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How to get fromEdinburgh to Mainlandby plane, train, ferry, or bus

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There are 6 ways to get from Edinburgh to Mainland by plane, train, ferry, or bus

Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.

  1. Fly from Edinburgh Airport

    best
    1. Fly from Edinburgh Airport (EDI) to Kirkwall (KOI)plane plane EDI - KOI
    2h 47m
    £180–420

  2. Bus, ferry via Aberdeen

    cheapest
    1. Take the bus from Edinburgh, Bus Station to Seagate Bus Stationbus bus M92
    2. Take the bus from Seagate Bus Station to Union Square Bus Stationbus bus M9 / ...
    3. Take the ferry from Aberdeen Ferry Terminal to Kirkwall Orkney Hatston Ferry Terminalferry ferry Nl2
    10h 56m
    £41–86

  3. Train, ferry

    1. Take the train from Edinburgh Waverley to Aberdeentrain train Edinburgh - Aberdeen
    2. Take the ferry from Aberdeen Ferry Terminal to Kirkwall Orkney Hatston Ferry Terminalferry ferry Nl2
    10h 7m
    £49–122

  4. Bus, ferry

    1. Take the bus from Edinburgh, Bus Station to Bus Station Stance 3bus bus
    2. Take the bus from Inverness Union Street to Scrabster Ferry Terminalbus bus
    3. Take the ferry from Scrabster Ferry Terminal to Stromness Orkney Ferry Terminalferry ferry Nl1
    11h 16m
    £51–96

  5. Train, bus, ferry

    1. Take the train from Edinburgh Waverley to Invernesstrain train
    2. Take the train from Inverness to Wicktrain train
    3. Take the bus from Caithness General Hospital to Scrabster Ferry Terminalbus bus
    4. Take the ferry from Scrabster Ferry Terminal to Stromness Orkney Ferry Terminalferry ferry Nl1
    13h 19m
    £126–254

  6. Train to Glasgow Airport, fly

    1. Take the train from Edinburgh Waverley to Glasgow Queen Streettrain train
    2. Fly from Glasgow Airport (GLA) to Kirkwall (KOI)plane plane GLA - KOI
    3h 37m
    £221–494

Edinburgh to Mainland by train, foot, and ferry

Calendar8Weekly Services
Duration10h 7mAverage Duration
Ticket£49Cheapest Price
See schedules

Comparing Your Travel Options

Map of how to get from Edinburgh to Mainland.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 215.3 mi
  • Duration: 2h 47m

What companies run services between Edinburgh, Scotland and Mainland, Orkney Islands, Scotland?

Loganair flies from Edinburgh Airport (EDI) to Kirkwall (KOI) twice daily.

Airlines
Train operators
Bus operators
Ferry operators

Want to know more about travelling around United Kingdom

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