Getting to Kilkenny
How to reach Kilkenny by InterCity train, bus, or car.
InterCity Train
Kilkenny MacDonagh Station sits on the Iarnrod Eireann InterCity line between Dublin Heuston and Waterford. Trains run roughly every two hours, taking around 90 minutes to and from Dublin. The station is a 10-minute walk from the city centre and the castle.
- From
- Dublin Heuston Station
- Duration
- Around 1h 30m
- Frequency
- Roughly every 2 hours, fewer at weekends
- Fare
- Adult single from around €18 advance, more walk-on
- Station
- Kilkenny MacDonagh Station, Dublin Road
- Note
- Kilkenny is a through-station on the Heuston to Waterford line, so trains run in both directions: north towards Carlow, Athy, Kildare and Dublin, and south towards Thomastown and Waterford.
Tips
- •Book advance fares online for the cheapest Dublin tickets.
- •MacDonagh Station is about a 10-minute walk from the Parade and the castle, or a short taxi.
🚆 InterCity from Kilkenny MacDonagh
Iarnród Éireann InterCity departures
InterCity service from Kilkenny MacDonagh. Updates every minute.
Bus & Coach
Kilkenny is served by Bus Eireann and JJ Kavanagh & Sons coaches, with direct services to Dublin city and Dublin Airport, and connections around the southeast. The bus stops are central, near the train station and on the Parade.
- From Dublin
- JJ Kavanagh & Sons and Dublin Coach run direct services from Dublin city and Dublin Airport (~2h to 2h 30m)
- From Airport
- JJ Kavanagh & Sons direct from Dublin Airport (~2h 15m)
- From Waterford
- Bus Eireann and local services connect Kilkenny with Waterford (~1h)
- City Services
- Kilkenny is compact and walkable; local and county bus links run from the centre
- City Fare
- Adult fare with Leap Card
Tips
- •JJ Kavanagh & Sons is the main direct coach link to Dublin Airport; book online.
- •The city centre is small enough to walk end to end in fifteen minutes.
Driving
Kilkenny is about 90 minutes from Dublin via the M9 motorway. The medieval core is tight and partly pedestrianised, so use an edge car park and walk in.
- From Dublin
- ~1h 30m via the M9
- From Waterford
- ~45m via the M9/N10
- From Cork
- ~1h 45m via the M8/N76
- Parking
- Pay-and-display and multi-storey car parks at the Market Yard and the Market Cross; coach parking at St Canice's Place
Tips
- •Park at the Market Yard or the Market Cross and walk the Medieval Mile.
- •Arriving by train avoids the city-centre one-way system and parking entirely.
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
130 km away- Duration
- ~2h 15m
- Cost
- Adult single from around €20
Direct coach from Dublin Airport to Kilkenny city centre.
Operator: JJ Kavanagh & Sons
- Duration
- ~3h total
- Cost
- Airport transfer plus rail fare from around €18
Take an airport coach or the Luas/bus to Dublin Heuston, then the InterCity train to Kilkenny MacDonagh (~1h 30m).
Operator: Iarnrod Eireann
- Duration
- ~1h 45m
- Cost
- Fuel and tolls
Motorway most of the way via the M50 and M9; car parks on the edge of the city centre.
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, 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, Londis, Kilkenny MacDonagh Station, or online
Parking
Parking options in and around Kilkenny. On busy weekends, arriving early or taking the InterCity train is recommended.
Market Yard Car Park
Pay-and-display; confirm the current rate on arrival. Central pay-and-display car park at the Market Yard, an easy walk to the Medieval Mile and High Street. The medieval core is tight and partly pedestrianised, so park on the edge and walk.
Ormonde Street / Market Cross Car Park
Multi-storey parking at the Market Cross Shopping Centre off Ormonde Street, central for the castle and High Street. Coach parking is at St Canice's Place near the cathedral.
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 Kilkenny. You arrive right in the heart of Kilkenny, there’s no parking hassle, and you can enjoy a meal and a drink without worrying about driving home.