How to travel from Loch Ness to Kirkwall, United Kingdom
The distance between Loch Ness and Kirkwall is around 226km (141 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to take the bus and then fly which takes around 2h 10m.
5 routes found
We've found 5 different ways to get from Loch Ness to Kirkwall by bus, ferry, car, train and plane. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.
👋 Also check out Kirkwall → Loch Ness if you're planning a return trip.
Bus and Plane
Take the bus to Inverness Bus Station Stance 2 then fly from Inverness (INV) to Kirkwall (KOI).
- Duration2h 10m
- Flight time45min
- Typical cost£180($215)
Multiple operators
1 similiar route
We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.
Bus and Ferry
Take the bus to Scrabster Ferry Terminal then take a ferry to Stromness Orkney Ferry Terminal.
- Duration6h 20m
- Departs6 times a week
- Typical cost£50($59)
Multiple operators
Train and Ferry
Take the train to Wick then take a ferry to St Margarets Hope Ferry Terminal.
- Duration7h 5m
- Departsevery 20 mins
- Typical cost£115($140)
Multiple operators
Car and Ferry
Drive to Aberdeen then take a ferry to Kirkwall.
- Duration8h 30m
- Departs4 times a week
- Typical cost£57($68)
Multiple operators
Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Loch Ness and Kirkwall
Popular questions
There are several options for getting from Loch Ness to Kirkwall by bus, ferry, car, train and plane. The cheapest option is to take the bus and then take a ferry which costs around £50 ($59) and will take around 6h 20m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can take the bus and then fly and arrive in approximately 2h 10m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately £180 ($215).
The distance between Loch Ness and Kirkwall is around 226km (141 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 210km (130 miles)
It takes around 6h 20m to get from Loch Ness and Kirkwall by bus and ferry.
The quickest way to get from Loch Ness to Kirkwall is to take the bus and then fly which takes around 2h 10m and will set you back approx £180 ($215).
The cheapest way to travel between Loch Ness and Kirkwall is to take the bus and then take a ferry which will typically cost around £50 ($59) for a standard one-way ticket.
Train travel
There is no train service that runs between Loch Ness and Kirkwall. We recommend that you take the bus to Inverness Bus Station Stance 2 then fly from Inverness (INV) to Kirkwall (KOI). instead which will take 2h 10m.
Bus travel
Sorry, looks like there is no bus service that runs between Loch Ness and Kirkwall. We recommend that you take the bus to Inverness Bus Station Stance 2 then fly from Inverness (INV) to Kirkwall (KOI). instead which will take 2h 10m.
Flights and Airlines
It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Loch Ness to Kirkwall. We recommend that you take the bus to Inverness Bus Station Stance 2 then fly from Inverness (INV) to Kirkwall (KOI). instead which will take 2h 10m.
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 Loch Ness to Kirkwall. We recommend that you take the bus to Scrabster Ferry Terminal then take a ferry to Stromness Orkney Ferry Terminal. instead which will take 6h 20m.
If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Loch Ness to Kirkwall is to take the bus and then take a ferry which takes, on average, 6h 20m and will usually cost around £50 ($59).
Compare travel optionsbetween Loch Ness and Kirkwall
| Transport option | Duration | Cost | Frequency | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Bus and Plane + 1 similar | 2h 10m | £180($215) | every 2 hours | 226km (141 miles) |
| Train and Plane | 4h 10m | £235($280) | every 3 hours | 401km (249 miles) |
Bus and Ferry | 6h 20m | £50($59) | 6 times a week | 304km (189 miles) |
Train and Ferry | 7h 5m | £115($140) | every 20 mins | 387km (240 miles) |
Car and Ferry | 8h 30m | £57($68) | 4 times a week | 463km (288 miles) |
Top Carriersoperating between Loch Ness and Kirkwall
Ferry operators
NorthLink Ferries
Pentland Ferries
Train operators
First ScotRail Service
Airlines
Loganair
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