There are 3 ways to get from Kilkenny to Athlone by bus, train, 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.
Kilkenny to Athlone by bus
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Kilkenny to Athlone is to train which costs €17 - €26 and takes 3h 34m.
The fastest way to get from Kilkenny to Athlone is to drive which takes 1h 43m and costs €19 - €28.
Yes, there is a direct bus departing from Kilkenny Stn and arriving at Athlone Stn. Services depart twice daily, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 2h 58m.
No, there is no direct train from Kilkenny to Athlone. However, there are services departing from Kilkenny and arriving at Athlone via Kildare and Portarlington. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 3h 34m.
The distance between Kilkenny and Athlone is 148 km. The road distance is 110.5 km.
The best way to get from Kilkenny to Athlone without a car is to bus which takes 2h 58m and costs €24 - €35.
The bus from Kilkenny Stn to Athlone Stn takes 2h 58m including transfers and departs twice daily.
Kilkenny to Athlone bus services, operated by Bus Éireann, depart from Kilkenny Stn station.
Kilkenny to Athlone train services, operated by Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail), depart from Kilkenny station.
The best way to get from Kilkenny to Athlone is to bus which takes 2h 58m and costs €24 - €35. Alternatively, you can train, which costs €17 - €26 and takes 3h 34m.
What companies run services between Kilkenny, IE-KK, Ireland and Athlone, Ireland?
Bus Éireann operates a bus from Kilkenny Stn to Athlone Stn twice daily. Tickets cost €24–35 and the journey takes 2h 58m. Alternatively, you can take a train from Kilkenny to Athlone via Kildare and Portarlington in around 3h 34m.
- Phone
- 0818 294 015
- Website
- Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail)
Train from Kilkenny to Kildare
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 2m
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- €8–12
- Website
- Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail)
- Flexible
- €8–12
Train from Portarlington to Athlone
- Ave. Duration
- 51 min
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- €6–9
- Website
- Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail)
- Flexible
- €6–9
- Phone
- +353 1 836 6111
- [email protected]
- Website
- Bus Éireann
Bus from Kilkenny Stn to Athlone Stn
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 58m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- €24–35
- Website
- Bus Éireann
- Standard
- €24–35
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Booking & Getting There
Kilkenny to Athlone bus services, operated by Bus Éireann, arrive at Athlone Stn station.
Kilkenny to Athlone train services, operated by Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail), arrive at Kildare station.
Yes, the driving distance between Kilkenny to Athlone is 110 km. It takes approximately 1h 43m to drive from Kilkenny to Athlone.
There are 71+ hotels available in Athlone.