Getting to Ennis

How to reach Ennis by InterCity train, bus, or car.

Train

Ennis has its own railway station on Quinn Road, just south of the town centre, on the Limerick to Galway intercity line operated by Irish Rail. Trains run north to Gort, Athenry and Galway and south to Limerick (Colbert Station), with several services a day, though it is a rural line so check the timetable. There is no direct train from Ennis to Dublin: the way to Dublin Heuston is to take the train to Limerick and change there, so plan for the connection rather than expecting a through service. This is an intercity line, not the Dublin DART.

Station: Ennis Station, Quinn Road, Ennis, Co. Clare, V95 WY02
Line: Limerick to Galway intercity line
To Galway: Direct trains north via Gort and Athenry
To Limerick: Direct trains south to Limerick (Colbert Station)
To Dublin: Change at Limerick for Dublin Heuston; there is no through train from Ennis

Tips

•Ennis is on the Limerick to Galway line; check the Irish Rail timetable, as it is a rural service.
•For Dublin, take the train to Limerick and change there; do not expect a direct Ennis to Dublin train.
•This is an intercity line, not the DART, which runs only around Dublin.

🚆 InterCity from Ennis

Iarnród Éireann InterCity departures

InterCity service from Ennis. Updates every minute.

Bus & Coach

Ennis is well served by bus as the county town. Bus Eireann and Expressway coaches link it with Limerick, Galway, Shannon Airport and Dublin, and it is the hub for local and regional routes across Clare, including the route 350 along the north Clare coast to Lahinch, the Cliffs of Moher, Lisdoonvarna and Doolin. The bus station is in the centre of town. It is a practical way to reach Ennis and to head out to the coast without a car, though rural frequencies are limited, so check the timetable.

From Limerick: Frequent Bus Eireann and Expressway services, about 40 minutes
From Galway: Expressway and Bus Eireann services down the N18/M18
From Dublin: Expressway coach services to Ennis
To The Coast: Route 350 from Ennis to Ennistymon, Lahinch, the Cliffs of Moher, Lisdoonvarna and Doolin
Fare: Adult fares with Leap Card or cash

Tips

•Ennis is a bus hub for Clare; route 350 is the way to the Cliffs and the north Clare coast.
•Coaches link Ennis with Limerick, Galway, Shannon Airport and Dublin.
•Check the latest Bus Eireann timetable; rural frequencies are limited.

Driving

A car is the easiest way to make the most of Ennis, since the town is the natural base for touring Clare and much of what you come for is a drive away. Ennis sits on the M18 motorway, which runs south to Shannon Airport and Limerick and north toward Gort and Galway, so it is quick to reach and well connected. Shannon Airport is about twenty minutes south. From here the Cliffs of Moher are about 45 minutes west, the Burren about 15 minutes north, and Bunratty about 15 to 20 minutes south. The medieval town centre is compact, narrow and one-way in places, so park in a car park and walk the centre.

From Shannon Airport: ~20 minutes south on the M18
From Limerick: ~40 minutes on the M18
From Galway: ~1 hour on the M18/N18
To The Cliffs: ~45 minutes west via Ennistymon and Lahinch
Parking: Town-centre car parks and pay-and-display; the medieval core is narrow and best walked

Tips

•Ennis is on the M18, quick from Shannon Airport, Limerick and Galway.
•Use it as a base and drive out to the Cliffs, the Burren and Bunratty.
•Park in a car park and walk; the medieval streets are narrow and one-way in places.

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

25 km away

DrivingDrive on the M18

Duration: ~20 minutes
Cost: Fuel and parking, or car hire

Shannon Airport is the nearest airport, about 20 minutes south of Ennis on the M18. Car hire at the airport is the most flexible way to reach Ennis and tour the county.

BusBus Eireann to Ennis

Duration: ~30 to 40 minutes
Cost: Adult fares with Leap Card or cash

Bus Eireann services connect Shannon Airport with Ennis directly. Check the timetable for the current service and frequency.

Operator: Bus Eireann

Ireland West Airport KnockNOC

120 km away

DrivingDrive via Galway

Duration: ~1 hour 45 minutes
Cost: Fuel and parking, or car hire

Ireland West Airport Knock is a secondary option, roughly an hour and three quarters north of Ennis via Galway. Useful for some international and UK connections.

Leap Card

The Leap Card is Ireland's national reusable transport card. It works on Bus Eireann services in Clare and on Irish Rail, and across the Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway networks, usually at a discount on the cash fare.

Cost: €5 for the card plus top-up
Savings: Cheaper than cash on the bus and train
Where To Get: Spar, Centra, Londis and online

Parking

Parking options in and around Ennis. On busy weekends, arriving early or taking the InterCity train is recommended.

Town-centre car parks and on-street pay-and-display

Pay-and-display on-street and in the multi-storey and surface car parks; confirm current rates at the machine or app.. Ennis has several car parks, including the Friary and shopping-centre car parks, plus metered on-street parking. The medieval town centre is compact and its streets are narrow and one-way in places, so parking in a car park and walking is easier than driving into the core. Fills up on Fridays for the market and during festivals.

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 Ennis. You arrive right in the heart of Ennis, there’s no parking hassle, and you can enjoy a meal and a drink without worrying about driving home.