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Explore the 179-kilometer Ring of Kerry with tours departing from Killarney, Cork, Limerick, and Dublin. Choose from classic coach circuits, private drives, or small-group trips that access the rugged Skellig Ring and Kerry Cliffs.
Free Cancellation This Ring of Kerry drive covers stone forts, peat bogs, and mountain passes across the Iveragh Peninsula.
Free Cancellation Drive the 179-km Ring of Kerry through Killarney National Park to reach the Atlantic cliffs and Skellig Michael.
Free Cancellation This 180 km bus circuit includes the Skellig Ring, a coastal stretch too narrow for standard large coaches.
Free Cancellation Circle the MacGillycuddy Reeks and the shores of Dingle and Kenmare Bays with a local guide.
Free Cancellation Circle the Iveragh Peninsula by coach to see Dingle Bay, Waterville, and the peaks of Killarney National Park.
Free Cancellation Visit the Ring of Kerry, Dingle Bay, and the Lakes of Killarney on a full-day bus trip from Dublin.
Free Cancellation Visit the 1,000-foot Kerry Cliffs on a private tour that reaches coastal spots inaccessible to large buses.
Free Cancellation Modern mid-sized buses run the only daily small-group tours from Killarney to the Kerry Cliffs.
Free Cancellation This 179-kilometer loop around the Iveragh Peninsula passes Iron Age stone forts, glacial valleys, and Atlantic cliffs.
Free Cancellation This 179km loop around the Iveragh Peninsula passes Iron Age stone forts, glacial valleys, peat bogs, and Atlantic cliffs.
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 continuous road circuit around the Iveragh Peninsula in southwestern Ireland. The route strings together Atlantic sea cliffs, peat bogs, Iron Age stone forts, and the glacial lakes of Killarney National Park. You spend most of the day navigating narrow coastal passes and mountain roads.
Ireland's first national park covers 10,000 hectares of oak woodland, yew forests, and lakes. Most tours stop at Ladies View for a clear sightline across the valley toward the MacGillycuddy's Reeks.
These sheer rock faces drop 1,000 feet straight into the Atlantic Ocean near Portmagee. Standard 50-seater coaches cannot reach them, so you need a smaller bus tour or a car to access the 500-metre uphill path to the edge.
A 6th-century monastic settlement built from drystone beehive huts sits 12 kilometres offshore. Reaching it requires a separate boat tour and a steep climb up 618 uneven, unprotected stone steps.
This Iron Age ring fort near Sneem features circular walls over five metres high and four metres thick. The entire structure was built without mortar.
Ireland's highest mountain range dominates the inland skyline of the peninsula. The peaks include Carrauntoohil, which tops out at 1,038 metres.
A 700-square-kilometre zone along the peninsula holds Gold Tier status for its lack of light pollution. It is the only reserve of its kind in the northern hemisphere.
Most guided tours depart from Killarney between 9:00 and 10:15 AM. You spend at least six hours on the road, with longer 11- to 15-hour options starting from Cork, Limerick, or Dublin.
Standard 50-seater coaches stick to the main N70 road. If you want to see the Kerry Cliffs or Valentia Island, book a tour using a mid-sized 39-passenger bus. The roads on the Skellig Ring detour are too narrow for full-sized buses.
Tour coaches travel the circuit anticlockwise, starting through Killorglin. The roads are too tight for two buses to pass head-on. If you rent a car and drive yourself, go clockwise via Kenmare to avoid getting stuck behind the convoys.
The driving route is a public road and free to access. However, specific stops charge admission that is rarely included in your tour ticket. Expect to pay €5 cash for the Kerry Cliffs and €9 for the Muckross House interior.
Bus tours of the Ring of Kerry do not include the Skellig Michael landing. That requires booking a dedicated boat trip directly with a licensed operator months in advance. The boats only run from May 9 to September 30 and cost roughly €130-€145.
High winds and heavy rain frequently alter itineraries. The Kerry Cliffs close early or entirely during storms for visitor safety. Skellig boat crossings are regularly cancelled due to rough seas.
