Bus Hire in Tralee

Tralee is the county town of Kerry and the administrative capital of Ireland's most scenic county. The town is best known internationally as the home of the Rose of Tralee International Festival (held in late August each year since 1959), one of the largest festival events in Ireland, drawing visitors and festival delegates from Irish diaspora communities worldwide. Kerry Airport (KIR) is 17 kilometres north-east via the N21 (approximately 20 minutes by coach); the airport serves year-round Ryanair routes from London Stansted and Frankfurt, with seasonal additions.

Tralee is the natural base for the Dingle Peninsula (Camp village is 18 kilometres west via the N86, Dingle town is 50 kilometres west via the N86 and the Conor Pass or via Castlemaine), the Blennerville windmill (4 kilometres south-west, the largest working windmill in Ireland), and the Tralee Bay Wetlands nature reserve. The Siamsa Tire National Folk Theatre, adjacent to the Tralee town park, stages traditional Irish dance and music performances throughout the summer season.

Kerry Airport Transfers (KIR)

Kerry Airport (KIR, IATA code KIR) is 17 kilometres north-east of Tralee via the N21 at Farranfore, approximately 20 to 25 minutes by coach. The airport has a single terminal and handles Ryanair routes from London Stansted and Frankfurt Hahn, with seasonal services from Bristol and Liverpool. For groups arriving into Kerry to visit Tralee, Killarney, and the Ring of Kerry, KIR is the most convenient entry point. The airport car park has coach bays adjacent to the arrivals exit. Cork Airport (ORK, 97 kilometres east via the N21/N22) is the next nearest option with a wider range of international routes.

Dingle Peninsula Day Trips

The Dingle Peninsula (reaching 50 kilometres west of Tralee to the Blasket Sound) is one of the most scenic drives in Ireland. The main route from Tralee follows the N86 through Camp village (18 kilometres), Annascaul (39 kilometres), and Dingle town (50 kilometres). Beyond Dingle, the Slea Head Drive (R559, approximately 48 kilometres circuit) visits the Blasket Island viewpoint, the Dunbeg Iron Age promontory fort, Fahan beehive huts (clochans), and Coumeenoole beach. Full-size coaches can complete the N86 route to Dingle without difficulty; the Slea Head Drive is narrow in places and is better suited to midi-coaches. The Conor Pass (620 metres above sea level, 8 kilometres east of Dingle) is one of the highest mountain roads in Ireland and is closed in ice or heavy snow; the Castlemaine route via Inch Strand is the all-weather alternative.

Rose of Tralee Festival and Siamsa Tire

The Rose of Tralee International Festival takes place over five days in late August (typically the last full week before the August bank holiday weekend). The Dome in the Tralee Town Park is the festival's main venue for the live televised competition, with capacity for approximately 2,500 per performance night. Festival transport demand is very high in this period: coach hire from Kerry Airport, Cork Airport, and Killarney to Tralee is booked out months in advance. Siamsa Tire, the National Folk Theatre of Ireland (on the Tralee Town Park, adjacent to the Dome), stages regular performances of traditional music, song, and dance from May to October; group bookings are available for parties of 10 or more.

What Bus Hire Costs in Tralee

As a rough guide, a minibus (up to 19 seats) in Tralee runs around 390 to 740 EUR per day, a midi-coach (around 35 seats) around 540 to 1,040 EUR per day, and a full-size coach (49 to 55 seats) around 690 to 1,310 EUR per day. Tralee operates at a premium during the Rose of Tralee Festival week in August, when coach availability across County Kerry is at its lowest. Book festival-period coaches at least 3 months in advance. The final figure depends on your route, the date, and how long you need the vehicle and driver. We confirm a fixed price with no hidden charges, so send your details for a free quote.

Services Available in Tralee