Ferry to Orkney Islands

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Ferry to Orkney Islands

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Ferry to the Orkney Islands

You can get ferries to Orkney Islands from destinations within Scotland such as Gills Bay, Scrabster, Aberdeen & Lerwick. There are up to 41 ferries running per week. Ferries to Orkney Islands are provided by 2 ferry companies including Northlink Ferries & Pentland Ferries. Book now with Direct Ferries and find a ferry to Orkney Islands to suit you.


Sailing information: operators, timetables and routes

Orkney Islands ferry timetable

The Orkney Islands ferry timetable varies depending on the route you choose. The Gills Bay to St Margaret's Hope ferry sails approximately 20 times per week, with an average duration of about 1 hour 15 minutes. The first ferry departs at 09:30 and the last ferry leaves at 18:45.

Meanwhile, the Scrabster to Stromness ferry sails 16 times per week, with an average duration of about 1 hour 30 minutes. The first ferry departs at 08:45 and the last ferry departs at 19:00.

Orkney Islands ferry operators

Ferries to Orkney Islands are provided by 2 operators including Northlink Ferries & Pentland Ferries. Northlink Ferries and Pentland Ferries are two of the most popular Orkney Islands ferry operators.

Orkney Islands ferry ports

There are 3 ferry ports in Orkney Islands. St Margaret's Hope is the most popular port with 3 daily and 20 weekly sailings.

How long is the ferry to Orkney Islands?

The duration of the ferry to Orkney Islands depends on the route. The longest route is Aberdeen to Kirkwall with an average duration of 6 hours, whilst the fastest route is Gills Bay to St Margaret's Hope with a journey time of 1 hour 15 minutes.

Which is the fastest ferry to Orkney Islands?

The fastest ferry to Orkney Islands is Gills Bay to St Margaret's Hope. This journey usually takes 1 hour 15 minutes and costs around £186.00 on average.

Popular Orkney Islands ferry routes

The most popular ferry route to Orkney Islands is the Gills Bay to St Margaret's Hope ferry with 20 weekly sailings and an average price of £186.00. The second most popular ferry to Orkney Islands is the Scrabster to Stromness ferry with 16 weekly sailings and an average price of £244.00.

Where do ferries from Orkney Islands go to?

Ferries from Orkney Islands go to 4 ports. These include Gills Bay, Scrabster, Aberdeen & Lerwick.


Orkney Islands ferry prices

How much does the ferry to Orkney Islands cost?

The price of the ferry to Orkney Islands varies depending on the route you choose. The Gills Bay to St Margaret's Hope ferry costs £186.00 on average whereas the Scrabster to Stromness ferry usually costs £244.00.

What is the cheapest way to get to Orkney Islands?

The cheapest ferry to Orkney Islands depends on the route, season, ferry company and whether you are travelling with a vehicle or not. Prices are generally cheaper for foot passengers. We recommend booking your ferry tickets to Orkney Islands in advance to get them at the cheapest price.

The cheapest Orkney Islands ferry is Lerwick to Kirkwall with an average price of £168.65. The journey takes approximately 5 hours 30 minutes.


Orkney Islands ferry travel with vehicles and pets

Can I travel as a foot passenger on the ferry to Orkney Islands?

Yes, you can travel as a foot passenger on Orkney Islands ferries. Orkney Islands foot operators include Northlink Ferries & Pentland Ferries.

Can I take a car on the ferry to Orkney Islands?

Yes, you can take your car on ferries to Orkney Islands. Simply follow the signs at the port and staff will be on hand to guide you into the correct lane. Orkney Islands car operators include Northlink Ferries & Pentland Ferries.

Can I take my bike on the ferry to Orkney Islands?

Yes, you can take your bike on ferries to Orkney Islands. Orkney Islands bicycle operators include Northlink Ferries & Pentland Ferries.

Can I take my pet on the ferry to Orkney Islands?

Yes, you can take your pet on ferries to Orkney Islands. We recommend checking the ferry operator's pet policy before you travel. Orkney Islands pet operators include Northlink Ferries & Pentland Ferries.


Booking your Orkney Islands ferry tickets

How to book ferry tickets to Orkney Islands

It's easy to book ferry tickets to Orkney Islands online at Direct Ferries using our Deal Finder. Enter your departure and arrival ports along the date you'd like to travel to see all available options. You can also compare alternative routes to find the best ferry to suit you. 

We'd recommend booking in advance to get your tickets at the best possible price. You can also check out our Special Offers page and sign up to our email for exclusive offers.

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