Killarney is unusually well connected for a town in the far south-west: it has a railway station, a small airport nearby and coach links in every direction. That makes it the best base in Kerry for travellers without a car.
Routes at a glance
| From | By | Time | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dublin (Heuston) | Train | ≈3 h 15–30 min | A few direct trains; most journeys change at Mallow. |
| Dublin | Car | ≈3 h 45 min | M7 to Limerick, then N21 via Adare; or M8 via Cork. |
| Cork | Train / coach / car | ≈1 h 30–2 h | Train via Mallow; direct coach; N22 by car. |
| Shannon Airport | Car | ≈2 hours | Via Limerick and Adare. By coach, change in Limerick. |
| Kerry Airport (Farranfore) | Car / train | ≈20 min | A handful of flights; Farranfore station is a short walk from the terminal. |
| Dingle | Car | ≈1 hour | Via Castlemaine and Inch. Buses run via Tralee. |
| Galway / Cliffs of Moher | Car | ≈3 hours | Via Limerick, or the Killimer–Tarbert ferry from Clare. |
Times are typical and fares change — check current timetables and prices before you travel.
Arriving and parking
The railway and bus stations stand side by side a few minutes’ walk from the main street. Drivers will find several pay car parks around the centre; most hotels have their own. In summer the town’s one-way system is congested in the late afternoon when the tour coaches return.
Driving the Ring of Kerry
- Direction: tour coaches are required to travel anticlockwise (Killarney → Killorglin → Cahersiveen → Waterville → Sneem → Kenmare). Driving the same way means you will not meet them head-on at narrow points, but you may sit behind them. Driving clockwise gives clearer roads and passenger-side sea views, at the cost of squeezing past oncoming coaches. Either way, start early.
- Time: allow a full day. Add the Skellig Ring and Valentia Island (no coaches) if you can.
- Roads: the N70 is mostly two lanes but narrow and bumpy in places; the N71 between Kenmare and Killarney is tight and winding.
- Fuel: fill up in Killarney, Cahersiveen or Kenmare.
Getting around without a car
The national park is made for walking and cycling: bike hire shops in town rent by the day, and traffic-free paths lead to Ross Castle, Muckross and Torc. Jaunting cars wait near the park entrance on Muckross Road. For the Ring of Kerry, Gap of Dunloe and Dingle, use the day tours. A seasonal bus has circled part of the Ring in summer, but services are limited.
To the Skelligs
Boats leave from Portmagee, about 1 h 30 min from Killarney, usually in the morning; a few go from Ballinskelligs and Derrynane. Stay nearby the night before — and ideally leave a spare day in case of cancellation.
