NorthLink Ferries sail between the Scottish Mainland and the Orkney and Shetland islands – view our routes here. You can use the NorthLink Ferries website, phone 0800 111 4422 (free from UK landlines and mobiles), +44 (0)1856 885500 (International), email the [email protected] or visit any NorthLink Ferries office or port to book a sailing.
It is possible to use the NorthLink Ferries online booking system to price up a journey. Simply select the details of the ferry journey you wish to take, and a price will show in the shopping basket without having to commit to book. A sailing will not be booked until payment is made.
It is possible turn up at the NorthLink Ferries port and sail, however we would strongly advise that you book in advance to avoid disappointment, especially if you wish to take a vehicle or require cabin accommodation on board.
NorthLink Ferries do not offer an open return ticket, however two single tickets cost the same as a return ticket, so you could book your journey a stage at a time. Alternatively, if you book a journey and your return date changes, your sailing can be easily amended.
Not at present, though online booking using National Concession Scheme Ferry Vouchers will be available in the near future. Journeys using ferry vouchers should be booked in a NorthLink office, over the phone on 0800 111 4422 (free from UK landlines and mobiles) or by emailing [email protected]
Children aged between 0 and 4 years (infant) travel for free on all NorthLink routes between the Scottish Mainland and Shetland and Orkney. Children aged between 5 and 15 travel at a discounted rate. For more information about pricing, please visit the NorthLink Fares Fares webpage.
The NorthLink Ferries fare structure is set by Transport Scotland and governed by the contract awarded for the operation of the Northern Isles Ferry Services. Please phone 0800 111 4422 or email [email protected] if you are unsure whether you are entitled to a discount. You can also view information about NorthLink offers.
Passengers with a disability, those over the age of 60, and students in full time education are entitled to a 10% discount on passenger and vehicle fares. Please note, when claiming the student discount, passengers will need to show their student card at check in. These concessionary fares are available to all nationalities.
If you do not know your vehicle number plate, please enter ‘not known’ into the vehicle registration field to proceed with your online booking. If possible please contact NorthLink by phoning 0800 111 4422 (free from UK landlines and mobiles) or email [email protected] once you know your vehicle registration.
A domestic van is used by a household, whereas a commercial van is used for the carriage of personnel, goods, tools, or equipment used in the course of business. Domestic vans under 6m long can be booked online. Commercial vans should be booked by contacting the NorthLink Ferries freight department on 0800 111 4434.
To book a bicycle, please select 1 vehicle and then select Bicycle as the type of vehicle from the drop-down menu that appears. Bicycles travel free of charge with NorthLink Ferries on all routes between the Scottish Mainland and Orkney and Shetland. If the car deck is full, please book as a foot passenger and email [email protected] to inform us that you wish to take a bicycle.
To book a trailer or caravan online, please select 1 vehicle and then select car towing a trailer, or car towing a caravan as the type of vehicle from the drop-down menu. You will be asked for the vehicle number plate and total combined length in metres of your car and tow.
Yes. However if your car, including a roof rack or roof box is higher than 2.2 metres, please select the option ‘Car over 2.2m in height’ in the vehicle menu.
By phone, email or in person. NorthLink Ferries need to be aware of any equine or farm animal travelling a minimum of 48 hours prior to departure, in order to comply with key legislation and ensure the welfare needs of your animals are met.
This service is only available on Stromness to Scrabster sailings. For a small fee you can select priority boarding to be one of the first to board and disembark from the vessel in your car. Passengers selecting this option must arrive at check-in 1 hour before sailing, and being one of the first to disembark is not always guaranteed.
The NorthLink Ferries online booking system uses the card payment service provider Verifone for electronic payment transactions. We accept the following cards: Visa, Mastercard, Visa Debit, Mastercard Debit, UK Maestro and American Express.
NorthLink Ferries do not store any card data. Payment details are passed on to and validated by our card payment service provider and kept as transactions in systems not available from the internet. The NorthLink Ferries checkout is secure and fully PCI certified.
Each NorthLink Ferries booking made has a unique reference number. This can be found on your booking confirmation. Quoting the booking reference number to NorthLink staff when phoning or checking in will allow quick access to your booking.
A registered customer with a NorthLink ID number and Password can log into the NorthLink Ferries website and can view, amend, or cancel their booked sailings. Please note, only future sailings can be accessed. Sailing from the past cannot be viewed.
NorthLink booking confirmations are sent by email. If you do not receive your booking confirmation email, please check your Junk Mail. If you cannot find your booking confirmation in Junk Mail, please phone 0800 111 4422 or email [email protected]
Yes, your booking confirmation is a reference about your sailing, but is not your ticket. Quoting your booking reference number can help NorthLink staff identify your booking when checking in or amending your sailing. However, staff can also use your details to locate your booking.
Of course. NorthLink are happy to send a hard copy through the post at no extra cost. To request your booking confirmation by post, please phone 0800 111 4422 (free from UK landlines and mobiles) or email [email protected]
NorthLink Ferries usually publish timetables and fares and open up the booking system for the next year in November. Please visit the 2026 booking webpage for an email notification at the point when 2026 bookings can be made.
