Kirkwall Cruise Port
Kirkwall, United Kingdom · Northern Europe
Cruise ships anchor offshore in Kirkwall — tenders ferry passengers to the port.
Compact Orkney capital with strong DIY options, but Hatston Pier is 2.5 km from town.
At a glance
Port summary
Most ships berth at Hatston Pier, around 2.5 km from Kirkwall centre; smaller ships tender to the inner harbour. Cruise-line shuttles, public buses and taxis all run.
Cruise docks
Hatston Pier — Main Cruise Berth
The main cruise berth in Kirkwall, used by larger ships. Located about 2.5 km north-west of the town centre. Cruise-line shuttles, Stagecoach buses and taxis run from the pier gates into Kirkwall.
Latitude: 59.000228, Longitude: -2.974343
See dock on port map →Kirkwall Tender pier — Inner Harbour
The smaller inner-harbour quay on the edge of Kirkwall town centre. Used by smaller cruise ships and as the tender landing when ships anchor in the bay. About 5 minutes on foot to St Magnus Cathedral.
Latitude: 58.986258, Longitude: -2.960794
See dock on port map →Getting to Kirkwall
From the cruise terminal to the city centre
Map & things to do
Money & payments
Cards work for almost everything; carry a few pounds for the smallest cafés
Build your perfect day in Kirkwall
Tell us your cruise line, ship and departure date and we'll give you a complete set of full port information and playbooks of how to spend your day.
Inside the British Isles collection
Here's a peek at everything waiting for your Kirkwall cruise day.
Typical weather
Emergency & contacts
Excursions compared
3 comparedHeart of Neolithic Orkney: Skara Brae, Ring of Brodgar and Stones of Stenness
≈ 5 h · sold by 5 cruise lines
Cruise line
€130$145
Do it yourself
€43$48
Save ≈ €87Save ≈ $97 (67% off)
Hatston Pier (where 95% of ships dock) runs a free continuous shuttle bus to Kirkwall Travel Centre, ~7 min. From there, Stagecoach service X1 runs Kirkwall → Stenness → Stromness → Ring of Brodgar → Skara Brae, hourly (every 30 min peak) Mon–Sat in summer. Buy an Orkney Day Rover ticket (~£12 / €14) from the driver; it covers all legs. The Stones of Stenness and Ring of Brodgar are open-air free sites — ask the driver to stop. Skara Brae has timed entry (£14 / €17 online, includes Skaill House Apr–Oct) and the visitor centre has a café.
See the DIY plan →
Orkney Island Drive: Italian Chapel, Churchill Barriers and Standing Stones
≈ 4 h · sold by 5 cruise lines
Cruise line
€115$129
Do it yourself
€34$38
Save ≈ €81Save ≈ $91 (70% off)
Hatston shuttle to Kirkwall Travel Centre (free, ~7 min). From there, Stagecoach X1 runs south to St Margaret's Hope every hour — ask the driver to drop you at the Italian Chapel road end on Lamb Holm (14 min, signed). It's a 5-minute walk down to the chapel; entry is £4 / €5. The bus crosses Churchill Barriers 1 and 2 on the way, so the wartime panorama is built into the ride. Return on the next X1 northbound, then catch the westbound X1 to Stones of Stenness (25 min) for a free open-air visit. An Orkney Day Rover (~£12 / €14) covers all four bus legs.
See the DIY plan →
Ready-made port days
9 plansKirkwall Old Town, For Free
Orkney's 12th-century cathedral, a free island museum and a wander down the flagstone lanes — a proper port morning without spending a penny.
Heart of Neolithic Orkney, by Bus
Skara Brae, the Ring of Brodgar and the Stones of Stenness — the UNESCO World Heritage loop, done independently on the £2 tourist bus.
Inside Maeshowe & the Stones of Stenness
Crouch into a 5,000-year-old tomb lit by the midwinter sun and read the Viking graffiti — then walk to the standing stones next door.
The Italian Chapel & Churchill Barriers
A jewel of a chapel built from two Nissen huts by WWII prisoners, reached over the wartime causeways that seal Scapa Flow.
Frequently asked questions
- Where does my cruise ship dock in Kirkwall?
- Kirkwall is a tender port: your ship anchors offshore and passengers transfer to shore by small boat.
- Can I walk from the cruise port into Kirkwall?
- Walking into Kirkwall from the cruise port isn't practical. Plan to use a shuttle, taxi, or public transport.
- How do I get from the cruise port to Kirkwall centre?
- Typical options include Shuttle bus, Local bus, Taxi, Hop-on Hop-off, On foot, Car rental. Durations and costs are listed in the transport section above.
- How much time do I need in Kirkwall?
- Plan for at least 5 hours ashore to see Kirkwall independently and return to the ship with a safe buffer.
- What currency is used in Kirkwall and are cards accepted?
- Kirkwall uses the Pound Sterling. Carry some cash for markets, taxis, and smaller vendors — cards aren't accepted everywhere.
- Is there Wi-Fi at the cruise port?
- Wi-Fi isn't reliably available at the Kirkwall cruise terminal. Consider a local SIM or your cruise line's data package.
- When should I be back at the ship?
- Cruise lines usually require all passengers on board about 30 minutes before scheduled departure. Confirm the exact all-aboard time on your daily programme.
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