Car Rental in Lerwick Center

Lerwick on the Shetland Islands is Scotland's northernmost town and offers a remarkable 5 rental companies, which is impressive for a town of this size. Lerwick center is the hub of all activity on Shetland and the starting point for exploring the islands' dramatic landscape. Rent a car here to take you to remote Viking heritage sites and spectacular cliffs.

Lerwick is home to the Shetland Museum and lies 3 km from Clickimin Broch, an ancient Viking fortress. From here, you can reach Sumburgh Airport in 40 minutes (38 km) via A970 along the island's beautiful western coast. Book a car well in advance before the Up Helly Aa festival in January when all capacity fills up quickly.

The roads on Shetland are narrow and windswept – choose a smaller car for easier maneuvering. Always fill up with a full tank in Lerwick as petrol stations are sparse in rural areas. Can I drive the rental car to northern Shetland, to Unst?

Unst is reached via ferry from Toft (45 km north of Lerwick) – check whether the rental company allows ferry travel with the car. How long does it take to drive from Lerwick to Sumburgh Airport? Approximately 40 minutes (38 km) via A970 under normal conditions.

Are the roads on Shetland difficult to drive on? Many roads are single-track with passing places – drive carefully and give way to oncoming traffic, especially lorries.

We compare prices from all major providers at Lerwick Center so you can see the total cost upfront - including insurance, fuel terms and any extras. Most bookings include free cancellation up to 48 hours before pickup, giving you flexibility if your plans change.