NorthLink Ferries
Check the Kirkwall departure for your date, passenger category, vehicle space and ticket conditions.
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United Kingdom → Scotland, United Kingdom
Kirkwall to Aberdeen Ferry Route Guide
Start in Kirkwall and plan the crossing to Aberdeen: choose the departure terminal, compare the dated sailing and arrange the connection after landing. Use the reverse guide for the return journey.
Check the dated return sailingNorthLink FerriesConfirm operator and passenger category
Route guide
Travel from Kirkwall to Aberdeen
This page covers the Kirkwall to Aberdeen direction. Check the departure from Kirkwall specifically: the return timetable, vessel and intermediate calls can differ from those in the opposite direction.
Departing Kirkwall. Use the terminal named on your booking when arranging a transfer or planning the drive. Include time to reach check-in, and allow for disembarkation before committing to a bus, train or onward ferry.
On arrival in Aberdeen. From Aberdeen, NorthLink operates the overnight passenger and vehicle service to Lerwick in Shetland, while selected sailings call at Kirkwall in Orkney. Cabins and sleeping accommodation are available on suitable overnight sailings, and both foot passengers and correctly booked vehicles can travel. Always confirm the exact port call and onboard accommodation shown for your date.
Use the dated timetable for the departure and arrival time. Do not calculate this direction from the outward crossing time: daylight, overnight and multi-stop sailings can have different durations.
Corridor context. 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.
For the opposite direction and the original crossing details, see Aberdeen → Kirkwall.
Ferry companies
Ferry operator for Kirkwall–Aberdeen
Compare the exact sailing and the conditions for your passenger and vehicle category.
Ports & terminals
Kirkwall departure and Aberdeen arrival
Kirkwall
Use the terminal named on your booking when arranging a transfer or planning the drive. Include time to reach check-in, and allow for disembarkation before committing to a bus, train or onward ferry.
Read the Kirkwall port guide →Aberdeen
From Aberdeen, NorthLink operates the overnight passenger and vehicle service to Lerwick in Shetland, while selected sailings call at Kirkwall in Orkney. Cabins and sleeping accommodation are available on suitable overnight sailings, and both foot passengers and correctly booked vehicles can travel. Always confirm the exact port call and onboard accommodation shown for your date.
Read the Aberdeen port guide →On the crossing
Prepare for the vessel and journey booked
Facilities depend on the vessel assigned to the departure. Treat the booking result and operator confirmation as the source for the exact ship and onboard services.
Seating and accommodation
Use the dated timetable for the departure and arrival time. Do not calculate this direction from the outward crossing time: daylight, overnight and multi-stop sailings can have different durations.
What to keep with you
Keep tickets, medicines, weatherproof layers and essentials with you. On a vehicle ferry, access to the garage is usually restricted once the ship is at sea. Check whether the selected ticket includes a seat, cabin or only passage.
Vehicles, bicycles and assistance
Check the passenger and vehicle categories for the selected operator and vessel. Foot-passenger access, car space, bicycle arrangements, luggage and assistance may differ between services on the same corridor.
Before departure
Tickets, identification and check-in
Booking confirmation
Keep the final confirmation accessible and check whether a QR code, printed ticket or exchange at the terminal is required. The supplier’s instructions override general guidance.
Identification
Carry the identification and travel documents required for the countries and territories in your itinerary. Domestic routes can still have operator identification rules.
Arrival time
Vehicle check-in often closes earlier than foot-passenger check-in. Use the time on the ticket and allow extra margin for traffic, parking or terminal access.
Onward travel
On arrival in Aberdeen
From Aberdeen, NorthLink operates the overnight passenger and vehicle service to Lerwick in Shetland, while selected sailings call at Kirkwall in Orkney. Cabins and sleeping accommodation are available on suitable overnight sailings, and both foot passengers and correctly booked vehicles can travel. Always confirm the exact port call and onboard accommodation shown for your date.
From Aberdeen, NorthLink operates the overnight passenger and vehicle service to Lerwick in Shetland, while selected sailings call at Kirkwall in Orkney. Cabins and sleeping accommodation are available on suitable overnight sailings, and both foot passengers and correctly booked vehicles can travel. Always confirm the exact port call and onboard accommodation shown for your date.
Compare options
Return travel and alternatives
For the return, use the Aberdeen to Kirkwall guide. Check both directions before choosing accommodation. If no sailing appears, use the official timetable to distinguish a sold-out departure, a seasonal service and an operator absent from the comparison search.
Connect the Kirkwall to Aberdeen crossing with your land journey
Build the itinerary in sailing order: reach the departure terminal at Kirkwall, complete ferry check-in, then plan the transfer from the arrival terminal at Aberdeen. Compare that full sequence with the route in the booking result; a place name alone does not identify the quay or the passenger entrance.
Plan the two ends of the crossing: Kirkwall departure and local travel guide · Aberdeen arrival and local travel guide.
For the return, the journey starts at Aberdeen. Use the Aberdeen to Kirkwall guide to check that departure separately; the last useful connection and the terminal approach at Aberdeen may differ from the outward trip.
Other guides from Kirkwall towards the United Kingdom: Kirkwall to Lerwick · Kirkwall to Shapinsay · Kirkwall to Westray · Kirkwall to Sanday.
These are different arrival points, not interchangeable tickets. Compare the onward distance and the passenger categories accepted before treating another port as an alternative.
Map orientation: Kirkwall area in Google Maps · Aberdeen area in Google Maps.
The map searches show the named places. Use the terminal address and reporting instructions on your operator confirmation for navigation to check-in.
Frequently asked questions
Kirkwall to Aberdeen ferry FAQs
Where does the Kirkwall to Aberdeen ferry leave?
Use the terminal named on your booking when arranging a transfer or planning the drive. Include time to reach check-in, and allow for disembarkation before committing to a bus, train or onward ferry.
How long is the crossing?
The planning guide is Check the dated return sailing. Confirm the departure and arrival shown for the exact date, since vessel assignments and intermediate stops can change.
Which operator should I check?
NorthLink Ferries. This page covers the Kirkwall to Aberdeen direction. Check the departure from Kirkwall specifically: the return timetable, vessel and intermediate calls can differ from those in the opposite direction.
Can I take a vehicle or bicycle?
Check the passenger and vehicle categories for the selected operator and vessel. Foot-passenger access, car space, bicycle arrangements, luggage and assistance may differ between services on the same corridor.
How do I arrange my return?
Check the Aberdeen to Kirkwall timetable before booking the outward journey. A return may use a different vessel, schedule or intermediate-stop pattern.
What if the route is not in the comparison form?
Use the official operator timetable and booking link on this page. Some local routes and passenger categories are not sold through the comparison provider; a blank result alone does not establish that the route has closed.
What should I plan after arrival?
From Aberdeen, NorthLink operates the overnight passenger and vehicle service to Lerwick in Shetland, while selected sailings call at Kirkwall in Orkney. Cabins and sleeping accommodation are available on suitable overnight sailings, and both foot passengers and correctly booked vehicles can travel. Always confirm the exact port call and onboard accommodation shown for your date.
Compare live sailings
Check Prices & AvailabilityPlan your Kirkwall to Aberdeen crossing
Search the exact date, passengers and vehicle details, then verify the route and operator before booking.