Kirkwall → Shapinsay
Plan departure from Kirkwall and arrival in Shapinsay, with links to the reverse crossing and port guidance. Check the timetable for the date you intend to sail.
View route guide →
Scotland · Orkney inter-island network
Orkney Ferries
Orkney Ferries operates the local island network within Orkney. It is separate from NorthLink’s mainland Scotland crossings and Pentland Ferries’ Gills Bay service.
Operator information reviewedRoutes & practical information
Operator guide
Orkney Ferries routes and travel planning
Orkney Ferries operates the local island network within Orkney. It is separate from NorthLink’s mainland Scotland crossings and Pentland Ferries’ Gills Bay service.
Routes include Kirkwall to Shapinsay and the northern islands, Houton to Flotta and Lyness, Tingwall to Rousay, Egilsay and Wyre, and Stromness to Graemsay and Moaness. Some itineraries call at more than one island, so passage times and the order of calls vary.
Several services carry vehicles, while the Stromness–Graemsay–Moaness route is a passenger service. Reserve the appropriate category and contact the operator about restricted sailings, livestock, larger vehicles or assistance. Do not infer car acceptance from another route in the network.
Reviewed 25 October 2026. Orkney Ferries official timetable and booking. Use the operator when a local service is not returned by the FerryEU comparison form.
Plan by route
Orkney Ferries routes
Explore related EUFerry guides, then confirm departures with the operator for your travel date.
Shapinsay → Kirkwall
Plan departure from Shapinsay and arrival in Kirkwall, with links to the reverse crossing and port guidance. Check the timetable for the date you intend to sail.
View route guide →Kirkwall → Westray
Plan departure from Kirkwall and arrival in Westray, with links to the reverse crossing and port guidance. Check the timetable for the date you intend to sail.
View route guide →Westray → Kirkwall
Plan departure from Westray and arrival in Kirkwall, with links to the reverse crossing and port guidance. Check the timetable for the date you intend to sail.
View route guide →Kirkwall → Sanday
Plan departure from Kirkwall and arrival in Sanday, with links to the reverse crossing and port guidance. Check the timetable for the date you intend to sail.
View route guide →Sanday → Kirkwall
Plan departure from Sanday and arrival in Kirkwall, with links to the reverse crossing and port guidance. Check the timetable for the date you intend to sail.
View route guide →Before boarding
Booking and terminal checks
Choose your service
Routes include Kirkwall to Shapinsay and the northern islands, Houton to Flotta and Lyness, Tingwall to Rousay, Egilsay and Wyre, and Stromness to Graemsay and Moaness. Some itineraries call at more than one island, so passage times and the order of calls vary.
Passengers and vehicles
Several services carry vehicles, while the Stromness–Graemsay–Moaness route is a passenger service. Reserve the appropriate category and contact the operator about restricted sailings, livestock, larger vehicles or assistance. Do not infer car acceptance from another route in the network.
Terminal and onward travel
Select the exact route and date in the official timetable and check the live service updates before leaving for the terminal. Weather can affect both the outward and return sailing. The island arrival pier may be away from the settlement or accommodation, so arrange onward transport in advance.
Journey planning
How to compare Orkney Ferries ferry options
Select the exact route and date in the official timetable and check the live service updates before leaving for the terminal. Weather can affect both the outward and return sailing. The island arrival pier may be away from the settlement or accommodation, so arrange onward transport in advance.
Several services carry vehicles, while the Stromness–Graemsay–Moaness route is a passenger service. Reserve the appropriate category and contact the operator about restricted sailings, livestock, larger vehicles or assistance. Do not infer car acceptance from another route in the network.
Check the final ticket for the reporting time, departure terminal and inclusions. Recheck operating updates before travelling, and allow time between separate tickets. The return sailing may follow a different pattern from the outward journey.
Connect Orkney Ferries with the rest of your journey
The linked EUFerry guides for Orkney Ferries involve United Kingdom. Start with the port pair you need and then compare the dated service: passenger categories, accommodation and check-in arrangements can differ within the same operator’s network.
Check the land connections at the ports: Kirkwall port guide · Shapinsay port guide · Westray port guide · Sanday port guide.
Before choosing a Orkney Ferries fare, write down the departure terminal, reporting time, arrival port and the first onward connection. Compare each item with the booking result. A cabin, pet space or assistance request should appear in the selected arrangements rather than being inferred from a general ship description.
Open the directional route guides for both halves of a return journey. If the comparison search does not show a sailing, check the operator information on this page before concluding that the service has stopped; some local services and ticket categories are outside the comparison provider’s inventory.
Frequently asked questions
Orkney Ferries booking questions
Where does Orkney Ferries operate?
Orkney Ferries operates the local island network within Orkney. It is separate from NorthLink’s mainland Scotland crossings and Pentland Ferries’ Gills Bay service.
Which timetable should I use?
Routes include Kirkwall to Shapinsay and the northern islands, Houton to Flotta and Lyness, Tingwall to Rousay, Egilsay and Wyre, and Stromness to Graemsay and Moaness. Some itineraries call at more than one island, so passage times and the order of calls vary.
Can I take a vehicle or bicycle?
Several services carry vehicles, while the Stromness–Graemsay–Moaness route is a passenger service. Reserve the appropriate category and contact the operator about restricted sailings, livestock, larger vehicles or assistance. Do not infer car acceptance from another route in the network.
What should I check before reaching the port?
Select the exact route and date in the official timetable and check the live service updates before leaving for the terminal. Weather can affect both the outward and return sailing. The island arrival pier may be away from the settlement or accommodation, so arrange onward transport in advance.
What if the operator is missing from the comparison search?
Use the official operator link on this page to check and book dated departures. The EUFerry comparison form remains available for routes and passenger categories sold by its booking provider.
Information quality
Information review
Operator information reviewed on 25 October 2026. Check the official timetable and live updates before travel.