Train Dublin to Kilkenny: A Day Trip Guide

The train is the simplest way to reach Kilkenny without a car, and a full day there needs one early start. This guide covers the station, the times, the castle and what to do once you arrive.

Step 1: Take the Dublin to Kilkenny train from Heuston

Trains to Kilkenny leave from Dublin Heuston and stop at Kilkenny MacDonagh station. Irish Rail's timetables page lists the Waterford line, and the Dublin Heuston to Waterford timetable it links to was valid from 14 December 2025. On it, 11 trains run a day from Monday to Saturday and the first leaves at 07:20. About 5 run on Sunday. The journey takes between 1 hour 27 and 1 hour 52 minutes, and most trains take about 1 hour 30. Visit Kilkenny also describes the city as about 90 minutes from Dublin. No official page gives a kilometre distance from central Dublin to Kilkenny, only 134 km by the M9 from Dublin Airport, and the train time is the figure to plan with.

The first train gets you to Kilkenny before the castle opens. The timetable page does not show the last train home, so check it in the Journey Planner before you go. Irish Rail also says a revised autumn timetable is coming, so look up your date.

The price of a Dublin to Kilkenny train ticket is not published as text on any official page, so this guide does not state one, and you can only see it for your date in the Journey Planner. Irish Rail's fares page does not list one for this route and sends you to its route fares and Journey Planner. It does say to book online in advance for the lowest web fares. A car costs more in time and money in the city, so see parking in Dublin if you are weighing it up. Heuston has its own parking, but this guide does not state prices because none were confirmed.

Pro Tip Book the 07:20 train online ahead of time, because Irish Rail says its lowest web fares are for advance bookings.

Step 2: Plan your day around Kilkenny Castle

Kilkenny Castle is open daily from 09:30 to 17:00 from October to March, with the last entry at 16:30. In April to September it opens at 09:15 and closes at 17:30, according to Heritage Ireland's castle page. Self-guided entry costs €8 for an adult, €6 for a senior or group, €4 for a child or student and €20 for a family. A guided summer option costs €12 for an adult.

Buy your ticket from the official page, because the castle warns that tickets from other sites, including resale platforms, are not valid. Plan about two hours inside the castle and the grounds, which is a guess rather than an official time.

The castle will be closed from 13:00 on Monday 2 November 2026 until 09:30 on Thursday 5 November 2026 for filming. The parkland stays open. If you travel on those days, spend the time in the park and the town instead.

The castle's page does not say how far it is from the station. Look up the walk in the Transport for Ireland Journey Planner that the castle links to, or ask at the station.

Key Takeaway Catch the 07:20 from Heuston, reach the castle for 09:30 and avoid 2 to 5 November 2026, when it is closed for filming.

A day trip is better with a fixed start and a flexible end.

Step 3: Walk the old town and add one stop

Kilkenny is small and easy to walk, so you can do it on your own. A guided walk is worth the money if you want the history explained, and a tour is not needed if you only want to see the castle. The Kilkenny walking tour lasts 2 hours, is run by Ormonde Tours Limited and takes groups of up to 15 people. The price is from €15 per person, rated 4.9 from 232 reviews, with free cancellation. You meet at the Kilkenny Crystal Shop on Rose Inn Street. Entrance tickets to attractions are not included, and it is not suitable for people with low fitness.

For a shorter stop, the Smithwick's Beer Experience lasts 1 hour and is run by Smithwicks Experience Kilkenny. The price is from €23 per person, rated 4.6 from 251 reviews, with free cancellation. That includes a pint of Smithwick's or a soft drink. It starts at 44 Parliament Street.

Here is how the day can run.

Kilkenny is a small place, so it suits one day and not two. If you want a busy list of big sights, central Dublin offers more. You can also look at other day trips from Dublin.

Step 4: Compare the train with a coach tour

A coach tour is easier to organise, but it gives you far less time in Kilkenny. Two GetYourGuide day tours include the town. Both meet in central Dublin and neither includes hotel pickup. The Kilkenny stop is only one part of a longer day that also visits Wicklow and Glendalough.

The Wicklow, Glendalough and Kilkenny coach day lasts 9 hours and is run by Collins Day Tours. Tickets are from €45 per person, rated 4.8 from 9,644 reviews, with free cancellation. Meet at the Hotel Riu Plaza The Gresham on O'Connell Street. Castle entry and lunch are not included. The Kilkenny, Wicklow and Glendalough tour with a sheepdog show lasts 10.5 hours and is run by Finn McCools Tours. Tickets are from €38 per person, rated 4.8 from 4,069 reviews, with free cancellation. Meeting point is the Hugh Lane gallery on Parnell Square, and castle entry is not included.

Neither tour is suitable for people with mobility impairments. Choose the train if Kilkenny is your goal. Choose a coach if you want Glendalough as well and do not mind a long day. To see the coach options in one place, read about the Kilkenny Castle day trip.

In Things to Do in Dublin's count of GetYourGuide listings on 25 October 2026, 7 listings mention Kilkenny in their title, from €15 to €759.25 per person.

Prices and ratings as shown on GetYourGuide on 25 October 2026.