Tralee to Killarney Bus: Timetable, Fares, Routes 2024

Three Bus Éireann routes connect Tralee and Killarney—and they don’t all work the same way. Route 40 runs hourly as part of its Rosslare-to-Tralee express, Route 279 winds through Killorglin and Castlemaine, and Route 284 cuts via Farranfore on weekdays only.

Journey Time: 40 minutes · Ticket Price: €11–16 · Frequency: Every 2 hours · Main Operator: Bus Éireann Expressway · Key Routes: 40, 279, 284

The table below summarises the core specs for Tralee-to-Killarney bus travel, sourced from Bus Éireann and verified transit aggregators.

Tralee to Killarney bus timetable

General schedule

Route 40 runs daily with hourly departures, making it the most consistent option for Tralee-Killarney travel. According to Rome2Rio, the earliest departure from Tralee leaves at 06:00, and the last bus of the day heads to Killarney at 23:05. Monday through Saturday, you can catch a bus roughly every 60 to 93 minutes. Sundays are thinner—service starts at 10:30 and runs every 60 to 99 minutes until the 20:30 departure.

Weekday vs weekend

On weekdays, you have two services worth knowing about. Route 40 gives you hourly options from early morning through late night. Route 284 adds a single weekday departure at 08:00 via Farranfore, but it’s not available on weekends. Saturday service mirrors weekday patterns on Route 40, while Route 279 maintains its schedule through Killorglin. Sunday service drops off noticeably—both in start time (10:30 first bus) and in how far apart the departures sit.

PDF download

You can grab official timetables directly from the Bus Éireann website. Each route has its own PDF with full stop listings and date-specific schedules. The National Transport Authority also powers the underlying data, which feeds into transit apps like Moovit and Transit App.

“Route 40 departs Tralee Bus Station at 08:50 and arrives Cork Bus Station at 11:05, with similar timing applying to Killarney connections depending on traffic.”

— Transit App (real-time schedule data)

Tralee to Killarney Bus 40

Route details

Route 40 is the workhorse of the Tralee-Killarney corridor—but it’s not just a local service. According to Bus Éireann Official, Route 40 originates from Rosslare Europort at Rosslare Harbour, with select buses departing from Waterford Bus Station and Parnell Place in Cork. It passes through Wexford, Waterford, Dungarvan, Youghal, Cork, Killarney, and Kerry Airport before ending at Tralee Bus Station. The full trip from Rosslare to Tralee takes approximately 135 minutes, as noted by Transit App.

Stops

Route 40 makes 13 stops between its endpoints, according to Moovit. For the Tralee-to-Killarney leg specifically, buses pull in at Killarney Bus Station approximately 40 minutes after leaving Tralee. The Kerry Airport stop sits between Killarney and Tralee, which makes Route 40 useful if you need to connect with flights.

Operator info

Bus Éireann operates Route 40 as part of its Expressway network, which handles longer-distance inter-regional routes. This means the onboard experience typically includes comfortable seating for the 135-minute full-route journey, though the Tralee-Killarney segment is much shorter. Tickets are standard Expressway pricing, separate from local Dublin-area Leap Card fares.

Tralee to Killarney Bus 279

Timetable extract

Route 279 takes a different path than Route 40—it runs via Killorglin and Castlemaine rather than the direct N21 corridor. According to Bus Éireann Official, this route serves Tralee Bus Station, passes through Castlemaine Post Office, and continues toward Killorglin before reaching Killarney Bus Station. It provides an alternative for passengers who need access to those intermediate towns.

Key stops

The key stops on Route 279 include Tralee Bus Station (departure point), Castlemaine Post Office (intermediate stop), Killorglin (major intermediate hub), and Killarney Bus Station (arrival). This routing serves passengers who live in or need to reach those towns, making Route 279 a community-oriented option rather than a pure express service.

Via Killorglin

Killorglin sits roughly halfway between Tralee and Killarney on the Route 279 path. The town is notable as the home of the Puck Fair, one of Ireland’s oldest festivals. For travelers, this stop means Route 279 serves both a tourist destination and a practical intermediate point for commuters heading to work or school in either direction.

“Route 279 departs Tralee Bus Station at 07:30, passing through Castlemaine and Killorglin en route to Killarney.”

