What is the cheapest way to get from Cairnryan to Kirkwall?

The cheapest way to get from Cairnryan to Kirkwall is to bus and ferry via Inverness which costs £65 - £120 and takes 15h 3m.

What is the fastest way to get from Cairnryan to Kirkwall?

The fastest way to get from Cairnryan to Kirkwall is to bus and train and fly which takes 7h 12m and costs £210 - £550.

How far is it from Cairnryan to Kirkwall?

The distance between Cairnryan and Kirkwall is 335 miles.

How do I travel from Cairnryan to Kirkwall without a car?

The best way to get from Cairnryan to Kirkwall without a car is to Bus and ferry which takes 14h 59m and costs .

How long does it take to get from Cairnryan to Kirkwall?

It takes approximately 6h 35m to get from Cairnryan to Kirkwall, including transfers.

Where can I stay near Kirkwall?

There are 163+ hotels available in Kirkwall.

Cairnryan to Kirkwall - 8 ways to travel via train, Bus, plane, ferry, and car

There are 8 ways to get from Cairnryan to Kirkwall by bus, plane, ferry, train, or car

Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.

Bus, bus to Edinburgh Airport, fly
best
1. Take the bus from Cairnryan Stena Terminal to Glasgow Buchanan
2. Take the bus from Buchanan Bus Station to Airport
3. Fly from Edinburgh Airport (EDI) to Kirkwall (KOI)EDI - KOI
6h 35m
Bus, ferry via Inverness
cheapest
1. Take the bus from Stena Terminal to Buchanan Bus Station923
2. Take the bus from Buchanan Bus Station to Bus Station Stance 3
3. Take the bus from Bus Station Stance 3 to Ferry TerminalX99
4. Take the ferry from Scrabster Ferry Terminal to Stromness Orkney Ferry TerminalNl1
15h 3m
£68–120
Bus, ferry
1. Take the bus from Cairnryan Stena Terminal to Glasgow Buchanan923
2. Take the bus from Buchanan Bus Station to Union StreetE8
3. Take the bus from Union Street to Ferry TerminalE6
4. Take the ferry from Scrabster Ferry Terminal to Stromness Orkney Ferry TerminalNl1
14h 59m
Train, ferry
1. Take the train from Stranraer to Barrhead
2. Take the train from Glasgow Queen Street to Aberdeen
3. Take the ferry from Aberdeen to Kirkwall Orkney Hatston Ferry TerminalNl2
17h 22m
£116–242
Bus, train to Glasgow Airport, fly
1. Take the bus from Old Pier to Rail Station
2. Take the train from Ayr to Paisley Gilmour Street
3. Fly from Glasgow Airport (GLA) to Kirkwall (KOI)GLA - KOI
7h 12m
£215–545
Drive to Campbeltown, fly
1. Drive from Cairnryan to Campbeltown (CAL)
2. Fly from Campbeltown (CAL) to Kirkwall (KOI)CAL - KOI
22h 28m
£241–774
Bus, train, ferry
1. Take the bus from Cairnryan Stena Terminal to Glasgow Buchanan923
2. Take the train from Glasgow Queen Street to Inverness
3. Take the bus from Bus Station Stance 3 to Ferry TerminalX99
4. Take the ferry from Scrabster Ferry Terminal to Stromness Orkney Ferry TerminalNl1
15h 12m
Bus, train, ferry via Ayr
1. Take the bus from Old Pier to Ayr Bus Station358 / ...
2. Take the bus from Ayr Bus Station to Bath StreetX77
3. Take the train from Glasgow Queen Street to Inverness
4. Take the bus from Bus Station Stance 3 to Ferry TerminalX99
5. Take the ferry from Scrabster Ferry Terminal to Stromness Orkney Ferry TerminalNl1
16h 4m
£89–165

Edinburgh Airport (EDI) to Kirkwall (KOI) flights

18Weekly Planes

1h 35mAverage Duration

£147Cheapest Price

See schedules

Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Cairnryan to Kirkwall.

Launch map view

Distance: 332.9 mi
Duration: 6h 35m

What companies run services between Cairnryan, Scotland and Kirkwall, Scotland?

There is no direct connection from Cairnryan to Kirkwall. However, you can take the bus to Glasgow Buchanan, walk to Buchanan Bus Station, take the bus to Airport, walk to Edinburgh Airport (EDI) airport, fly to Kirkwall (KOI), walk to Airport Terminal, then take the bus to Supermarkets. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Cairnryan Stena Terminal to Travel Centre via Glasgow Buchanan, Buchanan Bus Station, Union Street, Ferry Terminal, Scrabster Ferry Terminal, Stromness Orkney Ferry Terminal, and Travel Centre in around 14h 59m.

Airlines

Train operators

Bus operators

Ferry operators

Want to know more about travelling around United Kingdom

Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.