Drive or take a train to either Scrabster, Gill's Bay or John O'Groats on Scotland's north coast. All have ferry services to Orkney, though the John O'Groats service runs only in the tourist season, from May to September. Use the A9 road to reach the area from the south.
Go to Aberdeen on Scotland's east coast for Orkney ferry access farther south. This is the only location outside of the north coast that offers direct services to Orkney. Only a few ferries leave each week, so check timetables before arrival.
Buy a ticket for ferries from Scrabster or Aberdeen through Northlink Ferries. You'll need photo ID such as a driving licence or a passport to board Northlink ferries. Journey times from Aberdeen are around six hours.
Visit the Pentland Ferries website, pentlandferries.co.uk, to buy tickets from Gill's Bay to Orkney.
Avoid the John O'Groats ferry if you want to take your car over to the islands. The John O'Groats Ferry is for foot passengers only.
Book flights to Orkney through Flybe, the only commercial carrier that flies to the Islands. Use the Flybe website, flybe.com, and select a departure airport from the drop-down menu. Flights leave from Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Sumburgh and Inverness airports, according to Visit Orkney.
Select "Kirkwall" from the destination airport menu. Kirkwall is the largest town in Orkney and site of the only major airport.
Enter your chosen flight date and search for available flights. Orkney flight frequency varies according to the season, but generally at least one flight leaves from the larger Scottish airports each day.
