Rome2Rio

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

Find Transport to Athlone

See all options

There are 8 ways to get from Cardiff to Athlone by train, ferry, bus, car, car ferry, 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
    2. Take the ferry from Holyhead Ferry to Dublin Ferryport B+Iferry0
    3. Take the train from Dublin Heuston to AthlonetrainIc / ...
    11h 50m
    €157–242

  2. Fly Cardiff Airport to Dublin Airport, train

    cheapest
    1. Fly from Cardiff Airport (CWL) to Dublin Airport (DUB)planeCWL - DUB
    2. Take the train from Dublin Heuston to Athlonetrain
    6h 48m
    €55–292

  3. Bus, ferry

    1. Take the bus from Sophia Gardens to Upper Park Roadbus112
    2. Take the ferry from Pembroke Dock to Rosslare Harbourferry
    3. Take the bus from Rosslare Europort to Waterford Bus Stationbus40 / ...
    4. Take the bus from Waterford Bus Station to Athlone Stationbus73
    16h 37m
    €78–117

  4. Drive, car ferry

    1. Drive from Cardiff to Holyheadcar
    2. Take the car ferry from Holyhead to Dublin Terminal 1carferry
    3. Drive from Dublin Terminal 1 to Athlonecar
    9h 1m
    €114–161

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

    1. Take the train from Cardiff Central to Bristol Temple Meadstrain
    2. Fly from Bristol Airport (BRS) to Dublin Airport (DUB)planeBRS - DUB
    3. Take the train from Dublin Heuston to Athlonetrain
    7h 7m
    €74–223

  6. Train to Birmingham Airport, fly to Dublin Airport, train

    1. Take the train from Cardiff Central to Birmingham New Streettrain
    2. Fly from Birmingham Airport (BHX) to Dublin Airport (DUB)planeBHX - DUB
    3. Take the train from Dublin Heuston to Athlonetrain
    8h 14m
    €83–262

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

    1. Take the train from Cardiff Central to Bristol Temple Meadstrain
    2. Fly from Bristol Airport (BRS) to Belfast International Airport (BFS)planeBRS - BFS
    3. Take the train from Great Victoria Street to Dublin Connollytrain
    4. Take the train from Dublin Heuston to Athlonetrain
    9h 57m
    €95–238

  8. Train to Bristol Airport, fly to George Best Belfast City Airport, train

    1. Take the train from Cardiff Central to Bristol Temple Meadstrain
    2. Fly from Bristol Airport (BRS) to George Best Belfast City Airport (BHD)planeBRS - BHD
    3. Take the train from Great Victoria Street to Dublin Connollytrain
    4. Take the train from Dublin Heuston to Athlonetrain
    9h 38m
    €110–286

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

Calendar26Weekly Services
Duration11h 50mAverage Duration
Ticket€157Cheapest Price
See schedules

Questions & Answers

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 bus from Sophia Gardens to Athlone Station via Upper Park Road, Pembroke Dock station, Pembroke Dock, Rosslare Harbour, Rosslare Europort, and Waterford Bus Station in around 16h 37m.

Transport is disrupted due to the Russia-Ukraine war. Read more

Airlines
Train operators
Bus operators
Ferry operators

Want to know more about travelling around Ireland

Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.

Related travel guides

Where to next?

Trips from Cardiff

Trips to Athlone

Popular routes