Cork is an amazing city with lots of things to do. From medieval buildings, museums to amazing nightlife, Cork is also a good base for your Ireland adventure.
However, if you find yourself running out of things to do in this city, there are several day trips from Cork that you can do.
Things you'll find in this article
- 14 Best Day Trips From Cork City
- 1. The Cliffs of Moher day trip from Cork
- 2. The Burren
- 3. Blarney Castle
- 4. Cahir Castle
- 5. Rock of Cashel day tour
- 6. Dingle Peninsula
- 7. Kinsale day trip from Cork
- 8. Ring of Kerry
- 9. Galway day tour from Cork
- 10.Limerick day trip from Cork
- 11.Cobh
- 12.Killarney National Park
- 13.Kilkenny day tours from Cork
- 14.Dingle
14 Best Day Trips From Cork City
Here are the 14 best day trips from Cork, Ireland.
1. The Cliffs of Moher day trip from Cork
Cliffs Of Moher, Image by Christine Rogador
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The Cliffs of Moher are sea cliffs located in County Clare, Ireland. It is one of Ireland’s most spectacular sights and one of the most visited attractions in Ireland with 1.5 million visitors annually.
Standing 702ft above the ground at their highest point and 8km long, the Cliffs boast one of the most amazing views in Ireland. In a good day, you can see the Aran Islands in Galway Bay.
Admission Fee
Adults €6
Students €4
Senior Citizens €4
Children under 16
Free Group rates available on request
How to get to Cliffs of Moher from Cork City
Take a bus from Cork Bus Station, Cork Parnell to Ennis Bus station. This takes about 3 hours for €23-28 per one way trip and then take a bus from Ennis Bus Station that goes directly to Cliffs of Moher. This takes another 50 minutes for €9-11 one way trip.
Or you can also take this Cliffs of Moher tour from Cork that also includes The Burren, Bunratty Castle and Limerick for €35 only. To book, click here.
Recommended hours for the day trip
Allocate at least 8 hours to enjoy Cliffs of Moher.
Opening Hours
8 am to 7 pm although, during winter, the cliffs are closed by 5 pm.
Contact Information
Location: Lislorkan North, Liscannor, Co. Clare, Ireland
Phone: bookings@cliffsofmoher.ie
Email: +353 65 708 6145
2. The Burren
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The Burren National Park is the smallest among the national parks in Ireland. Established in 1991, it only covers an area of 5.8 square miles near Doolin in County Clare.
The name Burren came from the word “Boireann” which means “great rock”. It is because the entire park is dominated by a glaciated karst landscape. Despite the soil being covered by rocks, the park has diverse and rich floras.
During summer, these floras bloom in a way that will leave the visitors in awe because of the park’s natural beauty.
Admission Fee
Free
How to get to Burren from Cork
Take a bus (#51) from Cork Bus Station in Cork Parnell Place to Crusheen. The journey is about 3 hours and it costs between €25-30 one way or €50-60 for a round-trip fare.
Then take a taxi from the station to Burren National Park. The taxi journey is about 20 minutes and it costs between €25-30 for a one-way ride.
Or you can also take this the Burren day tour from Cork that also includes Cliffs of Moher, Bunratty Castle, and Limerick for €35 only. To book, click here.
Recommended hours for the day trip
Allocate at least 10 hours to enjoy the national park.
Opening Times
April to September only. Daily between 9:30 am to 5 pm. To verify the schedule, click here.
Contact Information
Email: burrennationalpark@chg.gov.ie
Phone: +353-65-6827693
3. Blarney Castle
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One of Ireland’s most popular attractions is Blarney Castle. It was built nearly six hundred years ago by Cormac MacCarthy, one of Ireland’s greatest chieftains. Surrounding the castle are extensive gardens.
There are paths touring the grounds with signs pointing out the various attractions such as several natural rock formations and beautiful gardens.
Aside from the castle itself, the place is also popular because of Blarney Stone.
In order to get the gift of eloquence, for over 200 years many famous people from around the world visit Blarney to kiss the famous Blarney Stone.
There is an ongoing debate over the story of Blarney stone but no one has been able to prove the origin of the stone.
Admission Fee
€16 for adult, €13 for student and seniors, and €40 for a family. For more information regarding booking, click here.
