Getting to Fair Isle
Fair Isle can be reached from the Shetland mainland either by the island mailboat Good Shepherd IV, or by 8-seater 'Islander' aircraft.
The Good Shepherd carries 12 passengers, the journey taking about two and a half hours. During summer the ferry sails three times a week to Grutness at the south end of Shetland and once a fortnight makes a Thursday run to Lerwick
Good Shepherd bookings: telephone +44 (0)1595 760363
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Plane service between Fair Isle and Shetland mainland:
Journey time 20-25 minutes. Please see AIRTASK website for timetables and fares.
Airtask bookings: telephone 01595 840246
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GETTING TO SHETLAND
By Sea
- Northlink Ferries reservations 0845 6000 449
or e-mail info@northlinkferries.co.uk for more details
www.northlinkferries.co.uk
By Air
from Aberdeen, Edinburgh or Glasgow to Sumburgh Airport (in the south of mainland Shetland)
- Loganair
Also available:
Connecting flights with British Airways can be booked from London Heathrow to Sumburgh Airport in the south of Shetland via Edinburgh, Glasgow or Aberdeen.
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Travel within Shetland
A bus service operates between Sumburgh Airport and the Viking Bus Station in Lerwick. (Journey time 45 minutes. Taxis and car-hire are also available but are expensive.)
IMPORTANT: Please allow at least 45 minutes to travel between Sumburgh and Tingwall airports by car in order to connect with flights to Fair Isle or to Scottish mainland. You also need to be at Tingwall airport at least 30 minutes (and Sumburgh airport 1 hour) before the scheduled departure time for your flight.
An airport taxi service operates between the Viking Bus Station in Lerwick and Tingwall Airport to connect with flights to and from Fair Isle. (Journey time 15 mins. Fare approx £1.80 per person each way). For bookings please contact Shetland Islands Council Tel: 01595 745745 by 17.00hrs the day before your flight.
Car/Minibus/Coach Hire can be organised in Shetland by contacting Star Rent-a-Car or Bolts Car Hire.
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Important travel advice
It is a advisable to allow an extra couple of days either side of the days you wish to be on Fair Isle in case of weather delays to transport in and out of the island.
VISTING YACHTS
&
FAIR ISLE HARBOUR FACILITIES
- FAIR ISLE BIRD OBSERVATORY GUEST HOUSE HAS A RANGE OF FACILITIES AVAILABLE FOR VISITING YACHTS AND DAY VISITORS - (currently unavailable until expected re-opening in 2025)
Text and photographs Copyright Fair Isle Marine Environment and Tourism Initiative. All rights reserved.
