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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 8 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 Birmingham Airport, fly

    best
    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 5m
    £283–641

  2. Bus, ferry

    cheapest
    1. Take the bus from Sophia Gardens to Manchester Central Coach Stationbus bus Cpa
    2. Take the bus from Shudehill Interchange to Buchanan Bus Stationbus bus
    3. Take the bus from Buchanan Bus Station to Union Square Bus Stationbus bus
    4. Take the ferry from Aberdeen Ferry Terminal to Kirkwall Orkney Hatston Ferry Terminalferry ferry Nl2
    20h 18m
    £97–193

  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 25m
    £201–394

  4. Train, train to Exeter, fly

    1. Take the train from Cardiff Central to Bristol Temple Meadstrain train
    2. Take the train from Bristol Temple Meads to Exeter St Davidstrain train
    3. Fly from Exeter (EXT) to Kirkwall (KOI)plane plane EXT - KOI
    9h 21m
    £339–702

  5. Train, train to Southampton Airport, fly

    1. Take the train from Cardiff Central to Readingtrain train
    2. Take the train from Reading to Southampton Airport Parkwaytrain train
    3. Fly from Southampton Airport (SOU) to Kirkwall (KOI)plane plane SOU - KOI
    10h 45m
    £334–730

  6. Train to Bristol Airport, fly

    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
    £249–587

  7. 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
    £176–314

  8. 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 35m
    £335–502

Birmingham Airport (BHX) to Kirkwall (KOI) flights

Calendar9Weekly Planes
Duration4h 20mAverage Duration
Ticket£220Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Cardiff to Orkney Islands.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 571.6 mi
  • Duration: 7h 5m

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 Birmingham New Street, take the train to Birmingham International, walk to Birmingham Intl Rail Station, take the vehicle to Birmingham International Airport, walk to Birmingham Airport (BHX) 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 25m.

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