Getting to Kenmare

How to reach Kenmare by train, bus, or car.

Train

There is no railway station in Kenmare. The town's line closed in 1960 and was not reopened, so there is no rail service to or within the town and no in-town station of any kind. The nearest railway station is in Killarney, about 32 km away, on the main line with direct trains to Cork, Mallow and Dublin and connections beyond. From Killarney station you continue to Kenmare by bus or taxi. Anyone arriving by train should plan to break the journey at Killarney and cover the last stretch by road.

Nearest Station: Killarney railway station, about 32 km away, then bus or taxi to Kenmare
Connections: Killarney has direct trains to Cork, Mallow and Dublin Heuston
Onward: Bus Éireann, Local Link or taxi from Killarney to Kenmare

Tips

•There is no station in Kenmare; the nearest is Killarney, about 32 km away.
•Take the train to Killarney, then a bus or taxi for the last stretch to Kenmare.
•Check the Irish Rail timetable to Killarney and the onward bus connection together.

Bus & Coach

Kenmare has no train station, so the bus is the public-transport way in. Bus Éireann services connect Kenmare with Killarney, the nearest major town and transport hub, from where you can reach the rail network and onward coaches, and a daily Bus Éireann service also links Cork city with Kenmare down through West Cork via Bandon, Bantry and Glengarriff. Seasonal Ring of Kerry services also call at the town. Rural frequencies are limited, so check the current Bus Éireann timetable before you rely on a connection.

From Killarney: Bus Éireann services between Killarney and Kenmare, the main connection to the rail network and onward coaches
From Cork: A daily Bus Éireann service from Cork city via Bandon, Bantry and Glengarriff
Ring Of Kerry: Seasonal Ring of Kerry coach services also call at Kenmare
Fare: Adult fares with Leap Card or cash

Tips

•Killarney is the nearest transport hub; connect there for trains and onward coaches.
•The Cork city service runs down through West Cork, a useful alternative approach.
•Rural frequencies are limited; confirm the latest Bus Éireann timetable before travelling.

Driving

Most visitors arrive and get around Kenmare by car. The town sits on the N71 between Killarney and Glengarriff and is a natural base for the Ring of Kerry and the Ring of Beara. From Killarney it is about 40 minutes north over the scenic Moll's Gap; from Kerry Airport at Farranfore about 50 minutes; from Cork about an hour and a half. The mountain roads are scenic but narrow and slow, especially over Moll's Gap and the Healy Pass, so allow more time than the distance suggests. In the town, the narrow X-plan streets clog with coaches around the middle of the day in summer, so arrive early and use off-street parking.

From Killarney: ~40 minutes north on the N71 over Moll's Gap
From Kerry Airport: ~50 minutes from Farranfore
From Cork: ~1 hour 30 minutes
Parking: Mainly on-street and around the market square, with some off-street car parks; fills at midday in summer

Tips

•The N71 over Moll's Gap and the Healy Pass is scenic but narrow and slow; allow extra time.
•The town streets clog with coaches at midday in summer; arrive early and park off-street.
•Kenmare makes a good driving base for both the Ring of Kerry and the Ring of Beara.

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.

Kerry Airport (Farranfore)KIR

50 km away

DrivingDrive via Killarney

Duration: ~50 minutes
Cost: Fuel and parking, or car hire

Kerry Airport at Farranfore is the nearest airport to Kenmare, about 50 minutes by road via Killarney, with some regional and UK connections. Car hire at the airport is the most flexible way to reach Kenmare and the touring drives. Note that Kerry Airport has limited routes, so many visitors fly into Cork instead.

BusBus via Killarney

Duration: ~1 hour 30 minutes with a connection
Cost: Adult fares with Leap Card or cash

From Kerry Airport reach Killarney by bus or train, then take a Bus Éireann service on to Kenmare. Allow for the connection, as rural frequencies are limited.

Operator: Bus Éireann

Cork AirportORK

90 km away

DrivingDrive via Bantry and Glengarriff

Duration: ~1 hour 30 minutes
Cost: Fuel and parking, or car hire

Cork Airport is the larger airport with far more international and UK routes, about an hour and a half from Kenmare by road down through West Cork via Bandon, Bantry and Glengarriff. For many visitors it is the more practical arrival point despite being further than Kerry Airport, because of the wider choice of flights.

BusBus via Cork city

Duration: ~3 hours with a connection
Cost: Adult fares with Leap Card or cash

From Cork Airport reach Cork city, then take the daily Bus Éireann service to Kenmare via Bandon, Bantry and Glengarriff. It is a long run through West Cork, so allow plenty of time.

Operator: Bus Éireann

Leap Card

The Leap Card is Ireland's national reusable transport card. It works on Bus Éireann services in Kerry, including the Kenmare and Killarney routes, 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
Where To Get: Spar, Centra, Londis and online

Parking

Parking options in and around Kenmare. On busy weekends, arriving early is recommended.

Town-centre street and square parking

Confirm current rates locally. Parking in Kenmare is mainly on-street and around the market square, with some off-street car parks. The narrow X-plan streets clog with coaches and traffic around the middle of the day in summer, so arrive early and use off-street parking where you can. Confirm the current pay-and-display arrangements on the day.

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 →