Airports in Ireland: Getting To and From Major Airports
Airports in Ireland connect the country to Europe, the United States, and beyond. The busiest hubs, including Dublin Airport, Cork Airport, and Shannon Airport, handle the majority of international flights. The United Kingdom is a significant destination, with the Dublin-London route being one of the busiest in Europe. Airlines like Aer Lingus, Ryanair, and Aer Lingus Regional operate a broad network of routes from both Northern and Southern Ireland.
The airports in southern Ireland include regional facilities like Ireland West Airport Knock, Kerry Airport, and Donegal Airport, serving remote areas.
In Northern Ireland, travelers can use Belfast International, George Best Belfast City, and City of Derry Airport for local and international flights.
At the end of the article, you’ll also find a map to help you easily locate all Irish airports.
Major Airports in Ireland
Dublin Airport (IATA code: DUB)
Airport Dublin is the largest and busiest of the international airports in Ireland, welcoming around 33 million passengers annually. It serves as the main hub for Aer Lingus and Ryanair, connecting Ireland to numerous domestic and international destinations. Taking a bus to Dublin Airport is one of the most convenient ways to reach this major travel hub.
Number of passengers: \~33 million annually
Location: 10 kilometers north of Dublin city center
How to get from Dublin Airport to city center: Shuttle bus, taxi, private transfer, or car rental (approximately 30 minutes)
Ideal for reaching: Dublin, Swords, Malahide, and Dublin suburbs such as Drumcondra and Santry
NOTE: If you are wondering what to visit in Dublin, have a look at our mini-guide for a 24 hour-stay in Dublin.
Shuttle bus from Airport Dublin
Cork Airport (IATA code: ORK)
Cork Airport is a major Ireland airport, handling approximately 3 million passengers annually. Although smaller than Dublin, it offers a variety of international and seasonal routes, making it an essential gateway to southern Ireland. Popular Cork Airport destinations include Amsterdam, Paris CDG, and cities in Spain, Italy, and Germany. Travelers can also easily connect from Cork to Dublin Airport via convenient transport links.
Number of passengers: \~3 million annually
Location: 8 kilometers south of Cork city center
How to get from Cork Airport to city center: Bus line 226, taxi, or private transfer (approximately 20 minutes)
Ideal for reaching: Cork, Ballincollig, Bishopstown, and surrounding areas like Douglas and Wilton
Shannon Airport (IATA code: SNN)
Considering the third-largest airport in the country is Shannon Airport Ireland relies on this facility to enhance access to its western regions and maintain essential transatlantic and European connections. Shannon Airport serves around 2 million passengers annually and is often seen as an alternative to Ireland West Airport for travelers heading to Limerick, Galway, and Ennis, as well as the Aran Islands.
Number of passengers: \~2 million annually
Location: Shannon, County Clare
How to get from Shannon Airport to city center: Bus Éireann Route 343 to Limerick and Ennis, or Route 51 to Galway and Cork
Ideal for reaching: Limerick, Ennis, Galway, and nearby areas in western Ireland
Belfast International Airport (IATA code: BFS)
Belfast International Airport is the busiest airport in Northern Ireland, offering regular flights with Ryanair and easyJet alongside seasonal routes. Often referred to as Belfast Airport, it serves millions of passengers each year and provides essential connections for travelers heading to Northern Ireland.
Number of passengers: \~5.9 million annually
Location: Aldergrove, 21 kilometers northwest of Belfast
How to get from Belfast International Airport to the city center: Airport Express 300 bus, taxi, or private transfer
Ideal for reaching: Belfast, Antrim, Lisburn, and nearby towns in Northern Ireland
Note: Not to be confused with Belfast City Airport (George Best Belfast City Airport), which primarily handles regional flights.
Shuttle bus from Belfast Airport
George Best Belfast City Airport (IATA code: BHD)
George Best Belfast City Airport serves as a hub for regional travel in Northern Ireland, located just 5 kilometers from the heart of Belfast. While it primarily operates regional flights, there are also a few seasonal connections to destinations like Malaga and Faro. The airport serves as a base for Flybe, a regional airline that resumed operations in 2022, focusing on UK and European routes.
