Plan the crossing from Aberdeen to Kirkwall, with departure-port details, NorthLink Ferries and onward travel after arrival.
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Check your ports, passengers, vehicle and dates before completing the reservation.
NorthLink Ferries serves Kirkwall from Aberdeen on selected northbound sailings that continue onward to Lerwick. In the main 2026 timetable, the typical calling service leaves Aberdeen at 17:00 and reaches Kirkwall at 23:00, a passage of about six hours.
Not every Aberdeen–Lerwick departure calls at Kirkwall. During the main summer timetable, selected Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday sailings make the Orkney call, while other departures sail direct toward Shetland.
The route carries foot passengers and vehicles and offers a more cruise-ferry-style experience than the shorter Scrabster–Stromness crossing. Cabins, sleeping pods, restaurants and lounges can be useful for evening travel, but availability depends on the sailing.
For Aberdeen to Kirkwall, the advertised crossing time is only one part of the journey. Allow for port access, check-in, boarding and disembarkation when deciding which departure best fits the day.
Look beyond the headline fare when comparing Aberdeen to Kirkwall. Departure time, ticket flexibility and the transfer after arrival can make a different sailing more convenient overall.
Travelling the other way? Read the Kirkwall to Aberdeen ferry guide.
Compare the dated itinerary, vessel, vehicle rules and accommodation before booking.
NorthLink Ferries
Crossing time: about six hours on calling sailings
NorthLink’s Aberdeen–Kirkwall journey forms part of the longer Aberdeen–Kirkwall–Lerwick timetable. The evening sailing gives Orkney-bound passengers a direct mainland connection without driving north to Scrabster.
Follow the terminal and check-in instructions on your booking confirmation. Port arrangements can vary by operator, vessel and departure.
Aberdeen is NorthLink’s mainland gateway for the longer Orkney and Shetland passenger services. Allow time for city traffic, vehicle check-in and terminal marshalling before the evening departure.
Kirkwall is Orkney’s principal town and a key call on the Aberdeen–Lerwick route. From the terminal, road links reach the Mainland’s archaeological sites, Stromness and island accommodation.
NorthLink’s large passenger ships provide a fuller onboard product than short Pentland Firth ferries, with food, lounges and bookable accommodation on suitable sailings.
Private cabins and sleeping pods can be useful on evening and overnight NorthLink journeys. Availability is limited, so book early.
The Aberdeen route offers onboard dining and refreshments, with the precise outlets depending on the vessel.
Passenger lounges and seating give foot passengers and motorists places to rest during the six-hour crossing.
Pet accommodation and accessibility support are available subject to advance arrangements and the facilities on the assigned ship.
Kirkwall is not called at by every Aberdeen departure. Confirm the dated itinerary before booking travel or accommodation around the arrival.
Aberdeen–Kirkwall is a domestic Scottish journey. Carry the identification and booking information requested by NorthLink and arrive in time for the appropriate foot-passenger or vehicle check-in.
Keep the booking reference and recognised identification available for terminal check-in.
Enter accurate dimensions and vehicle type, and follow NorthLink’s loading instructions at Aberdeen.
Reserve pet accommodation and accessibility support in advance so suitable arrangements can be made.
Kirkwall is a practical base for Orkney, with shops, accommodation and local transport. By road you can reach Stromness, Skara Brae, the Ring of Brodgar and other major sites across the Mainland.
Late-evening arrivals make advance accommodation and transfer planning useful, especially if you are not collecting a vehicle at the terminal.
Compare Ferry RoutesCompare the complete trip: road distance, crossing duration, arrival port, ferry product and onward travel.
On main 2026 sailings that call at Kirkwall, the timetable commonly shows Aberdeen 17:00 to Kirkwall 23:00, about six hours.
No. Some Aberdeen–Lerwick departures run direct to Shetland. Check the exact dated timetable for a Kirkwall call.
NorthLink Ferries operates the passenger and vehicle route as part of its Orkney and Shetland network.
Yes on the vehicle-carrying NorthLink sailings. Vehicle space should be booked in advance.
Yes. Foot passengers are accepted on passenger sailings that call at Kirkwall.
Cabins and other sleeping options are available on suitable NorthLink vessels, subject to availability.
In the main 2026 timetable, selected northbound sailings depart Aberdeen at 17:00 and arrive at Kirkwall at 23:00. Check your specific date.
Yes, subject to NorthLink’s pet-booking rules and the accommodation available on the vessel.
Kirkwall to Aberdeen ferry guide covers the opposite departure port, arrival arrangements and onward connections.
Use the terminal or pier named on your NorthLink Ferries confirmation. The published departure is the sailing time; check-in and vehicle acceptance close earlier. If reaching Aberdeen by train or bus, allow for the transfer from the station to the harbour and for luggage handling.
Start your onward itinerary at the actual landing point in Kirkwall. Leave time to unload before a timed collection, train or island bus. If the ferry arrives late in the day, check the final public-transport departure or arrange a transfer in advance.
Domestic travel still has operator rules: names, any required identification, vehicle size and assistance arrangements must match the booking. If this sailing connects with a second ferry, check whether the tickets protect the connection. Allow a margin before an infrequent island bus or the last return boat.
Select the correct passenger category before comparing Aberdeen to Kirkwall fares. A passenger-only boat cannot take a car, and a vehicle ferry may still have limited bicycle or foot-passenger availability. The travel modes shown in the facts panel should be checked against the specific sailing.
For a vehicle booking, give the full height and length including a roof box, rear rack or trailer. Where accommodation is offered, check whether a cabin or seat is required and whether meals are included. Request mobility assistance and any pet space before completing the booking, because these can have separate capacity limits.
Prices depend on the date, passenger mix, vehicle and ticket conditions. Compare the complete return cost and the amendment or cancellation terms. No fixed fare on this guide should replace a dated quote.
Car and motorhome planning · Travelling without a car · Taking a pet
Compare current sailings, passenger fares, vehicle prices and accommodation, then choose the crossing that works best for your journey.
about 6 hours
Selected sailings
Cars & foot passengers
Cabins available
