€2–€3 fares make Route 226 the cheap solo option
From Cork Airport T1, Local Bus Route 226 runs to the city centre in about 20 minutes off‑peak, with traffic sometimes stretching that closer to 30 at rush hour. It’s the budget move if you’re on your own or carrying one small bag and don’t want to pay €20–€25 for a taxi into town.
The stop for Route 226 sits just outside the terminal doors at T1, on the left as you exit, and shares space with other Bus Éireann services. Look specifically for the 226 on the front of the bus; several routes pull up to the same kerb and generic “airport bus” signs can mislead first‑timers.
Route 226 runs between Cork Airport, Cork city centre and Kent Station, with daytime gaps often around 20–30 minutes, then thinning out late evening. Guides quote a 20‑minute journey for the 6.5 km into town, but real‑world reports say add a few minutes in the morning and late‑afternoon peaks, especially on weekdays.
Tickets on 226 usually price in the €2–€3 range using a Leap card and a bit more if you pay cash on board. You buy directly from the driver, so have a small note or coins ready; drivers accept cards on some vehicles, but don’t bank on it if you’ve just landed and your phone or bank app is still waking up.
Most airport‑bound riders get off at Parnell Place Bus Station, which is a central hub for city routes and intercity coaches. Regulars heading for trains add a 10‑minute walk from Parnell Place to Cork Kent Station instead of paying extra for a taxi for that short leg, which keeps the whole airport‑to‑train transfer in single‑digit euros.
If you’re staying near the airport, hotels like the Cork International Hotel sit about 500–700 metres away, a 5–10 minute walk, and some guests use the hotel’s own shuttle or walk over, then catch 226 from a stop on the main road. That move avoids standing in wind and rain at the exposed airport stop on rough days.
For a smoother ride, screenshot the 226 timetable before you leave Wi‑Fi and aim for off‑peak departures; landing between 10:00 and 16:00 usually gives you both a seat and something close to the advertised 20‑minute run into town.