Dublin is the main flight gateway to Ireland, but the best airport for your trip depends on where you will spend your first and last nights. Shannon suits Clare and the west, Cork suits the south, Kerry puts you close to Killarney, and Belfast City is convenient for a Belfast city break.
This guide compares nine airports with scheduled passenger services across the island: six in the Republic of Ireland and three in Northern Ireland. It is a travel shortlist, not a claim that Ireland has only nine airports. Smaller airfields and island services have their own roles.
| Airport | IATA code | Jurisdiction | Useful for | Arrival transport to consider |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dublin | DUB | Republic of Ireland | Dublin, Wicklow, east coast, wider flight choice | Bus, coach, taxi or car hire; no airport railway station |
| Cork | ORK | Republic of Ireland | Cork city, West Cork, southern routes | Bus to Cork, taxi or car hire |
| Shannon | SNN | Republic of Ireland | Clare, Limerick, Cliffs of Moher, west coast | Bus, taxi or car hire |
| Ireland West (Knock) | NOC | Republic of Ireland | Mayo, Sligo, northwest routes | Check onward buses or arrange car hire/taxi |
| Kerry | KIR | Republic of Ireland | Killarney, Tralee, Ring of Kerry | Car, taxi or bus; Farranfore station requires a separate transfer |
| Donegal | CFN | Republic of Ireland | Western Donegal and its Atlantic coast | Arrange your onward transfer before arrival |
| Belfast International | BFS | Northern Ireland, UK | Belfast, Antrim, Northern Ireland road trips | Airport bus, taxi or car hire |
| George Best Belfast City | BHD | Northern Ireland, UK | Belfast city breaks | Airport Express 600, taxi, or a walk to Sydenham rail halt |
| City of Derry | LDY | Northern Ireland, UK | Derry/Londonderry, northwest, nearby Donegal | Check bus connections or book a taxi/car |
The regions above are itinerary recommendations based on location. A suitable direct flight and a workable ground transfer matter more than the airport’s size. Compare the whole journey rather than choosing the cheapest fare and leaving the awkward bit for later.
Dublin Airport is the Republic’s main international gateway. It is a strong starting point for Dublin, Wicklow and eastern Ireland, and often gives overseas travellers more flight options than a regional airport.
Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 belong to the same airport. Check your airline’s terminal before departure. Our guide to Dublin Airport’s two terminals clears up a surprisingly persistent source of confusion.
There is no railway station at the airport. Use the airport’s transport guide to compare buses, coaches, taxis and car hire. For a Dublin-only stay, collecting a rental car on arrival usually adds parking work you could happily avoid.
Cork Airport works well for Cork city, Kinsale and West Cork. It can also suit a longer southwest route extending into Kerry, particularly when your first nights are in the south.
Check the airport’s current destination list for a flight that fits your dates. A Cork city break can work with buses and taxis; a route through rural West Cork needs more careful transport planning. The airport is outside the city, so account for that final transfer.
Shannon Airport is a practical arrival point for County Clare, Limerick and the Cliffs of Moher. It can save a cross-country drive when your trip starts on the Atlantic side of the island.
Shannon also has transatlantic services, although individual routes and operating seasons need checking with the airline. For a trip combining Clare with Galway and Connemara, it is worth comparing Shannon with Dublin before fixing your route.
Use the airport’s bus information for current connections. Our Connemara and Cliffs of Moher itinerary can help shape the sightseeing portion of a west-coast trip.
Ireland West Airport, commonly called Knock, is in County Mayo. It is useful for Mayo, Sligo and surrounding western counties when a suitable flight brings you closer to your first stop.
Budget for the airport’s separate development fee. As checked on 13 October 2026, the airport charges €10 to departing passengers aged 12 or over, payable before security. Check the linked policy again before travel.
Plan your onward journey as carefully as the flight. A rural hotel and a late arrival may call for a booked transfer or rental car rather than an improvised bus connection.
Kerry Airport is at Farranfore, between Tralee and Killarney. It is particularly convenient when your holiday stays in Kerry, with less arrival-day driving than a journey from Dublin.
Farranfore railway station is a separate location, not an airport terminal stop. Work out the transfer and train times before relying on rail with luggage. A car is helpful for independent touring of rural peninsulas; organised excursions can suit a Killarney-based stay.
If courses are the reason for your trip, our guide to golfing in Ireland helps put the airport decision in the context of the places you want to play.
Donegal Airport is at Carrickfinn on Donegal’s western coast. It can be useful for a holiday around western Donegal, but should not be treated as a large international hub or the airport for every part of the county.
Check the current flight schedule and arrange your onward transport. For eastern Donegal, compare City of Derry as well. County boundaries do not always make the best travel decisions.
Belfast International Airport is outside Belfast, near Aldergrove. It can suit Belfast, County Antrim and a wider Northern Ireland itinerary, including the Causeway Coast.
For a city stay, compare its ground transport options with those from Belfast City. For a rural route, check rental-car collection hours and the time needed to reach your first overnight stop.
George Best Belfast City Airport is closer to central Belfast than Belfast International. That makes it a useful option for a short city break when its flight schedule suits you.
The airport’s public transport guide lists Airport Express 600 to Belfast Grand Central Station and rail access via Sydenham. The rail halt involves a walk and a footbridge; it is not inside the terminal. Check accessibility before choosing that route with mobility needs or heavy luggage.
City of Derry Airport is near Eglinton, outside Derry/Londonderry. It can suit a trip focused on Derry, northwest Northern Ireland or nearby Donegal.
Its smaller flight network makes matching dates important. Check the airport’s current travel information and arrange the connection to your accommodation, especially if you arrive outside normal daytime bus hours.
Northern Ireland is part of the UK. Flying into Belfast or Derry and continuing to the Republic, or doing the reverse, brings two sets of entry requirements into your planning.
Check the UK visa and ETA checker for your nationality and circumstances. A land-border crossing does not remove UK entry requirements. ETA exemptions include British and Irish citizens and certain legal residents of Ireland travelling from within the Common Travel Area. Check Irish entry requirements separately for the Republic.
If hiring a car, get the company’s permission, insurance terms and any cross-border fee in writing. Also check whether a one-way return to another airport is allowed. An open-jaw itinerary, arriving at one airport and leaving from another, can reduce backtracking, but the rental price needs to be part of the comparison.
Our guide to the 32 counties of Ireland can help narrow down the region. Ireland looks compact on a map. That does not make a distant airport a neighbour of your hotel.
Shannon is a practical choice for the Cliffs of Moher and County Clare. Compare flight availability and your wider route before booking.
Kerry Airport at Farranfore is the closest of the airports in this guide. Cork and Shannon can also suit a longer southwest itinerary.
No. Belfast City uses the code BHD; Belfast International uses BFS. They have separate terminals, routes and ground transfers, so check the code on your booking.
Dublin, Belfast and Cork city stays can work without one. Rural touring needs closer planning of buses, excursions or car hire. Decide from your itinerary rather than assuming every visit requires a rental car.
Matt Hook is a Canadian writer of Scottish and Irish heritage. He built his writing career creating detailed gaming guides, turning complex mechanics, history and lore into useful information for readers. Matt brings that same research-focused approach to Ireland Wide, where he writes about Irish travel, heritage, history and culture. He also holds CMA and CPA designations as a professional accountant, giving him a strong background in research, accuracy and attention to detail.
At Ireland Wide, our aim is to bring authentically Irish insights to you, wherever you are.
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