Internal transport

A trip to Orkney is not complete without a visit to one or more of the islands, as well as visiting all the interesting places on the Mainland.

Since each island is different, with its own charm and the inter-island transport system is good, it is both easy and interesting to visit all of the islands as well as the Mainland parishes.

Inter-island ferries

The main internal sea transport operator is Orkney Ferries, which operates to most inhabited Islands from Kirkwall, Tingwall, Houton and Stromness. They publish an annual timetable with details of services. Further information from the head office at Kirkwall Harbour, Tel (01856) 872044

All services are ro-ro except those to Papay, North Ronaldsay and Graemsay, where vehicles are handled by crane. The modern fleet of ships runs frequent daily services to all islands except North Ronaldsay, which is once or twice weekly.

The services run as follows:

• Outer North Isles services depart from Kirkwall for Westray, Papa Westray, Eday, Sanday, Stronsay and North Ronaldsay. 
  To book telephone (01856) 872044.
  
  
• Rousay, Egilsay & Wyre services depart from Tingwall in Evie. 
  To book telephone (01856) 751360
  
  
• Hoy and Flotta services depart from Houton in Orphir. 
  To book telephone (01856) 811397
  
  
• North Hoy and Graemsay services depart from Stromness. 
  To book telephone (01856) 850624.

Internal air services

Loganair run daily services to most of the Outer North Isles, including Westray, Papay, North Ronaldsay, Sanday and Stronsay and to Eday (on Wednesdays only) with 8-seat Islander aircraft. Flying from Kirkwall airport, this service is very popular, and booking is generally required.

Special deals exist for visitors, including the Coast to Coast ticket which allows visits to up to three islands at a very special price. One island is accessed by sea and two by air. Tickets are available from the Orkney Ferries office only.

It should be noted that flights to North Ronaldsay are frequently very busy so to avoid disappointment book well in advance.

Public transport

Orkney Coaches are the main bus operators in Orkney, and run a large number of services between Kirkwall and Stromness, to ferry terminals and various locations on the Mainland. Full details of all these and other schedules are published by Orkney Islands Council every six months in the Orkney Public Transport Timetable. This booklet is indispensable to anyone wishing to make best use of the complexity of routes and times.

For information regarding Taxis, Boat Hire, Car Hire, Bicycle Hire, Tours of Orkney and Scapa Flow, please contact our local tourist information centre VisitOrkney.