Lerwick – Kirkwall
Ferries to Orkney Islands
Lerwick – Kirkwall
Ferries to Orkney Islands
Northlink Ferries provides the ferry from Lerwick to Kirkwall. Lerwick Kirkwall ferries cost around $80 and $589, 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.
Lerwick Kirkwall ferries typically depart at 17:30.
The Lerwick Kirkwall ferry trip can take around 5 hours 30 minutes. Crossing times can vary between ferry operator and seasons.
There are around 3 weekly sailings from Lerwick to Kirkwall serviced by Northlink Ferries. Timetables can vary by season and operator.
Lerwick Kirkwall ferry prices typically range between $80* and $589*. The average price is typically $267*. The cheapest ferries from Lerwick to Kirkwall start from $80*. The average price for a foot passenger is $97*. The average price for a car is $308*.
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 April 25.
The distance between Lerwick to Kirkwall is approximately 149 miles (239km) or 129 nautical miles.
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.
Foot passengers can travel on the Lerwick to Kirkwall ferry with Northlink Ferries.
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.
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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.
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.
