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Explore the stunning 179-kilometer Iveragh Peninsula with a Ring of Kerry tour departing directly from Killarney. Choose from standard coach day trips, small-group excursions to the Skellig Ring, or private drives to set your own pace along the coast.
Free Cancellation Drive the Ring of Kerry mountain road past Skellig Michael and through Killarney National Park’s biosphere.
Free Cancellation This coach tour circles the 179-km Iveragh Peninsula, stopping at Dingle Bay, Waterville, and Killarney National Park.
Free Cancellation This private car tour visits the 1,000-foot Kerry Cliffs and backroads inaccessible to large tour buses.
Free Cancellation This 179km loop circles the Iveragh Peninsula, passing stone forts, peat bogs, and Atlantic cliffs.
Free Cancellation This 112-mile loop through southwest Ireland links Killorglin, Cahersiveen, and Kenmare back to Killarney.
Free Cancellation This private day-long tour circles the 180km Ring of Kerry through coastal roads and mountain passes.
Free Cancellation Circle the 179 km Iveragh Peninsula by small-group van to see the Skellig Islands and coastal fishing villages.
Free Cancellation This 180 km loop from Killarney includes the Skellig Ring coastal detour, mountain viewpoints, and the Bog Village.
Read what travelers share about their experience visiting Ring of Kerry — from practical tips to personal highlights.
The Ring of Kerry is a 179-kilometre circuit around the Iveragh Peninsula in southwestern Ireland. Tours departing from Killarney spend six to eight hours navigating narrow coastal roads squeezed between the Atlantic Ocean and the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks mountains. You will spend a lot of time on a bus, but the route covers steep glacial valleys, peat bogs, and sheer ocean drops.
The route skirts 10,000 hectares of oak woodland and lakes. Coaches pull over at Ladies View for a clear shot of the valley. You pass through this area on the way out or back to Killarney.
The road hugs Dingle and Kenmare bays. At the Kerry Cliffs near Portmagee, a 500-metre uphill walk leads to unfenced drops facing the Atlantic. Winds here are often strong enough to close the site.
Jagged rock formations sit 12 kilometres offshore. Most bus tours view them from the mainland. Landing on the 6th-century monastic site requires a separate boat trip between May and September.
Drystone structures like Staigue Fort date to the Iron Age. Walls reach five metres high without mortar. You walk on uneven ground to reach the interior.
Moll's Gap cuts through the mountains with sharp drops. Tour coaches take these tight bends slowly. Sit on the left side of the bus for the best valley views.
A narrow coastal road branches off the main N70. Standard 50-seater buses cannot fit here. Book a small-van tour to reach St Finian's Bay and Valentia Island.
Booking a Ring of Kerry tour comes down to vehicle size and direction. The narrow roads dictate exactly where you can go and how long the day takes.
Standard 50-seater coaches stick to the main 179-kilometre loop. Minibuses carrying 16 to 37 passengers can access the Skellig Ring detour and narrow cliff roads. Book the smaller van.
Tour buses travel anticlockwise via Killorglin because the roads are too tight for coaches to pass each other. Private tours drive clockwise to avoid getting stuck behind the bus convoys.
Base tour tickets cover transport and a guide. Entrance to specific stops like the Kerry Cliffs (€5) or Kerry Bog Village (€7) requires separate cash payments on the day.
Ring of Kerry bus tours do not include Skellig Michael island landings. You have to book those separately with licensed boat operators months in advance for dates between May and September.
Small-group tours restrict baggage to 14 kilograms per person. You can bring a small day bag on board and put one suitcase in the hold.
The Iveragh Peninsula gets heavy rain and wind year-round. Outdoor stops like the Kerry Cliffs close early during storms, and drivers will alter itineraries for safety.
The main drive works well for visitors with limited mobility, as you see much of the landscape from the window. Stops at forts and cliffs involve uneven, uphill walking without wheelchair rentals on site.
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| Standard Coach Tour | Small-Group Minibus | Private Car Tour | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Type | 50-seater bus | 16-37 passenger van | Passenger vehicle |
| Route Access | Main N70 loop only | Includes Skellig Ring detour | Custom route (driven clockwise) |
| Duration | 6.5 hours | 7.5 - 8 hours | 7 - 8 hours |
| Price from | $47 | $78 | $360 |
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The Ring of Kerry road network is open 24 hours a day, year-round. Killarney National Park has 24-hour pedestrian access, but specific attractions operate on set schedules.
Muckross House opens daily at 9:15 am. Closing times vary by season: 5:30 pm from January to March and November to December, 6:00 pm from April to June and September to October, and 7:00 pm in July and August. Last admission is always 1 hour and 20 minutes before closing.
The Kerry Cliffs are open daily from 9:30 am to 6:30 pm, with last entry at 6:00 pm. This site closes early or entirely during high winds or heavy rain. Skellig Michael landing tours run once daily, departing between 8:00 am and 11:00 am, only from May 9 to September 30.
