About All ToursFrom Killarney ToursFrom Cork ToursPrivate ToursDriving Audio Tours Directions Hours & Fees Guides
Find Tours 
This 179-kilometre route loops around the Iveragh Peninsula in County Kerry, traditionally starting and ending in Killarney. Most travelers pick up a rental car in Killarney or Cork to drive the circuit clockwise.
Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland
Renting a car in Killarney gives you total control over the 179-kilometer circuit. Expect about three and a half hours of pure driving time, but you'll need five to eight hours to actually stop and see things. Head clockwise on the N71 toward Kenmare first. Tour buses drive the loop anticlockwise via Killorglin. The N70 and N71 coastal roads are tight, with blind bends and occasional steep drop-offs. Driving against the bus flow keeps you from getting stuck behind them all day.
Dozens of operators run daily eight-hour circuits from Killarney. Companies like Vagabond, Driftwood, and Railtours Ireland leave town around 9:00 to 9:30 in the morning. These buses travel anticlockwise, heading through Killorglin first, simply because the roads are too narrow for two coaches to pass each other. You get a designated driver who navigates the cliff edges while you look out the window. Just know you give up control over where and how long you stop.
Irish Rail runs from Dublin Heuston down to Killarney in about three to three and a half hours. You have to change trains once at Mallow. Killarney sits right at the start of the Ring, making this the easiest public transit approach from the capital. Once you arrive at Killarney station, you can walk straight to the local car rental desks or join a departing coach tour like Railtours Ireland. Book tickets in advance to secure the lower end of the fare range.
Cork is the closest major city to the Iveragh Peninsula. Pick up a rental car at Cork Airport or in the city center and take the N22 national road west. The drive covers roughly 90 kilometers and takes an hour and a half to two hours. There are no tolls on this stretch. You'll arrive directly in Killarney, ready to start the loop. It is a straightforward drive that cuts out the much longer cross-country transit from Dublin.
Kerry Airport (KIR) sits near Farranfore, just a 20-minute drive from Killarney. Flights from Dublin or London take about an hour. It is the fastest geographical jump to the Ring if you are coming from outside southwestern Ireland. From the terminal, you can rent a car or take a short taxi ride into Killarney to pick up a coach tour. Flight schedules vary heavily by season, so check connections carefully before building an itinerary around this route.
The 179-kilometre route lacks a central lot, so drivers park at individual sites like Muckross House or the Kerry Cliffs. Summer spaces at popular stops like Ladies View fill fast. Accessibility is mixed: Muckross gardens offer paved paths, while the Kerry Cliffs car park leaves a 500-metre uphill walk.
Swipe to see more
| From | Mode | Time | Cost | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cork | Car | 1.5-2 hours | Varies by rental; no road tolls | Pick up a rental at Cork Airport or the city centre and drive the N22 straight to Killarney. |
| Dublin Heuston Station | Train | 3-3.5 hours | €30-€60 one-way | Irish Rail services require a change at Mallow. Onward coach tours depart directly from Killarney station. |
| Kerry Airport (KIR) | Car / Transfer | 20 minutes | Varies by season | Flights arrive from Dublin and London. The airport sits near Farranfore, a quick transfer from the route's traditional start. |
| Killarney (Self-drive) | Car | 5-8 hours | €40-€80 per day plus fuel | Head clockwise toward Kenmare first. You'll avoid getting stuck behind the anticlockwise tour bus convoys. |
| Killarney (Guided) | Coach Tour | Approx. 8 hours | $75-$100+ per adult | Operators like Vagabond and Driftwood travel anticlockwise via Killorglin because the coastal roads are too tight for buses to pass. |
Tour buses travel the narrow coastal roads anticlockwise by informal agreement. Point your rental car toward Kenmare first to drive the loop clockwise. You'll avoid getting stuck behind slow-moving convoys and reduce head-on encounters on blind bends.
Tour coaches begin leaving Killarney around 9:00 am. Hit the road before they do to get ahead of the pack. You'll have a much easier time finding parking at popular pull-offs like Ladies View.
Boats that actually land on Skellig Michael run only from 9 May to 30 September and cap daily visitor numbers. Book directly with a licensed operator weeks in advance. Rough seas frequently cancel these crossings, so build a flexible buffer into your itinerary.
Viewpoints like the Kerry Cliffs close early or entirely during high winds, even within their standard 9:30 am to 6:30 pm window. Check the official opening-update page before driving out. Pack waterproof layers and sturdy boots for the 500-metre uphill walk from the car park.
The main 179-kilometre loop takes about 3.5 hours of pure driving, but budgeting two days changes the trip completely. Use the extra time to detour off the N70 onto the Skellig Ring. This side route accesses the Kerry Cliffs and Valentia Island, which the massive tour buses skip.
Drive clockwise, starting toward Kenmare on the N71. Tour buses travel anticlockwise via Killorglin because the coastal roads are too narrow for two coaches to pass. Going clockwise keeps you from getting stuck behind them.
The 179-kilometre loop takes about 3.5 hours of pure driving time. Most visitors budget five to eight hours to allow for photo stops and lunch. You can easily stretch it to two days if you add Killarney National Park and the Skellig Ring detour.
Kerry Airport (KIR) sits near Farranfore, just a 20-minute drive from Killarney. You can catch flights here from Dublin and London. Cork Airport is the next closest option, about a 90-kilometre drive away via the N22.
Yes, Irish Rail runs direct services from Dublin Heuston to Killarney with a single change at Mallow. The trip takes roughly three to three and a half hours, with one-way fares typically costing €30 to €60. Once at Killarney station, you can rent a car or join a coach tour.
Leave before 9:30 am. Tour coaches start departing Killarney around that time, and parking lots at popular spots like Ladies View and Kerry Cliffs fill up fast in July and August. Getting an early start secures a spot and keeps you ahead of the heavy traffic.
Coach tours depart daily from Killarney and Cork, typically charging $75 to $100 per adult for an eight-hour circuit. All tour buses travel anticlockwise through Killorglin first. This informal convention prevents large vehicles from meeting head-on along tight blind bends.
Take the N22 national road straight from Cork to Killarney. The 90-kilometre drive takes about an hour and a half to two hours, with no tolls along the way. You can pick up rental cars directly at Cork Airport or in the city centre.
Browse verified tours with free cancellation and instant confirmation.
Find Tours