Is Shetland Expensive? It Can Be Expensive & Great Value!

Last updated on March 26th, 2026 at 11:17 am

Are you thinking of visiting Shetland?

Wondering about the costs and how expensive it is?

Here are some key points to consider:

• Accommodation: Prices are higher all year round compared to other parts of Scotland
• Food: Eating is good value rather than cheap
• Activities: Many outdoor activities are free, like exploring the fab scenery & watching wildlife

Shetland has much to offer, so read on for more insights from me or check out accommodation costs right here👇

Is Shetland Expensive?

Getting to Shetland

Getting to Shetland can be expensive, depending on how you travel.

There are two main ways to reach Shetland:

• By ferry from Aberdeen or Orkney
• By plane from Scotland or London

The ferry is the cheapest way to get to Shetland.

Is Shetland Expensive?

Travelling by Ferry to Shetland

The ferries are operated by Northlink Ferries. They offer different fares based on the season:

• Low season: £28 (one way, no vehicle or berth included)
• Mid season: £36 (one way, no vehicle or berth included)
• Peak season: £43 (one way, no vehicle or berth included)

Vehicle and Berth Costs

If you are taking a vehicle or need a berth, here are the costs:

• Vehicle under 6m:
  • Low season: £113 pounds
  • Mid season: £144 pounds
  • Peak season: £151 pounds
• Overnight berth for 2 people:
  • Low season: £75 pounds
  • Mid season: £93 pounds
  • Peak season: £111 pounds

Note: There are no single occupancy cabins so a solo traveller has to book a cabin that has capacity for more than 1 person. Annoying but true.

You can also book extras:

• Reclining seats: £3.50
• Sleeping pods: £18 (low season)

As you can see, costs can add up if you travel with more than one person, take a vehicle, and use an overnight berth.

Demand for berths is high, so book early. You could also travel from Orkney to Lerwick, but prices are almost the same as going from Aberdeen.

Frustratingly tickets can’t be booked many months ahead because of when NorthLink releases tickets for sale.

You can check ferry details right here 👇

Season Dates

• Low season: January 7 to March 23 and November 1 to December 17
• Mid season: January 1 to 6, March 24 to June 14, September 1 to October 31, and December 18 to 31
• Peak season: June 15 to August 31

Is Shetland Expensive?

Flying to Shetland

Flying to Shetland with Loganair can be quite expensive. Here are some examples of flight costs:

• Shortest flight (Kirkwall to Sumburgh): likely over £100 pounds
• Flights from Edinburgh and Glasgow: often over £200 pounds each way
• Aberdeen seems to the cheapest, I think because of the volume of flights per day

So yes, getting to Shetland can be costly!

You can check flights to Shetland right here 👇

Is Shetland Expensive?

Staying in Shetland

Like many rural areas, Shetland has a shortage of accommodation during peak times.

Contractors working on energy and other projects also need accommodation.

High demand for accommodation means that prices can be high. In my experience, hotel prices are pretty high all year round (compared to other parts of Scotland). They just get higher during the peak summer months.

Alternative Options

There are other options that may offer better value, including:

• Camp sites
• Camper vans
• Glamping sites with pods, cabins, or wigwams

You might find my post about where to stay in Shetland helpful

You can also use this map to search accommodation in Shetland 👇

Is Shetland Expensive?

Eating and Drinking in Shetland

There are lots of fabulous places to eat and drink in Shetland. Thankfully, there are no chains. That means no McDonald’s or anything like that.

You can discover many great independent restaurants, cafes, and pubs to enjoy.

Prices in Shetland

Prices in Shetland aren’t what I would describe as cheap. However, they are good value.

Quality of Food

Food is usually of good quality, with:

• Generous portions
• Lots of locally sourced ingredients
• Preparation by people who have a real passion for what they do

Is Shetland Expensive?

Things to Do in Shetland

There really is something for everyone in Shetland when it comes to activities.

Wildlife Watching and Exploring

The great news is that some of the best activities are free.

You can enjoy:

• Wildlife watching
• Exploring the landscape including some lovely beaches and cliffs.

The Shetland Museum is completely free. It’s a wonderful place to spend a couple of hours. You can enjoy a longer visit if you combine it with something to eat and drink.

Shetland is dotted with many interesting museums and visitor centres. You can find everything from:

• Jarlshof at the south of the mainland
• A Viking ship at the top of Shetland on Unst

You won’t be short of things to do.

All the visitor attractions offer good value for money.

You might like my guide to things to do in Shetland.

You can find tours and trips on Get Your Guide 👇

Is Shetland Expensive?

Visiting Shetland: Tips for a Budget-Friendly Trip

Plan Your Trip As Far Ahead As Possible

Getting to and staying in Shetland can be quite expensive. Plan and book as far ahead as possible to get the best prices.

Utilise Free Activities and Attractions

There are plenty of things to do in Shetland that are great value or free so why not plan your trip around them;

• Explore stunning landscapes including incredible cliffs and coastlines, plus beautiful beaches
• Visit local museums and visitor centres – the Shetland Museum in Lerwick is a must
• Enjoy wildlife watching. (There are some great local Facebook groups that can help you track birds and whales)
• Go to some local events – there’s always something happening somewhere!

More Resources

If you found this article about whether Shetland is expensive helpful then you might also like;

• Is Shetland Safe? – it’s incredibly safe but here are more details to demonstrate that!
• Where to Stay in Shetland
• Busta House Hotel Review
• Things to Do in Shetland

You can find much more information in my Shetland holiday post

Is Shetland Expensive? – Final Verdict

• If you plan ahead you can get to Shetland for a reasonable cost – although it is still going to cost more than getting to Europe.
• If you have flexibility in dates aim to visit in the shoulder season months where it is a bit quieter – this will help with accommodation costs which is still likely to be higher due to the demand – it’s just even higher still in peak months.
• Shetland has fabulous scenery and lots of free museums – plan your days around these.

My Shetland YouTube Videos

My Shetland Blog Posts