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How to get to Rousay

M.V. Eynhallow


The island of Rousay shares a boat, the 'M.V. Eynhallow', with two other islands - Wyre and Egilsay. The boat is able to take both passengers and cars to and from Tingwall (on the mainland of Orkney), and between the islands themselves.

The journey between Rousay and Tingwall takes approximately 20-25 minutes.

The boat operates seven days a week during the summer months, although there is no Sunday sailing during the winter months.

The ferry can take up to 10 cars at any time. Passenger capacity is set to a maximum of 95 during the summer, although this is reduced to 50 during the winter months.

Vehicles are reversed onto the boat, and then driven off on arrival.

There is a Passenger Lounge on board, including a drinks machine and toilets.

Groups of less than 10 passengers are not required to book, but it is advisable to book if you are taking your vehicle, by telephoning or visiting Tingwall's Booking Office (01856 751360). Alternatively, passengers may leave their vehicle in the FREE car park, at Tingwall's Ferry Terminal.

There is a waiting area within Tingwall's Booking Office, with a payphone and toilets. Leaflets and brochures on Rousay, Egilsay and Wyre are also available to view. A bus stand is next to the Booking Office.

Please see further below for ferry prices and timetables.

For those who do not have a vehicle, there is a public bus service which can take you to and from Tingwall. A public bus service also operates on Rousay.

There are also several ways of getting to Orkney.

Ferry Prices (for travel between Rousay and Tingwall)

Prices correct as at 1 April 2016. Please check before travelling.

Tickets are valid for 12 months from date of issue.

Adult:
£4.25 (Single)
£8.50 (Return)
£31.90 (10-Journey Book)
£59.50 (20-Journey Book)
£106.25 (50-Journey Book)*

Junior/Student:
£2.15 (Single)
£4.30 (Return)
£16.15 (10-Journey Book)
£30.10 (20-Journey Book)
£53.75 (50-Journey Book)*

Senior Citizen/Registered Disabled:
£2.15 (Single)
£4.30 (Return)
£21.50 (10-Journey Book)
£43.00 (20-Journey Book)
N/A (50 Journey Book)

Under 5/Registered Blind:
Free (Single/Return)

Vehicle up to 5.0m (16'6"):
£13.60 (Single)
£27.20 (Return)
£102.00 (10-Journey Book)
£190.40 (20-Journey Book)
£340.00 (50-Journey Book)*

Bicycle/Tricycle:
Free (Single/Return)

Motorcycle:
£7.20 (Single)
£14.40 (Return)

For prices for larger vehicles, mobile homes, etc, please contact Orkney Ferries.

* Please note that 50-journey books of tickets are only available to residents of Rousay, Egilsay and Wyre.

Ferry Departure Times

Summer Timetable (May - September)

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
Rousay 0745 0745 0745 0745 0745 0745 ----
Tingwall 0820 0820 0820 0820 0820 0840 ----
Rousay 1005 1005 1005 1005 1005 1005 1010
Tingwall 1040 1040 1040 1040 1040 1040 1045
Rousay 1115 1115 1115 1115 1115 1115 1120
Tingwall 1150 1150 1240 1150 1150 1150 1155
Rousay 1410 1410 1410 1410 1410 1410 1410
Tingwall 1445 1445 1445 1445 1445 1445 1445
Rousay 1520 1520 1520 1520 1520 1520 1520
Tingwall 1605 1605 1605 1605 1605 1605 1605
Rousay 1730 1730 1730 1730 1730 1730 1730
Tingwall 1805 1805 1805 1805 1805 1805 1805


Winter Timetable (September - April)

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
Rousay 0745 0745 0745 0745 0745 0745 ----
Tingwall 0820 0820 0820 0820 0820 0840 ----
Rousay 1005 1005 1005 1005 1005 1005 ----
Tingwall 1040 1040 1040 1040 1040 1040 ----
Rousay 1115 1115 1115 1115 1115 1115 ----
Tingwall 1150 1150 1240 1150 1150 1150 ----
Rousay 1410 1410 1410 1410 1410 1410 ----
Tingwall 1445 1445 1445 1445 1445 1445 ----
Rousay 1520 1520 1520 1520 1520 1520 ----
Tingwall 1605 1605 1605 1605 1605 1605 ----
Rousay 1730 1730 1730 1730 1730 1730 ----
Tingwall 1800 1800 1800 1800 1800 1800 ----

Stagecoach in Orkney

Stagecoach in Orkney operates bus services to and from Tingwall, where the ferry to Rousay departs. Please check all times before travel, by telephoning Stagecoach's Orkney office: 01856 870555.

Please Note: Stagecoach in Orkney do not operate this route on Sundays.

The following times are for bus travel between Tingwall and Kirkwall Travel Centre (Stand 5), via Finstown:

Departs Mon Tues Weds Thurs Fri Sat
Kirkwall 0655 0655 0655 0655 0655 0655
Tingwall 0815 0815 0815 0815 0815 0815
Kirkwall 0927 0927 0927 0927 0927 0927
Tingwall 1035 1035 1035 1035 1035 1035
Kirkwall 1115 1115 1115 1115 1115 1115
Tingwall 1145 1145 1145 1145 1145 1145
Kirkwall 1330 1330 1330 1330 1330 1330
Tingwall 1440 1440 1440 1440 1440 1440
Kirkwall 1530 1530 1530 1530 1530 1530
Tingwall 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600
Kirkwall 1710 1710 1710 1710 1710 1710
Tingwall 1825 1825 1825 1825 1825 1825


The bus journey between Kirkwall and Tingwall takes approximately 20-25 minutes. Should the ferry from Rousay be late arriving at Tingwall, this bus service is required to wait for passengers for up to 15 minutes.

Getting to Orkney

There is an airport in Kirkwall, the capital of Orkney. Flybe schedules regular flights in and out of Orkney, including direct flights to: Aberdeen; Edinburgh; Glasgow International Airport; Inverness; and Sumburgh (Shetland). For more details, please visit the Flybe website. (Please Note: Link opens in a new window/tab)

Alternatively, the following are ferry services which can take you to and from Orkney:

Northlink Ferries - Hamnavoe

(Please Note: The following links open in new windows/tabs).

Northlink Ferries

Pentland Ferries

John O'Groats Ferry


Taxi Services

The following Taxi Services operate on the Mainland of Orkney:

Craigie's Taxis, Kirkwall 01856 878787