How to travel from London to Kirkwall, United Kingdom
The distance between London and Kirkwall is around 877km (545 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to fly which takes around 2h 55m.
9 routes found
We've found 9 different ways to get from London to Kirkwall by plane, train, ferry, bus and car. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.
👋 Also check out Kirkwall → London if you're planning a return trip.
Fly
Fly from London Heathrow (LHR) to Kirkwall (KOI).
- Duration2h 55m
- Flight time2h 30m
- Typical cost£445($530)
+ 3 others2 similiar routes
We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.
Bus and Ferry
Take the bus to Edinburgh Bus Station and then to Union Square Bus Station then take a ferry to Kirkwall.
- Duration18h 25m
- Departs4 times a week
- Typical cost£64($76)
Multiple operators
Train and Ferry
Take the train to Aberdeen then take a ferry to Kirkwall.
- Duration13h 20m
- Departs4 times a week
- Typical cost£105($125)
Multiple operators
3 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.
- Duration14h 55m
- Departs4 times a week
- Typical cost£170($200)
Multiple operators
Frequently asked questionsabout travel between London and Kirkwall
Popular questions
There are several options for getting from London to Kirkwall by plane, train, ferry, bus and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus and then take a ferry which costs around £64 ($76) and will take around 18h 25m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can fly and arrive in approximately 2h 55m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately £445 ($530).
The distance between London and Kirkwall is around 877km (545 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 850km (528 miles)
It takes around 2h 55m to get from London and Kirkwall by plane.
The quickest way to get from London to Kirkwall is to fly which takes around 2h 55m and will set you back approx £445 ($530).
The cheapest way to travel between London and Kirkwall is to take the bus and then take a ferry which will typically cost around £64 ($76) for a standard one-way ticket.
Train travel
There is no train service that runs between London and Kirkwall. We recommend that you fly from London Heathrow (LHR) to Kirkwall (KOI). instead which will take 2h 55m.
Bus travel
Sorry, looks like there is no bus service that runs between London and Kirkwall. We recommend that you fly from London Heathrow (LHR) to Kirkwall (KOI). instead which will take 2h 55m.
Flights and Airlines
Yes you can fly from London and Kirkwall. Flights depart from London Heathrow (LHR) and arrive at Kirkwall (KOI) - via Aberdeen (ABZ). The flight takes around 2h 30m.
There is no direct flight from London to Kirkwall. There is however a flight that goes via Aberdeen (ABZ). This services will take at least 2h 55m (not including layover time).
The flight from London to Kirkwall typically takes around 2h 30m. Flights depart from London Heathrow (LHR) 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 London to Kirkwall. We recommend that you fly from London Heathrow (LHR) to Kirkwall (KOI). instead which will take 2h 55m.
If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from London to Kirkwall is to fly which takes, on average, 2h 55m and will usually cost around £445 ($530).
Compare travel optionsbetween London and Kirkwall
| Transport option | Duration | Cost | Frequency | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Fly + 2 similar | 2h 55m | £445($530) | hourly | 877km (545 miles) |
| Fly to Kirkwall (KOI) | 3hrs | £510($605) | hourly | 895km (556 miles) |
| Train and Plane | 3h 55m | £885($1,045) | hourly | 1,034km (643 miles) |
Bus and Ferry | 18h 25m | £64($76) | 4 times a week | 1,185km (737 miles) |
Train and Ferry + 3 similar | 13h 20m | £105($125) | 4 times a week | 1,103km (685 miles) |
| Train to Inverness, ferry | 14h 25m | £205($240) | once daily | 1,282km (797 miles) |
| Train to Sheffield, ferry | 14h 55m | £250($295) | 4 times a week | 1,165km (724 miles) |
| Train to Aberdeen, Ferry | 15h 40m | £74($87) | once a week | 1,116km (694 miles) |
Car and Ferry | 14h 55m | £170($200) | 4 times a week | 1,102km (685 miles) |
Top Carriersoperating between London and Kirkwall
Train operators
South Western Railway
LNER
First ScotRail Service
East Midlands Railways
Ferry operators
NorthLink Ferries
Pentland Ferries
Airlines
Loganair
Aer Lingus
Bus companies
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