City Link Cork to Dublin – Timetable Fares and Route Guide

Irish Citylink provides regular express bus services connecting Cork with Dublin, covering a 219-kilometre route that serves both Dublin City and Dublin Airport. The Route 707 operation offers multiple daily departures from early morning through late evening, with journey times typically ranging from under three hours to just over four hours depending on traffic conditions and specific service selected.

Travellers can choose from several booking platforms to secure tickets starting from approximately €23, with amenities including Wi-Fi, reclining seats, and on-board toilets included. The service operates from Cork’s Lower Glanmire Road area, though current road conditions in Dublin have led to temporary adjustments to city centre drop-off points.

This guide covers the essential details for planning a Citylink journey between Ireland’s two largest cities, from scheduling and pricing through to alternative transport options worth considering.

Citylink Bus Schedule Cork to Dublin

The Citylink 707 service operates with frequent daily departures from Cork, with the first buses leaving in the early hours around 00:25 and the final service departing at 23:30. According to timetables that have remained valid since June 2023, morning departures include services at 08:20 and 09:20, continuing throughout the day with regular intervals between connections.

• Up to 83 buses daily cross the Cork-Dublin corridor across all operators, with Citylink providing approximately 7 services per day
• Express service runs from Cork Lower Glanmire Road near Leisureplex directly to Dublin Airport Zone 10, Stop 2
• City centre services currently divert to Heuston Station Bus Stop 4413 due to O’Connell Street congestion, with passengers advised to use Luas for further city access
• No service operates on Christmas Day, with schedules varying on weekends and public holidays
• Advance booking typically secures lower fares compared to on-day purchases
• Friday and Sunday see additional services including afternoon and evening options such as 13:30, 17:00, 19:30, 21:30, and 23:00
• Full timetables are available through citylink.ie/timetables/707, including return services from Dublin

Citylink Cork to Dublin Duration and Route

The 707 route spans 219 kilometres between Cork and Dublin, with the fastest express services completing the journey in approximately two hours and fifty minutes under optimal traffic conditions. Most services complete the trip within three to four hours, though journey times can extend to just over four hours during periods of heavy road traffic, particularly as the bus approaches the Dublin metropolitan area.

Express and Limited-Stop Service

Citylink operates as an express service with limited intermediate stops along the route. The primary departure point in Cork is Lower Glanmire Road, situated near the Leisureplex leisure facility. From there, buses make their way north through the midlands before arriving at Dublin destinations.

Passengers have two main destination options: services terminating at Dublin City require a change for those needing to reach central areas, while airport-direct services continue to Dublin Airport Zone 10, Stop 2. The current operational arrangement means all city-bound services terminate at Heuston Station rather than the usual Bachelors Walk or Crampton Quay stops.

Getting to City Centre from Heuston

Travellers arriving at Heuston Station who need to reach Dublin’s city centre can connect via the Luas tram system, with the station serving as an interchange point for the Green Line. This connection adds modest travel time but maintains reasonable access to central areas including O’Connell Street, Trinity College, and the shopping districts.

Citylink Cork to Dublin Prices and Booking

Fares for the Citylink Cork to Dublin service start at approximately €23 when booked in advance, with average prices hovering around €25 depending on the booking platform and travel date selected. Prices vary according to time of day, day of the week, and how far in advance the ticket is purchased, with on-day purchases typically commanding higher rates.

Included Amenities

All Citylink buses on this route come equipped with several passenger comfort features. Complimentary Wi-Fi allows travellers to stay connected throughout the journey, while reclining seats provide opportunity for rest on the longer portions of the route. On-board toilets ensure comfort on journeys that can exceed three hours in duration.

Luggage and Cancellation Policies

Standard luggage allowances apply to Citylink services, though specific restrictions should be confirmed with the booking provider as policies may vary between platforms. Cancellation flexibility exists up to 15 minutes before departure when booking through certain platforms such as Busbud, though terms differ across vendors.

