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

The cheapest way to get from Cardiff to Kirkwall is to bus and ferry which costs £55 - £120 and takes 21h 54m.

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

The fastest way to get from Cardiff to Kirkwall is to train and fly which takes 7h 9m and costs £170 - £550.

How far is it from Cardiff to Kirkwall?

The distance between Cardiff and Kirkwall is 544 miles.

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

The best way to get from Cardiff to Kirkwall without a car is to train and ferry which takes 19h 13m and costs £250 - £850.

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

It takes approximately 7h 16m to get from Cardiff to Kirkwall, including transfers.

Where can I stay near Kirkwall?

There are 177+ hotels available in Kirkwall.

Cardiff to Kirkwall - 7 ways to travel via train, plane, ferry, and bus

There are 7 ways to get from Cardiff to Kirkwall by plane, train, ferry, or bus

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

Fly from Cardiff Airport
best
1. Fly from Cardiff Airport (CWL) to Kirkwall (KOI)CWL - KOI
7h 16m
£317–559
Bus, ferry
cheapest
1. Take the bus from Kingsway GD to Buchanan Bus StationM19
2. Take the bus from Buchanan Bus Station to Union Square Bus StationM9
3. Take the ferry from Aberdeen Ferry Terminal to Kirkwall Orkney Hatston Ferry TerminalNl2
21h 54m
£55–111
Train, ferry
1. Take the train from Cardiff Central to Bristol Parkway
2. Take the train from Bristol Parkway to Aberdeen
3. Take the ferry from Aberdeen Ferry Terminal to Kirkwall Orkney Hatston Ferry TerminalNl2
19h 13m
£252–810
Train to Birmingham Airport, fly
1. Take the train from Cardiff Central to Birmingham New Street
2. Fly from Birmingham Airport (BHX) to Kirkwall (KOI)BHX - KOI
7h 19m
£245–565
Train to London Heathrow Airport, fly
1. Take the train from Cardiff Central to London Paddington
2. Fly from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Kirkwall (KOI)LHR - KOI
7h 9m
£170–527
Train, train to Exeter, fly
1. Take the train from Cardiff Central to Bristol Temple Meads
2. Take the train from Bristol Temple Meads to Exeter St Davids
3. Fly from Exeter (EXT) to Kirkwall (KOI)EXT - KOI
10h 17m
£260–679
Bus, ferry via Newcastle upon Tyne
1. Take the bus from Cardiff North Road to Newcastle-Upon-Tyne
2. Take the bus from Newcastle-Upon-Tyne to Aberdeen Bus Station
3. Take the ferry from Aberdeen Ferry Terminal to Kirkwall Orkney Hatston Ferry TerminalNl2
25h
£57–145

Cardiff to Kirkwall by train, foot, ferry, and bus

3Weekly Services

19h 13mAverage Duration

£252Cheapest Price

See schedules

Questions & Answers

Launch map view

Distance: 541.3 mi
Duration: 7h 16m

What companies run services between Cardiff, Wales and Kirkwall, Scotland?

Loganair, Aer Lingus, and KLM fly from Cardiff Airport (CWL) to Kirkwall (KOI) 3 times a day.

Transport is disrupted due to the Russia-Ukraine war. Read more

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Train operators

Bus operators

Ferry operators

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