How to get to Blarney Castle from Cork
Take a bus (#215) from Watercourse Rd to Blarney Village. The journey is about 20 minutes and it costs between €4-6 one way or €8-12 for a round-trip fare. Then walk from the station to the castle. Blarney Castle is about 7 minutes.
Or you also take this tour that includes a visit to Blarney Castle and Cobh, one of the popular day tours from Cork for only €35. To book click here.
Recommended hours for the day trip
Allocate at least 3 hours to enjoy the castle.
Opening Times
9 am to 5 pm
Contact Information
Location: Blarney, Cork, Ireland
Email: info@blarneycastle.ie
Phone: +353 21 4385252
4. Cahir Castle
Cahir Castle is one of the largest castles of Ireland. It is located on an island in the river of Suir, in the town of Cahir, County Tipperary. Built in 1142 by the Prince of Thomond, Conor O’Brien, it was designed as a defensive castle with state-of-the-art facilities.
However, the castle was besieged multiple times during the Irish Confederate Wars.
Admission Fee
Adult: €5.00
Group/Senior: €4.00
Child/Student: €3.00
Family: €13.00
How to get to Cahir Castle from Cork
Take a bus (#51) from Cork Bus Station in Cork Parnell Place to Cahir. The journey is about 1.5 hours and it costs between €14-17 one way or €28-34 for a round-trip fare. Then just walk for about a minute from the station to Cahir Castle.
Recommended hours for the day trips
Allocate at least 5 hours to enjoy the national park.
Opening Hours
March – Mid-June
Daily 09.30 – 17.30
Mid-June – August
Daily 09.00 – 18.30
September – Mid October
Daily 09.30 – 17.30
Mid October – February
Daily 09.30 – 16.30
Contact Information
Location: Castle St, Townparks, Cahir, Co. Tipperary, Ireland
Email: cahircastle@opw.ie
Phone: +353 (52) 744 1011
5. Rock of Cashel day tour
The Rock of Cashel, also known as Cashel of the Kings and St. Patrick’s Rock, is a historic site located at Cashel in County Tipperary. It is one of the most spectacular attractions in Ireland and also one of the most visited castles in Ireland.
This iconic landmark was the seat of the High Kings of Munster and was built between the 12th to the 13th century.
Admission Fee
Adult : €8.00, Group / Senior : €6.00, Child / Student : €4.00, Family : €20.00
How to get to Rock of Cashel from Cork
Take a bus (#X8) from Cork Bus Station in Cork Parnell Place to Main Street. The journey is about 2 hours and it costs between €16-20 one way or €32-40 for a round-trip fare. Then walk for about 10 minutes to Rock of Cashel.
Or you can also take this Rock of Cashel tour from Cork that also includes a trip to Kilkenny for €39 only. To book, click here.
Recommended hours for the day trip
Allocate at least 7 hours to enjoy the castle.
Opening Hours
9 am to 4:30 pm during winter and 9 am to 7 pm during the summer.
Contact Information
Location: Rock of Cashel, Moor, Cashel, Co. Tipperary, Ireland
Phone: 062 61437
Email: rockofcashel@opw.ie
6. Dingle Peninsula
If scenic drives, stunning coastal scenery, and a visit to one of Ireland’s most colorful towns sound interesting to you, renting a car and driving to the Peninsula is a must on a visit to Ireland.
It’s part of Wild Atlantic Way route which is considered one of the most scenic road trip routes in the world. The route consists of breathtaking views of the coastline, offshore islands, and cliff-top roads. It is one of the most popular activities in Dingle.
How to get to Dingle Peninsula from Cork
Getting to the Dingle Peninsula from Cork is complicated. Aside from 2-3 connections on bus and trains, getting around and covering the best parts of the peninsula requires private transport in between and it can be quite expensive.
If you would like to take public transport to the Dingle Peninsula, you can take a train from Kent, Cork to Tralee. It takes about 2 hours and it costs €24-35 for a one-way trip. And from Tralee, take a taxi to Dingle Peninsula for an hour. This costs about €70-90. You have to spend €94-135 for just one way trip through this route.
You can also take a bus from Tralee to Cloghane for €9-11. The ride takes about an hour. And then take a taxi for 20 minutes for €15-18. This route costs about €48-64 but it’s 1.5 hours longer.
Please note, that you might have to take a taxi in between points of interest as well and there’s no assurance you can get one. So you might have to rent a taxi from Tralee or Cloghane and the cost of renting a taxi will add up.
