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.

Kirkwall Cruise Port

Kirkwall, United Kingdom · Northern Europe

Cruise ships anchor offshore in Kirkwall — tenders ferry passengers to the port.

Plan my port days

DIY 7/10

Compact Orkney capital with strong DIY options, but Hatston Pier is 2.5 km from town.

⚓ Tender port2.5 km / 1.6 mi to city centre

⚠️Hatston Pier is 2.5 km from Kirkwall town; weather can disrupt tender operations

Get the full port plan for your entire cruise

At a glance

Multiple terminalsFamily friendlyMobility friendlyIndependent tours at dockWheelchair accessible at dockMin. 5h neededAllow 90 min return buffer

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 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

🚌 Shuttle busRecommended

⏱ 10 min💶 £5-10 (≈ €5.9–12 / $6.4–13)

Cruise-line shuttle from Hatston Pier to Kirkwall town centre when offered

📍 Cruise-line shuttle stop right outside the Hatston gangway

🚌 Local busRecommended

⏱ 15 min💶 £2-3 (≈ €2.4–3.5 / $2.5–3.8)

Stagecoach service 8/8S links Hatston with Kirkwall centre and the onward Stromness route

📍 Stagecoach bus stop at the Hatston Pier gates

🚕 TaxiRecommended

⏱ 8 min💶 £8-12 (≈ €9.4–14 / $10–15)

Reliable for short hops to town; book ahead for Skara Brae or Stones runs

📍 Taxis queue at Hatston Pier when ships are in

🚌 Hop-on Hop-offRecommended

⏱ 95 min💶 £26 day pass (≈ €31 / $33)

Cruise-day hop-on-hop-off to the Ring of Brodgar, Standing Stones of Stenness and Stromness; runs late-Apr–Sep

📍 T11 Discover Orkney bus departs Kirkwall Travel Centre, a short walk/free shuttle from the cruise berth

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Map & things to do

Money & payments

💱 Currency: Pound Sterling (£)💵 Cash needed: rarely💳 Cards widely accepted

Cards work for almost everything; carry a few pounds for the smallest cafés

Things to do

Bishop's and Earl's Palaces

Short stop

⭐ Highlight

Twin ruined palaces opposite the cathedral with great views from the Earl's Palace tower

⏱ 45 min💶 £6.50 entry (HES) (≈ €7.6 / $8.3)👨‍👩‍👧 Family

🕐 Pair with the cathedral visit

Skara Brae

⭐ Highlight

UNESCO-listed 5000-year-old stone village on the Bay of Skaill — the highlight of any Orkney visit

⏱ 90 min💶 £11-13 with Skaill House (HES) (≈ €13–15 / $14–17)📋 Book ahead👨‍👩‍👧 Family♿ Accessible

🕐 Open from 09:30; arrive by mid-morning to beat tour buses

Maeshowe

⭐ Highlight

Neolithic chambered tomb you crouch into through a low passage — Viking runes line the inner walls

⏱ 60 min💶 £10 timed tour (HES) (≈ €12 / $13)📋 Book ahead

🕐 Book the earliest slot you can; tours run hourly and fill

Standing Stones of Stenness

Short stop

⭐ Highlight

Four towering monoliths from one of Britain's earliest stone circles — under 2 km from Brodgar

⏱ 30 min💶 Free👨‍👩‍👧 Family

🕐 Bundle with Brodgar in either direction

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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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