How to travel from Chester to Kirkwall, United Kingdom
The distance between Chester and Kirkwall is around 714km (443 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to fly which takes around 3h 45m.
7 routes found
We've found 7 different ways to get from Chester to Kirkwall by train, plane, ferry and car. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.
👋 Also check out Kirkwall → Chester if you're planning a return trip.
Fly
Fly from Liverpool (LPL) to Kirkwall (KOI).
- Duration3h 45m
- Flight time2h 50m
- Typical cost£700($830)
Loganair
+ 2 others2 similiar routes
We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.
Train and Ferry
Take the train to Haymarket and then to Aberdeen then take a ferry to Kirkwall.
- Duration11h 45m
- Departs4 times a week
- Typical cost£165($195)
Multiple operators
2 similiar routes
We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.
Car and Ferry
Drive to Aberdeen then take a ferry to Kirkwall.
- Duration12h 10m
- Departs4 times a week
- Typical cost£125($145)
Multiple operators
Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Chester and Kirkwall
Popular questions
There are several options for getting from Chester to Kirkwall by train, plane, ferry and car. The cheapest option is to take the train and then take a ferry which costs around £90 ($105) and will take around 13h 35m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can fly and arrive in approximately 3h 45m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately £700 ($830).
The distance between Chester and Kirkwall is around 714km (443 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 644km (400 miles)
It takes around 3h 50m to get from Chester and Kirkwall by train and plane.
The quickest way to get from Chester to Kirkwall is to fly which takes around 3h 45m and will set you back approx £700 ($830).
The cheapest way to travel between Chester and Kirkwall is to take the train and then take a ferry which will typically cost around £90 ($105) for a standard one-way ticket.
Train travel
There is no train service that runs between Chester and Kirkwall. We recommend that you fly from Liverpool (LPL) to Kirkwall (KOI). instead which will take 3h 45m.
Bus travel
Sorry, looks like there is no bus service that runs between Chester and Kirkwall. We recommend that you fly from Liverpool (LPL) to Kirkwall (KOI). instead which will take 3h 45m.
Flights and Airlines
Yes you can fly from Chester and Kirkwall. Flights depart from Liverpool (LPL) and arrive at Kirkwall (KOI) - via Isle Of Man (IOM). The flight takes around 2h 50m.
There is no direct flight from Chester to Kirkwall. There is however a flight that goes via Isle Of Man (IOM) and Edinburgh (EDI). This services will take at least 3h 45m (not including layover time).
The flight from Chester to Kirkwall typically takes around 2h 50m. Flights depart from Liverpool (LPL) and and arrive into Kirkwall (KOI).
The closest major airport to Kirkwall is Kirkwall Airport (KOI) (KOI) which is approximately 4km (3 miles) from Kirkwall. Inverness Airport (INV) (INV) and Aberdeen Airport (ABZ) (ABZ) are also nearby and might be a better alternative airport depending on where you are flying from.
Drive yourself
No, its not really possible or feasible to drive from Chester to Kirkwall. We recommend that you take the train to Manchester Airport then fly from Manchester (MAN) to Kirkwall (KOI). instead which will take 3h 50m.
If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Chester to Kirkwall is to take the train and then fly which takes, on average, 3h 50m and will usually cost around £340 ($400).
Compare travel optionsbetween Chester and Kirkwall
| Transport option | Duration | Cost | Frequency | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Fly + 2 similar | 3h 45m | £700($830) | every 4 hours | 748km (465 miles) |
| Train and Plane | 3h 50m | £340($400) | hourly | 714km (443 miles) |
| Train to Birmingham International, Fly | 4hrs | £400($475) | every 2 hours | 867km (539 miles) |
Train and Ferry + 2 similar | 11h 45m | £165($195) | 4 times a week | 849km (527 miles) |
| Train to Haymarket, ferry | 13h 5m | £270($315) | every 20 mins | 1,028km (639 miles) |
| Train to Preston, ferry | 13h 35m | £90($105) | once a week | 865km (538 miles) |
Car and Ferry | 12h 10m | £125($145) | 4 times a week | 839km (521 miles) |
Top Carriersoperating between Chester and Kirkwall
Train operators
Transport for Wales
First ScotRail Service
LNER
Airlines
Loganair
Aer Lingus
Ferry operators
NorthLink Ferries
Pentland Ferries
Airports near Kirkwall
The following major airports near Kirkwall offer regular flights to various popular destinations within United Kingdom and internationally.
Kirkwall Airport (KOI)
- Distance
- 4km (3 miles) from Kirkwall
Inverness Airport (INV)
- Distance
- 173km (107 miles) from Kirkwall
Aberdeen Airport (ABZ)
- Distance
- 203km (126 miles) from Kirkwall