How to Travel to Stromness: A Guide to Getting There and Getting Around

Getting to Stromness is easier and closer than you think. There are excellent transport links, to and from, the rest of the United Kingdom plus internationally.

Flights to Orkney

Loganair operates flights to and from Orkney. The airline flies to Kirkwall from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness and Aberdeen. If you’re travelling to Orkney for business and you have a busy schedule, flying is the way to travel. There are connections with major hubs in Scotland, making it very convenient to travel to Stromness from mainland Scotland.

Drive then sail to Orkney

Drive your vehicle to the ferry in Aberdeen and catch a NorthLink ferry to Kirkwall. The ferry also operates a shorter crossing between Scrabster and Stromness. Set sail with NorthLink Ferries. Once onboard the ferry to Orkney enjoy the comforts before arriving at your destination. With regular crossings for passengers and vehicles from Scrabster and Aberdeen, travelling to Orkney from the Scottish Mainland is more convenient than ever before.

Pentland Ferries runs between Gills Bay and St Margaret’s Hope, with its purpose-built catamaran. It is the most environmentally friendly passenger ferry of its type in Scotland.

Both NorthLink Ferries and Pentland Ferries carry passengers on foot and with push bikes. In summer John O’Groats Ferries also operates a passenger-only service between John O’Groats and Burwick in Orkney.

Orkney has three excellent marina facilities, in Kirkwall, Stromness and Westray, for safe berthing vessels. Find out more by visiting the Orkney Marinas website.

Buses to Orkney

Citylink buses run from Aberdeen, Gills Bay, and Scrabster to catch your ferry to Orkney. If you’re flying, bus services connect with all the main airports in Scotland too.

Trains to Orkney

Trains are available in the United Kingdom to both Aberdeen and Thurso, after the train trip you catch a ferry over to Orkney. 

Being so far north the weather in the area can impact the ferry and flight schedules. Keep in touch with the service provider and plan accordingly.

Once in Stromness, how to get around

If you don’t bring your own car across on the ferry, there are a few local options on how to travel around the island.

Car hire and taxis

Orkney has a couple of car hire and taxi companies. For the more energetic visitors, bicycles can be hired in Kirkwall and Stromness.

Buses

Bus services travel to various places in the Orkney mainland, see the local bus schedule.

If you are planning to explore by island hopping, Orkney Ferries will get you there. You can also catch a flight on Loganair inter-isles flights. 

Fun fact: The shortest scheduled flight in the world, between Westray and Papa Westray, is right here in Orkney.

Photo by Robin Williamson on Unsplash

Where to stay after getting to Stromness

The Stromness Hotel as a destination makes the trip worthwhile. Make the trip an exciting part of your holiday. Stromness and the team at the Stromness Hotel looks forward to welcoming you! The Stromness Hotel offers classically historical and more modern suites. Relax, enjoy, and explore Stromness while staying at the hospitable, historical and classic Stromness Hotel.

The Stromness Hotel is conveniently located in the heart of Stromness. The hotel is close to the ferry services. The friendly hotel team will point you in the right direction regarding any other Stromness travel guide or how to explore local attractions.