Cork is a city situated in south-west Ireland within the province of Munster. Enclosed by the River Lee on two sides, it connects to the sea via the Cork Harbour. Much like Dublin, Cork has been an important trading centre that has made significant contributions to the country’s economy over a long period of time. On the whole, Cork is a compact city, most of which can be explored and enjoyed to the fullest in just a few days. But that does not mean you’ll find any lack of local attractions here; Cork is a city packed with must-see highlights and a lively, vibrant atmosphere that most holiday-goers will find truly delightful. Here is all you need to know about the most convenient ways to reach Cork.

Cork Airport is situated around 8 km from the city centre and is one of the busiest airports in Ireland. With plenty of domestic and national air carriers, it serves more than 50 destinations with the focus on Britain and the rest of Europe. There are no flights between Cork and Dublin though, and no direct flights between India and Cork either. Travellers from India can reach Cork via connecting flights with one or more stopovers. There are buses and taxis available from the airport to the city centre, which is just about 20 minutes away.

Ireland’s main train service is the Irish Rail, which operates rail services between Cork and Dublin, Tralee, Midleton, Cobh and Mallow. Connecting trains between these cities make Cork accessible from several other spots nearby. Kent Railway Station is the city’s main train station and offers convenient access to the national rail network. It is situated just a 10-minute walk away from the city centre and has buses and taxis regularly available at the station.

Ireland’s inter-city road network makes Cork easily accessible via roadways from several cities and towns nearby. The M7 and M8 motorways connect Cork to Dublin, and the entire journey between the two cities takes just over two and a half hours. From Dublin, the nationwide carrier Bus Eireann runs services every couple hours to the Parnell Place bus station in Cork. Aircoach and GoBus as well. Travellers can contact private bus companies to arrange bus tours from various cities across Ireland to Cork. On the other hand, cars can also be rented by those willing to drive themselves for a more self-guided and interesting trip to Cork.

Cork Harbour is the second-largest harbour in the world. Ferries can be used to travel from mainland Europe to Cork, with Brittany Ferries being the primary service provider and operating daily services between Cork and Roscoff (France) and Cork and Santander (Spain). Ferries can also be taken from Dublin and Rosslare, which offer daily services between Ireland – UK. P&O Ferries, Stenaline and Irish Ferries are the operators available from these ports.

Most of the tourists who visit Cork will find that most places worth visiting, eating or staying in are situated close to the city centre, which allows travelling on foot to be a viable option to get around the city. There are, however, taxis available at all times of the day if you wish to travel a little further. While there are regular bus services in the city as well, guided bus tours depart regularly from the junction of South Mall and Grand Parade and take passengers through all the main highlights of Cork.

Alternatively, you can also choose to simply rent a bicycle from one of the many bike rentals in the city and make use of the well-demarcated cycle lanes to explore Cork.