Sumburgh Airport sits right at the southern tip of the Shetland mainland, close to Jarlshof and Sumburgh Head Lighthouse, which means most onward journeys from here involve a proper drive rather than a short hop. A Sumburgh Airport taxi from Hopon Cars is arranged around your actual flight, not a generic pickup slot, so you're not left waiting in a small terminal building wondering where your transport is.
Getting off a Loganair flight from Aberdeen, Edinburgh, or Glasgow after a long day of travel is not the moment you want to be negotiating fares or hunting for a hire car counter. Weather in Shetland can also shift flight schedules with little notice, and a transfer service that doesn't account for that becomes a source of stress rather than a solution to it.
Hopon Cars provides pre-booked, fixed-price transfers to and from Sumburgh Airport, covering Lerwick, Scalloway, and destinations further across the Shetland mainland. Drivers know the A970 and the surrounding roads well, including how conditions change with the weather, and every booking includes flight monitoring as standard.
Whether you're arriving for business meetings in Lerwick, connecting to a ferry, or heading out to explore Shetland's coastline, the aim is straightforward: a car waiting when you land, a fair price agreed in advance, and a driver who knows exactly where they're taking you.
• Professional, locally based drivers who know Shetland's roads in all seasons
• Licensed and regularly inspected vehicles
• 24/7 availability, including early morning and last flight arrivals
• Fixed pricing agreed before you travel, with no hidden charges
• Meet and greet as standard inside the Sumburgh Airport terminal
• Live flight monitoring so delays don't affect your pickup
• Executive vehicles available for business and VIP transfers
• Clean, well-maintained cars for every journey
• Door-to-door service, not just terminal-to-town drop-offs
• Simple online booking or telephone booking
• Transparent quotes with nothing added on arrival
• Genuine local knowledge of Lerwick, Scalloway, and outlying townships
You can book through the Hopon Cars website or by phone, providing your flight number, pickup time, and destination. Return transfers and multi-stop journeys around Shetland can be arranged at the same time, which saves having to book twice.
If you're travelling to Sumburgh Airport to catch a flight, the driver builds in extra time for Shetland's roads and weather, so you arrive with a comfortable margin before check-in closes.
On arrival flights, your driver waits inside the terminal with a name board, tracking your flight so pickup lines up with when you actually land rather than the original scheduled time.
Vehicles are checked regularly and drivers are familiar with the specific hazards of Shetland driving, from single-track sections to sudden weather changes near the coast.
You'll have contact details for your driver or the booking office, so if plans change, whether that's a gate change, a delay, or an early landing, adjusting the pickup is simple.
Fares are confirmed before travel and can typically be paid online, by card, or in the vehicle, depending on your preference at the time of booking.
Support is available for changes, questions, or issues at any hour, since flights into Sumburgh don't stick to a strict nine-to-five schedule.
• Business travellers attending meetings in Lerwick or across Shetland
• Families arriving for holidays or visiting relatives
• Students travelling to and from university terms
• Tourists exploring Jarlshof, Sumburgh Head, and the wider isles
• Airport passengers connecting onward by ferry
• Corporate clients requiring executive transfers
• Hotel and guesthouse guests across Shetland
• Cruise passengers arriving via nearby ports
• Visitors attending local events and festivals
• Senior citizens who prefer a door-to-door, no-fuss journey
Sumburgh Airport to Lerwick is the route booked most often, taking roughly 25 to 30 minutes along the A970 depending on conditions. Beyond Lerwick, Hopon Cars covers Scalloway, Brae, and smaller townships across the Shetland mainland, along with transfers to ferry terminals for onward island connections.
The service also supports visits to Sumburgh Head Lighthouse and Jarlshof, both a short distance from the airport, as well as trips to the Shetland Museum and Archives in Lerwick. Longer journeys further north across Shetland can be quoted individually, since road conditions and distances vary considerably across the isles.
For travellers connecting further afield, transfers can also be arranged in coordination with onward flights or ferries via Aberdeen, Edinburgh, or Glasgow, giving a joined-up option for longer UK-wide itineraries.
Step 1: Get a quote online or by phone, providing your route and travel dates.
Step 2: Confirm your flight number, pickup time, and passenger or luggage details.
Step 3: Choose the vehicle type that suits your group size and luggage.
Step 4: Receive booking confirmation along with driver details ahead of travel.
Step 5: Meet your driver at Sumburgh Airport or your pickup address, and travel with a fixed price already agreed.
Years of arranging transfers across remote and island locations have taught us where generic taxi apps fall short, particularly in places like Shetland where weather and road conditions genuinely affect journey planning. That experience shows in how bookings are handled, not just in marketing copy.
