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Home / Europe / Shetland Islands / Lerwick / Kirkwall Lerwick Ferry

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Ferry from Kirkwall to Lerwick

Depending on the season their are about 4 weekly sailings between Kirkwall and Lerwick. Northlink Ferries provides the ferry from Kirkwall to Lerwick. Kirkwall Lerwick ferries cost between $87 and $599, depending on ticket details. Prices exclude any service fees. Ferry timetables change seasonally, use our Deal Finder to get tickets, pricing, schedules and availability.

What's the ferry schedule from Kirkwall to Lerwick?

Kirkwall Lerwick ferries depart at around 23:45.

How long is the ferry from Kirkwall to Lerwick?

Ferries from Kirkwall to Lerwick sail in around 7 hours 45 minutes. Ferry duration can vary by ferry provider and can be impacted by weather conditions.

Kirkwall Lerwick Ferry Operator Schedules

There is 4 weekly sailings from Kirkwall to Lerwick provided by Northlink Ferries. Timetables can change from season to season.

Northlink Ferries provide 4 sailings weekly.

How much does the ferry cost from Kirkwall to Lerwick?

The price of a ferry from Kirkwall to Lerwick typically range between $85* and $600*. On average the Kirkwall Lerwick ferry is $418*. The cheapest Kirkwall Lerwick ferry prices start from $85*. The average price for a foot passenger is $86*. The average price for a car is $487*.

Pricing will vary depending on number of passengers, vehicle type, route and sailing times. Pricing is taken from searches over last 30 days and exclusive of service fees, last updated January 25.

What is the distance from Kirkwall to Lerwick?

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

Can I travel on the ferry from Kirkwall to Lerwick with a car?

Yes, Kirkwall Lerwick ferries allow cars onboard with Northlink Ferries between Kirkwall and Lerwick. To view car ferry tickets and prices between Kirkwall and Lerwick use our Deal Finder.

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

Northlink Ferries allow foot passengers on Kirkwall Lerwick ferries.

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

Northlink Ferries allow pets on ferries from Kirkwall to Lerwick. Please also note that your pet may have to stay in the vehicle during the journey.

For more information, please visit our Ferries from Orkney Islands to Shetland Islands page.
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Kirkwall - Lerwick Route summary
Departure Country UK
Destination Country UK
No. of Operators 1
Operators Northlink Ferries
Average Price A$304*
Average Weekly Sailings 2
Average Sailing Duration 7h 45m
First Ferry 23:45
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 Kirkwall to Lerwick?

The typical crossing time for ferries from Kirkwall to Lerwick is approximately 7h 45m. This is a rough guide for ferry duration as it can differ on type of ship and operator.

Which ferry companies operate between Kirkwall to Lerwick?

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

How can I book ferry tickets from Kirkwall to Lerwick?

Ferries from Kirkwall to Lerwick are available for booking through our deal finder, with live prices, timetables and operators.

Kirkwall Guide

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 Guide

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.

Kirkwall to Lerwick Ferry Timetables

Timetables between 13/1/2025 and 19/1/2025


Operator Departure Time Arrival Time Duration Sailing Days
Northlink Ferries 23:45 07:30 7 hours 45 minutes Mon, Fri, Sun
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