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How to get fromCardiff to Athloneby train, ferry, car, car ferry, bus, or plane

Find Transport to Athlone

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There are 7 ways to get from Cardiff to Athlone by train, ferry, car, car ferry, bus, or plane

Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.

  1. Train, ferry

    best
    1. Take the train from Cardiff Central to Holyheadtrain train
    2. Take the ferry from Holyhead Ferry to Dublin Ferryport B+Iferry ferry 0
    3. Take the train from Dublin Heuston to Athlonetrain train Ic / ...
    11h 37m
    €135–216

  2. Fly Cardiff Airport to Dublin Airport, train

    cheapest
    1. Fly from Cardiff Airport (CWL) to Dublin Airport (DUB)plane plane CWL - DUB
    2. Take the train from Dublin Heuston to Athlonetrain train
    7h 8m
    €44–248

  3. Drive, car ferry

    1. Drive from Cardiff to Liverpoolcar car
    2. Take the carferry from Liverpool to Isle of Man Douglascarferry car ferry
    3. Take the carferry from Isle of Man Douglas to Dublin Terminal 1carferry car ferry
    4. Drive from Dublin Terminal 1 to Athlonecar car
    11h 39m
    €104–456

  4. Train, ferry, bus

    1. Take the train from Cardiff Central to Holyheadtrain train
    2. Take the ferry from Holyhead to Dublin Ferryport B+Iferry ferry
    3. Take the bus from Heuston Station to Arcadiabus bus 763
    12h 52m
    €183–389

  5. Train to Bristol Airport, fly to Dublin Airport, train

    1. Take the train from Cardiff Central to Bristol Temple Meadstrain train
    2. Fly from Bristol Airport (BRS) to Dublin Airport (DUB)plane plane BRS - DUB
    3. Take the train from Dublin Heuston to Athlonetrain train
    7h 14m
    €51–197

  6. Train to Bristol Airport, fly to Belfast International Airport, train

    1. Take the train from Cardiff Central to Bristol Temple Meadstrain train
    2. Fly from Bristol Airport (BRS) to Belfast International Airport (BFS)plane plane BRS - BFS
    3. Take the train from Belfast Grand Central to Dublin Connollytrain train
    4. Take the train from Dublin Heuston to Athlonetrain train
    9h 40m
    €90–234

  7. Fly Cardiff Airport to George Best Belfast City Airport, train

    1. Fly from Cardiff Airport (CWL) to George Best Belfast City Airport (BHD)plane plane CWL - BHD
    2. Take the train from Belfast Grand Central to Dublin Connollytrain train
    3. Take the train from Dublin Heuston to Athlonetrain train
    9h 38m
    €97–283

Cardiff to Athlone by train, ferry, foot, and tram

Calendar50Weekly Services
Duration11h 37mAverage Duration
Ticket€135Cheapest Price
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Comparing Your Travel Options

Map of how to get from Cardiff to Athlone.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 612.7 km
  • Duration: 11h 37m

What companies run services between Cardiff, Wales and Athlone, Ireland?

There is no direct connection from Cardiff to Athlone. However, you can take the train to Holyhead, walk to Holyhead Ferry, take the ferry to Dublin Ferryport B+I, walk to The Point, take the vehicle to Heuston, walk to Dublin Heuston, then take the train to Athlone. Alternatively, you can take a vehicle from Cardiff to Athlone via Liverpool, Isle of Man Douglas, and Dublin Terminal 1 in around 11h 39m.

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Want to know more about travelling around Ireland

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