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

Find Transport to Athlone

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There are 8 ways to get from Cardiff to Athlone by car, car ferry, train, 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. Drive, car ferry

    best
    1. Drive from Cardiff to Liverpoolcar car
    2. Take the car ferry from Liverpool to Isle of Man Douglascarferry car ferry
    3. Take the car ferry from Isle of Man Douglas to Dublin Terminal 1carferry car ferry
    4. Drive from Dublin Terminal 1 to Athlonecar car
    11h 40m
    €102–453

  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 18m
    €44–240

  3. Train, ferry

    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 / ...
    12h 2m
    €138–243

  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
    €153–346

  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 40m
    €57–192

  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 46m
    €97–235

  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 23m
    €108–301

  8. Train, train to Exeter, fly to Dublin Airport

    1. Take the train from Cardiff Central to Bristol Temple Meadstrain train
    2. Take the train from Bristol Temple Meads to Exeter St Davidstrain train
    3. Fly from Exeter (EXT) to Dublin Airport (DUB)plane plane EXT - DUB
    4. Take the train from Dublin Heuston to Athlonetrain train
    9h 33m
    €130–364

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

Calendar26Weekly Services
Duration12h 2mAverage Duration
Ticket€138Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Cardiff to Athlone.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 674.3 km
  • Duration: 11h 40m

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

There is no direct connection from Cardiff to Athlone. However, you can drive to Liverpool, take the car ferry to Isle of Man Douglas, take the car ferry to Dublin Terminal 1, then drive to Athlone. Alternatively, you can take a train from Cardiff Central to Athlone via Holyhead, Holyhead Ferry, Dublin Ferryport B+I, The Point, Heuston, and Dublin Heuston in around 12h 2m.

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Want to know more about travelling around Ireland

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