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How to get fromCardiff to Mainlandby train, ferry, bus or plane

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There are 9 ways to get from Cardiff to Mainland by train, ferry, bus, or plane

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

  1. Train, ferry via Crewe

    best
    1. Take the train from Cardiff Central to Crewetrain
    2. Take the train from Crewe to Haymarkettrain
    3. Take the train from Haymarket to Aberdeentrain
    4. Take the ferry from Aberdeen to Kirkwall Orkney Hatston Ferry TerminalferryNl2
    16h 48m
    £121–389

  2. Bus, ferry

    cheapest
    1. Take the bus from Cardiff North Road to Newcastle-Upon-Tynebus
    2. Take the bus from John Dobson Street to Union Square Bus Stationbus
    3. Take the ferry from Aberdeen to Kirkwall Orkney Hatston Ferry TerminalferryNl2
    23h 20m
    £54–138

  3. Train, bus, ferry

    1. Take the train from Newport (S Wales) to Haymarkettrain
    2. Take the bus from Haymarket Station to Union StreetbusE9
    3. Take the bus from Union Street to Ferry TerminalbusE6
    4. Take the ferry from Scrabster Ferry Terminal to Stromness Orkney Ferry TerminalferryNl1
    19h 20m

  4. Fly from Cardiff Airport

    1. Fly from Cardiff Airport (CWL) to Kirkwall (KOI)planeCWL - KOI
    10h 15m
    £385–605

  5. Train, ferry

    1. Take the train from Cardiff Central to Bristol Temple Meadstrain
    2. Take the train from Bristol Temple Meads to Aberdeentrain
    3. Take the ferry from Aberdeen to Kirkwall Orkney Hatston Ferry TerminalferryNl2
    18h 4m
    £328–666

  6. Train to London Heathrow Airport, fly

    1. Take the train from Cardiff Central to London Paddingtontrain
    2. Fly from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Kirkwall (KOI)planeLHR - KOI
    6h 48m
    £176–556

  7. Train to Birmingham Airport, fly

    1. Take the train from Cardiff Central to Birmingham New Streettrain
    2. Fly from Birmingham Airport (BHX) to Kirkwall (KOI)planeBHX - KOI
    7h 7m
    £263–568

  8. Train, train to Southampton Airport, fly

    1. Take the train from Cardiff Central to Readingtrain
    2. Take the train from Reading to Southampton Airport Parkwaytrain
    3. Fly from Southampton Airport (SOU) to Kirkwall (KOI)planeSOU - KOI
    11h 4m
    £282–672

  9. Train to Bristol Airport, fly

    1. Take the train from Cardiff Central to Bristol Temple Meadstrain
    2. Fly from Bristol Airport (BRS) to Kirkwall (KOI)planeBRS - KOI
    6h 9m
    £227–525

Cardiff to Mainland by train, foot, and ferry

Calendar11Weekly Services
Duration16h 48mAverage Duration
Ticket£121Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

What companies run services between Cardiff, Wales and Mainland, Orkney Islands, Scotland?

Aer Lingus, Loganair, and two other airlines fly from Cardiff Airport (CWL) to Kirkwall (KOI) twice daily.

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