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Airport Transfers in Ireland

Sorting your airport transfers in Ireland before you land is one of the most underrated travel moves you can make. Ireland has four main international gateways — Dublin, Cork, Shannon, and Belfast — and the options for reaching your accommodation range from hop-on express coaches to private door-to-door saloons. Whether you’re heading straight to a city centre hotel or pushing on to a self-catering cottage on the Wild Atlantic Way, knowing your transfer options saves both money and stress on arrival day.

Dublin Airport: The Busiest Gateway

Dublin Airport handles the vast majority of international arrivals and sits around 10 km north of the city centre. Your options are:

Airlink Express (747 / 757 routes): Dublin Bus runs these dedicated services directly to the city centre, stopping at O’Connell Street and Connolly Station. Journey time is roughly 30–45 minutes depending on traffic.
Dublin Coach and Citylink: Long-distance express coaches connect Dublin Airport with Galway, Limerick, Cork, and beyond in a single leg — useful if you’re skipping the city entirely.
Taxi / Hackney: Metered taxis depart from a designated rank outside arrivals. Expect roughly €20–30 to the city centre, more at peak hours.
Private transfers: Several operators offer pre-booked saloon, MPV, or minibus transfers. Worth comparing if you have a group or luggage that makes the taxi fare reasonable to split.
Car hire: Rental desks are located in the terminal. If you plan to drive around Ireland independently, collecting the car at the airport keeps things simple.

Once in Dublin, you can find everything from budget hostels in Dublin to luxury hotels in Dublin within easy reach of the city bus network.

Cork Airport: Gateway to the South

Cork Airport is compact and just 6 km south of the city centre — one of the more manageable airport-to-city trips in Ireland.

Bus Éireann Route 226: Runs directly between the airport and Cork city centre (Parnell Place bus station) every 30 minutes or so throughout the day.
Taxis: The rank is immediately outside arrivals. A metered cab to Cork city centre typically comes in under €20.
Car hire: Desks are on-site. Hiring here gives you immediate access to West Cork — a region worth exploring if you’re staying in Kinsale or planning to visit Cobh.

From Cork, onward bus connections reach Killarney (useful if Ring of Kerry is on your list) and other southern towns.

Shannon Airport: The Western Entry Point

Shannon sits in County Clare, roughly 25 km from Limerick and about an hour’s drive from Galway. It’s the preferred landing option for travellers heading into the west of Ireland.

Bus Éireann and Citylink: Services connect Shannon with Limerick city in around 40 minutes, and some routes extend to Galway and beyond.
Taxis: Available outside arrivals; fares to Limerick are typically in the €30–40 range.
Car hire: Strongly recommended if your plans include County Clare, Connemara, or County Kerry. The landscapes west of Shannon reward independent travel enormously.

Shannon is also the traditional starting point for travellers beginning a west coast Ireland itinerary.

Belfast International and George Best Belfast City Airport

Northern Ireland has two airports serving Belfast:

Belfast International (Aldergrove): About 30 km north-west of the city. Airport Express 300 coaches run regularly into the Europa Buscentre in central Belfast.
George Best Belfast City Airport: Only 5 km from the city centre; Airport Express 600 connects it to the centre in around 15 minutes.
Taxis: Both airports have ranks. Expect around £30–40 from International and £10–15 from City Airport to central Belfast.

Belfast is an excellent base for day trips to the Giant’s Causeway and the Causeway Coast.

Private Transfer Services: Is It Worth It?

Pre-booked private transfers make particular sense when:

You’re arriving late at night when public transport frequencies drop
You have a large group or significant luggage
Your final destination is rural (a cottage in Donegal or an island ferry port, for instance)
You want to avoid juggling connections after a long-haul flight

Several Irish operators offer nationwide coverage. Prices vary, so compare at least two quotes before booking. Always confirm pick-up procedures and the driver’s contact number in advance.

Tips for a Smooth Airport Transfer

Download offline maps. Mobile signal can be patchy once you leave the airport. Having Google Maps or Maps.ie downloaded saves time.
Have cash and card ready. Most taxis accept card, but having a small amount of euro (or sterling for Belfast) is sensible backup.
Check your accommodation’s transfer recommendations. Many bed and breakfasts and guesthouses in rural areas can arrange a local taxi pick-up if you contact them ahead of arrival.
Factor in driving times for rural stays. If you’re heading somewhere like Dingle or the Aran Islands, build in buffer time; the final road sections are narrower and slower than GPS estimates suggest.
Book car hire early. Demand for rental cars peaks in summer. See our getting to Ireland guide for more logistics advice.

Before you travel, it’s also worth sorting your travel insurance and car hire cover to avoid any gaps in protection.

Find Your Accommodation in Ireland

Check prices & availability

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When to book: Demand for car hire and private transfers peaks between June and August, and again around the St Patrick’s Day period in March. If you’re travelling in summer, book your airport transfer alongside your accommodation — don’t leave it to the last week.

FAQ

Q: What is the cheapest way to get from Dublin Airport to the city centre? The Airlink Express bus (routes 747 and 757) is the most affordable direct option, running to O’Connell Street and Connolly Station. A single ticket costs a few euro and the journey takes around 30–45 minutes.

Q: Can I get a direct bus from Shannon Airport to Galway? Yes. Both Bus Éireann and Citylink operate services between Shannon Airport and Galway city. The journey takes approximately one hour. It is worth checking timetables in advance, particularly on Sundays when frequencies are lower.

Q: Is it better to hire a car or use public transport in Ireland? It depends on your itinerary. Dublin, Cork, Galway, and Belfast are all manageable without a car. However, if you want to explore rural areas — the Wild Atlantic Way, County Mayo, or Ireland’s Ancient East — a hire car gives you far more flexibility and access to places that buses simply do not reach.