Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or are just quickly passing through, our Cork Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit. Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.
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tried to sleep on the floor on the sleeping pads, but security guys had a problem with that. -namche
ORK Airport Overview
To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Cork Airport.
What to Expect
Cork Airport (code: ORK) is a clean, modern, single-terminal, two-level international airport. There are a few shops and restaurants, but they close around 10:00 PM or after the airport’s last departure. Vending machines are scattered around the airport for snacks and beverages after hours.
There are plenty of power outlets for mobile charging, and unlimited free WiFi is available throughout the airport. And for added comfort while you wait, there is a first-class lounge that you can pay to access. See Airport Lounges in the guide below for locations and access information.
Sleeping in Cork Airport
Reviewers have reported having a generally positive experience while sleeping at Cork. There are comfortable padded benches or couches in the upstairs cafe/ lounge, the food court, and the bar on the 2nd floor. Although airport security may ask you to present a boarding pass or flight ticket for proof of onward travel, several reviewers have remarked that no one bothered them throughout the night. They have also reported that the airport remained generally quiet until the first passengers arrived around 4:00 AM. Have a sleep mask, earplugs, or noise-cancelling headphones handy to block out the bright lights and airport noise. For uninterrupted sleep, there are hotels near the airport. See the Airport Hotels section below for more info.
Read the latest traveller airport reviews for more tips. For more airport information, scroll down to explore more in our Cork Airport Guide.
To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos.
In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security.
Airport Hours
Cork Airport is open 24 hours a day, 364 days a year.
Rest & Relaxation Zones
There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.
Cots
The airport does not provide cots to stranded travellers. If this has changed, click here to update the guide.
Airport Hotels
If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, there are hotels near Cork Airport:
- Cork Airport Hotel – Temporarily Closed – Since 2024, the hotel has been closed to house refugees. We don’t have any information on whether it will reopen to paying guests. Click here to update this information. The hotel is located 100m from the airport. You can walk or take the hotel’s free 24-hour airport shuttle. Use the courtesy phone at the airport to call the hotel for pick-up.
- Cork International Airport Hotel – Airport shuttle and day rooms are available. » Check Rates
- Travelodge Cork Airport – No airport shuttle. » Check Rates
For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near Cork Airport that can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating and popularity.
Airport Lounges
Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships
Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there is a lounge that you can enter by paying at the door, purchasing a lounge pass, or using a lounge membership program.
- Aspire Lounge – Location: Airside, Departures Area, after Security, adjacent to Gate 8. Hours: 4:30 AM – 8:00 PM. Showers: No. Dedicated Rest Zone: No. Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Pay at the door (€35 per person, up to 3 hours) • Prepaid lounge passes • Lounge membership programs • Credit card rewards programs • Eligible business class or frequent flyer passengers with partner airlines.
Drinking Water
There are free water fountains/filling stations in the secure departures area where you can refill bottles.
Food & Drinks
There are no 24-hour restaurants. Most food outlets close after the last scheduled evening departure:
- Landside: Blue Bird Cafe • Lemon Pepper • WH Smith.
- Airside: Food Republic • Craft Lane • AMT Coffee • WH Smith.
- Vending Machines: snack vending machines are located throughout the terminal.
Luggage Storage & Lockers
There is no luggage storage or lockers available. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.
Mobile Charging
There are power outlets and device charging points scattered throughout the terminal. Some seating areas have integrated USB or plug stations, but outlets can be limited in certain spots.
Showers
There are no public or pay-per-use showers in the terminal. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.
WiFi/Internet
Free WiFi is available at Cork Airport. Connect to the “Cork Airport Wi-Fi” network.
Security & Safety
Sleeping in any airport can include a certain level of risk, especially when travelling alone. It’s important to take certain precautions to ensure your safety and the security of your valuables. Here are a few tips:
- Safety First. It’s a good idea to know where the security office is located and look for video cameras where you plan to sleep. You can also ask the security personnel for advice on the safest places to spend the night.
- Don’t Seclude Yourself. If you’re travelling alone, we recommend you stay near other travellers or close to security. This will help you feel more secure and deter potential thieves.
- Hide Your Valuables. It’s also important to hide your valuables. Don’t leave them out in plain view, as this could make you a target for theft. Additionally, if you are a deep sleeper, you may want to padlock your bag to something or sleep with your bag up against a wall to make it harder for someone to access zippers and pockets. We have received reports of sleepers who woke up without their phones and laptop bags. The travellers were left with just their headphones and laptop bag strap.
- Stay Alert. It’s best to stay alert and awake if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages to help you stay awake, and remember that you can always catch up on sleep during your flight. These simple precautions can help you enjoy a safe night at the airport.
More Airport Information
ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available. Fees may apply, so check your bank’s fee schedule and daily withdrawal limits before travelling. Machines are located on the ground floor and on the first floor in the departures hall.
Children’s Play Areas – A small children’s play area is located in the departures area near AMT Coffee. Coin-operated amusement rides for children can also be found throughout the terminal, both before and after security.
Currency Exchange – Not available.
Information Desk – The information desk is located landside on the Arrivals Level, between the car hire desks and the Londis shop.
Printing Services – Printing kiosks are available for travellers who need last-minute documents.
Prayer Room – A multi-faith prayer room is located behind the Car Parks Office on the ground floor of the multi-storey short-term car park. Open 24 hours a day.
Shopping – WHSmith stores sell newspapers, magazines, snacks, and travel essentials in both landside and airside areas. The Loop duty-free shop offers luxury goods, alcohol, and wine.
SIM Cards – A reader has asked us to include where to buy SIM Cards. If you know, click here to update this guide.
Bus
Bus 226 links the airport to the city center in a 20-minute journey. Buses stop at Kent Station (for local and intercity train connections), Parnell Place Bus Station (for local and long-distance bus connections) and the city center. For route maps, schedules, fares and ticket sales, visit the Bus Éireann website.
Direct bus service is available from Cork Airport to Galway and Limerick. For details on service, fares and ticket sales, visit the CityLink website.
Car Rentals
The following car rental agencies are located in the Arrivals Hall: Avis • Budget/Payless • Enterprise • Europcar • Hertz • Sixt.
Hotel Shuttles
Cork International Airport Hotel offers a transportation service for its guests. See also Airport Hotels above.
Taxis
Taxis are available outside of the terminal during airport hours of operation. All taxis are metered. At the time of this update, the estimated one-way fare between the airport and city center, bus station or train station is about €20.
Train
The nearest train station to the airport is Kent Station, is a 10-minute walk from Parnell Place Bus Station. Kent Station can be reached by bus or taxi from the airport. For routes, schedules and fare information for Irish trains, visit the Irish Rail website.
Last updated: 2026-02-03
This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning. All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice. The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or write a review.