How to get from Kirkwall to Inverness by bus and ferry?

From Kirkwall to Inverness by bus and ferry

To get from Kirkwall to Inverness in Scotland, you’ll need to take 2 bus lines and one ferry line: take the X1 bus from Glaitness School, Kirkwall station to Travel Centre, Stromness station. Next, you’ll have to switch to the NL1 ferry and finally take the E6 bus from Ferry Terminal, Scrabster station to Union Street, Inverness station. The total trip duration for this route is approximately 7 hr 29 min. The bus and ferry schedule from Kirkwall may change. We recommend you check the updated bus and ferry schedule to Inverness on the Moovit app.

449min
Walk to bus station
Bus - X1X1
Ferry - NL1NL1
Bus - E6E6
Walk to Inverness
Leaves from Glaitness School, Kirkwall

Step by Step

  • 1
    Walk to bus station
    Walk to bus station
    Glaitness School, Kirkwall
    ID 6020710794
    100 m • 2 min
  • 2
    Bus - X1X1
    Wait for bus
    X1
    Skara Brae
  • 3
    Ride to bus station
    Ride to bus station
    Travel Centre, Stromness
    ID 6020710304
    28 min
  • 4
    Walk to ferry station
    Walk to ferry station
    Stromness Orkney Ferry Terminal, Stromness
    ID 9300SNS
    160 m • 3 min
  • 5
    Ferry - NL1NL1
    Wait for ferry
    NL1
    Scrabster
  • 6
    Ride to ferry station
    Ride to ferry station
    Scrabster Ferry Terminal, Scrabster
    ID 9300SCR
    90 min
  • 7
    Walk to bus station
    Walk to bus station
    Ferry Terminal, Scrabster
    ID 670086514
    90 m • 2 min
  • 8
    Bus - E6E6
    Wait for bus
    E6
    Inverness
  • 9
    Ride to bus station
    Ride to bus station
    Union Street, Inverness
    ID 6700712819D
    196 min
  • 10
    Walk to Inverness
    Walk to
    Inverness
    240 m • 4 min
*Duration based on 8am traffic

Alternative route from Kirkwall to Inverness by bus and ferry via 8S, NL1 and E6

To get from Kirkwall to Inverness in Scotland, you’ll need to take 2 bus lines and one ferry line: take the 8S bus from Glaitness School, Kirkwall station to Travel Centre, Stromness station. Next, you’ll have to switch to the NL1 ferry and finally take the E6 bus from Ferry Terminal, Scrabster station to Union Street, Inverness station. The total trip duration for this route is approximately 11 hr 25 min. The bus and ferry schedule from Kirkwall may change. We recommend you check the updated bus and ferry schedule to Inverness on the Moovit app.

685min
Walk to bus station
Bus - 8S8S
Ferry - NL1NL1
Bus - E6E6
Walk to Inverness
Leaves from Glaitness School, Kirkwall

Step by Step

  • 1
    Walk to bus station
    Walk to bus station
    Glaitness School, Kirkwall
    ID 6020710794
    100 m • 2 min
  • 2
    Bus - 8S8S
    Wait for bus
    8S
    Stromness
  • 3
    Ride to bus station
    Ride to bus station
    Travel Centre, Stromness
    ID 6020710304
    63 min
  • 4
    Walk to ferry station
    Walk to ferry station
    Stromness Orkney Ferry Terminal, Stromness
    ID 9300SNS
    160 m • 3 min
  • 5
    Ferry - NL1NL1
    Wait for ferry
    NL1
    Scrabster
  • 6
    Ride to ferry station
    Ride to ferry station
    Scrabster Ferry Terminal, Scrabster
    ID 9300SCR
    90 min
  • 7
    Walk to bus station
    Walk to bus station
    Ferry Terminal, Scrabster
    ID 670086514
    90 m • 2 min
  • 8
    Bus - E6E6
    Wait for bus
    E6
    Inverness
  • 9
    Ride to bus station
    Ride to bus station
    Union Street, Inverness
    ID 6700712819D
    196 min
  • 10
    Walk to Inverness
    Walk to
    Inverness
    240 m • 4 min
*Duration based on 8am traffic
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Public transport directions from Kirkwall to Inverness

The distance between Kirkwall, Scotland and Inverness, Scotland is approximately 255.32 km, which can typically be travelled in 449 min. Moovit will show you the directions from Kirkwall to Inverness by bus and ferry, so no matter how you choose to travel in Scotland – you will always have plenty of easy options.

Bus And Ferry schedule from Kirkwall to Inverness

To check the bus and ferry schedule from Kirkwall to Inverness using the Moovit app, first download and open the app on your smartphone. Enter your starting point (Kirkwall) and destination (Inverness), then select the desired date and time of travel. Moovit will show all available bus and ferry routes, estimated travel times, and any required transfers. You can view detailed departure and arrival times for each bus and ferry, as well as real-time updates for delays or changes. Use this information to plan your trip and stay up to date with the latest bus and ferry schedules.

Related Routes

Alternative route from Kirkwall to Inverness by bus and ferry via 8S, NL1 and E6

To get from Kirkwall to Inverness in Scotland, you’ll need to take 2 bus lines and one ferry line: take the 8S bus from Glaitness School, Kirkwall station to Travel Centre, Stromness station. Next, you’ll have to switch to the NL1 ferry and finally take the E6 bus from Ferry Terminal, Scrabster station to Union Street, Inverness station. The total trip duration for this route is approximately 11 hr 25 min. The bus and ferry schedule from Kirkwall may change. We recommend you check the updated bus and ferry schedule to Inverness on the Moovit app.

685min
Walk to bus station
Bus - 8S8S
Ferry - NL1NL1
Bus - E6E6
Walk to Inverness
Leaves from Glaitness School, Kirkwall

Step by Step

  • 1
    Walk to bus station
    Walk to bus station
    Glaitness School, Kirkwall
    ID 6020710794
    100 m • 2 min
  • 2
    Bus - 8S8S
    Wait for bus
    8S
    Stromness
  • 3
    Ride to bus station
    Ride to bus station
    Travel Centre, Stromness
    ID 6020710304
    63 min
  • 4
    Walk to ferry station
    Walk to ferry station
    Stromness Orkney Ferry Terminal, Stromness
    ID 9300SNS
    160 m • 3 min
  • 5
    Ferry - NL1NL1
    Wait for ferry
    NL1
    Scrabster
  • 6
    Ride to ferry station
    Ride to ferry station
    Scrabster Ferry Terminal, Scrabster
    ID 9300SCR
    90 min
  • 7
    Walk to bus station
    Walk to bus station
    Ferry Terminal, Scrabster
    ID 670086514
    90 m • 2 min
  • 8
    Bus - E6E6
    Wait for bus
    E6
    Inverness
  • 9
    Ride to bus station
    Ride to bus station
    Union Street, Inverness
    ID 6700712819D
    196 min
  • 10
    Walk to Inverness
    Walk to
    Inverness
    240 m • 4 min
*Duration based on 8am traffic

Questions & Answers

  • What is the fastest way to get from Kirkwall to Inverness?

    The fastest way takes 449 minutes, using Bus line X1, Ferry line NL1, Bus line E6.

  • What is the alternative route to get from Kirkwall to Inverness?

    The alternative route takes 685 minutes, using Bus line 8S, Ferry line NL1, Bus line E6.

  • Is there a direct bus between Kirkwall and Inverness in Scotland?

    No, you’ll have to take 2 bus lines and one ferry line in total. The total travelling time is 7 hr 29 min.

  • Which bus line goes from Kirkwall to Inverness in Scotland?

    The X1 bus line goes from Glaitness School, Kirkwall station near Kirkwall to Skara Brae station. From there you’ll have to take one bus line and one ferry line till Skara Brae station near Inverness in Scotland.

  • How long does it take to travel from Kirkwall to Inverness in Scotland by bus and ferry?

    The total travel time between Kirkwall and Inverness in Scotland by bus and ferry is about 7 hr 29 min.

  • Where do I get on the bus near Kirkwall to get to Inverness in Scotland?

    Get on the X1 bus from the Glaitness School, Kirkwall stop near Kirkwall in Scotland.

  • Where do I get off the bus when travelling between Kirkwall and Inverness in Scotland?

    Get off the bus at the Skara Brae stop, which is closest to Inverness in Scotland.

Popular Routes