— Bus Éireann Official (route description)

Tralee to Killarney bus fare

Price range

Fares on the Tralee-Killarney bus routes fall between €11 and €16, according to Rome2Rio. This applies to the Expressway services (Routes 40, 279, and 284). The exact fare depends on whether you’re buying a single ticket, using a pre-paid pass, or catching a peak-time departure. Children, students, and seniors may qualify for reduced rates.

Ticket types

Bus Éireann offers single-ride tickets, day tickets, and weekly passes. Single tickets are the most common purchase for occasional travelers. If you commute daily, a weekly pass likely offers better value. Expressway tickets differ from Leap Card pricing used on Dublin-area services, so don’t assume your Leap Card will cover Tralee-Killarney fares.

Booking options

You can buy tickets online through the Bus Éireann website, at Tralee Bus Station, or directly from the driver. Online booking is useful during peak seasons (summer, Puck Fair, Christmas) when services fill up. Same-day tickets are usually available, but advance purchase removes any uncertainty.

Tralee to Killarney Bus Saturday

Saturday timetable

Saturday service on Route 40 mirrors the weekday schedule—hourly departures from early morning through late evening. According to Moovit, frequency sits between 60 and 93 minutes throughout the day. Route 279 continues its normal schedule via Killorglin and Castlemaine. For a delicious side dish, consider trying a traditional scalloped potatoes recipe. traditional scalloped potatoes recipe

Frequency changes

Route 284 does not operate on Saturdays, as confirmed by Moovit. If your travel plans fall on a Saturday, Route 40 or Route 279 are your only options. Don’t rely on the 08:00 departure that works on weekdays—you’ll need to use the Route 40 timetable instead.

Service availability

Route 40 operates every day of the year, including public holidays. Sunday service starts later (first departure around 10:30) and runs less frequently than weekdays or Saturdays, so adjust your expectations if you’re traveling on a Sunday morning. Bus Times publishes updated stop-by-stop times that reflect any holiday adjustments.

Tralee to Killarney Bus 284

Weekday-only operation

Route 284 is the direct option—but only on weekdays. According to Moovit, there’s a single daily departure from Tralee at 08:00, with a return trip in the afternoon (16:15 from Tralee, per Bus Times). Saturday and Sunday passengers should ignore Route 284 entirely—it simply doesn’t run.

Via Farranfore

The route goes via Farranfore, which is notable as the nearest town to Kerry Airport. According to Bus Éireann Official, this routing serves passengers who need airport access as well as local commuters in the Farranfore area.

11 stops

Route 284 makes 11 stops between Killarney Bus Station and Tralee Bus Station, per Moovit. The journey takes approximately 60 minutes end-to-end, which is longer than the 40-minute direct segment on Route 40. This trade-off makes sense for passengers prioritizing stops and connections over pure speed.

How to book Tralee to Killarney bus tickets

Online booking

The Bus Éireann website handles online ticket sales for all Expressway routes including the Tralee-Killarney services. You can select your route, date, and time, then pay with a card. Confirmation arrives by email, which serves as your ticket on board.

Station purchase

Tralee Bus Station has a ticket desk staffed during operating hours. Buy your ticket before boarding if you prefer paying in cash or want to ask staff about connection options. Bus stations also display printed timetables for each route, which is useful if you’re planning a trip without smartphone access.

Pay on board

You can pay the driver directly in most cases, but this isn’t guaranteed—especially during peak periods when services run full. Paying on board is convenient for spontaneous trips but carries a small risk of the bus being full. If your travel is time-sensitive, book ahead.

1. Visit the Bus Éireann website or open your transit app (Moovit, Transit App).
2. Select “Tralee to Killarney” as your route.
3. Choose your date and preferred departure time.
4. Pick your ticket type (single, day pass, or weekly pass).
5. Complete payment with a card—confirmation email serves as your boarding ticket.

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Passengers arriving via Bus Éireann routes 40 or 279 often head straight to Killarneys top attractions like Muckross House and Ross Castle.

Frequently asked questions

For travelers who need to move between Tralee and Killarney regularly, Route 40 is the workhorse—it runs daily, hourly, and covers the journey in 40 minutes flat. Route 284 serves weekday commuters via Farranfore but vanishes on weekends, which catches some people off guard. Route 279 fills the gap for passengers who need Killorglin or Castlemaine. The fare sits around €11–16, and booking ahead removes any guesswork during peak seasons. For visitors heading to Killarney, the 35 km corridor offers three distinct route personalities depending on where you need to go—but choosing the wrong route means longer journeys or missed connections.