Loganair Islander in Highland Park Livery at Kirkwall Airport (April 2007)

Getting to Papa Westray

All connections to Papa Westray operate via Kirkwall on the Orkney Mainland. Orkney can be reached by British Airways flights from Aberdeen, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Inverness and Shetland. There are two car ferry services aross the Pentland Firth from the North of Scotland (Pentland Ferries and NorthLink Ferries) and one passenger-only service ( The John O' Groats to Orkney Ferry) in the summer. Having reached mainland Orkney, you can choose to travel to Papay (Papa Westray) by Air or Sea.

Papa Westray By Air

There are at least two Loganair Islander flights every weekday and one flight on Sunday from Kirkwall, the largest town on mainland Orkney. Stay overnight and you qualify for a special reduced fare. If you fly via Westray you will also enjoy the world's shortest scheduled flight - under two minutes! You get a certificate to prove it. The Islander has only 10 seats - including the pilot's - and is in high demand during the summer months. Advance booking is essential.

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Papa Westray By Sea

There are two direct ferry sailings from Kirkwall per week (Tuesday and Friday) for passengers and vehicles. During the summer months passengers on foot can also take the regular daily ferries to neighbouring Westray then proceed by a connecting minibus service before a final short sea crossing to Papay. The 'Golden Mariana' passenger service operates every day between Papay and Westray.

For timetables and information, contact:

Loganair - tel (+44) 01856 872494 or

Orkney Ferries - tel (+44) 01856 872044

Orkney Timetables - Available from a link on this page

Occasional day trips by ferry are organised during the summer. More information from VisitOrkney - tel (+44) 01856 872856.