Or you can also take this Dingle Peninsula day tour from Cork that also includes a trip to the town of Dingle. The tour is €39 only. To book, click here
Recommended hours for the day trip
Allocate at least 10 hours to enjoy the Dingle Peninsula.
7. Kinsale day trip from Cork
Kinsale is a town in County Cork, Ireland. Originally a medieval fishing port, historic Kinsale is one of the most picturesque and historic towns on the south-west coast of Ireland. Kinsale has a beautiful set of long waterfront, yacht-filled harbor, narrow winding streets, and brightly painted galleries, shops, and houses.
It is also a leading Irish tourist attraction and the southerly starting point of the Wild Atlantic Way trail.
How to get to Kinsale from Cork
Take a bus (#226) from Cork City Hall to Kinsale. The journey is about 45 minutes and it costs between €7-9 one way or €14-18 for a round-trip fare.
Or you can also take this Kinsale tour from Cork that also includes some of the best areas in Wild Atlantic Way for €39 only. To book, click here.
Recommended hours for the day trips from Cork
Allocate at least 8 hours to enjoy Kinsale.
8. Ring of Kerry
Ring of Kerry is a circular tourist route in the county of Kerry. It covers 13 towns and it is known for its natural and unspoiled beauty. Aside from amazing islands and cliffs, Ring of Kerry is also known for its charming and quaint villages. It is a popular road trip route in Ireland as well.
How to get to Ring of Kerry from Cork
Killarney is the starting point of Ring of Kerry if you are planning to cover it clockwise. To get to Killarney from Cork, take a train from Cork Kent to Killarney. This takes about 1.5 hours and it costs between €18-26 for one way. Then you can take a bus between towns. Prices vary depending on length.
Or you can also take this day trip from Cork that will cover points of interest in Ring of Kerry for just €39.
Or you can also take this Ring of Kerry tour from Cork that includes Sneem, Killorglin, Dingle Bay, and Killarney, just among others, for €39 only. To book, click here.
Recommended hours for the day trip
Allocate at least 12 hours to enjoy the best points of interest in Ring of Kerry
9. Galway day tour from Cork
Spanish Arch Galway, Image by Christine Rogador
Galway City and nothing else comes in mind if we speak about Ireland’s top destination for arts, music, and urban culture. This city on the west coast of Ireland never fails to exceed expectations- from its medieval walls down to the breathtaking view of the River Corrib.
So whether you’re coming over for a quick visit or longer, there’s just so much to enjoy in this harbor city.
How to get to Galway from Cork
Take a Citylink bus (#251) from St. Patricks Quay to Galway Coach Station. The journey is about 3 hours and it costs between €12-20 one way or €24-40 for a round-trip fare.
To get around Galway City, you can use a hop-on-hop-off bus to get around between attractions. It is only €12 for 48 hours. To get it, click here.
Recommended hours for the day trip
Allocate at least 8 hours to enjoyGalway
10.Limerick day trip from Cork
There are lots of things to do in Limerick, Ireland. It is known for its charming old towns from medieval-era, Georgian townhouses, hidden gardens, museums, and castles.
Limerick City is the center of the culture and history of this county and it’s only around 2 hours away from Dublin and only 1.5 hours from Cork which makes it one of the most convenient Cork tours.
How to get to Limerick from Cork
Take a Citylink bus (#251) from St. Patricks Quay to Henry St (Hibernian Insurance). The journey is about 1.5 hours and it costs between €16-20 one way or €32-40 for a round-trip fare.
Or you can also take this Limerick tour from Cork that also includes The Burren, Bunratty Castle, and Cliffs of Moher for €35 only. To book, click here.
Recommended hours for the day trip
Allocate at least 8 hours to enjoy Limerick.
11.Cobh
Cobh was developed as a Victorian spa retreat in the mid-19th century and became Ireland’s most important port for trans-Atlantic travel.
If you would like to create some memories that will last a lifetime, take the plunge and visit Cobh. It is a captivating town that it will hold you in its spell long after you’ve left.
How to get to Cobh from Cork
Take a train from Cork Kent to Cobh. The journey is about half an hour and it costs between €4-7 one way or €8-14 for a round-trip fare.
Or you can also take this Cobh tour from Cork that also includes Blarney Castle for €32 only. To book, click here.
