How to travel from Kirkwall to Tobermory, United Kingdom
The distance between Kirkwall and Tobermory is around 432km (268 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to fly, then take the bus and then take a ferry which takes around 5h 40m.
9 routes found
We've found 9 different ways to get from Kirkwall to Tobermory by ferry, bus, train and plane. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.
👋 Also check out Tobermory → Kirkwall if you're planning a return trip.
Plane and Ferry
Fly from Kirkwall (KOI) to Tiree (TRE) then take a ferry to Oban Ferry Terminal and then to Craignure Mull Ferry Terminal.
- Duration7h 55m
- Flight time2h 15m
- Typical cost£455($540)
Multiple operators
3 similiar routes
We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.
Ferry and Bus
Take a ferry to Scrabster Ferry Terminal then take the bus to Inverness Bus Station Stance 2 then Stronaba Road End and then to Lochaline Pier then take a ferry to Fishnish Ferry Terminal.
- Duration9h 45m
- Departstwice a week
- Typical cost£135($160)
Multiple operators
1 similiar route
We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.
Ferry and Train
Take a ferry to Aberdeen then take the train to Glasgow Queen Street and then to Oban then take a ferry to Craignure Mull Ferry Terminal.
- Duration14h 45m
- Departs3 times a week
- Typical cost£95($110)
Multiple operators
2 similiar routes
We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.
Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Kirkwall and Tobermory
Popular questions
There are several options for getting from Kirkwall to Tobermory by ferry, bus, train and plane. The cheapest option is to take a ferry and then take the bus which costs around £63 ($74) and will take around 15hrs. If you need to get there more quickly, you can fly, then take the bus and then take a ferry and arrive in approximately 5h 40m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately £360 ($425).
The distance between Kirkwall and Tobermory is around 432km (268 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 320km (199 miles)
It takes around 9h 45m to get from Kirkwall and Tobermory by ferry and bus.
The quickest way to get from Kirkwall to Tobermory is to fly, then take the bus and then take a ferry which takes around 5h 40m and will set you back approx £360 ($425).
The cheapest way to travel between Kirkwall and Tobermory is to take a ferry and then take the bus which will typically cost around £63 ($74) for a standard one-way ticket.
Train travel
There is no train service that runs between Kirkwall and Tobermory. We recommend that you fly from Kirkwall (KOI) to Glasgow (GLA) then take the bus to Oban Station Road then take a ferry to Craignure Mull Ferry Terminal. instead which will take 5h 40m.
Bus travel
Sorry, looks like there is no bus service that runs between Kirkwall and Tobermory. We recommend that you fly from Kirkwall (KOI) to Glasgow (GLA) then take the bus to Oban Station Road then take a ferry to Craignure Mull Ferry Terminal. instead which will take 5h 40m.
Flights and Airlines
It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Kirkwall to Tobermory. We recommend that you fly from Kirkwall (KOI) to Glasgow (GLA) then take the bus to Oban Station Road then take a ferry to Craignure Mull Ferry Terminal. instead which will take 5h 40m.
The closest major airport to Tobermory is Tiree Airport (TRE) (TRE) which is approximately 51km (32 miles) from Tobermory. North Bay Airport (BRR) (BRR) and Glasgow Airport (GLA) (GLA) 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 Tobermory. We recommend that you take a ferry to Scrabster Ferry Terminal then take the bus to Inverness Bus Station Stance 2 then Stronaba Road End and then to Lochaline Pier then take a ferry to Fishnish Ferry Terminal. instead which will take 9h 45m.
If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Kirkwall to Tobermory is to take a ferry and then take the bus which takes, on average, 9h 45m and will usually cost around £135 ($160).
Compare travel optionsbetween Kirkwall and Tobermory
| Transport option | Duration | Cost | Frequency | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Plane and Ferry + 3 similar | 7h 55m | £455($540) | once daily | 687km (427 miles) |
| Plane, Bus and Ferry | 5h 40m | £360($425) | once daily | 559km (347 miles) |
| Fly to Inverness (INV), bus and ferry | 6h 35m | £205($245) | twice daily | 432km (268 miles) |
| Plane, Train and Ferry | 7h 15m | £355($420) | once a week | 626km (389 miles) |
Ferry and Bus + 1 similar | 9h 45m | £135($160) | twice a week | 482km (299 miles) |
| Ferry to Aberdeen, bus | 15hrs | £63($74) | 3 times a week | 620km (385 miles) |
Ferry and Train + 2 similar | 14h 45m | £95($110) | 3 times a week | 719km (447 miles) |
| Ferry to Aberdeen, train | 15h 25m | £100($120) | once a week | 752km (467 miles) |
| Ferry, Train and Bus | 10h 35m | £175($210) | twice a week | 565km (351 miles) |
Top Carriersoperating between Kirkwall and Tobermory
Bus companies
Scottish Citylink
Shiel Buses
Stagecoach East Scotland
Fishers Tours of Dundee
Ferry operators
NorthLink Ferries
Caledonian MacBrayne
Pentland Ferries
Train operators
First ScotRail Service
LNER
Caledonian Sleeper
Airlines
Loganair
Airports near Tobermory
The following major airports near Tobermory offer regular flights to various popular destinations within United Kingdom and internationally.
Tiree Airport (TRE)
- Distance
- 51km (32 miles) from Tobermory
North Bay Airport (BRR)
- Distance
- 95km (59 miles) from Tobermory
Glasgow Airport (GLA)
- Distance
- 132km (82 miles) from Tobermory