Kirkwall – Aberdeen
Ferry to Scotland
Kirkwall – Aberdeen
Ferry to Scotland
Kirkwall Aberdeen ferry prices tend to range between £38* and £432*. The average price for ferries from Kirkwall Aberdeen is typically £216*. The cheapest Kirkwall Aberdeen ferry prices start from £38*. The average foot passenger price is £69*. And the average price for a car is £333*.
Pricing will vary depending on the number of passengers, vehicle type, route and sailing times. Pricing is taken from searches over the last 30 days and is exclusive of service fees, last updated October 25.
You can easily find cheap ferry tickets with our Deal Finder. We recommend booking in advance to get the best possible prices and availability. You can also check out our Special Offers page for the latest deals on Kirkwall ferries.
Yes, Direct Ferries offers a wide range of discounts all year around. When searching for ferries, senior discounts will be automatically applied 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 in our Deal Finder. 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.
Kirkwall Aberdeen ferries typically depart at 23:45.
Due to the crossing time, ferries between Kirkwall and Aberdeen are currently not suitable for a day trip.
Yes, Northlink Ferries ferries allow cars on board ferries between Kirkwall and Aberdeen. Use our Deal Finder to get live pricing for car ferries between Kirkwall and Aberdeen.
Whether you can bring your campervan on the ferry from Kirkwall to Aberdeen depends on several factors like the ship & operator of your preferred crossing. For more information on travelling with campervans & caravans on ferries, use our Deal Finder or visit our blog, where you can find practical tips & travel inspiration for your next adventure.
Yes, you can bring a bicycle on a ferry from Kirkwall to Aberdeen with Northlink Ferries. Most ferry companies allow bicycles on board, but it is always best to check policies regarding bringing bicycles on the ferry. View our Deal Finder for more information.
Yes, foot passengers can travel with Northlink Ferries ferries between Kirkwall and Aberdeen.
Pets are allowed on ferries travelling from Kirkwall to Aberdeen 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.
Use our Deal Finder to find out whether your preferred ferry is an overnight ferry. Here you can also find the current ferry timetables and crossing times. Please note that the duration of the night ferries are usually slightly longer than that of the day ferries.
Travel requirements can vary depending on the route, so it's important to check what documents you'll need before sailing. In most cases, a valid passport is required when traveling 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.
Book your ferry tickets online with Direct Ferries using our Deal Finder. Just enter your departure and arrival ports and the date you’d like to travel to see all available options and prices. 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 easily done 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. Our Deal Finder automatically compares the desired route with alternative routes and dates, offering up-to-date real time options, all in one place.
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 Summary | ||
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Orkney Islands | |
| Destination | Scotland | |
| No. of Operators | 1 | |
| Operators | Northlink Ferries | |
| Average Price | £216 | |
| Average Daily Sailings | 1 | |
| Average Weekly Sailings | 2 | |
| 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 October 2025.
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.
