Dublin to Cork train with Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail)

Fri 18 Sept
+ Add return
Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail)
Avanti West Coast
Great Western Railway
Regionale
West Midlands Trains
2,000+ travel companies
Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail)
Avanti West Coast
Great Western Railway
Regionale
West Midlands Trains
2,000+ travel companies
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The cheapest and fastest trains from Dublin to Cork

Showing times, prices and bookable tickets for 18 Sept

Cheapest price on 18 Sept

£23

Average ticket price on 18 Sept

£23

Fastest journey on 18 Sept

2 h 32 m

Average journey duration on 18 Sept

2 h 36 m

Trains on 18 Sept

5

Distance

219 km

Cheap tickets

The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Dublin to Cork is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.

The average ticket from Dublin to Cork will cost around £23 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £23.

Fast trains

On Fri 18 Sept, we found 5 trains from Dublin to Cork, including 5 direct services.

These direct trains cover the 219 km distance in an average of 2 h 36 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 2 h 32 m .

The slowest trains will take 2 h 41 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.

  • Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail)
    6:002h32
    Dublin
    8:32Cork
    £231One-way
    0 changes
  • Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail)
    7:002h35
    Dublin
    9:35Cork
    £231One-way
    0 changes
  • Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail)
    8:002h38
    Dublin
    10:38Cork
    £231One-way
    0 changes
  • Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail)
    9:002h41
    Dublin
    11:41Cork
    £231One-way
    0 changes
  • Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail)
    10:002h32
    Dublin
    12:32Cork
    £231One-way
    0 changes

Travel Information

Compare train and coach for Dublin to Cork

Omio recommends booking the coach as it is the most popular option from Dublin to Cork among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £23 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 3h 6m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £23, while a train costs an average of £23.

Distance: 219 km

Compare train with

Train
Most popular
Coach
Driving

£23

Average Price

£23

Average Price

Cheapest

£45

Average Price

(fuel + tolls)

3h 6m

Average total duration

Fastest

2h 36m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

4h 34m

Average total duration

4h 4m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

2h 54m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

The cheapest way to travel from Dublin to Cork is a coach with an average price of £23.

This is compared to other travel options from Dublin to Cork:

A coach is £0.22 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Dublin to Cork costing on average £23.

The fastest way to travel from Dublin to Cork is by train with an average journey time of 2h 36m.

Other travel options to Cork take longer:

Coach takes on average 4h 4m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Dublin and Cork including taking a train and coach.
Take the train. On this route, it beats driving on both time and money.

The journey is about 18m faster (2h 36m by train vs 2h 54m by car) and roughly £22 cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls (£23 vs £45). You'll also arrive in the city centre rather than hunting for parking, and you can work, read, or watch the landscape go by instead of concentrating on the road.

Direct services run with Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail).

Driving is still worth considering if you want to stop along the way or need a car once you arrive.

Live departures

Dublin to Cork train times

The table below shows live departures for Dublin to Cork trains for today, Thursday 17 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.

Last updated at
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesChanges
Tickets
Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail)7:00 Dublin
2h35
9:35 Cork0 changesdirect
Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail)8:00 Dublin
2h38
10:38 Cork0 changesdirect
Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail)9:00 Dublin
2h41
11:41 Cork0 changesdirect
Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail)10:00 Dublin
2h32
12:32 Cork0 changesdirect
Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail)11:00 Dublin
2h41
13:41 Cork0 changesdirect
Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail)12:00 Dublin
2h33
14:33 Cork0 changesdirect
Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail)13:00 Dublin
2h33
15:33 Cork0 changesdirect
Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail)14:00 Dublin
2h39
16:39 Cork0 changesdirect
Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail)15:00 Dublin
2h32
17:32 Cork0 changesdirect
Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail)16:00 Dublin
2h28
18:28 Cork0 changesdirect
Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail)17:00 Dublin
2h29
19:29 Cork0 changesdirect
Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail)18:00 Dublin
2h37
20:37 Cork0 changesdirect
Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail)19:00 Dublin
2h48
21:48 Cork0 changesdirect
Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail)21:00 Dublin
2h39
23:39 Cork0 changesdirect
Friday 18 September
Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail)6:00 Dublin
2h32
8:32 Cork0 changesdirect

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Dublin to Cork by train or coach

Compare train and coach prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.

