Getting Here

Shetland lies almost exactly at the centre of a triangle, with Norway, Faroe and Scotland. Occupying this maritime crossroads, it is at the hub of a great north Atlantic seaway.

You can view Shetland's location on this Google map.

For walkers, we have about 900 miles (1450km) of coastline and over 500 square miles (1294km²) of open countryside, most of it accessible.
Shetland does look remote on the map - we're 600 miles north of London, as far away as Milan or Berlin - but the islands are surprisingly accessible.

To Shetland By Air

There are ten daily flights from the UK mainland: Aberdeen (55 mins), Edinburgh (85 mins) and Glasgow (90 mins), all connecting with London and other major European cities. The flights are operated by Loganair and can be booked on www.ba.com.
In summer you can also fly direct to Shetland from London Stansted (1hr45min). To book please log on to www.flyshetland.com. 

Arriving By Plane

Sumburgh Airport is 25 miles south of Lerwick, the county town. Next to the baggage reclaim you'll find our Information Centre with friendly staff ready to help you. The airport bus to Lerwick takes around 45 minutes. Hire cars and taxis are available at the airport. It can be busy so we advise booking in advance.

To Shetland By Sea

NorthLink operate ferries sail from Aberdeen seven nights a week, year-round, arriving in Lerwick early the following morning. The voyage north aboard these large, comfortable, cruise-style ships makes a relaxing start to your holiday. Cruising up the coast of Shetland on a sunny morning gives a stunning first glimpse of our islands.

In summer we have weekly ferry connections to Norway, Denmark, Faroe and Iceland, with onward connections to Greenland and North America. For more information please log on to www.smyril-line.com.

Arriving By Ferry

The ferries dock at Lerwick Ferry Terminal, where you'll find a Welcome Point with visitor information. It's a pleasant stroll along the waterfront to the main Shetland Tourist Information Centre at the Market Cross in the centre of the old town, less than a mile from the ferry terminal. Here our trained and knowledgeable staff will be delighted to answer your questions and help you plan the details of your time in Shetland.

To Shetland By Yacht

The indented coastline also makes Shetland ideal for summer sailing: there are dozens of sheltered, natural harbours - many with good piers, slipways and marinas; much of the coast is "steep-to", with deep water close to shore and most dangers clearly visible; the hazards are usually well-charted and visiting yachts have the reassurance that local search and rescue services are first-class.