Routes to Orkney

By air

Flights run generally two to three times a day, and are direct to Aberdeen, Inverness, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Wick and the Shetland Islands.

This is the fastest way to get here, though usually it’s also the most expensive.

See Flybe.com for details.

By ferry

Three busy ferry routes connect Orkney with the rest of Scotland.

Northlink Ferries — Scrabster (near Thurso) to Stromness

Three services daily: Check timetable. From £14.

Northlink Ferries — Aberdeen to Kirkwall (continues to Shetland)

Once a day: Check timetable. From £23.

Pentland Ferries — Gills Bay to St Margarets Hope

Pentland Ferries is the fastest service at one hour, running to the southern Orkney at St. Margaret’s Hope. Try combining routes, one each way.

Three services daily: Check timetable. From £13.

John O’Groats Ferry — John O’Groats to Burwick

1st May – 30th September only. Passenger ferry — no cars.

Up to 4 services daily: Check timetable.

From £18.

JOG also runs day tours around Orkney, departing from Inverness or John O’Groats.

Prices correct as of Spring 2010.

So what’s the best way to get here?

This is just our opinion, but for the best ambience and character, take any of the 3 daily NorthLink ferries into Stromness. Arriving in the picturesque town of Stromness makes you feel you’ve magically stumbled into a different world.

If you’re in a hurry and don’t mind the cost, flying right into Kirkwall is easiest. The small airport makes flying relaxing and hassle-free.

What’s the cheapest way to get to Orkney?

Hitchhiking to Orkney

Hitchhiking to Thurso, then the ferry to Stromness is the cheapest way to get to Orkney. Plenty of people we know (including ourselves) have done it, and it’s amazing the nice, generous people who you meet.

Buses to Orkney

If you’re not up for hitchhiking, you can take Megabus from most major cities and towns in Scotland to Inverness for £5 – £10. Then catch a Citylink bus from Inverness to the Scrabster ferry outside of Thurso for about £15 or you can take the Scotrail train to Thurso for about £16 which means walking a few miles to the ferry or catching the local town bus to the ferry at Scrabster. Prices on these routes vary, so check the websites.

Some contact info:

Useful travel links and phone numbers – to Orkney, around Orkney

Orkney Islands Council produces a twice yearly transport guide (Summer and Winter). These links I have copied out for you.

• Kirkwall Airport Information 01856 886 210
• Loganair 01856 872 494
• Flybe 0871 700 2000
• Northlink Ferries 0845 6000 449
• Pentland Ferries 01856 831 226
• JOG Ferry (summer only) 01955 611 353
• Scottish CityLink 08705 50 50
• Scotrail train 08457 48 49 50
• Stagecoach Orkney Buses 01856 878 014
• Orkney Ferries 01856 871 515
• Orkney Community Transport 01856 871 515
• Rousay Island Bus 01856 821 360
• Westray Island Bus 01857 677 758 / 077890 34289

Taxis

• Kirkwall – Bob’s 01856 876 543
• Kirkwall - Craigies 01856 87 87 87
• Stromness – Brass’s 01856 850 750
• Stromness - Stromness 01856 851 777
• Hoy – Rendall’s 01856 791 262
• Westray – Westraak 01857 677 777 / 077660 73088
• Sanday – Kettletoft 01857 600 321
• Stronsay – Peace 01857 616 335

Independent Travel Tips for Orkney and Scotland

• VirtualTourist
• Tripadvisor

I hope this helps. Please contact me if you want help or advice.