Getting to Glendalough
How to reach Glendalough by train, bus, or car.
Train
Glendalough and Laragh have no railway station of their own. The nearest station is Rathdrum, roughly 8km away, on the Dublin Connolly to Rosslare/Wexford line, though most Dublin services require a change rather than running direct. From Rathdrum station, a taxi or pre-arranged transfer covers the last stretch to Glendalough or Laragh, since there is no connecting local bus timed to the trains. Anyone arriving by train should plan to book a taxi from Rathdrum in advance, particularly outside peak hours when local taxis can be scarce.
- Nearest Station
- Rathdrum railway station, about 8km away, then taxi or pre-arranged transfer to Glendalough/Laragh
- Connections
- Rathdrum is on the Dublin Connolly to Rosslare Europort line; check Irish Rail for current direct vs connecting services
- Onward
- Taxi from Rathdrum; no local bus is timed to meet the trains
Tips
- •There is no station at Glendalough or Laragh; the nearest is Rathdrum, about 8km away.
- •Book a taxi from Rathdrum in advance rather than expecting one to be waiting.
- •Check the Irish Rail timetable for the current direct/connecting service pattern to Rathdrum before relying on this route.
Bus & Coach
St Kevin's Bus Service is a private coach operator running a genuine scheduled service directly between Dublin and Glendalough, departing from St Stephen's Green North and calling at stops including Leeson Street, Donnybrook, UCD, Mount Merrion, Stillorgan, Foxrock, Bray and Shankill on the way. It runs twice a day each direction, year-round except Christmas Day, and the journey takes about 1 hour 20 minutes. Because it only runs twice daily, it needs planning around rather than treating as a turn-up-and-go service; day-trippers relying on it should check the return time before setting out. This is a private operator's own coach, not a TFI or Bus Éireann route, so it is booked and paid for directly with St Kevin's Bus Service.
- From Dublin
- St. Kevin's Bus Service departs St Stephen's Green North twice daily (11:00 and 18:00 in winter; 11:00 and 19:00 on summer weekends), taking about 1 hour 20 minutes
- Stops
- Leeson Street, Donnybrook, UCD, Mount Merrion, Stillorgan, Foxrock, Bray, Shankill
- Fare
- Adult, child and 10-journey ticket fares on the operator's own fares page
Tips
- •Only two departures a day each way; plan your return time before setting out, especially in winter.
- •This is a private coach service, not a TFI or Bus Éireann route; book and pay through St Kevin's Bus Service directly.
- •Runs all year except Christmas Day, so it is a genuine winter option unlike some seasonal tour coaches.
Driving
Most visitors reach Glendalough by car, and it is comfortably the most flexible way to do it. From Dublin city centre the drive takes roughly an hour via the N11/M11 and the R755 through Roundwood and Laragh, or a more scenic but slower route over the Sally Gap and the Military Road through the heart of the national park. Both the visitor centre car park and the Upper Lake car park fill by mid-morning on good-weather weekends and through summer, so arriving early matters more here than at most Irish attractions; Laragh's free village car park is the fallback if both fill. Parking fees apply at the two Glendalough car parks but not in Laragh village.
- From Dublin
- About 1 hour via the N11/M11 and R755 through Roundwood and Laragh, or a slower, scenic route over the Sally Gap
- From Dublin Airport
- About 1 hour 15 minutes via the M50 and N11
- Parking
- Visitor Centre car park (€4 for cars) and Upper Lake car park (€5 for cars) both fill by mid-morning at busy times; Laragh village car park is free but further from the monastic site
Tips
- •Arrive before 10am on weekends and through summer to get a car-park space at either Glendalough car park.
- •The Sally Gap/Military Road route is scenic but narrow, exposed and best avoided in poor visibility or ice.
- •If both Glendalough car parks are full, Laragh's free village car park is the fallback, with a short walk or short drive to the site.
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.
Dublin AirportDUB
60 km away- Duration
- ~1 hour 15 minutes
- Cost
- Fuel, tolls and parking, or car hire
Dublin Airport is the only realistic international gateway for Glendalough; there is no closer airport with useful connections. Driving via the M50 and N11 is the most flexible option and avoids the limited bus schedule.
- Duration
- ~2 to 2.5 hours with a connection, depending on St Kevin's Bus Service departure times
- Cost
- Airport coach fare plus St Kevin's Bus Service fare
From Dublin Airport, take an airport coach or taxi into the city centre, then join St Kevin's Bus Service from St Stephen's Green North. Since that service only runs twice a day, check its timetable before planning the connection, as arrival time at the airport may not line up with a departure.
Operator: St Kevin's Bus Service
Leap Card
The Leap Card is Ireland's national reusable transport card, but it is not accepted on St Kevin's Bus Service, since that is a private operator rather than a TFI-integrated route. It remains useful for the Dublin legs of a journey here, such as reaching the St Stephen's Green departure point by Luas or Dublin Bus, and for the wider TFI network across Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway.
- Cost
- €5 for the card plus top-up
- Savings
- Cheaper than cash on TFI-integrated Dublin Bus, Luas and DART services
- Where To Get
- Spar, Centra, Londis and online
Parking
Parking options in and around Glendalough. On busy weekends, arriving early is recommended.
Laragh Village Car Park
Free, 8am-8pm daily, staffed. A free, secure car park in Laragh village near the Woollen Mills and GAA grounds, a short walk or drive from the monastic site. The best free option when the paid car parks at Glendalough are full.
Glendalough Visitor Centre (Lower) Car Park
€4 for cars (rate as researched; confirm current price before publishing). OPW-run car park beside the visitor centre and monastic site; parking includes a complimentary visitor centre admission. Fills by mid-morning on good-weather weekends and through summer.
Upper Lake Car Park
€5 for cars (rate as researched; confirm current price before publishing). The car park closest to the Spinc and Upper Lake trailheads, about 1km beyond the visitor centre; usually the first to fill on busy days.
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 →