Getting to Killarney
How to reach Killarney by InterCity train, bus, or car.
InterCity Train
Killarney station, on Park Road a few minutes' walk from the centre, sits on the Iarnrod Eireann line between Mallow and Tralee. Direct trains run to Dublin Heuston (via Mallow), and Cork is reached with a change at Mallow. It is a through-station, so trains run in both directions, towards Tralee and towards Mallow, Cork and Dublin.
- From
- Dublin Heuston Station (via Mallow)
- Duration
- About 3h 15m from Dublin Heuston
- Frequency
- Several trains daily each way; fewer on Sundays
- Fare
- Adult single from around €25 advance from Dublin, more walk-on
- Station
- Killarney Station, Park Road
- Note
- A through-station between Mallow and Tralee; for Cork, change at Mallow.
Tips
- •Book advance fares online for the cheapest Dublin tickets.
- •The station is a short walk from the town centre and beside the bus station.
- •Kerry Airport is one stop away at Farranfore, about 21 minutes by train.
🚆 InterCity from Killarney
Iarnród Éireann InterCity departures
InterCity service from Killarney. Updates every minute.
Bus & Coach
Killarney bus station shares the Park Road site with the train station and is a Bus Eireann hub. Routes run to Cork, Tralee, Limerick and beyond, plus Expressway coaches towards Dublin, and Killarney is the usual starting point for Ring of Kerry tour coaches.
- From Cork
- Bus Eireann to Killarney (around 2h)
- From Tralee
- Frequent Bus Eireann services (around 40m)
- From Dublin
- Expressway coach via Limerick (long; the train is usually faster)
- Ring Of Kerry
- Tour coaches and the seasonal Ring of Kerry service depart from Killarney
- City Fare
- Adult fares with Leap Card
Tips
- •The bus and train stations are side by side on Park Road.
- •Killarney is the base for Ring of Kerry day-trip coaches.
Driving
Killarney is reached on the N22 from Cork (about 1h 15m) and the N72 from the east. The town centre is compact and congested in summer, with pay-and-display parking, so it is often easier to park on the edge and walk. There is free national-park parking at Muckross, Torc and Ross Castle.
- From Cork
- ~1h 15m via the N22
- From Limerick
- ~1h 30m via the N21
- From Dublin
- ~3h 15m via the M7/M8 and N22
- Parking
- Town-centre pay-and-display; free national-park car parks at Muckross, Torc and Ross Castle
Tips
- •Park on the edge of the centre and walk; the core is small.
- •Arriving by train or bus avoids the summer parking crush entirely.
- •The park's own car parks fill early on fine summer days.
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.
Kerry AirportKIR
13 km away- Duration
- ~30m
- Cost
- Adult single around €12-17
Direct from Kerry Airport at Farranfore to Killarney bus station.
Operator: Bus Eireann
- Duration
- ~21m
- Cost
- Adult single a few euro
Farranfore station is near the airport; trains run on to Killarney in about 21 minutes.
Operator: Iarnrod Eireann
- Duration
- ~15-20m
- Cost
- Taxi or fuel
Kerry Airport is about 13 km north of Killarney on the N22.
Cork AirportORK
87 km away- Duration
- ~1h 15m
- Cost
- Fuel and parking
The most direct route, via Macroom on the N22.
- Duration
- ~2h 30m
- Cost
- Adult single from around €20
Airport coach to Cork city, then Bus Eireann or train to Killarney.
Operator: Bus Eireann
Shannon AirportSNN
110 km away- Duration
- ~1h 45m
- Cost
- Fuel and parking
Via Limerick and the N21 through Newcastle West.
Dublin AirportDUB
300 km away- Duration
- ~3h 30m plus airport transfer
- Cost
- Adult single from around €25 advance
Airport bus to Dublin Heuston, then the InterCity train to Killarney via Mallow.
Operator: Iarnrod Eireann
Leap Card
The Leap Card is Ireland's national reusable transport card. It works on Bus Eireann services around Killarney and Kerry and on Iarnrod Eireann InterCity rail at off-peak fares, and across the Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway networks too.
- 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, Killarney station, or online
Parking
Parking options in and around Killarney. On busy weekends, arriving early or taking the InterCity train is recommended.
Town-centre pay-and-display and car parks
Kerry County Council pay-and-display; confirm current tariff on the day. Killarney uses council pay-and-display on-street parking and several signed surface car parks around the centre. The town core is compact and walkable, and arriving by train or coach avoids parking entirely. For the National Park there is free parking at Muckross House, Torc Waterfall (on the N71) and Ross Castle, which fill early in summer.
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 Killarney. You arrive right in the heart of Killarney, there’s no parking hassle, and you can enjoy a meal and a drink without worrying about driving home.