Most coach operators enforce a strict ban on hot drinks and food on board. Tours schedule a 50-minute lunch stop and brief comfort breaks at places like the Bog Village or Sneem.
You do not have to stay in Killarney to see the route. Operators run 11-hour day trips from Cork and Limerick. You can also book a 15.5-hour rail and coach package departing Dublin Heuston at 7:00 AM.
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| Standard Coach Tour | Small-Group Coastal Tour | Regional Day Tour | Rail & Coach Tour | Private Driving Tour | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 6-6.5 hours | 7.5 hours | 11 hours | 15.5 hours | Flexible (Full day) |
| Transport Type | 50-seater bus | 39-passenger bus | Coach | Train + Coach | Private Car/Van |
| Starting Point | Killarney | Killarney | Cork or Limerick | Dublin Heuston | Killarney |
| Price from | $47 | $58 | $65 | $191 | $360 |
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The Ring of Kerry is a public road network open 24 hours a day, year-round. You can drive it at any time, though daylight dictates what you actually see.
Attractions along the route keep specific hours. Muckross House opens daily at 9:15 AM. Closing times shift by season: 5:30 PM from January to March and November to December, 6:00 PM in spring and autumn, and 7:00 PM in July and August. The Kerry Cliffs open daily from 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM, with the last entrance at 6:00 PM, weather permitting.
Skellig Michael landing tours operate on a strict seasonal schedule. Boats depart once daily between 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM, and the season only runs from May 9 to September 30.
Killarney is the traditional start and end point for the circuit. If you fly, Kerry Airport (KIR) is a 20-minute drive from the town centre. From Cork, the drive to Killarney takes about 1.5 to 2 hours covering 90 kilometres along the N22.
Irish Rail runs direct services from Dublin Heuston to Killarney with a single change at Mallow. The train takes roughly 3 to 3.5 hours and costs between €30 and €60 one-way. Several tour operators coordinate their coach departures directly with the morning train arrivals.
Most bus tours depart from Killarney's Main Street or Arthur's Quay Park in Limerick between 8:00 AM and 10:15 AM. Check-in is usually required 15 to 30 minutes prior to departure.
May, June, and September are the most practical months to visit. You get long daylight hours and relatively settled weather. The roads are also quieter, with fewer rental cars competing for space with the tour coaches.
July and August bring the warmest temperatures but the heaviest traffic. Parking lots at Ladies View and Muckross House fill up fast, and the narrow coastal roads frequently clog with buses. If you self-drive in summer, start before 9:00 AM.
November through February is a slog. Daylight is short, frequent storms wash out visibility, and seasonal attractions close entirely. Winter winds regularly force the Kerry Cliffs to shut down early.
Accessibility is mixed across the route. Killarney National Park offers paved, wheelchair-friendly paths around the Muckross House gardens. You can also hire horse-drawn jaunting cars to see the park without walking.
The coastal stops are difficult. The Kerry Cliffs require a 500-metre uphill walk over uneven ground from the car park. There are no wheelchair rentals on-site; you must bring your own equipment. Staigue Fort also involves uneven, grassy terrain.
Skellig Michael is entirely inaccessible for those with limited mobility. Visitors must climb 618 steep, uneven stone steps with no handrails. Standard tour coaches lack wheelchair ramps, though the trains from Dublin accommodate wheelchairs easily.
Killarney town provides the highest concentration of restaurants, petrol stations, and public restrooms. Once on the route, facilities are scattered. Most tour buses stop at the Kerry Bog Village or Sneem for designated comfort breaks.
The Kerry Cliffs site has basic restrooms near the entrance. Do not expect extensive dining options at the remote coastal viewpoints. Tour drivers usually recommend a specific pub or cafe during the 50-minute lunch stop.
You cannot eat hot food or drink hot beverages on the majority of the tour coaches. Pack bottled water and dry snacks.
A standard coach tour from Killarney takes between 6 and 7.5 hours. If you book a day trip departing from Cork or Limerick, expect an 11-hour day. The rail and coach combo from Dublin takes about 15.5 hours round-trip.