Fri
18 Sept
Sat
19 Sept
Sun
20 Sept
Mon
21 Sept
Tue
22 Sept
Wed
23 Sept
Thu
24 Sept

ReviewsReviews for the rail journey from Dublin to Cork

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The customer opinion was acquired via Cimenio. Cimenio incentivises its users for giving an honest opinion and proving the booking with a photo of the travel ticket.
Advantages
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IconComfort
Disadvantages
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The journey from Dublin to Cork on the IC 40 train was really great. The journey time of 2 hours and 30 minutes was very pleasant and quick. The train was modern, well maintained and had comfortable seats with plenty of leg room. The free wifi was available the whole time and worked great, which made the journey even more enjoyable. The staff were friendly and helpful and the train was on time, which was very important for me as a traveller. The journey was quiet and comfortable and I was able to relax and enjoy the scenery. I would highly recommend this service from Dublin to Cork. It is a convenient and reliable way to travel between these two cities. The good service and comfort make this journey a positive experience.

Journey information

Overview: Train from Dublin to Cork

IrelandIreland
IrelandIreland
Icon of train

Trains from Dublin to Cork run on average 12 times per day, taking around 2h 36m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £23 but you can travel from only £22 by coach.

There are 12 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 06:00, the last at 21:00. The fastest train covers the 219 km distance in 2h 28m.

Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Coach from £22
Distance
219 km
Average train duration
2h 36m
Cheapest ticket price
£23
Trains per day
12
Direct trains
12
Fastest train
2h 28m
First train
6:00
Last train
21:00
High Season
Jul - Sept
Low Season
Jan - Mar
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Coach from £22

Train companies: Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail) from Dublin to Cork trainsIarnród Éireann (Irish Rail) trains will get you between Dublin and Cork. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.

Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail)

Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail) Duration
2h 28m
Cheapest Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail) Price
£23
Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail) frequency
12 a day

Complete guide to Cork

Things to do in Cork

Discover the best of Cork — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Cork trip today.

  • Must visit

Crawford Art Gallery

Striking contemporary art gallery with changing exhibitions by Irish and international artists in the city centre.

  • Recommended

Cork Public Museum

Interactive city museum in a Georgian house covering Cork’s social, commercial and political history with engaging displays.

  • Recommended

The Cork Butter Museum

Compact heritage museum inside a former church crypt, presenting Cork’s trade, civic life and archaeology in an atmospheric setting.

Euro (€)

Moderate for Ireland. Rooms and dining cost more than many UK cities, but buses are reasonable and budget eats are easy to find.

Average meal costs

Budget
€10-15 for fast food or casual lunch.
Mid-range
€20-35 per person for a restaurant meal.
Fine dining
€70+ per person for upscale dining.
Coffee
€3-4.50 for a cappuccino.

Tipping culture

Tipping is optional. In restaurants, 10% for good service is appreciated if not already included. Round up taxi fares. Cafés usually do not expect tips, though small change is welcome.

FAQs: Dublin to Cork train

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Dublin to Cork by train. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Cork, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

FAQs
The cost of a train ticket from Dublin to Cork can vary. The cheapest tickets are usually available from £23, while the average price tends to be around £23.
The train journey from Dublin to Cork covers a distance of 219 km and takes approximately 2h 28m. Trains run 12 per day.
The train distance from Dublin to Cork is 219 km.
The first train from Dublin to Cork leaves at 6:00.
The last train from Dublin to Cork departs at 21:00.
Trains from Dublin to Cork run approximately 12 times per day.
Currently, there is no high-speed train service from Dublin to Cork.
Yes, there is a direct train between Dublin and Cork. The service operates 12 times per day, provided by Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail).
To get from Dublin to Cork, you can choose from several travel options including train and coach.
There is no night train service from Dublin to Cork.
Booking trains from Dublin to Cork in advance is advisable, especially during peak travel seasons or for long journeys, to ensure availability and secure better fares.
The train journey from Dublin to Cork offers scenic views of the Irish countryside, including rolling green hills, quaint villages, and the occasional glimpse of the River Liffey.
A day trip from Dublin to Cork is not feasible as the travel duration is 2h 28m. However, there are frequent trains with a frequency of 10 per day. The distance is 219 km.
In Cork, you can take a scenic walk along the River Lee, explore the vibrant street art scene, attend a traditional Irish music session at a local pub, visit the Crawford Art Gallery, or enjoy a boat tour of Cork Harbour. Notable sights include Blarney Castle, St. Fin Barre's Cathedral, the English Market, Cork City Gaol, and Fitzgerald Park.
Typically, spending 2 to 3 days in Cork allows you to explore its main attractions such as the English Market, Blarney Castle, and the vibrant city centre.
Yes, you can take the train from Dublin to Cork.

Most popular train connections to Cork

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