Kirkwall - Aberdeen
Ferry to Scotland
Kirkwall - Aberdeen
Ferry to Scotland
There are currently ferries sailing between Kirkwall and Aberdeen. Use our Deal Finder to compare prices and availability and book your ferry to Aberdeen today.
We offer a quick and easy way to compare ferry tickets and prices worldwide to help you find the best option. Check out our Special Offers page for discounts on selected routes and operators. Remember to book early for the best prices and availability!
Yes, Direct Ferries offers a wide range of discounts all year around. When searching for ferries, senior discounts will be applied automatically if they are available. Just select your age range from the passenger options.
Students and graduates can get a 5% discount on ferry tickets. To take advantage of the discount, you need to register with our partner Student Beans and confirm your student or graduate status. You will then receive a discount code which can be entered during the payment process.
Resident discounts are available on a variety of Spanish and Italian ferry routes. Just click on the "Residents" option when this is displayed. The discount is automatically applied to the price. Bear in mind that proof of registration or an identity card with the correct address must be shown at check-in.
Whether you can bring your vehicle on the ferry from Kirkwall to Aberdeen depends on factors such as the ship and operator of your chosen crossing. To find out, simply enter your details and we’ll show you which operators on that route allow vehicles.
For practical tips and for inspiration when travelling with a car, campervan or caravan, visit our blog.
The regulations for foot passengers can vary between ferry operators and ships. For more information, just enter your details and preferred route to find out if you can travel on the ferry by foot.
There are a few things to keep in mind when travelling with guide and assistance dogs. We recommend contacting our customer service team or notifying the ferry company at the time of booking that you’ll be travelling with a guide dog or assistance dog.
You should also ensure that you have any necessary certificates and documentation with you, as you may be asked to present them when boarding or whilst you’re on board.
Please note that even if pets aren’t allowed on board, different regulations may apply to passengers travelling with guide dogs and assistance dogs. You can check the specific rules on your preferred sailing with our customer service. For general information on travelling with assistance dogs and guide dogs, visit our Special Assistance Help page.
It's important to check what documents you'll need before sailing, as travel requirements can vary depending on the route. In most cases, a valid passport is required when travelling from Kirkwall to Aberdeen, along with any necessary visas or national ID cards. Requirements may differ based on your nationality and the destination country’s regulations. To avoid delays at check-in, you can find helpful information for your journey in our Check-in, Travel Documents & Tickets guide and in our blog post on tips and tricks for international travel.
To book your ferry tickets and to see all available options and prices, simply enter your departure and arrival ports and the date you’d like to travel. You’ll also be able to view alternative routes and times, so you can find the best deal to suit you.
Look out for early booking discounts or special ticket options such as upgrades or flexi-tickets that allow you to change or cancel your booking. To make your sailing as smooth as possible, make sure you enter all the required information correctly, such as number of passengers and vehicle specifications.
Once you’ve finalised your booking, you’ll receive a confirmation email. It depends on the ferry operator you book with as to how your boarding pass is issued and collected.
Whilst some ferry operators issue the boarding pass as soon as your booking is confirmed, others may ask you to check in at the port. There’s also the option for online check-in, which can be done easily via the Direct Ferries app, if available.
The ticket desks are usually located near the ferry terminals. To avoid any delays at the port, we’d recommend allowing some extra time to collect your tickets and to check-in.
During check-in, you must show your email confirmation, as well as an official photo ID, such as a passport or identity card. You might also be asked to provide documentation for your pet (vaccines, pet insurance etc.) or proof of residence if you have booked your ticket with a resident discount.
There could be various reasons why there are no departures from Kirkwall to Aberdeen for the date you’ve requested. For example, a temporary timetable change, limited availability or seasonal changes in the timetable. We recommend checking for alternative dates and routes.
The best time to book ferries from Kirkwall to Aberdeen is usually as early as possible. By booking in advance, you’ll not only get your tickets at the best available prices, but you’ll also get a better choice of departure times and cabin/seating options.
We’d recommend making your booking at least a few weeks in advance to benefit from the best offers. Bear in mind that prices may vary depending on the season and availability.
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| Kirkwall - Aberdeen Ferry Route Prices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Foot Passenger | £71 | |
| Average Price with Car | £353 | |
| Average Price with Motorbike | £93 | |
| Average Campervan Price | £222 | |
| Average Cabin Price | £160 | |
| Kirkwall - Aberdeen Ferry Route Summary | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Orkney Islands |
| Destination | Scotland |
| No. of Operators | 1 |
| Operators | Northlink Ferries |
| Average Price | £212 |
| Average Pet Price | £193 |
| Average Daily Sailings | 1 |
| Average Weekly Sailings | 3 |
| Average Sailing Duration | 7 h 15 m |
| Fastest Sailing Duration | 7 h 15 m |
| First Ferry | 23:45 |
| Last Ferry | 23:45 |
| Distance | 122 Nautical Miles |
* Prices subject to change, pricing is taken from last 30 days, last updated 1 June 2026.
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.
Located in the north east of Scotland, the city of Aberdeen is Scotland's third most populous city. The city's architecture is famous for its wide use of granite which has led to the city often being referred to as "the Granite City". The city is well known for its floral displays which include 2 million roses, 11 million daffodils and 3 million crocuses. So impressive is the city's floral displays that it was won the RHS's Britain in Bloom 'Best City' award ten times, the overall Scotland in Bloom competition 20 times and the Large City category every year since 1968. It is also known for its parks and gardens, of which it has over 45 throughout the city.
Aberdeen's port has good road, air and rail connections and passenger facilities at its terminal that includes a cafe and a supermarket. The terminal also has good facilities for disabled passengers. There are regular services from the port to Lerwick on the Shetland Islands with a crossing time of around 1 hour and 30 minutes. There are also three sailings each week to Kirkwall with a crossing time of around 6 hours.
