Getting to Limerick
How to reach Limerick by InterCity train, bus, or car.
Train
Limerick has its own city-centre railway station, Limerick Colbert, an Intercity station run by Irish Rail with the station code LMRCK. It sits at the southern edge of the centre, a short walk from O'Connell Street. Direct and connecting Intercity services run to Dublin Heuston (usually changing at Limerick Junction), to Galway along the Western Rail Corridor via Ennis, and there is a frequent shuttle to Limerick Junction, the main-line hub on the Dublin to Cork line, which opens up onward connections across the country. The train is a comfortable, car-free way into the city.
- Station
- Limerick Colbert (Irish Rail code LMRCK), Intercity
- From Dublin
- Intercity from Dublin Heuston, typically changing at Limerick Junction
- From Galway
- Intercity along the Western Rail Corridor via Ennis
- Junction
- Frequent shuttle to Limerick Junction on the Dublin to Cork main line
- Fares
- Adult fares with Leap Card or Irish Rail tickets; book Intercity ahead for the best price
Tips
- •Limerick Colbert is Intercity, not a commuter or DART line; label it Limerick (Colbert).
- •Many Dublin services change at Limerick Junction; check the connection when booking.
- •The station is a short walk from O'Connell Street and the city centre.
🚆 InterCity from Limerick Colbert
Iarnród Éireann InterCity departures
InterCity service from Limerick Colbert. Updates every minute.
Bus & Coach
Limerick is well served by bus. Colbert Station is the combined rail and bus hub, with Bus Eireann and coach services to Dublin, Cork, Galway, Ennis, Tralee and the wider region, plus direct coaches to Dublin Airport. Within the city, Bus Eireann city routes and TFI services link the centre with the suburbs, the University of Limerick at Castletroy and the Crescent Shopping Centre in Dooradoyle. The coach is a practical, low-cost way in and out of the city.
- Hub
- Colbert Station bus and coach terminal, beside the rail station
- Intercity
- Bus Eireann to Dublin, Cork, Galway, Ennis and Tralee
- Dublin Airport
- Direct coaches to Dublin Airport
- City
- Bus Eireann and TFI city routes to the suburbs, UL and the Crescent
- Fare
- Adult fares with Leap Card or cash
Tips
- •Colbert Station combines the train and coach terminals in one place.
- •Direct coaches run to Dublin Airport if you are flying via Dublin.
- •Use a Leap Card for cheaper city and intercity fares.
Driving
Limerick is a motorway hub in the Mid-West, at the meeting of the M7 from Dublin, the M18 from Galway and the road south toward Cork, with the N/M20 corridor to Cork. From Dublin it is about two hours on the M7; from Galway about an hour on the M18; from Cork about an hour and a quarter. The city centre is compact but the one-way system and the bridges can be slow at peak times and on match days, so use a car park rather than circling for on-street space. Parking is in multi-storey car parks and pay-and-display bays across the centre.
- From Dublin
- ~2 hours on the M7
- From Galway
- ~1 hour on the M18
- From Cork
- ~1 hour 15 minutes via the N20/M20 corridor
- Parking
- Multi-storey car parks and pay-and-display across the city centre
Tips
- •Limerick is a motorway hub; the M7, M18 and Cork road all meet here.
- •Use a multi-storey car park rather than circling the one-way system.
- •Match days at Thomond Park make parking near the ground very tight; allow extra time.
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- Duration
- ~25 minutes
- Cost
- Fuel and parking, or car hire
Shannon Airport is the nearest airport, about 25 minutes from Limerick city on the N18/M18. Car hire at the airport is the most flexible way to reach the city and the wider Mid-West.
- Duration
- ~40 to 50 minutes
- Cost
- Adult fares with Leap Card or cash
Bus Eireann coaches run between Shannon Airport and Limerick city, arriving at Colbert Station, several times a day. Check the current timetable, as frequencies vary.
Operator: Bus Eireann
Kerry AirportKIR
100 km away- Duration
- ~1 hour 20 minutes
- Cost
- Fuel and parking, or car hire
Kerry Airport at Farranfore is a secondary option, about an hour and twenty minutes south-west of Limerick via Newcastle West, useful for some UK and European connections.
Cork AirportORK
105 km away- Duration
- ~1 hour 20 minutes
- Cost
- Fuel and parking, or car hire
Cork Airport is about an hour and twenty minutes south of Limerick on the N20/M20 corridor, with a wider range of international routes than Shannon for some destinations.
- Duration
- ~2 hours with a connection
- Cost
- Adult fares with Leap Card or cash
From Cork Airport reach Cork city, then take a Bus Eireann coach to Limerick. Allow for the connection.
Operator: Bus Eireann
EV & Essentials
Practical infrastructure on the ground: charging, water, and accessibility facilities worth knowing about before you arrive.
EV Charging
City-centre and shopping-centre charge points
other · AC and DC · Varies by operator
Limerick city centre and Dooradoyle. Limerick has public EV charging in city-centre car parks and at the Crescent Shopping Centre, on the ESB ecars and other networks. Check the ESB ecars or Zap-Map app for live locations, connector types and availability.. Type 2, CCS
Accessibility Facilities
King John's Castle Visitor Centre
King's Island
The modern visitor centre has lift access to much of the interpretive exhibition and accessible toilets; the medieval towers and wall-walks are less accessible. Contact the castle in advance to plan a visit.
Leap Card
The Leap Card is Ireland's national reusable transport card. It works on Bus Eireann and city bus services in Limerick and on Irish Rail, usually at a discount on the cash fare, and it works across the Dublin, Cork, Galway and other networks too, so one card covers most of a trip around Ireland.
- Cost
- €5 for the card plus top-up
- Savings
- Cheaper than cash on the bus and train
- Where To Get
- Spar, Centra, Londis, newsagents and online
Parking
Parking options in and around Limerick. On busy weekends, arriving early or taking the InterCity train is recommended.
City-centre multi-storey and on-street parking
On-street pay-and-display and several multi-storey car parks; confirm current rates at the machine or app. Limerick has on-street pay-and-display parking across the centre and multi-storey car parks including Arthur's Quay, the Milk Market and Colbert Station areas. On-street bays use the city's pay-by-app and meter system. Match days at Thomond Park make parking near the ground very tight, so use the park-and-walk approach and allow extra time.
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 Limerick. You arrive right in the heart of Limerick, there’s no parking hassle, and you can enjoy a meal and a drink without worrying about driving home.