Usually not. The tour price covers your transportation and guide. You pay separately for specific attractions, such as €5 cash for the Kerry Cliffs or €9 for the Muckross House interior.
Tour coaches drive anticlockwise, starting toward Killorglin. They do this because the coastal roads are too narrow for two buses to pass each other safely. Self-drive visitors are advised to go clockwise to avoid getting stuck behind them.
No. Bus tours stay on the mainland. Landing on Skellig Michael requires booking a dedicated boat tour directly with an operator, which costs €130-€145 and only runs from May to September.
Standard 50-seater coaches cannot fit on the narrow roads of the Skellig Ring detour where the cliffs are located. To see the Kerry Cliffs, you need to book a tour that uses a smaller 39-passenger bus.
Yes. The drivers schedule regular comfort stops at places like the Kerry Bog Village, Sneem, and the viewing point at the Kerry Cliffs. You will also have a 50-minute lunch break.
Most operators strictly prohibit hot food and hot drinks on the coach for safety and cleanliness. Bottled water is fine, and you can eat during the designated stops.
Bring a raincoat and wear sturdy, waterproof footwear. The coastal stops like the Kerry Cliffs are highly exposed to Atlantic winds and rain, and the paths are often uneven or muddy.
Yes, standard coach tours are suitable for children, though infants require a lap or a specialized seat depending on the operator. However, Skellig Michael landing tours have a strict minimum age of 14.
Yes, several operators run year-round. But daylight hours are short from November to February, and bad weather frequently forces coastal viewpoints like the Kerry Cliffs to close early.
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The Ring of Kerry is a 179-kilometer loop around the Iveragh Peninsula. It crosses through peat bogs, mountain ranges, and Atlantic beaches. You'll see stone forts and landscapes shaped by the last Ice Age. The roads are tight. Paddywagon Tours started running this route in 1998. The drive includes stops at small villages and the lakes of Killarney. Don't trust the morning sun. Coastal weather changes in minutes, so bring a waterproof layer even if the sky is clear at the start. Sit on the left side of the bus for the best views of the ocean cliffs.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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The 179-km Ring of Kerry circles the Iveragh Peninsula in southwest Ireland. Most drivers start in Killarney and head clockwise to avoid getting stuck behind tour buses on the narrow mountain passes. You'll see the 1,000-meter peaks of MacGillycuddy's Reeks on one side and the Atlantic breakers on the other. It's a long day. Expect to spend at least seven hours in the car if you stop for photos at Moll’s Gap or Comakista. Skellig Michael sits 12 km offshore, a jagged pyramid of rock where monks built a monastery in the 6th century. If the Atlantic swells are too high, boats won't sail—check the weather at Portmagee before you pay for parking. On land, the route cuts through Killarney National Park’s 26,000 acres of oak woods and lakes. The park is a UNESCO Biosphere, but the main road gets choked with traffic in July and August. Rent a bike in Killarney if you want to see the Muckross House gardens without the exhaust fumes.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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This 180 km circuit uses a 39-passenger luxury bus to reach the Skellig Ring, a coastal detour inaccessible to standard 50-seater coaches. You'll see the jagged Skellig Islands from the edge of the Wild Atlantic Way. Most tours stay on the main N70 road. Book this if you want to see the cliffs instead of just the inland pastures. Drivers tell local history and the occasional joke. It’s a long day of sitting, so wear comfortable clothes. The bus only stops in Killorglin by prior request — if you don't call ahead, the driver will skip the town entirely.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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The route follows the perimeter of the MacGillycuddy Reeks, Ireland's highest mountain range. You'll track the coastline of Dingle Bay and Kenmare Bay through narrow inland passes and glacial valleys. Expect tight bends and steep drops. It's a long day on the road. Bring a raincoat, even if the morning starts clear. A stop at the Kells Sheep Dog Show costs an extra €8 in cash to watch the border collies work. The demonstration happens on a working farm where dogs herd sheep across steep, rocky terrain. The drivers are locals. They grew up here and point out landmarks the big tour buses miss. Sit on the right side of the bus for the best views of the Atlantic.