Aberdeen - Kirkwall
Ferries to Orkney Islands
Aberdeen - Kirkwall
Ferries to Orkney Islands
Direct Ferries acts as an agent for the customer in relation to bookings for Northlink Ferries services. There are currently ferries sailing between Aberdeen and Kirkwall. Use our Deal Finder to compare prices and availability and book your ferry to Kirkwall today.
Last Updated: 9/28/2026
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 round. 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 Aberdeen to Kirkwall 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 Aberdeen to Kirkwall, 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 guide 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 Aberdeen to Kirkwall 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 Aberdeen to Kirkwall 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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| Aberdeen - Kirkwall Ferry Route Prices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Foot Passenger | $120 | |
| Average Price with Car | $574 | |
| Average Price with Motorcycle | $130 | |
| Average Cabin Price | $255 | |
| Aberdeen - Kirkwall Ferry Route Summary | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Scotland |
| Destination | Orkney Islands |
| No. of Operators | 1 |
| Operators | Northlink Ferries |
| Average Price | $570 |
| Average Pet Price | $411 |
| Average Daily Sailings | 1 |
| Average Weekly Sailings | 3 |
| Average Sailing Duration | 6 h |
| Fastest Sailing Duration | 6 h |
| First Ferry | 17:00 |
| Last Ferry | 17:00 |
| Distance | 122 Nautical Miles |
* Prices subject to change, pricing is taken from last 30 days, last updated 28 September 2026.
The ferry schedule for this ferry route has up to 4 ferries running per week, provided by 1 ferry operator, but be sure to bear in mind that ferry sailings for this route can be affected by many different factors. These can include seasonal changes, changes to the ferry route, changes made by the ferry operator, and so on, but here at Direct Ferries, we will always give you the most relevant information when you are making your booking, so you can find the best ferry at the best time for you.
Ferry sail durations on this ferry route generally take between 6 hours, and 7 hours and 15 minutes, and this variation is caused by numerous reasons, such as changes to the ferry route, changes made by the ferry operator, and external factors such as weather conditions at the time of sail. This means that all sail times that are given here are to be taken as estimates only, and be sure to check before you book, what your expected sail time will be.
How much the ferry to Kirkwall from Aberdeen will cost is defined by many separate aspects, such as what time of year you are travelling, which ferry operator you are travelling with, which ferry route you are travelling on, how you are travelling, and other such factors, so there are multiple ferry fares on offer here. Instead, we recommend looking at the above graph, to see our monthly fare averages, check out our helpful fare finder tool, to find the best ferry at the best price for you, and be sure to sign up to our email newsletter, to be the first to hear about our latest deals and offers.
You are currently able to take your car with you on this ferry route.
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