Killarney is the traditional starting point for the Ring of Kerry. Most bus tours depart from Main Street or Beech Road in the town centre around 10:00 am.
If you are travelling from Cork, the drive takes roughly 1.5 hours along the N22 national road. From Dublin, Irish Rail operates direct services to Killarney with a change at Mallow, taking about 3 to 3.5 hours. Tickets typically cost €30 to €60 one-way.
Kerry Airport near Farranfore handles flights from Dublin and London. It is a 20-minute drive or taxi ride to Killarney town centre.
May, June, and September offer the best conditions. You get long daylight hours, relatively settled weather, and lighter traffic on the narrow coastal roads.
July and August have the warmest temperatures but the heaviest congestion. Tour buses and rental cars frequently back up on the tightest bends. Finding parking at popular stops like Ladies View or Muckross House becomes difficult after 10:00 am.
November through February brings frequent rain, high winds, and very short daylight hours. Many seasonal attractions, including Skellig Michael boat tours, close entirely outside the May to September window.
Accessibility varies heavily across the route. You can view much of the scenery from a vehicle, making the driving portion manageable for less mobile travellers.
In Killarney National Park, Muckross House gardens are paved and wheelchair-friendly. Jaunting cars (horse-drawn carriages) provide an alternative to walking the park trails.
Coastal and historic stops are difficult. The Kerry Cliffs require a 500-metre walk on a slight incline over uneven ground. There are no wheelchair rentals on site. Skellig Michael is entirely inaccessible for those with mobility issues, requiring a climb up 618 uneven, unprotected stone steps.
Killarney town has a full range of restaurants, shops, and accommodations. Once on the route, facilities are concentrated in the nine towns and villages you pass through.
Tour buses typically schedule comfort stops at the Kerry Bog Village or in Sneem. Lunch stops usually happen in Waterville or Cahersiveen, where you will find pubs and cafes.
Bring cash. While large restaurants take cards, smaller stops like the Kerry Bog Village (€7) and the Kells Sheepdog Demonstration (€8) operate on a cash-only basis.
Ireland drives on the left. If you rent a car, the informal rule is to drive the Ring clockwise (starting toward Kenmare). Tour coaches travel anticlockwise. Driving clockwise keeps you from getting stuck behind slow-moving buses.
Drone flights are banned at all Office of Public Works (OPW) heritage sites, which includes national monuments along the Ring, unless you have advance written permission.
In Killarney National Park, camping and open fires are strictly prohibited. Rangers enforce high fire-risk notices during dry spells to protect the ancient yew woodlands. Dogs must remain on a lead at all times to protect the native red deer herd.
Most guided bus tours from Killarney take between 6.5 and 8 hours. The route covers 179 kilometres, but the narrow, winding roads keep driving speeds low.
Large tour coaches travel anticlockwise via Killorglin. Private car tours and self-drivers usually go clockwise to avoid getting stuck behind the bus convoys.
Usually not. Your ticket covers the bus and guide, but stops like the Kerry Cliffs (€5) or Kerry Bog Village (€7) require separate cash payments on arrival.
No. Bus tours only view the islands from the mainland. Landing on Skellig Michael requires booking a separate boat tour that runs only from May to September.
Yes for the driving portion, but many stops are difficult. Places like the Kerry Cliffs require walking over uneven ground, and there are no wheelchairs to rent on site.
It is a narrow coastal detour off the main N70 road that offers views of the Skellig Islands. Standard 50-seater buses cannot fit on it, so you need a small-van tour to go there.
Tours leave from central Killarney, usually from offices on Main Street or Beech Road. Check-in is typically at 10:00 am.
No. The drivers schedule comfort stops in villages like Sneem and at the Kerry Bog Village along the route.
Yes. While you can buy lunch with a card, smaller attractions like the sheepdog demonstrations and rural cafes often only accept cash.
Bring waterproof layers and sturdy shoes. The coastal viewpoints are exposed to high winds and sudden rain, and the ground at the historic forts is uneven.
