How to travel from St Andrews to Kirkwall, United Kingdom
The distance between St Andrews and Kirkwall is around 753km (468 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to fly which takes around 3hrs.
9 routes found
We've found 9 different ways to get from St Andrews 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 → St Andrews if you're planning a return trip.
Fly
Fly from Birmingham (BHX) to Kirkwall (KOI).
- Duration3hrs
- Flight time2h 10m
- Typical cost£370($440)
Loganair
+ 2 others2 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 and then to Aberdeen Coach Station then take a ferry to Kirkwall.
- Duration17h 5m
- Departs4 times a week
- Typical cost£68($81)
Multiple operators
Train and Ferry
Take the train to Haymarket and then to Aberdeen then take a ferry to Kirkwall.
- Duration12h 60m
- Departs4 times a week
- Typical cost£180($215)
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.
- Duration13hrs
- Departs4 times a week
- Typical cost£135($160)
Multiple operators
Frequently asked questionsabout travel between St Andrews and Kirkwall
Popular questions
There are several options for getting from St Andrews 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 £68 ($81) and will take around 17h 5m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can fly and arrive in approximately 3hrs, though it is a bit more costly at approximately £370 ($440).
The distance between St Andrews and Kirkwall is around 753km (468 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 294km (183 miles)
It takes around 3hrs to get from St Andrews and Kirkwall by plane.
The quickest way to get from St Andrews to Kirkwall is to fly which takes around 3hrs and will set you back approx £370 ($440).
The cheapest way to travel between St Andrews and Kirkwall is to take the bus and then take a ferry which will typically cost around £68 ($81) for a standard one-way ticket.
Train travel
There is no train service that runs between St Andrews and Kirkwall. We recommend that you fly from Birmingham (BHX) to Kirkwall (KOI). instead which will take 3hrs.
Bus travel
Sorry, looks like there is no bus service that runs between St Andrews and Kirkwall. We recommend that you fly from Birmingham (BHX) to Kirkwall (KOI). instead which will take 3hrs.
Flights and Airlines
Yes you can fly from St Andrews and Kirkwall. Flights depart from Birmingham (BHX) and arrive at Kirkwall (KOI) - via Aberdeen (ABZ). The flight takes around 2h 10m.
There is no direct flight from St Andrews to Kirkwall. There is however a flight that goes via Aberdeen (ABZ). This services will take at least 3hrs (not including layover time).
The flight from St Andrews to Kirkwall typically takes around 2h 10m. Flights depart from Birmingham (BHX) 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 St Andrews to Kirkwall. We recommend that you fly from Birmingham (BHX) to Kirkwall (KOI). instead which will take 3hrs.
If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from St Andrews to Kirkwall is to fly which takes, on average, 3hrs and will usually cost around £370 ($440).
Compare travel optionsbetween St Andrews and Kirkwall
| Transport option | Duration | Cost | Frequency | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Fly + 2 similar | 3hrs | £370($440) | hourly | 753km (468 miles) |
| Train and Plane | 4h 45m | £365($430) | hourly | 785km (488 miles) |
| Train to London Marylebone, Fly | 5h 15m | £480($570) | hourly | 1,059km (658 miles) |
Bus and Ferry | 17h 5m | £68($81) | 4 times a week | 1,007km (626 miles) |
Train and Ferry + 3 similar | 12h 60m | £180($215) | 4 times a week | 947km (588 miles) |
| Train to Crewe, ferry | 14h 25m | £84($100) | once a week | 951km (591 miles) |
| Train to Aberdeen, Ferry | 14h 35m | £240($280) | 4 times a week | 1,027km (638 miles) |
| Train to Carlisle, ferry | 14h 50m | £240($285) | once a week | 1,131km (703 miles) |
Car and Ferry | 13hrs | £135($160) | 4 times a week | 922km (573 miles) |
Top Carriersoperating between St Andrews and Kirkwall
Airlines
Loganair
Aer Lingus
Ferry operators
NorthLink Ferries
Pentland Ferries
Train operators
Chiltern Railways
First ScotRail Service
LNER
Caledonian Sleeper
Bus companies
Scottish Citylink
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