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How to get from Cork to Dublin
Irish Rail (Iarnród Éireann) intercity trains run from Cork Kent to Dublin Heuston in about 2 h 30, roughly every hour. Coaches take about 3 h and can be cheaper, and the drive on the M8 motorway takes about 2 h 45.
Best option: Train. Hourly direct trains are faster than the coach and arrive at Heuston, with a Luas tram link to the city centre.
All the ways to make the trip
| How | Time | How often | Price* | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| train Irish Rail intercity trains from Cork Kent to Dublin Heuston | about 2 h 30 | roughly every hour | about €20–70, cheaper online in advance | Book online for the lowest fares and a reserved seat. |
| bus Coaches from Cork to Dublin city centre and Dublin Airport run by Aircoach, Bus Éireann and other companies | about 3 h to 3 h 30 | many a day | about €15–25 | Some coaches go straight to Dublin Airport. |
| car M8 motorway north via Fermoy and Portlaoise, joining the M7 to Dublin (about 260 km) | about 2 h 45 | fuel plus tolls on the M8 and M7 | If you use the M50 around Dublin, pay its barrier-free toll online by 8 pm the next day. |
*Approximate prices and times for 2026. Timetables change by season: check with the operator before you travel.
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Tips
- Heuston is west of the centre; the Luas red line takes you into town in about 10 minutes.
- Weekend and Friday evening trains can be very busy; reserve a seat.
- If you are flying out of Dublin, a direct airport coach avoids crossing the city.
- Cork Kent station is a 10–15 minute walk from St Patrick's Street in the city centre.
Common questions
How long is the train from Cork to Dublin?
About 2 h 30 on Irish Rail's direct intercity trains from Cork Kent to Dublin Heuston, which run roughly every hour. Some services take a little longer with extra stops. Book online to reserve a seat and get lower fares. Heuston is linked to the city centre by the Luas red line tram in about 10 minutes.
What is the cheapest way from Cork to Dublin?
Coaches are usually the cheapest at about €15–25, and some run straight to Dublin Airport. Advance online train fares can be almost as cheap and are faster. Driving costs fuel and motorway tolls, plus the M50 toll if you use it and parking in Dublin, which is expensive, so it suits groups more.
Are there tolls between Cork and Dublin?
Yes. The route on the M8 and M7 motorways includes toll plazas, where you pay by cash or card, typically a few euros each. If you continue on the M50 ring road around Dublin, it has a barrier-free toll that you must pay online or at a Payzone outlet by 8 pm the following day.
Do I need to book the train in advance?
You can buy tickets at the station, but booking online is cheaper and gives you a reserved seat. On Friday evenings, Sunday afternoons and around bank holidays and big sports events the trains fill up, and passengers without reservations may have to stand. A few days ahead is usually enough.
Compiled by TonyPlan from operator and transport information and travel knowledge; updated 2026-10-05. Anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.