Arklow is conveniently connected to the rest of Ireland by Motorway, Rail and Bus services and is positioned halfway between Dublin and Rosslare, on the East Coast of Ireland. It takes about one hour by car or 90 minutes by bus or rail to reach Arklow from either location, and there are regular daily public transport services to choose from -
Ferry:
Arklow is served by the Rosslare to Dublin Connolly service which operates several times each day in both directions. The Arklow Train Station is located a 5-minute walk from the town centre, at St Mary’s Road. Check Irish Rail (https://www.irishrail.ie) for up-to-date fare information and timetables.
There is a wheelchair ramp available at the station, however no wheelchair accessible toilets, and there is free Wi-Fi on board the train.
Bicycles that are folded and covered can be carried on services. Bicycles are not permitted on Commuter services before 09:30hrs and between the hours of 16:00hrs and 19:00hrs Monday to Friday. Customers can travel with bikes all day Saturday and Sunday.
Air:
The closest airport to Arklow at 90km away is Dublin International Airport, which serves over 190 destinations in the UK, European and Internationally with direct flights, and more again if connecting through. Terminal 1 is the main terminal and accepts arrivals from mainly the UK and Europe, while most long-haul flights arrive at Terminal 2. From the airport you can reach Arklow by bus, taxi or by hire car.
Irish Airlines: Aer Lingus (www.aerlingus.com) & Ryanair (www.ryanair.com)
Hire Car Companies: There are many hire companies to choose from – view them all here https://www.dublinairport.com/to-from-the-airport/car-rental
Bus: There are two bus companies serving Arklow from Dublin Airport with a journey time of about 90 minutes. We recommend you check up to date timetables and fares online and book your seat in advance where possible in case demand outstrips availability. See below for more detail on reaching Arklow by Bus.
Bus:
To/ From Dublin / Wexford / Waterford -
There are two bus operators serving the route from Dublin Airport-Dublin City-Arklow-Wexford. Journey time is 90 minutes Airport to Arklow, 60 minutes Dublin City to Arklow and 70 minutes Wexford to Arklow. You can reach Arklow from Waterford with a change in Wexford Town, using either Bus Eireann or Wexford Bus. Journey time depends on the wait time in Wexford for the next service.
Bus Eireann (www.buseireann.ie) operates the Route 2. Services are almost hourly between 6am and Midnight. The bus travels right through town and there are stops at Templerainey, Ferrybank, Main Street and on the Wexford Road.
Bus Éireann intercity services will carry a normal bike for a fee and covered folding ones for free. Bicycles, along with prams or buggies, will be carried only if there is space available and these items must be placed in the luggage compartment.
Alternatively, Wexford Bus (www.wexfordbus.com) Route 740 serves the outskirts of Arklow town (near the Rugby Club) on an almost hourly basis from 2.40am to 8.30pm. Wexford Bus does not go through Arklow Town but uses a stop 2km outside so bear this in mind if using this service. There is a €10 charge to bring your bicycle on Wexford Bus which can be carried when the driver deems that there is sufficient space in the luggage compartment.
To / From Carlow -
LocalLink is a subsidised bus service operating Route 800 between Carlow Town and Arklow.
It runs 4 times daily Monday to Saturday and twice on Sundays. The service departs Carlow IT before stopping at Carlow Train Station and then continuing via Tinahely and Aughrim on to Arklow where there are drop off points on the Wexford Road and Arklow Train Station. The total journey time from Carlow to Arklow is 2 hours.
Train:
Arklow is served by the Rosslare to Dublin Connolly service which operates several times each day in both directions. The Arklow Train Station is located a 5-minute walk from the town centre, at St Mary’s Road. Check Irish Rail (https://www.irishrail.ie) for up-to-date fare information and timetables.
There is a wheelchair ramp available at the station, however no wheelchair accessible toilets, and there is free Wi-Fi on board the train.
Bicycles that are folded and covered can be carried on services. Bicycles are not permitted on Commuter services before 09:30hrs and between the hours of 16:00hrs and 19:00hrs Monday to Friday. Customers can travel with bikes all day Saturday and Sunday.