Customers return because pricing stays consistent with what was quoted, drivers turn up on time even around flight delays, and support is available when plans change unexpectedly. Transparent communication, before and during the journey, is what tends to matter most once people are actually standing in the terminal.
How much does a Sumburgh Airport taxi cost?
Fares depend on your pickup or drop-off point, the vehicle type you choose, and the time of travel, but every quote is confirmed as a fixed price before you book. There are no meters running and no surprise charges added at the end of the journey. Whether you're heading into Lerwick, out to a remote township, or across to a ferry terminal, you'll know the exact cost in advance. Booking early, particularly around peak flight times or ferry sailings, tends to secure the most competitive rate.
How do I book a taxi from Sumburgh Airport?
You can book online through the Hopon Cars website in a couple of minutes, or call the booking line directly if you'd rather speak to someone. You'll need your flight number, pickup time, destination, and passenger and luggage details. Once confirmed, you'll receive booking confirmation with your driver's details ahead of arrival. For return journeys or multi-stop itineraries around Shetland, our team can also arrange these at the time of booking.
Does the driver track my flight if it's delayed?
Yes. Flight monitoring is built into every Sumburgh Airport pickup, so if your flight from Aberdeen, Edinburgh, or Glasgow via Loganair runs early or late, your driver adjusts accordingly. Shetland's weather can occasionally affect scheduling, and our drivers are used to working around this. You won't be charged extra for a delayed landing, and there's no need to contact us separately unless your flight is cancelled altogether.
Where does the driver meet me at Sumburgh Airport?
Sumburgh Airport is a small, single-terminal airport, so meet and greet is straightforward. Your driver will be waiting in the arrivals area holding a name board, ready to help with luggage and walk you to the car, which is typically parked just outside. Because the terminal is compact, there's rarely more than a short walk from the baggage area to your vehicle, even during busier periods.
Can I book a taxi from Sumburgh Airport to Lerwick?
Yes, this is one of our most requested routes. The journey from Sumburgh Airport to Lerwick takes around 25 to 30 minutes along the A970, depending on traffic and weather conditions. It suits business travellers heading to meetings in the town centre, as well as visitors checking into hotels or guesthouses. The return trip, Lerwick to Sumburgh Airport, follows the same route and can be booked with matching precision for your flight time.
Are your vehicles suitable for families with children?
Yes. Our MPV and estate options comfortably seat families along with pushchairs, car seats, and holiday luggage. If you need a child seat fitted, let us know the age and weight of the child when booking, and we'll make sure the right seat is ready. Drivers are happy to help load and unload luggage, which makes travelling with young children considerably less stressful.
What happens if my flight is cancelled at Sumburgh Airport?
If your flight is cancelled and you no longer need the transfer, simply let us know as early as possible through the booking confirmation contact details. We understand that Shetland flights can occasionally be affected by weather, and we build a reasonable amount of flexibility into our booking terms as a result. Rebooking for a later flight or the following day is usually straightforward once you have updated travel information.
Do you offer transfers beyond Lerwick to other parts of Shetland?
Yes, we cover destinations across the Shetland mainland, including Scalloway, Brae, and other townships, as well as connections to ferry terminals for those continuing on to the outer isles. Longer routes are quoted individually since distances and road conditions vary considerably across Shetland. Just let us know your destination when requesting a quote and we'll confirm pricing and journey time.
Is airport meet and greet included as standard?
Meet and greet is included on every Sumburgh Airport pickup at no extra cost. Your driver waits inside the terminal building, monitors your flight, and helps with luggage from the moment you land. This differs from simply being dropped a pin location and left to find your own way, which matters more than people expect after a long journey north.
How far in advance should I book a Sumburgh Airport taxi?
Booking 24 to 48 hours ahead is generally sufficient, though we do accept short-notice and same-day bookings when vehicles are available. During busier periods, such as summer tourist season, cruise ship days, or major local events, booking further in advance is worthwhile to guarantee your preferred vehicle type. Return transfers can be booked at the same time as your outbound journey to save doing it twice.
A Sumburgh Airport taxi with Hopon Cars means a driver waiting when you land, a fixed price agreed in advance, and a vehicle suited to your group and luggage. Whether you're heading to Lerwick, a ferry terminal, or further across Shetland, the booking process takes minutes and the journey is planned around your actual flight time.
Call our booking line, email the team, or book online in a few minutes to arrange your Sumburgh Airport transfer. Return journeys, group transport, and executive transfers can all be arranged at the same time, so the whole trip is sorted before you even land.