2024 Timetables
2024 Timetables (1st January to 31st March 2024)
Below you can find 2024 timetables for the NorthLink passenger ferries. Fares for after 31st March 2024 will be available in due course. View 2023 timetables.
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.
Whilst passenger ships undergo scheduled maintenance, NorthLink Ferries will operate to a dry dock timetable on routes to Orkney and Shetland between:
- Monday 8th to Sunday 21st January 2024 – Stromness – Scrabster sailings. There will be no sailings between Scrabster and Stromness, but there will be additional sailings to and from Kirkwall during this time – please see below.
- Saturday 3rd to Friday 16th February 2024 – Aberdeen – Kirkwall – Lerwick sailings only.
- Monday 11th to Friday 22nd March 2024 – Aberdeen – Kirkwall – Lerwick sailings only.
Aberdeen – Kirkwall – Lerwick (Northbound)
Winter – 1st November 2023 to 31st March 2024
| Dep Aberdeen | Arr Kirkwall | Dep Kirkwall | Arr Lerwick | |
| Mon | 19:00 | - | - | 07:30 |
| Tue | 19:00 | - | - | 07:30 |
| Wed | 19:00 | - | - | 07:30 |
| Thu | 17:00 | 23:00 | 23:45 | 07:30 |
| Fri | 19:00 | - | - | 07:30 |
| Sat | 17:00 | 23:00 | 23:45 | 07:30 |
| Sun | 17:00 | 23:00 | 23:45 | 07:30 |
Please note, on Tuesday 2nd January 2024 the northbound sailing will make an additional call at Hatston (which departs Aberdeen at 17:00, arrives at Hatston at 23:00, depart Hatston at 23:45 and arrive in Lerwick at 07:00 the following morning.)
Lerwick – Kirkwall – Aberdeen (Southbound)
Winter – 1st November 2023 to 31st March 2024
| Dep Lerwick | Arr Kirkwall | Dep Kirkwall | Arr Aberdeen | |
| Mon | 19:00 | - | - | 07:00 |
| Tue | 19:00 | - | - | 07:00 |
| Wed | 17:30 | 23:00 | 23:45 | 07:00 |
| Thu | 19:00 | - | - | 07:00 |
| Fri | 17:30 | 23:00 | 23:45 | 07:00 |
| Sat | 19:00 | - | - | 07:00 |
| Sun | 19:00 | - | - | 07:00 |
This timetable will be subject to regular review as required.
Passengers travelling should at all times be aware that changes may be introduced at short notice.
Stromness to Scrabster / Scrabster to Stromness
1st January to 31st March 2024
Stromness to Scrabster / Scrabster to Stromness
Off Peak Timetable (dates marked in light blue)
| DEPARTURE TIMES Sailing time: 90 minutes | ||
| Stromness to Scrabster | 06:30 | 16:45 |
| Scrabster to Stromness | 08:45 | 19:00 |
Stromness to Scrabster / Scrabster to Stromness
Weekend Timetable (dates marked in dark blue)
| DEPARTURE TIMES Sailing time: 90 minutes | ||
| Stromness to Scrabster | 09:00 | 16:45 |
| Scrabster to Stromness | 12:00 | 19:00 |
Christmas and New Year period
There will be no sailings on dates marked in grey.
Dry Dock
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.