How to travel from Kirkwall to Inverness, United Kingdom
The distance between Kirkwall and Inverness is around 194km (121 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to fly which takes around 1h 25m.
7 routes found
We've found 7 different ways to get from Kirkwall to Inverness by ferry, bus, train, car and plane. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.
👋 Also check out Inverness → Kirkwall if you're planning a return trip.
Fly
Fly from Kirkwall (KOI) to Inverness (INV).
- Duration1h 25m
- Flight time45min
- Typical cost£175($205)
Loganair
1 similiar route
We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.
Ferry to John o' Groats, John O’ Groats Ferry Terminal, Bus
Take a ferry to John o' Groats John O’ Groats Ferry Terminal then take the bus to Inverness Bus Station Stance 2.
- Duration5hrs
- Departsonce daily
- Typical cost£24($28)
Multiple operators
2 similiar routes
We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.
Ferry and Train
Take a ferry to Gills Bay Ferry Terminal then take the train to Inverness.
- Duration6h 25m
- Departsevery 20 mins
- Typical cost£110($130)
Multiple operators
Ferry and Car
Take a ferry to Aberdeen then drive to Inverness.
- Duration9h 30m
- Departs3 times a week
- Typical cost£52($62)
Multiple operators
Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Kirkwall and Inverness
Popular questions
There are several options for getting from Kirkwall to Inverness by ferry, bus, train, car and plane. The cheapest option is to take a ferry and then take the bus which costs around £24 ($28) and will take around 5hrs. If you need to get there more quickly, you can fly and arrive in approximately 1h 25m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately £175 ($205).
The distance between Kirkwall and Inverness is around 194km (121 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 183km (114 miles)
It takes around 5h 50m to get from Kirkwall and Inverness by ferry and bus.
The quickest way to get from Kirkwall to Inverness is to fly which takes around 1h 25m and will set you back approx £175 ($205).
The cheapest way to travel between Kirkwall and Inverness is to take a ferry and then take the bus which will typically cost around £24 ($28) for a standard one-way ticket.
Train travel
There is no train service that runs between Kirkwall and Inverness. We recommend that you fly from Kirkwall (KOI) to Inverness (INV). instead which will take 1h 25m.
Bus travel
Sorry, looks like there is no bus service that runs between Kirkwall and Inverness. We recommend that you fly from Kirkwall (KOI) to Inverness (INV). instead which will take 1h 25m.
Flights and Airlines
Yes you can fly from Kirkwall and Inverness. Flights depart from Kirkwall (KOI) and arrive at Inverness (INV). The flight takes around 45min.
Yes there is a direct flight between Kirkwall and Inverness with no stop-overs required. Flights typically take around 45min.
Loganair fly between Kirkwall and Inverness. Flights depart from Kirkwall (KOI) and and arrive into Inverness (INV). These flights usually take around 45min.
The flight from Kirkwall to Inverness typically takes around 45min. Flights depart from Kirkwall (KOI) and and arrive into Inverness (INV).
The closest major airport to Inverness is Inverness Airport (INV) (INV) which is approximately 12km (7 miles) from Inverness. Aberdeen Airport (ABZ) (ABZ) and Dundee Airport (DND) (DND) 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 Kirkwall to Inverness. We recommend that you take a ferry to Scrabster Ferry Terminal then take the bus to Inverness Bus Station Stance 2. instead which will take 5h 50m.
If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Kirkwall to Inverness is to take a ferry and then take the bus which takes, on average, 5h 50m and will usually cost around £43 ($51).
Compare travel optionsbetween Kirkwall and Inverness
| Transport option | Duration | Cost | Frequency | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Fly + 1 similar | 1h 25m | £175($205) | hourly | 194km (121 miles) |
| Plane and Train | 3h 20m | £230($270) | every 3 hours | 369km (229 miles) |
Ferry to John o' Groats, John O’ Groats Ferry Terminal, Bus + 2 similar | 5hrs | £24($28) | once daily | 243km (151 miles) |
| Ferry and Bus | 5h 50m | £43($51) | once daily | 273km (169 miles) |
| Ferry to Scrabster Ferry Terminal, Bus | 5h 50m | £43($51) | twice a week | 273km (170 miles) |
Ferry and Train | 6h 25m | £110($130) | every 20 mins | 356km (221 miles) |
Ferry and Car | 9h 30m | £52($62) | 3 times a week | 434km (270 miles) |
Top Carriersoperating between Kirkwall and Inverness
Ferry operators
NorthLink Ferries
John O'Groats Ferries
Pentland Ferries
Train operators
First ScotRail Service
Airlines
Loganair
Airports near Inverness
The following major airports near Inverness offer regular flights to various popular destinations within United Kingdom and internationally.
Inverness Airport (INV)
- Distance
- 12km (7 miles) from Inverness
Aberdeen Airport (ABZ)
- Distance
- 125km (78 miles) from Inverness
Dundee Airport (DND)
- Distance
- 136km (84 miles) from Inverness