Operated by John O’Groats Ferries exclusively for foot passengers, it is the quickest ferry journey at just 40 minutes. Arriving in Burwick, one of the most southerly points in Orkney, this journey is only available between May and September and connects with sightseeing bus tours. It’s popular with day and short-stay visitors and your journey can also begin with the linked bus service from Inverness. With a selection of up to 20 sailings weekly, the port of Gills Bay connects Scotland with Orkney Islands.

What is the cheapest ferry route to Orkney Islands?

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• The pier is one of the prominent features of the area, providing the entrance for Pentland Ferries to operate among the docks.
• With a selection of up to 20 sailings weekly, the port of Gills Bay connects Scotland with Orkney Islands.
• Operated by John O’Groats Ferries exclusively for foot passengers, it is the quickest ferry journey at just 40 minutes.
• If you’re heading straight to our mainland, your journey will take in the Churchill Barriers and the Italian Chapel.

Shetland Islands to Orkney Islands

• You will be in fine company too as Stromness has a rich maritime past and has been welcoming vessels for centuries.
• The Orkney Islands, a treasure trove of history and natural beauty, beckon travellers with their rugged coastline and ancient heritage.
• Ferries are available from the port of Scrabster in Scotland to Stromness in the Orkney Islands.
• A six-hour cruise, this is the perfect opportunity to relax and unwind in preparation for your visit.
• Sailing duration ranges from 1 hour 15 minutes to St Margaret’s Hope and 1 hour 15 minutes on the St Margaret’s Hope service.

The pier is one of the prominent features of the area, providing the entrance for Pentland Ferries to operate among the docks. In recent times it has become the most commonly used departure point from the mainland across the Short Sea Crossing to the islands of Stroma, Swona and Orkney. The crossing is generally considered the quickest and safest way to get across the chicken road waters of Pentland Firth. The sailings on the ferry route run throughout the year and are thought to be a very reliable and comfortable service. With approximately 7 daily sailings and up to 41 weekly trips to the Orkney Islands, you have numerous travel options. As ferry schedules may vary by season, we recommend using our deal finder to check the latest sailing times and compare ticket prices.

Getting to Orkney by ferry

Ferries are available from the port of Scrabster in Scotland to Stromness in the Orkney Islands. If you’re very lucky, whatever journey you choose, you may even spot some of sealife that regularly visits the waters near Orkney, including porpoises, dolphins and orcas. NorthLink Ferries operates a 90-minute crossing operated between Scrabster (near Thurso) on the north coast of Scotland and Stromness. You’ll sail past the Old Man of Hoy and the UK’s highest vertical sea cliffs at St John’s Head before berthing in Orkney’s second largest town. We regret that whilst we will make every effort to assist we may not be able to make changes and cancellations for reservations booked through third party agents.

Northlink Ferries and Pentland Ferries allow passengers to bring their own vehicles onboard most of their ferry crossings to the islands. The 2 most popular routes have an average price of £149.73 (Gills Bay to St Margaret’s Hope) and £190.50 (Scrabster to Stromness). For those who can’t wait for their holiday to begin, the short hop from John O’Groats to Burwick could prove very appealing.

Departing Gills Bay

The Orkney Folk Festival, held annually, celebrates traditional music and attracts visitors from far and wide. Book a ferry to the Orkney Islands online with Direct Ferries, using our Deal Finder and compare tickets. You will be in fine company too as Stromness has a rich maritime past and has been welcoming vessels for centuries. With over 70 islands and hundreds of miles of rugged coastline, Orkney is synonymous with the sea.

Sailing duration ranges from 1 hour 15 minutes to St Margaret’s Hope and 1 hour 15 minutes on the St Margaret’s Hope service. Pentland Ferries offers daily one-hour-long crossings beween Gills Bay on the north coast of Scotland (close to John O’Groats) and St Margaret’s Hope in South Ronaldsay. This is a gateway to Orkney’s linked south isles and the east mainland of Orkney, and is less than half an hour from our main town, Kirkwall.

Orkney Islands reviews

There’s no better way to begin your Orkney adventure than by arriving in true seafaring fashion on the ferry. Passengers and vehicles must be available by this time otherwise space may be reallocated and boarding refused. From culture to history, nature and a rich and ever-expanding heritage, there really is something to suit every taste and interest in Orkney, just a short ferry trip away. A six-hour cruise, this is the perfect opportunity to relax and unwind in preparation for your visit. You can enjoy some fabulous local food and drink, or pick the perfect spot to grab a photo of the stunning landscape as it comes into view on the horizon. With four separate but equally picturesque routes you’ll be spoilt for choice when deciding how best to reach our islands.

Live & Work

St Margaret’s Hope ferry port, one of the primary gateways, offers convenient access to the islands’ wonders. Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Neolithic village of Skara Brae and the Ring of Brodgar stone circle. Kirkwall, home to the magnificent St Magnus Cathedral, is a hub of activity and culture. Regular buses from the port make it easy to reach Kirkwall and other key locations across the islands.

If you’re heading straight to our mainland, your journey will take in the Churchill Barriers and the Italian Chapel. Sailing information can vary based on time of year, so we’d advise you to view live sailing times and prices in our Deal Finder. The Orkney Islands, a treasure trove of history and natural beauty, beckon travellers with their rugged coastline and ancient heritage.