Cork Airport sits about 8km south of the city centre, off the N27, and its defining fact shapes every trip: there is no rail link at all. Your realistic choices are the Bus Éireann 226 to the city (about 25 minutes), a metered taxi from the rank (roughly €20 to the centre), or an Uber, Bolt or FreeNow booking, which in Ireland all dispatch licensed taxis. Prices checked August 2026.
Getting to and from Cork Airport at a glance
| Option | Price | Time to Cork centre | Runs at night? | Door to door? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bus Éireann 226 | around €2.20 to €2.80 single | ~25 min | No, daytime and evening | No, city stops |
| Metered taxi | ~€20 | ~15 min | Yes, 24/7 | Yes |
| Uber / Bolt / FreeNow | metered taxi fare | ~15 min | Fewer cars late on | Yes |
| Drive and park (Holiday Blue) | from €14.50/day | ~15 min | Yes | Yes |
| Set-down (drop-off) lane | first 10 min free | ~15 min | Yes | Yes |
Cork is the Republic of Ireland's second-busiest airport after Dublin, handling a record 3.46 million passengers in 2025, up 13% on the year. It has one compact single terminal, so the walk from arrivals to the taxi rank or the bus stop is short.
In this guide
- Taxis, Uber and private hire
- Public transport
- Parking
- Drop-off and pick-up
- Popular routes
- Latest news and updates
- Airport facilities and lounges
- Travel blog and guides
- FAQs
The quick answer
If you are travelling light and watching the cost, the Bus Éireann 226 is the value option: a single fare of roughly €2.20 to €2.80, about 25 minutes to the city centre, with the stop directly outside the terminal doors. It runs every 30 minutes on weekdays and every 60 minutes on Sundays and public holidays, so check the last departure if you land late.
If you are two or more people with luggage, or you arrive after the buses stop, a taxi is the simpler choice. All Irish taxis run on a regulated meter, and the fare to the city centre and the main stations is about €20. Uber, Bolt and FreeNow all work in Cork, but each app only books a licensed metered taxi, so none of them undercuts the rank.
If someone is collecting you, the set-down lane is free for the first 10 minutes, then charged in stages. Driving yourself instead? The cheapest parking is the Holiday Blue long-term car park from €14.50 per day, with a free shuttle to the terminal.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a train to Cork Airport? No. Cork Airport has no rail link and no station at or near it. The nearest mainline station, Kent Station, is about 8km away in the city and is reached by the 226 bus, taxi or car.
What is the cheapest way from Cork Airport to the city centre? The Bus Éireann 226, a single fare of roughly €2.20 to €2.80, taking about 25 minutes. See the public transport page for times.
How much is a taxi from Cork Airport to the city centre? About €20 on the regulated meter from the rank directly outside the terminal, taking around 15 minutes. More on the taxis page.
Is drop-off free at Cork Airport? The set-down lane is free for the first 10 minutes, then €3 up to 20 minutes and €5 up to 30 minutes, rising from there. See drop-off and pick-up.
What is the cheapest car park at Cork Airport? The Holiday Blue long-term car park at €14.50 per day, with a free shuttle to the terminal. Compare options on the parking page.
How we verified this
The prices and facts on this site were checked in August 2026 against the airport's own website and the named operators (Bus Éireann, Aircoach, and the licensed taxi apps Uber, Bolt and FreeNow). Fares and timetables change, so confirm the specifics on the official Cork Airport site before you travel. Sources: corkairport.com, buseireann.ie and aircoach.ie.
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Last verified August 2026 by the Cork Airport Guide editorial team. Prices and timetables change, so confirm the specifics on the official Cork Airport website before you travel.