Kirkwall is served by Kirkwall Airport, with flights from Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Inverness, and other Scottish cities operated by Loganair. The airport is about three kilometres from the town centre. Flying is the fastest option from mainland Scotland.
By sea, NorthLink Ferries run overnight crossings from Aberdeen to Kirkwall (roughly seven hours) and from Scrabster (near Thurso) to Stromness, a short drive from Kirkwall. The Scrabster ferry takes about ninety minutes. Both routes are scenic, and the overnight sailing from Aberdeen is a practical and enjoyable way to arrive, particularly in summer when the northern light means it never fully gets dark.
From Stromness, Kirkwall is about 25 km east along the main island road.