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

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There are 9 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.

  1. Fly from Cardiff Airport

    best
    1. Fly from Cardiff Airport (CWL) to Kirkwall (KOI)planeCWL - KOI
    6h 45m
    £275–607

  2. Bus, ferry via Newcastle upon Tyne

    cheapest
    1. Take the bus from Kingsway GD to John Dobson Streetbus
    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
    22h 46m
    £57–141

  3. Train, ferry via Crewe

    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 50m
    £107–366

  4. Bus, ferry

    1. Take the bus from Kingsway GD to Buchanan Bus StationbusM19
    2. Take the bus from Buchanan Bus Station to Union StreetbusE8
    3. Take the bus from Union Street to Ferry TerminalbusE6
    4. Take the ferry from Scrabster Ferry Terminal to Stromness Orkney Ferry TerminalferryNl1
    20h 55m

  5. 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
    6h 48m
    £232–557

  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 39m
    £178–504

  7. Train, train to Exeter, fly

    1. Take the train from Cardiff Central to Bristol Temple Meadstrain
    2. Take the train from Bristol Temple Meads to Exeter St Davidstrain
    3. Fly from Exeter (EXT) to Kirkwall (KOI)planeEXT - KOI
    9h 39m
    £262–681

  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
    10h 9m
    £287–720

  9. 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 6m
    £331–670

Cardiff to Mainland by train, foot, and ferry

Calendar4Weekly Services
Duration16h 50mAverage Duration
Ticket£107Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

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) twice daily.

Airlines
Train operators
Bus operators
Ferry operators

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