Recommended hours for the day trip
Allocate at least 8 hours to enjoy Cobh.
12.Killarney National Park
Killarney National Park in County Kerry is the first national park in Ireland and it was declared a national park in 1932. It is located near the town of Killarney and it covers 25,425 acres of protected land.
The park is of high ecological value because of the quality, diversity, and extensiveness of many of its habitats. There are also a wide variety of species in the parks and few of them are rare.
The park was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1981. Nature conservation is the main objective of the park protecting the various and rare species in the area and the ecosystem.
Admission Fee
The admission to Killarney National Park is free. However, some of the attractions and activities have an admission fee. You can verify it from the visitor’s center by using the contact information below.
How to get to Killarney National Park from Cork
Take a bus (Bus Eireann #40) from Cork Bus Station in Cork Parnell Place to Killarney Bus Station. The journey is about 1.5 hours and it costs between €15-18 one way.
And then take a taxi to Killarney National Park. The trip takes about 10 minutes for €18-22 one way. The total cost of transport is between €66-80 for a round trip.
Or you can also take this Killarney National Park tour from Cork that includes Sneem, Killorglin, and Dingle Bay just among others, for €39 only. To book, click here.
Recommended hours for the day trip
Allocate at least 8 hours to enjoy Killarney National Park.
Opening Times
There is 24-hour pedestrian access to Killarney National Park throughout the year except for Killarney House and Gardens (9 am to 6 pm daily). To check the individual opening hours of each attraction, click here.
Contact Information
Email: infokillarneyhouse@chg.gov.ie
Phone: 085-8017973
13.Kilkenny day tours from Cork
Kilkenny is one of the most beautiful and charming Irish cities. Located in the center of Ireland, it has a charming medieval center, lively pubs, and a dynamic art scene. Because of this, there are many unique things to do in Kilkenny, Ireland.
From its majestic creeper-clad castle, a bustling crafts industry, cobbled lanes, beautiful churches, and secret passages, Kilkenny will surprise you in many ways.
How to get to Kilkenny from Cork
Take a train from St. Patricks Quay to Ormond Road, Kilkenny. The journey is about 2.5 hours and it costs between €8-18 one way or €16-36 for a round-trip fare.
Or you can also take this Kilkenny tour from Cork that also includes a trip to Rock of Cashel for €39 only. To book, click here.
Recommended hours for the day trip
Allocate at least 8 hours to enjoy Kilkenny.
14.Dingle
Dingle in Ireland is a small port town in Dingle Peninsula, about 4 hours away from Dublin. It is one of the scenic stops in Ring of Kerry along with Kenmare and Killarney. Dingle is known for its rugged scenery, trails, and sandy beaches.
How to get to Dingle from Cork
Take a bus (Bus Eireann #40) from Cork Bus Station in Cork Parnell Place to Tralee Bus Station. The journey is about 2.5 hours and it costs between €19-23 one way. And then take a bus (#275) from Tralee to Dingle. The trip takes about 1 hour for €6-8 one way.
Or you can also take this Dingle tour from Cork that also includes a trip to Dingle Peninsula. The tour is only €39. To book, click here
Recommended hours for the day trip
Allocate at least 12 hours to enjoy Dingle.
Staying in Cork and don’t know where to stay? Here are the best accommodations in Cork City.
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Hi, I’m Christine – a full-time traveler and career woman. Although I’m from the Philippines, my location independent career took me to over 40 countries for the past 8 years. I also lived in 3 continents – from the Caribbean, South East Asia to Africa. But despite living in several countries, my love for Ireland remains the same. A country that had been a part of my life since I was 14 because of my love for Irish music and bands. Ireland Travel Guides was born because of this passion and hopefully, in some little ways, this website will be able to help you on your next trip to Ireland.
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Sharon Jefferson
Sunday 26th of April 2020
Love these day tours from Cork. We are looking for day trips from Cork and found your article. Thanks.
Sumit
Sunday 12th of May 2019
Thats an amazing guide for everyone out here. looks like you put in extra effort for these wonderful day trips.
Renata - www.byemyself.com
Tuesday 12th of March 2019
Oh my goodness, I haven't been to Ireland yet and you are throwing 14 (!) day trips from just one place at me - that's almost scary; for how long am I supposed to go to see all this beauty?!