Top Tips for Shetland and Orkney Islanders Travelling with NorthLink Ferries

This page contains more ‘insider’ tips, specifically to help Orkney and Shetland Islanders get the best from the NorthLink Ferries service.

• Before you travel – Register for your island discount – By now, most islanders will have secured their customer ID card giving access to NorthLink’s discounted fares for islanders – but you might be surprised at how many have not….and there are new applications every day as younger family members seek to gain their own ID card which is available to all from the age of 16.
  To register with us we ask that you make contact to request a registration form. The form should be completed and submitted to us along with evidence verifying your residency in the islands. Eligibility is restricted to those whose main residence is in Orkney or Shetland.
  On receipt of the forms we will issue a unique customer number together with a password which gives access to the discounted fares over the internet at www.northlinkferries.co.uk
  
  
• Use your concessionary vouchers – The Scottish Government has introduced concessionary travel schemes giving many people in the isles access to free travel with NorthLink.
  The ferry vouchers can cover the cost of passage and accommodation on the overnight sailing routes. When booking travel, please have the voucher and concessionary card details ready as we will only issue confirmation once we have the full voucher information.
  
  
• Use your customer ID – It’s much quicker when booking and ensures you get access to any discounts that you may be eligible for.
  
  
• Cabins – Book your berth or cabin in good time. Even with the extra cabins, there are still sailings where we are fully booked. In the summer months, for passengers travelling on the first Stromness to Scrabster crossing at 06.30, cabins can be booked on a bed and breakfast basis with boarding the previous evening between 2130 and 2330.
  
  
• Try booking online – With your ID number and password you can access the islander fares online at any time.
  
  
• Double check your onward travel connections – Check timetables and leave time for planned onward connections whether by coach, train or air.
  
  
• Check-in and boarding – Bring photographic ID – from May 2008 NorthLink will require passengers to be able to identify themselves through acceptable photo ID before boarding passes can be issued.