Welcome Pickups / Cork / Airport to Killarney

How to get from Cork Airport to Killarney

Amy Psycha

Creative Writer & Strategic Copywriter

September 30, 2022

The town of Killarney, about 90 km northwest of Cork airport, is known for its stunning natural landscape and classic Irish charm. Killarney offers visitors the chance to enjoy many outdoor activities like hiking, canoeing, kayaking, and even swimming in the wild. It is also one of Ireland’s best fishing spots for wild Atlantic salmon and the native Irish brown trout. Killarney National Park is well worth exploring, having on its grounds attractions such as the Victorian-era Muckross House and Gardens and Ross Castle, the ancestral home of the O’Donoghue Clan Chiefs. From there, you can take a short boat trip over to Lough Leane’s luscious Innisfallen Island and discover the ruins of a monastery that dates back to 640 AD.

You can get directly from Cork Airport to Killarney in 1 hour and 25 minutes by taxi or private transfer. You can also use public transport which requires you to change in Cork city centre, taking a total of 2 hours and 35 minutes by bus and train, or 2 hours and 50 minutes by bus.

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Comparison of the options

PRICE FOR 2PASSENGERS

OPTION	PRICE	DURATION	AVAILABILITY
Taxi	€156	85min	24/7
Bus	€38	100min	08:30–20:30
Train	€23.98	80min	06:25–20:55

How to get from Cork Airport to Killarney by taxi

The easiest, most comfortable, and by far the fastest way to get from the airport in Cork to Killarney is by taxi or private transfer. The average door-to-door trip takes about 1 hour and 25 minutes in normal traffic and costs about €155.

Taxi fare from Cork Airport to Killarney

Taxis in Cork, and Ireland generally, calculate fares by using official taximeters. The cost of your trip will therefore depend on variables such as your specific destination and the duration of the trip, as well as the time of day which determines which of the tariff rates are applied. Of the two types of taxis that you can find in Cork, only the official taxis are allowed to pick you up from the street or from a taxi rank. You can recognise them by the typical “taxi” roof sign and relevant branding. The second category is private taxis, often called hackneys. There is a difference in how the fare is calculated between these two types, as the law only requires official taxis to use a taximeter, therefore if you are planning on using a private taxi, you will need to agree on the fare before you start your journey.

The average transfer from Cork airport to Kinsale takes 1 hour and 25 minutes, depending on traffic, and costs €155. Keep in mind that in Ireland there are some additional charges when using taxis. If you would like to secure a competitive set rate with no additional charges, simply book your private airport transfer in advance.

Cost

€155

Trip Duration

85 Min.

*Prices vary unless booked in advance.

Convenience

Safety

Value for money

Taxis are available 24/7 at Cork Airport.

Where do I get the taxi from?

There is a taxi rank with official taxis located just outside the Cork Airport terminal.

Convenience

Getting from the airport in Cork to Killarney by taxi or private transfer is the fastest way to reach your destination. It also involves significantly less hassle since it is the only direct route available. Choosing a private transfer means that you won’t need to wait around for public transport or carry heavy bags while you make your way to Cork for your connection. Instead, you can set off from the airport as soon as you arrive and be taken directly to your hotel in Killarney. If you want to have a fast and stress-free transfer from Cork airport to Killarney, book your private transfer in advance.

Editor’s Note

A taxi or private transfer is the only direct way to get from Cork airport to Killarney and is also the fastest.

Useful Tips

In Ireland, you can pay for your taxi with a card or cash, and expect no additional charge.

Hackneys do not use official taxi rates, so make sure you agree on the total cost of the fare before your journey begins.

Though you don’t have to tip your driver, it is always appreciated so if you received excellent service, add an extra 5-10% or just round up the final fare to the nearest euro.

Always check that the taximeter has been reset before setting off.

How to get from Cork Airport to Killarney by bus

Taking a bus to Killarney is a decent option as a single ticket costs €19, and the trip takes an hour and 40 minutes. However, this mode of transport is not direct, so for the first leg of the journey, you will have to get from Cork airport to Cork city centre. The trip from the airport takes an additional 20 minutes and will drop you off at Cork Bus Station (Parnell Place), where you can catch the connecting coach to Killarney. The Expressway coach service 40 to Tralee runs from 08:30-20:30 on weekdays, with an average wait time of 1 hour, and from 10:30-20:30 on weekends and public holidays.

