How to travel from Swanage to Kirkwall, United Kingdom
The distance between Swanage and Kirkwall is around 992km (616 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to take the train and then fly which takes around 4h 25m.
9 routes found
We've found 9 different ways to get from Swanage 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 → Swanage if you're planning a return trip.
Train and Plane
Take the train to Southampton Airport Parkway then fly from Southampton (SOU) to Kirkwall (KOI).
- Duration4h 25m
- Flight time2h 35m
- Typical cost£865($1,025)
Multiple operators
2 similiar routes
We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.
Train and Ferry
Take the train to London Waterloo then Edinburgh and then to Aberdeen then take a ferry to Kirkwall.
- Duration15h 35m
- Departs4 times a week
- Typical cost£235($280)
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 Cardiff University, Abington then Buchanan Bus Station and then to Aberdeen Coach Station then take a ferry to Kirkwall.
- Duration17h 35m
- Departsonce a week
- Typical cost£100($120)
Multiple operators
Car and Ferry
Drive to Aberdeen then take a ferry to Kirkwall.
- Duration16hrs
- Departs4 times a week
- Typical cost£175($210)
Multiple operators
Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Swanage and Kirkwall
Popular questions
There are several options for getting from Swanage to Kirkwall by train, plane, ferry, bus and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus, then take the train and then take a ferry which costs around £95 ($115) and will take around 1 day 1h. If you need to get there more quickly, you can take the train and then fly and arrive in approximately 4h 25m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately £865 ($1,025).
The distance between Swanage and Kirkwall is around 992km (616 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 933km (580 miles)
It takes around 4h 25m to get from Swanage and Kirkwall by train and plane.
The quickest way to get from Swanage to Kirkwall is to take the train and then fly which takes around 4h 25m and will set you back approx £865 ($1,025).
The cheapest way to travel between Swanage and Kirkwall is to take the bus, then take the train and then take a ferry which will typically cost around £95 ($115) for a standard one-way ticket.
Train travel
There is no train service that runs between Swanage and Kirkwall. We recommend that you take the train to Southampton Airport Parkway then fly from Southampton (SOU) to Kirkwall (KOI). instead which will take 4h 25m.
Bus travel
Sorry, looks like there is no bus service that runs between Swanage and Kirkwall. We recommend that you take the train to Southampton Airport Parkway then fly from Southampton (SOU) to Kirkwall (KOI). instead which will take 4h 25m.
Flights and Airlines
It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Swanage to Kirkwall. We recommend that you take the train to Southampton Airport Parkway then fly from Southampton (SOU) to Kirkwall (KOI). instead which will take 4h 25m.
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 Swanage to Kirkwall. We recommend that you take the train to Southampton Airport Parkway then fly from Southampton (SOU) to Kirkwall (KOI). instead which will take 4h 25m.
If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Swanage to Kirkwall is to take the train and then fly which takes, on average, 4h 25m and will usually cost around £865 ($1,025).
Compare travel optionsbetween Swanage and Kirkwall
| Transport option | Duration | Cost | Frequency | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Train and Plane + 2 similar | 4h 25m | £865($1,025) | hourly | 992km (616 miles) |
| Train to Woking, Fly | 5h 45m | £425($500) | hourly | 1,041km (647 miles) |
| Train to Southampton Central, plane | 6hrs | £520($615) | hourly | 1,061km (659 miles) |
Train and Ferry + 3 similar | 15h 35m | £235($280) | 4 times a week | 1,321km (821 miles) |
| Train to Wolverhampton, ferry | 16h 50m | £260($305) | 4 times a week | 1,246km (775 miles) |
| Train to Birmingham New Street, ferry | 18hrs | £320($380) | 4 times a week | 1,326km (824 miles) |
| Bus, Train and Ferry | 1 day 1h | £95($115) | once a week | 1,350km (839 miles) |
Bus and Ferry | 17h 35m | £100($120) | once a week | 1,352km (840 miles) |
Car and Ferry | 16hrs | £175($210) | 4 times a week | 1,168km (726 miles) |
Top Carriersoperating between Swanage and Kirkwall
Train operators
South Western Railway
LNER
First ScotRail Service
Ferry operators
NorthLink Ferries
Airlines
Loganair
Aer Lingus
Bus companies
Stagecoach West Scotland
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