Ports – Kirkwall (Hatston)

Hatston Ferry Terminal, Hatston Quay, Kirkwall, Orkney, KW15 1RQ, United Kingdom

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Kirkwall (Hatston) Ferry Terminal is located on the outskirts of Kirkwall. Kirkwall itself is the historic capital of Orkney and is located centrally on the main island. Kirkwall is 16 miles from Stromness, 7 miles from Finstown and 15 miles from St. Margaret’s Hope. Hatston ferry terminal is located 2-3 miles from the centre of Kirkwall.

Before travelling please remember to check the Service Update webpage.

Kirkwall Bus, Ferry, and Airport Connections

• Bus
  Kirkwall Bus Station is located 2 miles from the ferry terminal in the town centre of Kirkwall. Local bus services are operated by Stagecoach throughout Orkney.
  Stagecoach operates a bus service to connect with ferries to and from Hatston.
  View the Hatston connecting bus information
• Inter-Island Ferries
  Orkney Ferries operate regular passenger and vehicle ferry services from Kirkwall to the islands of Shapinsay, Stronsay, Sanday, Eday, Westray, Papa Westray and North Ronaldsay. A passenger and vehicle ferry to the islands of Hoy and Flotta can be caught from Houton in Orphir, a passenger ferry to the islands of Hoy and Graemsay operates from Stromness, and a passenger and vehicle ferry to the islands of Rousay, Egilsay and Wyre sails from Tingwall in Evie.
• Airport
  Kirkwall Airport is located 5½ miles from the Hatston Terminal and 3 miles from the town centre of Kirkwall.  Air services is operated by Loganair.  There are also fights to some of the islands around Orkney.  Stagecoach operate an Airport service (service number 3) running from the town centre, with various pick up points around the town en route. This service takes approximately 13 minutes and drops passengers off just outside the door of the airport terminal.

Kirkwall (Hatston) Terminal Facilities

• Ticket Sales and Enquiries.
• Hot Drinks Vending Machine and a water dispenser.
• Lift.
• Toilet.
• Accessible Toilet.
• Accessible Entry.
• Baby changing facilities.

Please note there is no left luggage facility. Bags are left at owner’s risk.

Kirkwall (Hatston) Car check-in building Facilities

• Toilet.
• Accessible Toilet.
• Hot Drinks Vending Machine.

This building is only open for car check-in between 22:15 and 23:15.

Kirkwall (Hatston) Ferry Terminal Accessibility information

Parking at Kirkwall (Hatston) Ferry Terminal

The car park at Hatston is provided by Orkney Islands Council and is located 500 metres from the terminal building. The long stay car park is free of charge.

Checking in at Kirkwall (Hatston)

Foot passengers should note that the Kirkwall (Hatston) Ferry Terminal is situated some two miles out of town.

As the call at Hatston will always be part of a ‘through’ sailing between Aberdeen and Lerwick, the ship will arrive in port approximately 45 minutes before the scheduled departure.

Boarding will only commence after all passengers and vehicles have disembarked from the incoming vessel.

All passengers disembarking at Kirkwall are asked to retain their boarding card during the voyage for use as a landing pass on arrival at Kirkwall.

Check-in at Hatston opens 90 minutes prior to departure. Car drivers are recommended to check in at least one hour prior to departure.

Check-in closes 30 minutes prior to departure.

Kirkwall (Hatston) Ferry Terminal Opening Hours

Monday	19:00 - 23:45
Tuesday	19:00 - 23:45
Wednesday	19:00 - 23:45
Thursday	19:00 - 23:45
Friday	19:00 - 23:45
Saturday	19:00 - 23:45
Sunday	19:00 - 23:45

Streetview tour of the Kirkwall (Hatston) Terminal

Hatston Freight & Livestock Check-in, Kirkwall

Monday	08:00 – 19:00
	20:00 – 23:00 (March to October only)
Tuesday	20:00 – 23:00 (March to October only)
Wednesday to Saturday	08:00 – 10:00
	14:00 – 17:00
	20:00 – 24:00
Sunday	20:00 – 23:00

Greener travel – Electric charging infrastructure

The nearest electric charge points are available in Kirkwall. Visit the Zap-map website or download the app for more info.

Greener travel – Active Travel

Transport Scotland is committed to increasing levels of cycling and walking for transport and leisure. It goes without saying that walking and cycling benefits an individual’s physical health, but it also provides wider mental health and wellbeing benefits, reduces environmental impacts and helps to keep people’s transport costs down. 

Transport Scotland is committed to making it easier for everyone to incorporate active travel choices into their daily routines and Serco NorthLink Ferries shares this vision.

Why not take advantage of walking and cycling options more often?

A cycling shelter with storage stands for 6 cycles and a bike repair stand with tools is available at the terminal.

Bike Hire is available in both Kirkwall and Stromness. 

Cycling maps can be found on our website: https://www.northlinkferries.co.uk/orkney-blog/orkney-cycle-routes/ or https://www.orkney.com/things/leisure/cycling

Orkney has a variety of different walking trails throughout the mainland and its outer islands.

Greener travel – Car-sharing

Why not consider sharing your car journeys with people on similar routes / times? This helps to save money and improve our local air quality and wellbeing.