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

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Ferry from Lerwick to Kirkwall

This ferry route is operated by Northlink Ferries. Lerwick Kirkwall ferries cost between £35 and £188, depending on ticket details. Prices exclude any service fees. Ferry timetables change seasonally. Use our Deal Finder to get live pricing and availability for Lerwick Kirkwall ferries.

Lerwick Kirkwall Ferry Times

The Lerwick Kirkwall ferry typically departs from Lerwick at around 17:30.

How long is the ferry from Lerwick to Kirkwall?

Lerwick Kirkwall ferry sailing duration on this route can take around 5h 30m. The fastest sailings are approximately 5h 30m. Sailing times can vary; durations often differ between ferry operators and can be impacted by weather conditions.

Lerwick Kirkwall Ferry Operator Schedules

There is 1 weekly sailing from Lerwick to Kirkwall provided by Northlink Ferries. Timetables can change from season to season.

Lerwick Kirkwall Ferry Prices

Lerwick Kirkwall ferry prices typically range between £35* and £188*. The average price is typically £94*. The cheapest Lerwick Kirkwall ferry prices start from £19.38*. The average price for a foot passenger is £35*. The average price for a car is £117.24*.

Pricing will vary depending on the number of passengers, vehicle type, route, and sailing times. Prices exclude service fees.

How far is it from Lerwick to Kirkwall?

The distance between Lerwick and Kirkwall is approximately 148.7 miles (239.3km) or 129.2 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?

Yes, it is possible to travel as a foot passenger between Lerwick and Kirkwall with Northlink Ferries. Please note that the availability of foot passenger services may vary between ferry operators. Use our Deal Finder to get live pricing for foot passenger ferries.

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

Pets are allowed on ferries traveling from Lerwick to Kirkwall with Northlink Ferries. Please also note that your pet may have to stay in the vehicle during the journey unless the ferry operator supplies pet accommodation.

For more information, please visit our Ferries from Shetland Islands to Orkney Islands page.
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Lerwick - Kirkwall Route summary
Departure Country UK
Destination Country UK
No. of Operators 1
Operators Northlink Ferries
Average Price £94*
Average Weekly Sailings 1
Average Sailing Duration 5h 30m
First Ferry 17:30
Distance 129 nautical miles

* Prices subject to change, pricing is taken from last 30 days, last updated 2024-11-05.

Most popular questions

How long is the ferry from Lerwick to Kirkwall?

The ferry crossing time from Lerwick to Kirkwall is approximately 5h 30m. Sailing durations may vary from season to season and by operator so we’d advise doing a live check.

Which ferry companies operate between Lerwick to Kirkwall?

There is 1 ferry operator for Lerwick to Kirkwall and this is
  • Northlink Ferries

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.

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

Ferry Timetables between 16/12/2024 and 22/12/2024


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