Waterford to Kilkenny by Coach or Minibus
Kilkenny is about 50 km north of Waterford, roughly 50 minutes by coach. It makes a full day out: the castle, the Medieval Mile and St Canice's Cathedral are all within walking distance once the group is off the coach.
Journey
- Waterford to Kilkenny
- Approximately 50 mins
- Serving Waterford
Airports at Kilkenny
- Dublin Airport (DUB)
Why groups travel to Kilkenny
- Kilkenny Castle
- Medieval Mile
- St Canice's Cathedral
The road north
The coach crosses the Suir and takes the M9 north past Mullinavat and Knocktopher, leaving at the Kilkenny junction for the N10 into the city. It is motorway for nearly all the way, with no toll. Leaving Waterford's quays at the morning peak is the main delay, and the last few kilometres into Kilkenny slow down on match days at UPMC Nowlan Park and on summer weekends. Any size of coach suits the road.
Where the coach parks
Kilkenny County Council sets aside coach spaces along Castle Road, on its eastern side, just below the castle. On busy days an overflow coach park opens at Larchfield, and the Abbey Quarter, at the far end of town, has coach spaces too. A set-down by the castle puts the group at the top of the Medieval Mile. The Abbey Quarter end is nearer St Canice's Cathedral and the Smithwick's Experience on Parliament Street.
Planning the day
The Medieval Mile runs from the castle to St Canice's Cathedral, past the Medieval Mile Museum, housed in the old St Mary's Church just off High Street. A walk along it with a few stops takes a morning. The Kilkenny Design Centre is in the castle's former stables. Book group entries for the castle and the Smithwick's Experience in advance, and give the driver a pickup time and place before the group splits up. A school group may prefer to be collected where it was dropped, to keep the head count simple.
Can we add the Rock of Cashel?
Yes. The Rock of Cashel is about 50 minutes from Kilkenny, so a long day can take in both. Tell the operator at booking so the driver's hours and the return to Waterford are planned.
How long does Waterford to Kilkenny take?
About 50 minutes with clear roads. Allow more at the morning peak out of Waterford and on big hurling days in Kilkenny.
Which vehicle should we book?
Choose by headcount: the motorway and the coach parks take a full-size coach. A midi coach is handier if you also plan stops at smaller places such as Jerpoint Abbey.
Popular Transfers from Waterford
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