Kirkwall Airport - Flight Information and Guide (KOI)

How to get to Kirkwall Airport

Kirkwall town centre is about 4.5 km from the airport: the transfer takes approximately 15-20 minutes by bus or 10 minutes by taxi.

By Car

Those arriving by car reach the city centre of Kirkwall in about 10 minutes.

By Train

There is no railway station: the Orkney Islands have no railway connections.

By Bus

Stagecoach bus number 4 connects the airport to central Kirkwall in 15-20 minutes, with regular daytime services; check evening and weekend schedules.

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Tips The meter starts immediately at the terminal exit: a taxi is faster than the bus (10 versus 15-20 minutes) but costs considerably more.

Average travel time to KOI

TrainNot available (no rail connection to Orkney)

Shuttle busService available (Stagecoach line 4)

Taxi / Private hire10 minutes (£12-18)

Parking near Kirkwall Airport

Parking at minimal or no cost is available near the terminal.

How to get to Orkney Islands from KOI

By Train

There is no railway station: the Orkney Islands have no rail connections.

By Bus

Stagecoach bus number 4 connects the airport to Kirkwall city centre in 15-20 minutes.

By Taxi

A taxi costs around 12-18 GBP for a journey of approximately 10 minutes.

Need an airport transfer?

Compare taxis and shuttles on Booking.com

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Car rental at Kirkwall Airport

Car rental companies available are limited, given the airport's small scale; useful for visiting the scattered Neolithic sites across the archipelago.

Hotels near Kirkwall Airport

Kirkwall is the main airport of Orkney and the starting point for connections to the smaller islands, often with very early-morning Loganair flights. The terminal is a few minutes from Kirkwall's centre, convenient for those with only one night or a short stopover. Those wanting to follow the Churchill Barriers towards the beaches and wartime history of Scapa Flow find a base in Burray; those aiming for Skara Brae and the Ring of Brodgar prefer the western mainland, around Loch Harray, from which a car is needed for every trip.

City centre

Kirkwall

Taxi in 5-15 minutes from the terminal; Stagecoach bus in about 20-27 minutes.

Best for: Those with a dawn flight or a single night who want to stay close to the terminal and the harbour.

Pros

The shortest route to the terminal of the whole area.
Shops, harbour and St Magnus Cathedral within easy reach.

Cons

Few rooms available in high season.
Limited parking in the historic centre.

Recommended hotels

Royal Oak Guest House A few minutes from the harbour, with a breakfast tailored to each guest every morning. View availability

See more hotels in this area

Neighbourhood

Burray and the Churchill Barriers

Car or taxi in about 20-25 minutes from the terminal, across the Churchill Barriers.

Best for: Those wanting to follow the Churchill Barriers, the beaches and the wartime history of Scapa Flow.

Pros

Overlooking Scapa Flow, away from the traffic of Kirkwall.
A convenient base for the Italian Chapel and the barriers.

Cons

A car is needed, direct links with the airport are scarce.
Few places open in the evening outside the season.

Recommended hotels

The Sands Hotel Former 1860 fish warehouse on the Burray pier, with a restaurant overlooking Scapa Flow. View availability

See more hotels in this area

Nearby town

Western mainland, Loch Harray

Car in about 20 minutes from the terminal; no direct bus link.

Best for: Those visiting Skara Brae and the Ring of Brodgar who prefer to sleep close to the Neolithic sites.

Pros

A few minutes from Skara Brae and the Ring of Brodgar.
A view of Loch Harray, away from the traffic of Kirkwall.

Cons

You need your own car for every trip.
Very few services nearby besides the hotel.

Recommended hotels

Merkister Hotel Family-run for over thirty years on the shore of Loch Harray, with local catch on the menu. View availability

See more hotels in this area

Airport services

The airport connects Orkney to the rest of Scotland, with an important role in inter-island connections of the archipelago.

Shopping & Duty Free

The airport does not have a duty-free area, proportionate to its traffic volume.

Lounges & relaxation

No dedicated lounges are available.

Connectivity & Wi-Fi

Travelers passing through here enjoy free Wi-Fi throughout the terminal.

Families & Children

The waiting areas offer essential services for families traveling with small children.

Terminal guide

The terminal, of compact dimensions, handles flights to the rest of Scotland and inter-island connections.

The recommended safety margin for flights is 1 hour.

Map of Kirkwall Airport

Frequently asked questions

Q. Is it true that the shortest scheduled flight in the world departs from Orkney?

Yes, the Westray-Papa Westray route, operated by Loganair as part of the inter-island network centred on Kirkwall, lasts just ninety seconds and is recognised as the shortest regular scheduled flight in the world.