Daily Schedule Timeline

The Citylink timetable provides structured departure options throughout the day, organised into distinct time windows that accommodate different traveller preferences and schedules.

1. Early Morning (00:25) — Late-night service for passengers arriving from other connections or requiring very early Dublin arrivals
2. Morning Peak (08:20, 09:20) — Regular business and leisure departure options
3. Midday (Multiple services) — Regular interval departures throughout the afternoon
4. Afternoon Additions (13:30) — Additional Friday and Sunday services
5. Evening Services (17:00, 19:30, 21:30) — Peak leisure travel period options
6. Late Evening (22:20, 23:00, 23:30) — Final departures accommodating late-night travellers

For comprehensive scheduling details including return journey times from Dublin, travellers should consult the official Citylink timetable resource. The timetables effective since June 2023 have remained listed as valid on official sources into 2025-2026.

What Information Is Confirmed Versus Variable

Understanding which aspects of the Citylink service are fixed versus those that may change helps travellers plan more effectively and set appropriate expectations for their journey.

Alternatives to the Citylink Cork-Dublin Route

Several transport options exist for travellers making the journey between Cork and Dublin, each presenting distinct advantages in terms of speed, cost, and convenience. Comparing these alternatives helps passengers select the option best suited to their specific requirements.

AirCoach Service

AirCoach Route 704X operates up to 36 daily services between Cork and Dublin Airport or Dublin City, providing a high-frequency alternative to Citylink. The service calls at Cork Lower Glanmire Road, matching Citylink’s departure point, and maintains validity through December 2026 according to current scheduling.

Irish Rail Train Services

Irish Rail operates intercity train services between Cork and Dublin Heuston Station, with the fastest journeys completing in approximately two hours and 32 minutes. This represents a meaningfully shorter travel time compared to bus services, though fares average around €25, placing it in a similar price bracket. Full schedules and advance purchase options are available through irishrail.ie.

Dublin Coach

Dublin Coach provides an additional four daily services on the Cork-Dublin corridor, offering further flexibility for travellers whose timing requirements do not align with Citylink or AirCoach departures. For those interested in broader transport planning within Ireland, the S6 Bus Route Dublin – Timetable, Stops, Map & Live Tracker provides information on Dublin’s urban bus network, while the Road Tax Calculator Ireland – Official 2025 Rates Guide covers vehicle-related costs for those considering private transport options, and you can find Man City vs Exeter City lineups for more details on this specific service.

For those interested in broader transport planning within Ireland, the S6 Bus Route Dublin – Timetable, Stops, Map & Live Tracker provides information on Dublin’s urban bus network, while the Road Tax Calculator Ireland – Official 2025 Rates Guide covers vehicle-related costs for those considering private transport options.

Sources and Official Information

This guide draws on several authoritative sources regarding the Citylink Cork to Dublin service, with primary information sourced from official operator materials and transport aggregators.

The timetables effective from June 2023 remain listed as valid on official sources into 2025-2026, though current Dublin congestion diverts city stops to Heuston Station.

— Citylink official timetable documentation

Official booking and timetable access is available through citylink.ie/timetables, where current operational notices regarding the Dublin city centre diversion are published. Additional verification can be obtained through transport information portals including Transport for Ireland and the Government transport portal.

Summary

Irish Citylink’s Route 707 provides a reliable express bus connection between Cork and Dublin, covering 219 kilometres with fares starting from approximately €23. The service operates multiple daily departures from early morning through late night, with journey times typically ranging from under three hours to just over four hours depending on traffic conditions.

Current operational arrangements see city centre services diverting to Heuston Station, with airport buses continuing to Dublin Airport Zone 10, Stop 2. Booking in advance through citylink.ie or approved aggregator platforms secures the best available fares, with Wi-Fi and comfortable seating included on all services. Alternative transport options including AirCoach, Irish Rail trains, and Dublin Coach provide additional flexibility for travellers comparing time and cost preferences.

Frequently Asked Questions