2024 Timetables

2024 Timetables

Below you can find 2024 timetables for the NorthLink passenger ferries.

Timetables for sailings between
Aberdeen – Kirkwall – Lerwick
Lerwick – Kirkwall – Aberdeen
Stromness to Scrabster and
Scrabster to Stromness

Timetables for the freight vessels can be found at https://freight.northlinkferries.co.uk/timetables

Check-in opens 120 minutes prior to departure at Aberdeen and Lerwick and 90 minutes prior to departure at Hatston, Stromness and Scrabster.

Check-in closes 30 minutes prior to departure at all ports and if you have not checked in at least 30 minutes prior to departure you will not be allowed on board.

Car drivers are recommended to check-in at least 1 hour prior to departure.

Timetables may be subject to weather related or technical delays – please visit Service Update for current sailing information.

Passengers travelling should at all times be aware that changes may be introduced at short notice. Those who are booked on affected sailings will be contacted.

5th January to 31st March 2024

Whilst passenger ships undergo scheduled maintenance, NorthLink Ferries will operate to a dry dock timetable on routes to Orkney and Shetland. Please view Aberdeen – Hatston – Lerwick timetables covering the dry dock period.

Scrabster to Stromness timetables for 5th January to 31st March 2024 can be found below.


1st April to 31st October 2024
Aberdeen – Kirkwall – Lerwick (Northbound)

Dep AberdeenArr KirkwallDep KirkwallArr Lerwick
Mon19:00--07:30
Tue17:0023:0023:4507:30
Wed19:00--07:30
Thu17:0023:0023:4507:30
Fri19:00--07:30
Sat17:0023:0023:4507:30
Sun17:0023:0023:4507:30

1st April to 31st October 2024
Lerwick – Kirkwall – Aberdeen (Southbound)

Dep LerwickArr KirkwallDep KirkwallArr Aberdeen
Mon17:3023:0023:4507:00
Tue19:00--07:00
Wed17:3023:0023:4507:00
Thu19:00--07:00
Fri17:3023:0023:4507:00
Sat19:00--07:00
Sun19:00--07:00

1st November 2024 to 31st March 2025
Aberdeen – Kirkwall – Lerwick (Northbound)

Dep AberdeenArr KirkwallDep KirkwallArr Lerwick
Mon19:00--07:30
Tue19:00--07:30
Wed19:00--07:30
Thu17:0023:0023:4507:30
Fri19:00--07:30
Sat17:0023:0023:4507:30
Sun17:0023:0023:4507:30

1st November 2024 to 31st March 2025
Lerwick – Kirkwall – Aberdeen (Southbound)

Dep LerwickArr KirkwallDep KirkwallArr Aberdeen
Mon19:00--07:00
Tue19:00--07:00
Wed17:3023:0023:4507:00
Thu19:00--07:00
Fri17:3023:0023:4507:00
Sat19:00--07:00
Sun19:00--07:00

Stromness to Scrabster / Scrabster to Stromness
1st January to 31st December 2024

Stromness to Scrabster / Scrabster to Stromness
Peak Timetable (dates marked in pink)

DEPARTURE TIMES

Sailing time: 90 minutes
Stromness to Scrabster06:3011:0016:45
Scrabster to Stromness08:4513:1519:00

* On Saturday 10th August (County Show Day) the ferry will sail from STSC at 17:45 and SCST at 20:00.

Stromness to Scrabster / Scrabster to Stromness
Weekend Timetable (dates marked in dark blue)

DEPARTURE TIMES

Sailing time: 90 minutes
Stromness to Scrabster09:0016:45
Scrabster to Stromness12:0019:00

Stromness to Scrabster / Scrabster to Stromness
Off Peak Timetable (dates marked in light blue)

DEPARTURE TIMES

Sailing time: 90 minutes
Stromness to Scrabster06:3016:45
Scrabster to Stromness08:4519:00

Christmas and New Year period

There will be no sailings on dates marked in grey.

Dry Dock

Whilst passenger ships undergo scheduled maintenance, there will be no sailings between Scrabster and Stromness on dates (Monday 8th to Saturday 21st January 2024) marked in grey.

However from Monday 8th to Sunday 21st January 2024 there will be additional sailings:

  • from Kirkwall to Aberdeen, departing at 22:45 and arriving at 07:00, and
  • from Aberdeen to Kirkwall, departing at 17:00 and arriving at 23:00.

Service will also be affected from:

  • Saturday 3rd to Friday 16th February 2024 – Aberdeen – Kirkwall – Lerwick sailings only.
  • Monday 11th to Friday 22nd March 2024 – Aberdeen – Kirkwall – Lerwick sailings only.

View timetables covering the dry dock period (from 5th January to 31st March 2024)

Download a printable 2024 Timetables and Visitor Fares sheet

Header image: Hjaltland sailing to Shetland, passing Bressay and catching the morning sun photo © Copyright photo © Copyright Nick McCaffrey