Getting to Cashel
How to reach Cashel by train, bus, or car.
Train (nearest station Thurles)
Cashel has no railway station; the old spur line closed long ago. The nearest and most useful station is Thurles, about 21km north, on the Iarnrod Eireann InterCity line between Dublin Heuston and Cork. From Thurles you reach Cashel by local bus, taxi or a pre-arranged transfer. Cahir, about 17km southwest, also has a station on the less frequent Limerick Junction to Waterford line.
- From
- Dublin Heuston Station to Thurles, then onward to Cashel
- Duration
- Around 1h 30m Dublin to Thurles by train, plus the transfer to Cashel
- Frequency
- Frequent InterCity trains Dublin to Thurles; fewer at weekends
- Fare
- Adult single Dublin to Thurles from around €20 advance, plus the onward transfer
- Station
- Thurles Station, about 21km north of Cashel (no station in Cashel itself)
- Note
- There is no train to Cashel. Take the InterCity train to Thurles, then a local bus or taxi for the last leg. Driving or the direct coach is usually simpler for Cashel.
Tips
- •Book advance fares online for the cheapest Dublin to Thurles tickets.
- •Arrange the Thurles to Cashel transfer ahead, as taxis are limited.
- •For most visitors the M8 coach or driving is the simplest way to Cashel.
Bus & Coach
Cashel sits on the main Dublin to Cork road and is served by Bus Eireann's 245X Dublin to Cork route, which stops on Main Street, along with JJ Kavanagh and Sons services and Local Link Tipperary connections around the county. There is no bus station, just an on-street stop on Main Street in the centre of town.
- From Dublin
- Bus Eireann 245X Dublin to Cork stops in Cashel (~2h 30m to 3h from Dublin)
- From Cork
- Bus Eireann 245X from Cork stops in Cashel (~1h 15m to 1h 30m)
- Local
- JJ Kavanagh and Sons and Local Link Tipperary run links to Thurles, Clonmel and around the county
- Stop
- On-street stop on Main Street, Cashel; no dedicated bus station
- City Fare
- Adult fare with Leap Card on participating services
Tips
- •The 245X is the handiest direct coach to Cashel from Dublin or Cork; book online.
- •Confirm the current timetable on the operator's site, as services change seasonally.
- •The stop is on Main Street, a short walk from the Rock and the hotels.
Driving
Driving is the simplest way to reach Cashel. It sits just off the M8 Dublin to Cork motorway, which bypasses the town, so it is an easy stop on the journey between the two cities. The town is small, with pay-and-display parking on the main street and a car park at the Rock.
- From Dublin
- ~1h 45m to 2h via the M7 and M8
- From Cork
- ~1h 15m via the M8
- From Kilkenny
- ~50m via the R691/N76 and N8
- From Waterford
- ~1h via the N24 and N8
- Parking
- Pay-and-display on Main Street and a car park at the Rock of Cashel; the Rock car park fills early on summer mornings
Tips
- •Cashel is just off the M8, an easy break on the Dublin to Cork drive.
- •Park once in the town and walk to both the Rock and the main street.
- •Arrive at the Rock early in summer for the closest parking.
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.
Shannon AirportSNN
86 km away- Duration
- ~1h 10m
- Cost
- Fuel and tolls
The nearest international airport to Cashel; mostly motorway via the M8 and M7. Car hire is available at the airport.
Cork AirportORK
100 km away- Duration
- ~1h 15m
- Cost
- Fuel and tolls
Straightforward motorway run up the M8 from Cork Airport to Cashel.
Dublin AirportDUB
170 km away- Duration
- ~2h
- Cost
- Fuel and tolls
Motorway most of the way from Dublin Airport via the M50, M7 and M8.
- Duration
- ~3h 30m total
- Cost
- Airport coach plus 245X fare
Take an airport coach into Dublin, then the Bus Eireann 245X Dublin to Cork service, which stops in Cashel.
Operator: Bus Eireann
Leap Card
The Leap Card is Ireland's national reusable transport card. It works on Iarnrod Eireann InterCity rail at off-peak fares and on participating bus services, including the routes that serve Cashel, and across the Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford networks.
- Cost
- €5 for the card plus top-up
- Savings
- Off-peak rail discounts; cheaper than cash on participating buses
- Where To Get
- Spar, Centra, supermarkets, Thurles Station, or online
Parking
Parking options in and around Cashel. On busy weekends, arriving early is recommended.
Rock of Cashel car park
Pay-and-display; confirm the current rate on arrival. Car park beside the Rock of Cashel at the top of the hill, the closest parking to the site. It fills early on summer mornings; the overflow and town-centre parking is a short walk down.
Main Street and town-centre parking
On-street and off-street pay-and-display parking through the town centre, operated by Tipperary County Council. The town is small and walkable, so park once and walk to both the Rock and the main street.
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 →