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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This coach tour circles the Iveragh Peninsula via the Ring of Kerry. You'll track the coastline of Dingle Bay through Glenbeigh and Caherciveen, stopping at Waterville and Derrynane Bay for views of the Atlantic. The route then passes through Sneem before climbing the mountains to Molls Gap and Ladies View, which looks out over the three lakes of Killarney National Park. It's a lot of sitting. Sit on the right side of the bus for the best coastal views on the way out. Optional stops include the Bog Village, a Famine Village, and seasonal sheepdog trials, though these require a separate ticket at the entrance. Priority front-row seats with extra width cost a local fee and are first-come, first-served. If you're driving, park at the Beech Road car park in Killarney. The walk to the pick-up point takes two minutes. Skip the Bog Village if you've seen similar folk parks; the sheepdog show is the better add-on.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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This bus trip covers the 179-mile route from Dublin to the Ring of Kerry and back in a single day. You'll spend roughly seven hours on the road to reach the Iveragh Peninsula, where the drive loops past the Atlantic cliffs of Dingle Bay and the Killarney National Park. It's a lot of sitting. Most operators depart Dublin by 7:00 AM to ensure enough daylight for the coastal sections. The route stops at the Lakes of Killarney and the village of Sneem. You'll see the stone bridges and jagged coastline of the southwest, though clouds often obscure the higher peaks like Carrauntoohil. Pack a heavy sweater and a waterproof shell. Even when Dublin is dry, the Kerry coast usually isn't. If you want to hike rather than watch through glass, book a multi-day tour instead.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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The Kerry Cliffs stand 1,000 feet above the Atlantic, higher than the Cliffs of Moher. This private tour reaches them using roads too narrow for standard tour buses. You'll see the Skellig Islands from the cliff edge on clear days. That's the view to get. You pick the stops on this 179-kilometer circuit. Spend more time at the Staigue stone fort or take a longer lunch in Portmagee. An experienced guide handles the driving while you watch the sheep and stone walls. Most groups finish the loop in seven hours. Heavy fog often blocks the view of the coast—check the morning forecast before you leave Killarney.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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These modern, mid-sized buses run the only daily small-group tours from Killarney to the Kerry Cliffs. Smaller transport lets the driver pull into narrow coastal tracks that 50-seater coaches must bypass. It’s a tighter fit, but you’ll see more of the Atlantic edge. That’s the one to book for the views. Local drivers run the route and know the specific gaps in the hedges where the best views are. They grew up on these roads. Expect to stop at spots along the Skellig Coast that aren't on the standard tourist map. If the Atlantic mist rolls in, they’ll know which side of the peninsula stays clearest. Check the fog report before you leave Killarney.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English
The Ring of Kerry is a 179-kilometer circuit around the Iveragh Peninsula. Most travelers start in Killarney, heading past peat bogs and sheep pastures toward the Atlantic coast. You'll see Iron Age stone forts and deep valleys carved by the Ice Age. The roads are narrow. If you're driving yourself, go counter-clockwise to avoid a standoff with a tour bus on a one-lane bridge. The route follows the coastline where steep cliffs meet yellow sand beaches. You'll pass through fishing villages and climb over mountain passes that look out over the inland lakes. Rain is common, often turning the views into a gray mist. Pack a shell and expect the full loop to take roughly seven hours. It's the standard Irish road trip.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English
The Ring of Kerry covers 179 kilometers of the Iveragh Peninsula, starting and ending in Killarney. Lakes surround the town at the start of the loop. The 18th-century Muckross House and the Staigue stone fort sit along the route. This fort is a dry-stone structure over 2,000 years old. The road crosses Moll’s Gap. From here, the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks mountains are visible. It's a long drive. Expect roughly seven hours if you stop for lunch and photos. Glacial valleys and peat bogs define the interior. On the coast, 200-meter cliffs meet the white sands of Derrynane Beach. You'll pass through towns like Sneem and Waterville. Tour buses always drive counter-clockwise. Rent a car and go clockwise to avoid getting stuck behind them on the narrowest stretches. Bring a rain jacket even if the sky is clear at breakfast.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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