How much is the bus from Cork Airport to Killarney?

There is no direct route from the airport to Killarney, so you will first have to get to Cork Bus Station. From there, a single bus ticket to Killarney costs €19 and the bus ride takes 1 hour and 40 minutes. You can easily purchase your tickets online or from the driver with cash or by card. Should you pay with cash, we recommend having the exact fare ready when you board the coach.

Cost

€19.00

Trip Duration

100 Min.

Information relates to Cork-Killarney coaches and does not include getting to Cork Bus Station from the airport.

Convenience

Safety

Value for money

The coach from Cork to Killarney runs from 08:30-20:30 on weekdays and 10:30-20:30 on weekends and public holidays, and there is a waiting time of 60 minutes to an hour and a half.

Where do I get the bus from?

The coach to Killarney departs from Cork Bus Station (Parnell Place). To get there, you need to account for the additional 20-minute bus ride from Cork Airport to Cork Bus Station.

Convenience

A coach is a good option as it is relatively fast, taking only 1 hour and 40 minutes to reach Killarney. Considering that there is no direct bus from Cork airport to Killarney, this is quite a simple connection as the bus from the airport to Cork city stops at the Cork Bus Station (Parnell Place) where you will make the change. However, the coaches to Killarney only run from 08:30-20:30 during weekdays, and waiting times can range from 1 hour to 1 hour and 30 minutes. Therefore, a coach could be a convenient option for getting to Killarney, depending on your arrival time at Cork airport.

Timetables

Expressway 40: Rosslare Europort to Tralee

Cork Bus Station (Parnell Place) to Killarney Bus Station

Editor’s Note

There are no direct bus routes from the airport to Killarney, so you will have to catch the coach from Cork. As these buses have long waiting times, from 1 hour to 1 hour and 30 minutes, make sure you allow enough time so that you don’t miss your connection.

Useful Tips

Expressway offers discounts for children, students, and young adults, as well as Family Return Discount packages.

If you or someone in your group are travelling with a wheelchair, you can pre-book for assisted travel.

The coaches are equipped with sockets for charging your devices and have free WiFi.

Tickets can be bought online or from the driver, in cash or by card.

How to get from Cork airport to Killarney by train

The train can also be a budget-friendly option, but it is not without its challenges, as there is no direct route available from the airport. To take the train to Killarney, you will have to get from the airport to Cork city centre, which takes 20 minutes, and then walk for about 10 minutes to the Cork Train Station (Kent). Single tickets from Cork Train Station to Killarney start at €11.99 and the trains take 1 hour and 15 minutes to 1 hour and 40 minutes to reach Killarney. Another challenge with taking a train is that of the 8 services that run every day, it is usually only the first two of the day and the last train of the day that go directly to Killarney (InterCity to Tralee), with the rest of them requiring another change at Mallow.

How much is the train from Cork airport to Killarney?

Single tickets for the train from Cork Station (Kent) to Killarney start at €11.99 and can go up to €14.99 depending on the service, the ticket flexibility you choose and, since low-fare tickets are limited, whether or not you have booked in advance. Keep in mind that, if you are taking a train on your return from Killarney to Cork Airport, you might be able to get a better deal by booking a return ticket rather than buying the two singles separately. Tickets can be purchased online and collected from the ticket vending machine at the station on the day of your journey.

Cost

€11.99

Trip Duration

80 Min.

Information relates to Cork (Kent) - Killarney trains and does not include getting to Cork Train Station from the airport.

Convenience

Safety

Value for money

The trains run from 06:25 am - 20:55 pm on most days, and there’s a wait time of up to 2 and a half hours for the train, but not all of those services will go directly to Killarney.

Where do I get the train from?

To get to the Cork (Kent) train station, you have to first get from Cork airport to the city which takes about 20 minutes by bus. The train station is a 10-minute walk from the bus station where you will be dropped off, and you will most likely find the direct service to Killarney (InterCity to Tralee) at Platform 4.

