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How to get fromCardiff to Orkney Islandsby train, plane, ferry, or bus

Find Transport to Orkney Islands

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There are 6 ways to get from Cardiff to Orkney Islands by train, plane, 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. Train to Bristol Airport, fly

    best
    1. Take the train from Cardiff Central to Bristol Temple Meadstrain train
    2. Fly from Bristol Airport (BRS) to Kirkwall (KOI)plane plane BRS - KOI
    6h 24m
    £267–633

  2. Bus, ferry

    cheapest
    1. Take the bus from Park Place to London Victoria Coach Station Arrivalsbus bus 507 / ...
    2. Take the bus from London Victoria to Overgatebus bus
    3. Take the bus from Dundee station to Aberdeen Union Streetbus bus
    4. Take the ferry from Aberdeen Ferry Terminal to Kirkwall Orkney Hatston Ferry Terminalferry ferry Nl2
    26h 30m
    £110–178

  3. Train, ferry via Edinburgh

    1. Take the train from Cardiff Central to Crewetrain train
    2. Take the train from Crewe to Haymarkettrain train
    3. Take the train from Haymarket to Aberdeentrain train
    4. Take the ferry from Aberdeen Ferry Terminal to Kirkwall Orkney Hatston Ferry Terminalferry ferry Nl2
    17h 24m
    £186–328

  4. Train to Birmingham Airport, fly

    1. Take the train from Cardiff Central to Birmingham New Streettrain train
    2. Fly from Birmingham Airport (BHX) to Kirkwall (KOI)plane plane BHX - KOI
    7h 20m
    £271–628

  5. Train, ferry

    1. Take the train from Cardiff Central to Crewetrain train
    2. Take the train from Crewe to Aberdeentrain train
    3. Take the ferry from Aberdeen Ferry Terminal to Kirkwall Orkney Hatston Ferry Terminalferry ferry Nl2
    18h 12m
    £146–233

  6. Train, ferry #2

    1. Take the train from Cardiff Central to Bristol Temple Meadstrain train
    2. Take the train from Bristol Temple Meads to Aberdeentrain train
    3. Take the ferry from Aberdeen Ferry Terminal to Kirkwall Orkney Hatston Ferry Terminalferry ferry Nl2
    18h 39m
    £273–428

Cardiff to Orkney Islands by train, foot, and ferry

Calendar4Weekly Services
Duration17h 24mAverage Duration
Ticket£186Cheapest Price
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Comparing Your Travel Options

Map of how to get from Cardiff to Orkney Islands.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 573 mi
  • Duration: 6h 24m

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

There is no direct connection from Cardiff to Orkney Islands. However, you can take the train to Bristol Temple Meads, walk to Temple Meads Stn, take the bus to Public Transport Interchange, walk to Bristol Airport (BRS) airport, fly to Kirkwall (KOI), walk to Airport Terminal, then take the bus to Peerie Sea Loan. Alternatively, you can take a train from Cardiff Central to Kirkwall Orkney Hatston Ferry Terminal via Crewe, Haymarket, Aberdeen, and Aberdeen Ferry Terminal in around 17h 24m.

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