Killarney to Dingle & Slea Head by Coach or Minibus
This is a full day on the Dingle Peninsula from Killarney. The coach drives out through Killorglin and along the south shore of the peninsula past Inch Strand to Dingle town. It then runs the Slea Head loop at the tip of the peninsula and comes home the way it came or through Tralee.
Journey
- Killarney to Dingle & Slea Head
- Approximately Full day
- Serving Killarney
Getting to Dingle from Killarney
From Killarney the coach takes the N72 west to Killorglin, the N70 to Castlemaine and then the R561 along the coast through Inch, whose beach runs for about 6 km, to Annascaul. There it joins the N86 for the last stretch into Dingle. The approach is about 70 km and takes roughly an hour and a quarter before any stops. Inch is the natural first stop: the beach is right beside the road and the views across Dingle Bay open up there.
Running the Slea Head loop
The Slea Head Drive, on the R559, is a loop of about 47 km that starts and ends in Dingle. Visitors are asked to drive it clockwise, leaving Dingle through Ventry first, because large tour buses use it in summer. Part of the cliff road at Slea Head is very narrow and single lane, so expect slow passing and short stops. The loop passes Dunbeg Fort, the beehive huts at Fahan, Coumeenoole, Dunquin and the Blasket Centre, Ballyferriter and Gallarus Oratory. Allow at least half a day for it.
Size of vehicle and the length of the day
With 140 km of approach and return on top of the loop, this is a long day. EU rules also limit total driving per day and force a 45-minute rest partway through, so the start time matters. Tell the operator your group size early. Smaller vehicles have more room on the single-lane cliff road and at the viewpoint lay-bys, and the operator confirms which size suits the loop for your numbers. The Dingle Food Festival in October and summer weekends make Dingle town busy, so plan the lunch stop.
Can the coach go over the Conor Pass?
No. Beyond the summit car park, on the north-east side, nothing heavier than two tonnes is allowed, so a coach or a group minibus uses the main roads. Ask the operator whether a run up to the summit from the Dingle side suits your vehicle.
Can we come back a different way?
Yes. The coach can return on the N86 east to Tralee and then the N22 south to Killarney. It is a little longer than the outward route but gives the group the north side of the peninsula and Tralee Bay.
Is the Slea Head loop worth doing in bad weather?
In low cloud the Blasket view disappears, but the forts, huts and Gallarus are still worth it. The driver judges conditions on the cliff road on the day.
Popular Transfers from Killarney
Coach Tours from Killarney
Plan the Trip
Get a quote
Send the date, the passenger count and any timed entries you already hold. We come back with a fixed price for Killarney to Dingle & Slea Head.