Convenience

Taking the train from Cork to Killarney is a budget-friendly and relatively fast option, but it is also quite painful to plan. Firstly, as there is no train station at the airport, you have to get to Cork city centre which is a 20-minute bus ride with hour-long waiting times. Then, from Cork Bus Station, the train station is a 10-minute walk away. Of the 8 services to Killarney that run every day, only about 3 a day (the first two and last one) are direct routes, as the rest include yet another change at the neighbouring town of Mallow. You also might need to organise another transport option to get to your hotel in Killarney. All in all, unless you really want to take the train, it does not seem to be a very convenient option, nor the best use of your time.

Timetables

Iarnród Éireann: InterCity to Tralee

Cork (Kent) to Killarney

Editor’s Note

There are no trains from the airport to Killarney, and the direct trains from Cork train station are few and with long waiting times.

Useful Tips

As there are several legs to this journey, consider using a taxi at least for some parts of it to cut down on the time and energy required.

Make sure you book well in advance if you want to take advantage of low-fare tickets.

Iarnród Éireann Irish Rail offers discounts to several groups of travellers such as children, students, and young adults.

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How far is Cork airport from Killarney?

Cork Airport is about 90 km southeast of the town of Killarney. The only direct transportation option is a taxi or private transfer, which takes about 1 hour and 25 minutes. Public transport is also available, and you can also get there in 2 hours and 35 minutes by taking a bus to Cork and getting a train to Killarney from there, or in 2 hours and 50 minutes by taking two buses, with a connection in Cork central.

What’s the cost of a taxi from Cork airport to Killarney?

A taxi from Cork airport to Killarney is the only direct transport option available and definitely the quickest and most convenient way to get to your destination. On average, the transfer from the airport to Killarney takes around 1 hour and 25 minutes and costs €155. If you would like to secure a guaranteed and competitive rate for your trip, we suggest pre-booking your door-to-door taxi or private transfer.

How do I get from the airport of Cork to Killarney?

The only direct way to get from Cork Airport to Killarney is by taxi or private transfer. The transfer takes 1 hour and 25 minutes and costs around €155. There are also two public transportation options available, but they both require that you first make your way to the central area of Cork. It takes 1 hour and 20 minutes to reach Killarney by train, with tickets starting at €11.99. By bus, a single ticket for the coach from Cork centre costs €19.00 and takes an hour and 40 minutes to reach Killarney.

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How to get from Cork Airport to Killarney by taxi

Taxi fare from Cork Airport to Killarney

Cost

€155

Trip Duration

85 Min.

Convenience

Safety

Value for money

Taxis are available 24/7 at Cork Airport.

Where do I get the taxi from?

Convenience

Editor’s Note

Useful Tips

How to get from Cork Airport to Killarney by bus

How much is the bus from Cork Airport to Killarney?

Cost

€19.00

Trip Duration

100 Min.

Convenience

Safety

Value for money

The coach from Cork to Killarney runs from 08:30-20:30 on weekdays and 10:30-20:30 on weekends and public holidays, and there is a waiting time of 60 minutes to an hour and a half.

Where do I get the bus from?

Convenience

Timetables

Expressway 40: Rosslare Europort to Tralee

Cork Bus Station (Parnell Place) to Killarney Bus Station

Editor’s Note

Useful Tips

How to get from Cork airport to Killarney by train

How much is the train from Cork airport to Killarney?

Cost

€11.99

Trip Duration

80 Min.

Convenience

Safety

Value for money

The trains run from 06:25 am - 20:55 pm on most days, and there’s a wait time of up to 2 and a half hours for the train, but not all of those services will go directly to Killarney.

Where do I get the train from?

Convenience

Timetables

Iarnród Éireann: InterCity to Tralee

Cork (Kent) to Killarney

Editor’s Note

Useful Tips

Frequently asked questions

How far is Cork airport from Killarney?

What’s the cost of a taxi from Cork airport to Killarney?

How do I get from the airport of Cork to Killarney?

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The best way to arrive in Cork

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