Laois holidaymakers can now take the train to the plane

Laois holidaymakers now have the option of taking the train to the plane with a new collaboration between Cork Airport, Iarnród Éireann and Bus Éireann.

Passengers travelling from Portlaoise Train Station to Cork Kent Railway Station can now add a bus transfer for €1.55 to Cork Airport when making a booking on the Irish Rail website, using the 225 and 226 bus routes, operated by Bus Éireann.

With support from the National Transport Authority (NTA), the facility was introduced on the Iarnród Éireann website earlier this month. The new business collaboration is aimed at improving public transport connectivity with Ireland’s fastest growing airport.

In welcoming the introduction of the new integrated ticketing facility, Cork Airport’s Managing Director, Niall MacCarthy, said: “Today’s announcement is all about facilitating public transport use for passengers travelling to Cork Airport and offering a seamless, single rail/bus ticket option for a low cost. More and more passengers from Kerry, Limerick, Galway, Tipperary and Laois, amongst other counties, will be able to use Cork Airport by availing of this combined rail/bus travel option. We welcome this development and are also in active dialogue with the National Transport Authority (NTA) for further improvements to public transport services to Cork Airport.”

Jim Meade, Chief Executive of Iarnród Éireann said: “We are delighted to partner with Bus Éireann and Cork Airport on this great initiative. Providing our customers with this seamless add on, makes travel by public transport even easier than ever and I’m sure that thousands of our Intercity & Commuter customers will avail of this great, sustainable option, particularly as we head into the busy summer holiday period.”

Aled Williams, Regional Manager - South at Bus Éireann added: “Bus Éireann, Ireland’s national bus company is delighted to mark the launch of this new integrated ticket to Cork Airport in conjunction with Iarnród Éireann. Community is core to Bus Éireann’s purpose to sustainably connect people and communities to who and what matters to them, helping to make life better. This new integrated ticket will benefit passengers travelling from all over the country to Cork Airport by rail and bus. Our frequent bus services from Kent Station to Cork Airport operate every 30 minutes Monday – Saturday and hourly on a Sunday and public holidays.”