How to get from Dublin Airport to Killarney

Flying into Dublin & Traveling to Killarney on a Friday in September & returning to Dublin on Sunday.  Wondering best way to get there.  Fly or Train?  And how long train takes to get there.   Can I catch a train back to Dublin on Sunday?

Thanks in advance for your help.
Russ

Hi Russ,

It's wonderful to hear that you will be with us for a few days soon!

There are flights from Dublin to Kerry using Ryanair, please take a look at their website for details on times and cost. Kerry Airport has some information on transport services from the airport to your destination of Killarney.

It is possible to take a train from Dublin Heuston to Killarney on a Friday and return on a Sunday. Irish Rail runs the train service so please have a look at their website for details. I have used an example of the first Friday and Sunday of the month. You will need to get from the airport to the city and back as there is no rail service from the airport. There are several bus services from the airport to the city, please check the Dublin Airport website for details too.

Transport for Ireland is a great resource for finding transport. Here are the options for the journey from the city, Dublin Coach has the 300 bus service also available if this would suit as well. 

Hopefully, these will give you an idea of the routes, times, and ways to Killarney. Have you already an itinerary for your time in the County Kerry area?

Martin

Thank you so much.  I am going to stay in Temple Bar area one night.  Is there an inner city rail to catch to Kilarney on a Saturday morning?  Express or standard commute by rail is 4 hours?  Literally going for one night, and would like to return first thing back to Dublin on a Sunday Morning.    9/24 & 9/25.   Thank you.

Hi Russ,

Thanks for getting back to us!

My colleague Rochelle and I have been looking at this and would recommend a website Rome2Rio to find the best options for you.

Temple Bar to Heuston Station is the first thing to look at with the Red line LUAS or a walk depending on how you feel and what time you decide to travel. A taxi may be needed for an early trip.

There is a Train at 7 am towards Killarney that has a change in Mallow but it does take just over 3 hours still so arriving at 10:19 am. Irish Rail website helps you to find this service and the return on Sunday. Online tickets for the dates mentioned are not available, you would need to check with Irish Rail for more information as these may be only available at the ticket office or the service may not be running that day.

The bus takes an hour longer, again the Rome2Rio website has details of the service I mentioned before. The distance is 309Km through some of the rural parts of the country so times of travel may seem long for the distance but a lovely view all the way! 

Hopefully, this will helps with your plans and that you can find a way to get to Killarney even if it is just for one night.

Regards,

Martin

Thanks for the replies.  It seems I cannot buy my Temple Bar area > Kilarney train ticket in advance on Irish Rail?  
I'd like to leave Saturday 11am getting there 3pm there abouts... Is it possible to buy the ticket in advance?

Thanks again for your help.

Hi Russ! 

You can directly search for tickets between Dublin Heuston and Killarney on the Irish Rail website (you can use the LUAS tramway between Temple Bar and Dublin Heuston).

I can see a train departing at 11am with a change in Cork. You would arrive in Killarney by 2:40pm. It looks like you can book it online after all (which is recommended to avail discounted online fares).

I hope you'll have a great time in Killarney and in the Kingdom altogether! Let us know if you need any suggestions in the area. 

Cheers,
Antoine

Thank you!  I see the option to buy now.  
So coming from Temple Bar area... is that the best or only station to get to Kilarney?
Im assuming I catch a city train to Heuston  station to catch the train.
Thanks again!

The problem is that I don't see the option to buy a return from Kilarney on Sunday.

Additionally, it is not allowing to buy tickets online when I set it for a round trip. These are my dates.
9.24 Dublin > Kilarney
9.25 Kilarney > Dublin 

Thanks.

Can I just buy a ticket when I arrive at the Dublin airport on the 9.23?

I just need to make sure I can buy a Return ticket to get there and back.

This link (link) shows none available so, if lower fairs are sold out, I understand, but I want to make sure I can still get a seat. Thanks.

Hi Russ,

You will need to buy the train ticket from Hueston Station preferably on the 23rd to be sure that you can travel on the 24th and return on the 25th.

The online booking shows that all of the pre-booking seats are taken but this doesn't mean that all seats are sold or that you can't travel on these days and times. It may also be that the service is not running that weekend, you may wish to return to the option on bus travel using Dublin Coach 300 service

As I mentioned before, you can take a bus, LUAS, taxi, or walk from near Temple Bar to Heuston station. This is the only train station in Dublin for trains to Killarney.

Hopefully, there will be a way you can get to Killarney for the day!