Getting to Castlebar
How to reach Castlebar by InterCity train, bus, or car.
Train
Castlebar is on the Dublin Heuston to Westport and Ballina line, operated by Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail). The station is on Station Road, a short walk from the town centre. Direct services run between Dublin Heuston and Castlebar several times a day, taking around three hours. For Ballina you change at Manulla Junction, the small junction station between Claremorris and Castlebar.
- Station
- Castlebar Station, Station Road, Castlebar
- Line
- Dublin Heuston to Westport and Ballina
- Journey Time From Dublin
- approx 3 hours direct
- Frequency
- Several direct services daily from Dublin Heuston
- Interchange
- Change at Manulla Junction for Ballina and Foxford
Tips
- •Book intercity tickets in advance on irishrail.ie for the best fares.
- •Westport is one stop further west, about 20 minutes on by train.
- •Check live times and timetables on irishrail.ie before you travel.
🚆 InterCity from Castlebar
Iarnród Éireann InterCity departures
InterCity service from Castlebar. Updates every minute.
Bus
Bus Éireann serves Castlebar with both intercity Expressway services and regional and local routes. Route 456 links Galway, Westport, Castlebar and Ballina, and there are local Mayo services including Ballina to Castlebar (420) and Castlebar to Headford (422). Expressway Route 22 connects Dublin and Ballina, with onward connections into the county.
- Operator
- Bus Éireann
- Key Routes
- 456 Galway to Ballina via Westport and Castlebar; 420 Ballina to Castlebar; 422 Castlebar to Headford; Expressway 22 Dublin to Ballina
- Local Services
- Regional and Local Link services serve villages across Mayo
Tips
- •Use the Bus Éireann route planner for live times and connections.
- •Local Link Mayo runs rural services that can reach smaller villages around the county.
Driving
Castlebar sits on the N5, the main route west from Dublin, and the N60 to Roscommon and the N84 to Galway. From Dublin allow around two and a quarter hours by car; Galway is about an hour to the south, and Westport is a 20-minute drive west on the N5. There is on-street and car-park parking around the town centre.
- From Dublin
- approx 2 hours 15 minutes via N5
- From Galway
- approx 1 hour via N84
- From Westport
- approx 20 minutes via N5
- Main Roads
- N5 (Dublin and Westport), N60 (Roscommon), N84 (Galway)
- Parking
- On-street and town-centre car parks
Tips
- •The N5 west of Castlebar continues to Westport, Clew Bay and Croagh Patrick, an easy half-day trip.
- •Free parking at the National Museum of Country Life at Turlough, off the N5.
From the Airport
Live options for reaching the village from the nearest airports. Times and fares are a guide and can change with traffic or operator schedules.
Ireland West Airport KnockNOC
50 km away- Duration
- ~50m
- Cost
- Taxi or fuel
Ireland West Airport Knock is roughly 50 km southeast of Castlebar by road, via the N5 and N17, around 50 minutes.
- Duration
- ~1h
- Cost
- Adult single around €10-12
Bus Éireann route 440 (Athlone to Westport) calls at Ireland West Airport Knock and Castlebar, roughly an hour between the two. Check the live timetable, as services are spaced through the day.
Operator: Bus Éireann
Dublin AirportDUB
245 km away- Duration
- ~3h
- Cost
- Fuel, tolls and parking
The most direct route, via the M4 and N5 across the midlands.
- Duration
- ~3h plus airport transfer
- Cost
- Adult single from around €25 advance
Airport bus to Dublin Heuston, then the Westport line train direct to Castlebar, around three hours on the train. Book advance fares for the cheapest tickets.
Operator: Iarnród Éireann
Leap Card
The Leap Card is Ireland's national reusable transport card. It works on Bus Éireann services around Castlebar and Mayo and on Iarnród Éireann InterCity rail at off-peak fares. Note that the TaxSaver and Dublin-style daily and weekly caps apply only in the Dublin area; outside it, the card simply gives you cashless travel and off-peak rail discounts. Useful if you are combining the train and bus around the west.
- Cost
- €5 for the card plus top-up
- Savings
- Off-peak rail discounts; cheaper than cash on the bus
- Where To Get
- Spar, Centra, Londis and other agents around town, the station, or online
- Note
- Dublin-area daily and weekly fare caps do not apply in Mayo; the card is for cashless travel and off-peak rail discounts here
Planning the wider trip?
Our country-level primer covers national rail, intercity buses, airports, the Leap Card, and whether you actually need a hire car for your trip around Ireland.
Getting Around Ireland →Top Tip
The InterCity train is the best way to get to Castlebar. You arrive right in the heart of Castlebar, there’s no parking hassle, and you can enjoy a meal and a drink without worrying about driving home.