How to travel from Preston to Kirkwall, United Kingdom
The distance between Preston and Kirkwall is around 657km (408 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to take the train and then fly which takes around 3h 45m.
10 routes found
We've found 10 different ways to get from Preston to Kirkwall by train, plane, 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 → Preston if you're planning a return trip.
Train and Plane
Take the train to Manchester Airport then fly from Manchester (MAN) to Kirkwall (KOI).
- Duration3h 45m
- Flight time2h 20m
- Typical cost£325($385)
Multiple operators
3 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.
- Duration10h 50m
- Departs4 times a week
- Typical cost£135($160)
Multiple operators
3 similiar routes
We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.
Bus and Ferry
Take the bus to Buchanan Bus Station then Inverness and then to Scrabster Ferry Terminal then take a ferry to Stromness Orkney Ferry Terminal.
- Duration13h 20m
- Departs6 times a week
- Typical cost£81($95)
Multiple operators
Car and Ferry
Drive to Aberdeen then take a ferry to Kirkwall.
- Duration11h 20m
- Departs4 times a week
- Typical cost£105($125)
Multiple operators
Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Preston and Kirkwall
Popular questions
There are several options for getting from Preston to Kirkwall by train, plane, ferry, bus and car. The cheapest option is to take the train and then take a ferry which costs around £69 ($82) and will take around 11h 60m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can take the train and then fly and arrive in approximately 3h 45m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately £325 ($385).
The distance between Preston and Kirkwall is around 657km (408 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 581km (361 miles)
It takes around 3h 45m to get from Preston and Kirkwall by train and plane.
The quickest way to get from Preston to Kirkwall is to take the train and then fly which takes around 3h 45m and will set you back approx £325 ($385).
The cheapest way to travel between Preston and Kirkwall is to take the train and then take a ferry which will typically cost around £69 ($82) for a standard one-way ticket.
Train travel
There is no train service that runs between Preston and Kirkwall. We recommend that you take the train to Manchester Airport then fly from Manchester (MAN) to Kirkwall (KOI). instead which will take 3h 45m.
Bus travel
Sorry, looks like there is no bus service that runs between Preston and Kirkwall. We recommend that you take the train to Manchester Airport then fly from Manchester (MAN) to Kirkwall (KOI). instead which will take 3h 45m.
Flights and Airlines
It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Preston 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 45m.
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 Preston 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 45m.
If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Preston to Kirkwall is to take the train and then fly which takes, on average, 3h 45m and will usually cost around £325 ($385).
Compare travel optionsbetween Preston and Kirkwall
| Transport option | Duration | Cost | Frequency | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Train and Plane + 3 similar | 3h 45m | £325($385) | hourly | 700km (435 miles) |
| Train to Glasgow Central, Fly | 4hrs | £420($495) | hourly | 684km (425 miles) |
| Train to Haymarket, Fly | 4h 10m | £390($465) | every 2 hours | 657km (408 miles) |
| Train to Birmingham International, Fly | 4h 25m | £410($485) | hourly | 915km (568 miles) |
Train and Ferry + 3 similar | 10h 50m | £135($160) | 4 times a week | 777km (483 miles) |
| Train to Carlisle, ferry | 11h 55m | £100($120) | twice a week | 782km (486 miles) |
| Train to Aberdeen, Ferry | 11h 60m | £69($82) | once a week | 782km (486 miles) |
| Train to Haymarket, ferry | 12h 10m | £235($280) | every 20 mins | 956km (594 miles) |
Bus and Ferry | 13h 20m | £81($95) | 6 times a week | 852km (530 miles) |
Car and Ferry | 11h 20m | £105($125) | 4 times a week | 749km (466 miles) |
Top Carriersoperating between Preston and Kirkwall
Train operators
First ScotRail Service
LNER
Airlines
Loganair
Aer Lingus
Bus companies
Scottish Citylink
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