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

The cheapest way to get from Cardiff to Mainland is to bus and ferry via Newcastle upon Tyne which costs £55 - £140 and takes 23h 23m.

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

The fastest way to get from Cardiff to Mainland is to fly which takes 6h 35m and costs £300 - £600.

How far is it from Cardiff to Mainland?

The distance between Cardiff and Mainland is 539 miles.

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

The best way to get from Cardiff to Mainland without a car is to train and ferry via Crewe which takes 17h 20m and costs £110 - £370.

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

It takes approximately 6h 35m to get from Cardiff to Mainland, including transfers.

Where can I stay near Mainland?

There are 177+ hotels available in Mainland.

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

There are 7 ways to get from Cardiff to Mainland 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
6h 35m
£305–555
Bus, ferry via Newcastle upon Tyne
cheapest
1. Take the bus from Kingsway GD to John Dobson Street
2. Take the bus from John Dobson Street to Union Square Bus Station
3. Take the ferry from Aberdeen Ferry Terminal to Kirkwall Orkney Hatston Ferry TerminalNl2
23h 23m
£56–137
Train, ferry via Crewe
1. Take the train from Cardiff Central to Crewe
2. Take the train from Crewe to Haymarket
3. Take the train from Haymarket to Aberdeen
4. Take the ferry from Aberdeen Ferry Terminal to Kirkwall Orkney Hatston Ferry TerminalNl2
17h 20m
£116–366
Bus, ferry
1. Take the bus from Kingsway GD to Buchanan Bus StationM19
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
20h 55m
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
6h 48m
£243–550
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
6h 41m
£169–513
Train, ferry
1. Take the train from Cardiff Central to Bristol Temple Meads
2. Take the train from Bristol Temple Meads to Aberdeen
3. Take the ferry from Aberdeen Ferry Terminal to Kirkwall Orkney Hatston Ferry TerminalNl2
18h 36m
£327–663

Cardiff to Mainland by train, foot, and ferry

12Weekly Services

17h 20mAverage Duration

£116Cheapest Price

See schedules

Questions & Answers

Launch map view

Distance: 535.8 mi
Duration: 6h 35m

What companies run services between Cardiff, Wales and Mainland, Orkney Islands, 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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Ferry operators

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