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How to get fromJohn O' Groats to Orkneyby bus, plane, car, train, or ferry

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There are 7 ways to get from John O' Groats to Orkney by bus, plane, car, train, or ferry

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 to Inverness Dalcross Airport, fly, drive

    best
    1. Take the bus from Caithness General Hospital to Inverness Union Streetbus bus
    2. Fly from Inverness Dalcross Airport (INV) to Johannesburg International Airport (JNB)plane plane INV - JNB
    3. Drive from Johannesburg-Airport-JNB to Orkneycar car
    25h 26m
    R 6,871–17,273

  2. Fly from Wick, drive

    cheapest
    1. Fly from Wick (WIC) to Johannesburg International Airport (JNB)plane plane WIC - JNB
    2. Drive from Johannesburg-Airport-JNB to Orkneycar car
    31h 39m
    R 5,529–18,596

  3. Bus, train to Aberdeen Airport, fly, drive

    1. Take the bus from Caithness General Hospital to Inverness Union Streetbus bus
    2. Take the train from Inverness to Aberdeentrain train
    3. Fly from Aberdeen Airport (ABZ) to Johannesburg International Airport (JNB)plane plane ABZ - JNB
    4. Drive from Johannesburg-Airport-JNB to Orkneycar car
    27h
    R 7,367–23,769

  4. Bus, train, bus to Edinburgh Airport, fly, drive

    1. Take the bus from Caithness General Hospital to Inverness Union Streetbus bus
    2. Take the train from Inverness to Perthtrain train
    3. Take the bus from Perth station to Edinburgh Airportbus bus
    4. Fly from Edinburgh Airport (EDI) to Johannesburg International Airport (JNB)plane plane EDI - JNB
    5. Drive from Johannesburg-Airport-JNB to Orkneycar car
    28h 25m
    R 7,467–15,039

  5. Bus, train, train to Glasgow Airport, fly, drive

    1. Take the bus from Caithness General Hospital to Inverness Union Streetbus bus
    2. Take the train from Inverness to Perthtrain train
    3. Take the train from Perth to Glasgow Queen Streettrain train
    4. Fly from Glasgow Airport (GLA) to Johannesburg International Airport (JNB)plane plane GLA - JNB
    5. Drive from Johannesburg-Airport-JNB to Orkneycar car
    30h 44m
    R 6,292–15,819

  6. Bus, train, train to Newcastle, fly, drive

    1. Take the bus from Caithness General Hospital to Inverness Union Streetbus bus
    2. Take the train from Inverness to Edinburgh Waverleytrain train
    3. Take the train from Edinburgh Waverley to Newcastletrain train
    4. Fly from Newcastle (NCL) to Johannesburg International Airport (JNB)plane plane NCL - JNB
    5. Drive from Johannesburg-Airport-JNB to Orkneycar car
    29h 28m
    R 7,252–22,629

  7. Ferry to Kirkwall, fly, drive

    1. Take the ferry from Gills Bay Ferry Terminal to St Margarets Hope Ferry Terminalferry ferry
    2. Fly from Kirkwall (KOI) to Johannesburg International Airport (JNB)plane plane KOI - JNB
    3. Drive from Johannesburg-Airport-JNB to Orkneycar car
    31h 14m
    R 11,186–35,436

Inverness Dalcross Airport (INV) to Johannesburg International Airport (JNB) flights

Calendar25Weekly Planes
Duration19h 42mAverage Duration
TicketR 5,992Cheapest Price
See schedules

Comparing Your Travel Options

Map of how to get from John O' Groats to Orkney.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 10,191.3 km
  • Duration: 25h 26m

What companies run services between John O' Groats, Scotland and Orkney, South Africa?

There is no direct connection from John O' Groats to Orkney. However, you can take the bus to Bus Terminal, walk to Caithness General Hospital, take the bus to Inverness Union Street, walk to Inverness, take the train to Inverness Airport, walk to Inverness Airport station, take the line 1 bus to Terminal Building, walk to Inverness Dalcross Airport (INV) airport, fly to Johannesburg International Airport (JNB), then drive to Orkney. Alternatively, you can take the bus to Bus Terminal, take the line 77 bus to Airport, walk to Wick (WIC) airport, fly to Johannesburg International Airport (JNB), then drive to Orkney.

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Want to know more about travelling around South Africa

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