Orkney’s buses and ferries are vital lifelines for those who live, work and travel to school in our parishes, towns and isles.

Orkney Islands Council coordinates public transport services within Orkney and is also responsible for maintaining car parks and roads.  It also has strategies for encouraging alternative forms of transport such as car sharing, walking and cycling.

Buses

Stagecoach in Orkney operates most of the public bus routes on mainland Orkney.  Routes cover St Margaret’s Hope, Holm, Kirkwall, Finstown to Stromness, Kirkwall to Birsay, Houton, Deerness, Kirkwall Airport, Hatston Pier, Tingwall Pier, Dounby and Harray.  Kirkwall Travel Centre is the main bus hub with a waiting area, luggage lockers and an information desk.  There is also a travel centre in Stromness at the ferry terminal.  Timetables are displayed at the travel centres, bus stops and on the council website.  More information is available by telephoning Stagecoach in Orkney on 01856 878014. Buses link with ferries to and from other islands and inter-isles flights, as well as ferries and flights to mainland Scotland.  You can hail and ride a bus in Orkney outside town by waiting at a safe point.

Orkney Community Transport Organisation (OCTO) operates the Flexible West Mainland route linking parts of the west mainland to Finstown and Kirkwall.  Anyone can be picked up and dropped off near where they live although the bus does run to a timetable.  The bus has a low floor fold out ramp.  This is a ring and ride service.  Call 01856 871515 to book. Dial-a-Bus operated by Orkney Disability Forum runs a door to door service for people who are disabled, have mobility problems or are aged over 60. Bookings must be made 24 hours in advance by telephoning 01856 871515.

Isles buses operate on some of the outlying isles.  The Eday Bus runs on a Thursday and is an on demand service linking with the ferry. Contact 01857 622206.  The Rousay Bus is also on demand on Thursday and operates around the island from 7am until 7pm. Call 01856 821360.  The Sanday Bus meets the ferry daily from May 2 until September 27 and will drop off and pick up at any roadside location.  Ring 01857 600344 before 6pm the previous day. The Westray Bus meets ferry arrivals at Rapness Pier.  In winter the bus must be prebooked. Call 01857 677758 or 07789 034289. The Hoy Hopper operates from May 26 until September 24.  It picks up from Kirkwall Travel Centre for Houton Pier to connect with the ferry to Hoy.  You can hop on and off the bus around Hoy during the day.

Ferries

Orkney Ferries operates the ferries between Mainland Orkney and 13 smaller isles.  The ferry mv Hoy Head operates from Houton to Hoy and Flotta, mv Graemsay foot ferry from Stromness to Graemsay and North Hoy, mv Shapinsay from Kirkwall Pier to Shapinsay, mv Eynhallow from Tingwall to Rousay, Egilsay and Wyre.  For the North Isles the mv Earl Sigurd, mv Thorfinn and mv Varagen sail from Kirkwall Pier.  The Golden Mariana runs from Pierowall in Westray to Papa Westray. You can buy tickets for Kirkwall routes at the Orkney Ferries office in Shore Street or by calling 01856 872044. For Houton departures call 01856 811397.  For Tingwall departures call 01856 751360.  Cars should be booked in advance and vehicles should arrive 20 minutes before the scheduled sailing time and foot passengers ten minutes before.

Planes

Flights to the North Isles are operated by Loganair from Kirkwall Airport.  You can fly to Westray, Papa Westray, North Ronaldsay, Sanday, Stronsay and Eday.  Passengers can take 15kg hold luggage.  Bookings must be made in advance and passenger should check in 20 minutes before departure.  Call Loganair on 01856 872494.

All transport timetables may be viewed on the Orkney Islands Council website or through Traveline Scotland, Loganair, Orkney Ferries and Stagecoach websites.

There are also several car hire firms on mainland Orkney and cars are available in the isles too, along with cycle hire.