry with Northlink Ferries.

Can I take my pet on the ferry from Lerwick to Kirkwall?

Pets can travel on ferries from Lerwick to Kirkwall with Northlink Ferries. Pets may have to stay in the vehicle during the journey depending on the operators guidelines.
 

For more information, please visit our Ferries from Shetland Islands to Orkney Islands page.
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Lerwick - Kirkwall Ferry Route Summary
Departure CountryShetland Islands
Destination CountryOrkney Islands
No. of Operators1
OperatorsNorthlink Ferries
Average Price$251
Average Daily Sailings1
Average Weekly Sailings3
Average Sailing Duration5 h 30 m
Fastest Sailing Duration5 h 30 m
First Ferry17:30
Last Ferry17:30
Distance129 Nautical Miles

* Prices subject to change, pricing is taken from last 30 days, last updated 1 March 2025.

Lerwick to Kirkwall Ferry Most Popular Questions

  • How long is the ferry from Lerwick to Kirkwall?

    The ferry crossing time from Lerwick to Kirkwall is approximately 5 hours 30 minutes. Sailing duration may vary from season to season and by operator, so we would advise doing a live check using our Deal Finder.

  • How much is the ferry from Lerwick to Kirkwall?

    Lerwick to Kirkwall ferry price can differ depending on the season. The average price of a ferry from Lerwick to Kirkwall is $251. Price exclusive of booking fees.

  • Which ferry companies operate between Lerwick to Kirkwall?

    Northlink Ferries provide the ferries from Lerwick to Kirkwall.

  • How can I book ferry tickets from Lerwick to Kirkwall?

    Book ferries from Lerwick to Kirkwall through our deal finder and check our offers page to view the latest ferry offers. 

  • Can you travel as a foot passenger on the ferry from Lerwick to Kirkwall?

    Yes, you can travel as a foot passenger from Lerwick to Kirkwall with

  • Can you take your car on the ferry from Lerwick to Kirkwall?

    Yes, you can travel on the ferry with a car from Lerwick to Kirkwall with

  • Can you bring pets on the ferry from Lerwick to Kirkwall?

    Yes, pets are permitted onboard the ferry. You may need a pet passport. Please read the ferry operators pet guidelines. Currently you can bring pets on ferries with:

  • How far is Lerwick to Kirkwall?

    The distance from Lerwick to Kirkwall is 129 nautical miles.

Lerwick Guide

The town of Lerwick is the main port, and capital, of the Shetland Islands in Scotland. The town which is located on the east coast of Shetland is roughly 160 km off the north east 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 has many amenities which one would normally expect to see in much larger towns on the British mainland which include leisure and entertainment facilities with a good selection of restaurants, bars and nightclubs. The town is centred around its busy harbour while Hay’s Dock was once the centre of Shetland’s fishing industry and boatbuilding and is now home to the splendid Shetland Museum and Archives.

The port, which lies at the crossroads of the North Sea and the north east Atlantic, is the UK's most northern port. The port has a new elevated passenger walkway to facilitate the new roll-on, roll-off ferries. There are daily ferry services operating between Lerwick and Aberdeen, regularly calling at Kirkwall in the Orkney Islands. The Shetland Islands Council also operate a ro-ro ferry service to Out Skerries and Bressay from a terminal in the centre of the town.


Kirkwall Guide

The town of Kirkwall is located in the Orkney islands and is the island's largest town and capital. The town's name is taken from the Norse name Kirkjuvage (Church Bay) which was later changed to Kirkvoe, Kirkwaa and then finally to Kirkwall. The Orkney's are located off the north east coast of Scotland and one of Kirkwall's most popular attractions is the sandstone St Magnus Cathedral, regarded as the finest medieval building in the north of Scotland. Other sites of interest in one of the best preserved examples of an ancient Norse town include the Bishop's Palace and Earl's Palace.

Kirkwall is now a thriving market town and has a busy centre with many shops and restaurants. Visitors will find a wide range of accommodation on the island that caters for long and short stays, bed and breakfast or self-catering. Ferry services from Orkney depart to Aberdeen (6 hours), Scrabster (90 minutes) and John O'Groats.

Lerwick to Kirkwall Ferry Timetables

Timetables between 2025-03-24 and 2025-03-30


Operator Departure Time Arrival Time Duration Sailing Days
Northlink Ferries 17:30 23:00 5 hours 30 minutes Thu, Sat
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