How to travel from Letterkenny to Carlingford, Ireland

The distance between Letterkenny and Carlingford is around 161km (100 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to drive which takes around 2h 10m.

3 routes found

We've found 3 different ways to get from Letterkenny to Carlingford by bus, train and car. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.

👋 Also check out CarlingfordLetterkenny if you're planning a return trip.

💰 Cheapest
1
bus
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bus
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Bus

Take the bus to Monaghan Bus Station stop 155921 and then to The Long Walk stop 105091.

  • Duration3h 20m
  • Departs5 times a week
  • Typical cost
    €17($17)
Operated by

Bus Eireann

2
train
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train
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Train

Take the train to Belfast Lanyon Place and then to Dundalk.

  • Duration4h 35m
  • Departsevery 3 hours
  • Typical cost
    €84($84)
Operated by

Multiple train operators

🚀 Fastest
3
car
+

Drive

Drive to Carlingford.

  • Duration2h 10m
  • Distance161km (100 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Letterkenny and Carlingford

There are several options for getting from Letterkenny to Carlingford by bus, train and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around €17 ($17) and will take around 3h 20m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can drive and arrive in approximately 2h 10m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately €32 ($32).

The distance between Letterkenny and Carlingford is around 161km (100 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 142km (88 miles)

It takes around 3h 20m to get from Letterkenny and Carlingford by bus. If you are travelling by car it will take around 2h 10m to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Letterkenny to Carlingford is to drive which takes around 2h 10m and will set you back approx €32 ($32).

The cheapest way to travel between Letterkenny and Carlingford, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around €17 ($17) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Letterkenny and Carlingford. It typically takes around 4h 35m and departs every 3 hours.

There are no direct train services that runs from Letterkenny to Carlingford. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Ulsterbus Depot stop 158131, Londonderry, Belfast Lanyon Place and Dundalk. These services run every 3 hours and will take a minimum of 4h 35m.

Translink UK and Irish Rail run train services between Letterkenny and Carlingford. Trains depart every 3 hours and will take around 4h 35m, however, this may vary depending on the particular service and whether it runs express or stops all stations.

Bus travel

Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Letterkenny and Carlingford. It typically takes around 3h 20m and departs 5 times a week.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Letterkenny to Carlingford. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Monaghan Bus Station stop 155921, The Long Walk stop 105091 and Dundalk. These services run 5 times a week and will take a minimum of 3h 20m.

Bus Eireann run regular bus services between Letterkenny and Carlingford. Buses run 5 times a week and take around 3h 20m on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Letterkenny to Carlingford. We recommend that you take the bus to Monaghan Bus Station stop 155921 and then to The Long Walk stop 105091. instead which will take 3h 20m.

The closest major airport to Carlingford is Dublin Airport (DUB) (DUB) which is approximately 68km (42 miles) from Carlingford. Ireland West Airport Knock (NOC) (NOC) and Donegal Airport (CFN) (CFN) are also nearby and might be a better alternative airport depending on where you are flying from.

Drive yourself

Yes it is possible to drive from Letterkenny and Carlingford. The distance is around 161km (100 miles) by road and it will take around 2h 10m in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Letterkenny to Carlingford is to take the bus which takes, on average, 3h 20m and will usually cost around €17 ($17).

How do I get from Letterkenny to Carlingford

Compare travel optionsbetween Letterkenny and Carlingford

Transport options from Letterkenny to Carlingford
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Bus
3h 20m
€17($17)
5 times a week186km (116 miles)
Train
4h 35m
€84($84)
every 3 hours302km (188 miles)
Drive
2h 10m
€32($32)
on demand161km (100 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Letterkenny and Carlingford

Train operators

Bus companies

Airports near Carlingford

The following major airports near Carlingford offer regular flights to various popular destinations within Ireland and internationally.

DUB
Dublin Airport (DUB)
International Airport
Distance
68km (42 miles) from Carlingford
NOC
Ireland West Airport Knock (NOC)
Domestic Airport
Distance
172km (107 miles) from Carlingford
CFN
Donegal Airport (CFN)
Domestic Airport
Distance
178km (111 miles) from Carlingford