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How to get fromCairnryan to Orkney Islandsby bus, plane, ferry, train, or car

Find Transport to Orkney Islands

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There are 6 ways to get from Cairnryan to Orkney Islands 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.

  1. Bus, bus to Edinburgh Airport, fly

    best
    1. Take the bus from Cairnryan Stena Terminal to Glasgow Buchananbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Buchanan Bus Station to Terminalbus bus
    3. Fly from Edinburgh Airport (EDI) to Kirkwall (KOI)plane plane EDI - KOI
    6h 8m
    £172–425

  2. Bus, ferry

    cheapest
    1. Take the bus from Cairnryan Stena Terminal to Glasgow Buchananbus bus 923
    2. Take the bus from Buchanan Bus Stn to Inverness Union Streetbus bus
    3. Take the bus from Inverness Union Street to Scrabster Ferry Terminalbus bus
    4. Take the ferry from Scrabster Ferry Terminal to Stromness Orkney Ferry Terminalferry ferry Nl1
    15h 9m
    £47–67

  3. Train, ferry

    1. Take the train from Stranraer to Ayrtrain train
    2. Take the train from Ayr to Glasgow Centraltrain train
    3. Take the train from Glasgow Queen Street to Aberdeentrain train
    4. Take the ferry from Aberdeen Ferry Terminal to Kirkwall Orkney Hatston Ferry Terminalferry ferry Nl2
    15h 12m
    £115–210

  4. Bus, train to Glasgow Airport, fly

    1. Take the bus from Old Pier to Henrietta Streetbus bus
    2. Take the train from Ayr to Paisley Gilmour Streettrain train
    3. Fly from Glasgow Airport (GLA) to Kirkwall (KOI)plane plane GLA - KOI
    7h 1m
    £259–518

  5. Drive to Campbeltown, fly

    1. Drive from Cairnryan to Campbeltown (CAL)car car
    2. Fly from Campbeltown (CAL) to Kirkwall (KOI)plane plane CAL - KOI
    22h
    £324–927

  6. Bus, ferry via Ayr

    1. Take the bus from Old Pier to Ayr Bus Stationbus bus 360 / ...
    2. Take the bus from Ayr Bus Station to Buchanan Bus Stationbus bus X77
    3. Take the bus from Buchanan Bus Stn to Inverness Union Streetbus bus
    4. Take the bus from Inverness Union Street to Scrabster Ferry Terminalbus bus
    5. Take the ferry from Scrabster Ferry Terminal to Stromness Orkney Ferry Terminalferry ferry Nl1
    16h 16m
    £71–99

Edinburgh Airport (EDI) to Kirkwall (KOI) flights

Calendar12Weekly Planes
Duration1h 56mAverage Duration
Ticket£167Cheapest Price
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Comparing Your Travel Options

Map of how to get from Cairnryan to Orkney Islands.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 333.4 mi
  • Duration: 6h 8m

What companies run services between Cairnryan, Scotland and Orkney Islands, Scotland?

There is no direct connection from Cairnryan to Orkney Islands. However, you can take the bus to Glasgow Buchanan, walk to Buchanan Bus Station, take the bus to Terminal, walk to Edinburgh Airport (EDI) airport, fly to Kirkwall (KOI), walk to Airport Terminal, then take the bus to Peerie Sea Loan. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Cairnryan Stena Terminal to Quanterness Cottages via Glasgow Buchanan, Buchanan Bus Stn, Inverness Union Street, Scrabster Ferry Terminal, Scrabster Ferry Terminal, Stromness Orkney Ferry Terminal, and Travel Centre in around 15h 9m.

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