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The Ring of Kerry runs along the Iveragh Peninsula in Ireland's southwest corner. This 179-km loop follows narrow roads squeezed between the Atlantic and the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks mountains. Jagged cliffs and steep hillsides dominate the view, with sheep often grazing right at the asphalt's edge. Drive it clockwise. Most tour buses are forced to go counter-clockwise, so you won't spend the whole day stuck behind a tailpipe. Skellig Michael is a pyramid of rock eight miles offshore where 6th-century monks built a stone monastery. It's a UNESCO World Heritage site, but boat trips from Portmagee only run from May to September and cancel quickly if the sea gets choppy. On the inland side of the loop, Killarney National Park covers 10,000 hectares of oak woods and lakes. Park at the Muckross House lot and walk the path to Torc Waterfall early in the morning before the crowds arrive from the hotels.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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The coach circles the 179-km Iveragh Peninsula, starting with views over Dingle Bay and the sands of Glenbeigh. You'll pass through Caherciveen and the coastal village of Waterville before hitting the Atlantic views at Derrynane Bay. It's a long day on a bus. Most of the route follows the N70, winding through Sneem before climbing toward the inland peaks. Molls Gap and Ladies View provide the highest vantage points over the Lakes of Killarney within the 10,000-hectare National Park. These are the spots where the road gets narrow and the tour buses dominate the traffic. If you want the best view of the road ahead, pay the local surcharge for front-row priority seats. They're wider and offer more legroom, which helps on the six-hour circuit. Optional stops at the Bog Village or the seasonal sheepdog trials cost extra and aren't included in the base ticket. Skip the Bog Village if you're short on cash; the scenery is the real draw here. The tour departs from Killarney. Park your car at the Beech Road lot—it's a two-minute walk to the loading zone and easier than hunting for street spots.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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This private tour covers the Ring of Kerry in a passenger vehicle, allowing access to narrow coastal lanes that 50-seater buses can’t navigate. You’ll set the pace. If a particular viewpoint looks better than a planned stop, the driver pulls over. It's a customized route led by an experienced guide. The Kerry Cliffs are the highlight, rising 1,000 feet above the Atlantic—taller than the Cliffs of Moher. From the edge, you can see the jagged peaks of the Skellig Islands on a clear day. The wind up there is often brutal, so bring a jacket even if it’s sunny in town. Skip the crowded bus-stop cafes and ask the guide for a quiet spot in Portmagee instead.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English
The 179-kilometer Ring of Kerry loop follows the edge of the Iveragh Peninsula through Killarney National Park. You'll pass through the village of Sneem and climb the mountain pass at Moll’s Gap, which overlooks the Killarney lakes. The route transitions from green pastures to brown peat bogs and jagged Atlantic cliffs. It's a lot of sitting, so wear comfortable clothes. Glaciers from the last Ice Age carved the U-shaped valleys and grey rock formations along the road. You can walk through circular stone forts built over a thousand years ago. At the coast, the road runs past the white sand at Derrynane and the steep drops of the Kerry Cliffs. If it's raining hard, the mountain views disappear behind low clouds. Most tour coaches travel anti-clockwise to manage the narrowest stretches of road. Rental car drivers should consider the clockwise route to avoid trailing behind a line of buses all morning. It makes the hairpins easier to manage.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English
The Ring of Kerry is a 112-mile circular drive through the Iveragh Peninsula in southwest Ireland. You'll track the coastline through Killorglin, Cahersiveen, and Kenmare before finishing back in Killarney. Most drivers go clockwise to stay ahead of the tour buses on the narrowest bends. It's a slow trip. Budget at least seven hours to account for the tight turns and sheep traffic near Moll's Gap. The Skellig Islands sit eight miles offshore and are visible from the cliffs near Portmagee on clear days. If the mist rolls in, you won't see much beyond the dashboard. Take the Skellig Ring detour for the steepest views of the Atlantic. It's too narrow for buses, so it's quieter. Park at the top of Coomakista for the best look at Derrynane Beach.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English
This tour starts and ends in Killarney, looping the Iveragh Peninsula on the N70. You'll spend about seven hours in the vehicle navigating coastal turns and mountain roads. It's a lot of sitting. Go clockwise to stay ahead of the tour buses that always travel counter-clockwise. Stops include 6th-century stone forts and the 300-meter drop at the Kerry Cliffs. You'll see the Skellig Islands from the Coomanaspic Pass and pass through the oak woods of Killarney National Park. If the weather turns, the mountain views at Moll’s Gap disappear completely. Check the forecast and bring a waterproof jacket even if it's sunny at breakfast.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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This 1-day small-group tour departs Killarney to follow the N70 road around the Ring of Kerry. You’ll stop in villages like Sneem and Waterville — where Charlie Chaplin used to holiday — on the 179 km loop. The smaller van stops at viewpoints like Moll’s Gap and Ladies View that larger coaches often bypass. On clear days, the Skellig Islands are visible from the cliffs near Portmagee. It's a lot of sitting. Expect narrow, winding roads that can be jarring if you're prone to motion sickness — sit near the driver if that's a concern. Most groups stop for lunch in a local pub; budget roughly €20 for a meal and a drink. Bring a raincoat. The weather on the Atlantic coast changes within minutes. Sit on the left side of the van for the best views of the water. It's the most practical way to see the coast without driving the hairpins yourself.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English
This 180 km circuit circles the Iveragh Peninsula in a 37-passenger coach. These smaller vehicles can navigate the Skellig Ring, a narrow coastal detour that standard 50-seater buses usually skip. You'll see the jagged Skellig Islands from the cliffs at St. Finian’s Bay and stop for samples at Skellig Chocolates. It’s a long day on the road. The morning begins at the thatch-roofed cottages of the Kerry Bog Village. After a one-hour lunch break in Waterville, the route climbs to the Coomakishta Viewpoint and passes through Sneem. The final stop is Ladies View, which overlooks the Killarney lakes from the mountain road. You'll be back in Killarney by 5 pm. If the Atlantic weather turns, those coastal views can vanish into the mist—bring a jacket regardless of the morning forecast.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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