Number of passengers: \~2.7 million annually
Location: 5 kilometers from Belfast city center
How to get from George Best Belfast City Airport to city center: Metro line 600, taxi, or private transfer
Ideal for reaching: Belfast city center and regional destinations in the UK and Europe
Note: Not to be confused with Belfast International Airport, which handles a wider range of international flights.
Smaller airports
Ireland West Airport Knock (IATA code: NOC)
Number of passengers: \~0.7 million passengers annually\
Location: Knock, County Mayo, Ireland\
How to get from Ireland West Airport Knock to city center: Bus lines 438 and 440 – around 1 hour to Ballina and Westport, 2 hours to Athlone\
Ideal for reaching: Ballina, Westport, Athlone
City of Derry Airport (IATA code: LDY)
Also called: Londonderry Airport, Eglinton Airport\
Number of passengers: \~0.3 million passengers annually\
Location: Eglinton, Northern Ireland\
How to get from City of Derry Airport to city center: Public bus – 20 minutes\
Ideal for reaching: Derry, Campsey, Prehen, Burnfoot, Muff
Kerry Airport (IATA code: KIR)
Also called: Farranfore Airport\
Number of passengers: \~0.3 million passengers annually\
Location: Farranfore, County Kerry, Ireland\
How to get from Kerry Airport to Killarney and Tralee: Bus lines 14, 40, and 271 – 30 minutes\
Ideal for reaching: Killarney, Tralee
Donegal Airport (IATA code: CFN)
Also called: Carrickfinn Airport\
Number of passengers: \~40,000 passengers annually\
Location: Carrickfinn, County Donegal, Ireland\
How to get from Donegal Airport to city center: No direct bus/train lines; transfer or car rental required\
Ideal for reaching: Bunbeg, Dungloe, Gweedore, Letterkenny
FAQs
How many airports in Ireland are there?
There are 16 airports in Ireland that handle commercial air traffic, according to the Irish Aviation Authority, though the number may vary depending on the criteria. This includes major international airports like Dublin Airport, Shannon Airport, and Cork Airport, as well as smaller regional airports such as Ireland West Airport Knock and Donegal Airport.
What are the main airports in Ireland?
The main airports in Ireland include Airport Dublin, Shannon Airport, Cork Airport, Belfast International Airport, and Ireland West Airport Knock.
What airports does Ryanair fly to in Ireland?
Ryanair flies to several airports across Ireland, including Dublin Airport, Shannon Ireland Airport, Cork Airport, Belfast International Airport, and Kerry Airport.
How many airports are there in Dublin?
Dublin has one main airport, Dublin Airport, which serves as the hub for both domestic and international flights.
Is Cork or Shannon airport bigger?
Shannon Airport is slightly larger than Cork Airport, handling more passengers and offering more international routes.
Which airport in Ireland is the cheapest to fly into?
Airport Dublin is typically the most affordable to fly into, especially with its Dublin Airport bus connections to major cities like Galway, Cork, and Limerick.
What are the Dublin Airport bus options to the city center?
The Dublin Airport bus options include the Airlink Express (bus 747 and 757), which offers a direct route to the city center in about 30 minutes. Other options to get from Dublin Airport to city center include Dublin Bus routes 41, 16, and 102.
What is the Dublin airport code?
The IATA code for Dublin Airport is DUB. This code is used by airlines, travel agencies, and other aviation services to identify the airport.
How is parking at Dublin Airport?
The airport offers a variety of parking options, including short-term, long-term, and premium parking. There are several parking areas, such as the Multi-Storey car park, the Long-Term car park, and Express Red Car Park for quick access to the terminal.
What is Kilmore Airport, Ireland?
Kilmore Airport, located in County Wexford, Ireland, is a smaller regional airport that primarily serves private flights. It’s not a major commercial airport and doesn’t have scheduled airline services.
What is the Ireland airport code?
There is no single "Ireland airport code" as multiple airports across Ireland have their own codes. For example, Airport Dublin is DUB, Cork Airport is ORK, and Shannon Airport is SNN.
How do I get from Belfast to Dublin Airport?
The Belfast to Dublin Airport route is serviced by a regular bus service that takes about 2 hours. The service is operated by companies like AirCoach and Bus Éireann, offering comfortable travel between the two cities.
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