Getting to Cork
In all probability you will be flying into Shannon or Dublin (there are no direct flights from the United States or Canada to Cork), or via Amsterdam, Paris or London, which have frequent direct connections with Cork.
Whichever way you arrive, there are a number of possibilities for getting to Cork. Regular bus services connect Shannon Airport and Limerick, from where you may take a bus or a train to Cork: the journey takes less than two hours. From Dublin there are frequent connections by air, train (from Heuston Train Station) or bus (Busáras, the central bus station, is also connected to the airport by bus).
The cheapest option from Dublin is to travel by bus. There are blue aircoaches that will take you to the city centre and then depart for Cork. Log on to www.aircoach.ie (Westmorland St is in Dublin city centre and Patrick's Quay is in Cork city centre). It will cost approx. €7 one way during off-peak times. The journey will take approximately 4 and half hours.
Alternatively, you can take the train from Heuston Station. There is a direct bus to Heuston from Dublin Airport as well as regular city bus services. The train ticket will cost approx. €51 one way and it will take approx. 3 hours. Details are available at www.irishrail.ie
You may decide that travelling by plane is the most convenient and not necessarily the most expensive. You may find that fares are cheaper than the train. Handling charges usually bring the cost up significantly. Log on to www.ryanair.com The journey time is approx. 1 hour.
If you are travelling via the UK, it is possible, as mentioned, to fly directly from London to Cork. You may also fly from other British and European cities, directly or by transiting through Dublin or London.
Missing Baggage
If your journey involves changing flights you should be able to check your baggage through to your final destination at no extra cost. Occasionally, baggage goes missing in transit. However, if this happens it is usually traced by the airline and forwarded on a later flight. It is advisable to carry a basic survival kit such as toiletries, a change of clothes, any necessary medication and all necessary documentation in your hand luggage.
If your baggage has been misdirected you will need to fill in a report in the baggage hall in the airport. Ask the airline or their handling agents to arrange for the delivery of your baggage once it has been traced and re-routed to Cork airport. If you are uncertain of your address in Cork, deliver it to the care of the International Education Office at UCC.
Sea connections include Rosslare-Le Havre (France) as well as various Ireland-UK routes. Swansea Cork Ferries operate the Swansea-Cork route all year round. There are direct sea services from Roscoff (Brittany) to Cork during the tourist season only.
For information on bus and train connections please consult the following websites: