There are 4 ways to get from Cork to Athlone by train, bus, or car
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Train
best- Take the train from Cork to Portarlingtontrain Re / ...
- Take the train from Portarlington to Athlonetrain Ic / ...
3h 24m€23–33Train, bus
- Take the train from Cork to Thurlestrain Ic / ...
- Take the bus from Thurles Station to Golden Islandbus 850
4h 51m€23–31Drive 205.8 km
- Drive from Cork to Athlonecar 205.8 km
2h 29m€36–52Bus
- Take the bus from Cork Bus Stn to Limerick Colbertbus 51
- Take the bus from Limerick Colbert to Athlone Stnbus 72
5h 8m€38–53
Cork to Athlone by train
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Cork to Athlone is to train and bus which costs €22 - €35 and takes 4h 51m.
The fastest way to get from Cork to Athlone is to drive which takes 2h 29m and costs €35 - €55.
No, there is no direct bus from Cork to Athlone. However, there are services departing from Cork Bus Stn and arriving at Athlone Stn via Limerick Colbert. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 5h 8m.
No, there is no direct train from Cork to Athlone. However, there are services departing from Cork and arriving at Athlone via Portarlington. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 3h 24m.
The distance between Cork and Athlone is 261 km. The road distance is 205.8 km.
The best way to get from Cork to Athlone without a car is to train which takes 3h 24m and costs €23 - €35.
It takes approximately 3h 24m to get from Cork to Athlone, including transfers.
Cork to Athlone bus services, operated by Expressway (Bus Éireann), depart from Cork Bus Stn station.
Cork to Athlone train services, operated by Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail), depart from Cork station.
The best way to get from Cork to Athlone is to train which takes 3h 24m and costs €23 - €35. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs €35 - €55 and takes 5h 8m.
What companies run services between Cork, Ireland and Athlone, Ireland?
You can take a train from Cork to Athlone via Portarlington in around 3h 24m. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Cork Bus Stn to Athlone Stn via Limerick Colbert in around 5h 8m.
- Phone
- 0818 294 015
- Website
- Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail)
Train from Cork to Portarlington
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 5m
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- €17–25
- Website
- Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail)
- Flexible
- €17–25
Train from Portarlington to Athlone
- Ave. Duration
- 51 min
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- €6–9
- Website
- Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail)
- Flexible
- €6–9
Train from Cork to Thurles
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 12m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- €11–17
- Website
- Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail)
- Flexible
- €11–17
- Phone
- +353-57-8692168
- [email protected]
- Website
- TFI Local Link Laois Offaly
Bus from Thurles Station to Golden Island
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 39m
- Frequency
- 4 times a week
- Estimated price
- €11–15
- Website
- TFI Local Link Laois Offaly
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Booking & Getting There
Cork to Athlone bus services, operated by Expressway (Bus Éireann), arrive at Limerick Colbert station.
Cork to Athlone train services, operated by Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail), arrive at Portarlington station.
Yes, the driving distance between Cork to Athlone is 206 km. It takes approximately 2h 29m to drive from Cork to Athlone.
There are 72+ hotels available in Athlone.



