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.
Good to Know
There’s a Bus Éireann station right outside the terminal, which is handy if you need to take reasonably priced transportation to or from Dublin or Cork’s city center. See our Airport Transportation in the guide below.
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
The airport is open 24 hours.
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 – 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. » Check Rates
- 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. Visit the individual lounge page for more details about the lounge itself and learn how to gain access with just an economy class ticket!
- Aspire Lounge – Location: Airside, opposite Gate 8. Lounge Access: Pay at the Door • Prepaid lounge passes • Lounge membership programs.
Related Pages: Cork Airport Lounges
Drinking Water
A reader tells us there are water fountains on the airside where you can fill your water bottles. (December 2024)
Food & Drinks
Food concessions throughout the airport operate with varying schedules. At the time of this update, there are no 24-hour dining options. Dining options include:
- 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
Unavailable. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.
Mobile Charging
Charge your mobile devices at power outlets throughout the terminal.
Showers
Unavailable. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.
WiFi/Internet
Free WiFi is available at Cork Airport. Additionally, internet kiosks are located on the landside, on the lower level, adjacent to the escalators.
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 limit if you are travelling internationally. You may also want to notify your bank of your travel plans. Locations: Ground floor and departures hall first floor.
Children’s Play Areas -When you want to ensure your kids burn off all their energy before their flight, take them to the children’s play area in the departure area adjacent to AMT coffee. Amusement rides for children are located throughout the terminal (Landside and Airside).
Currency Exchange – Not available.
Information Desk – Location: landside, on the Arrivals Level, between the Car Hire Desks and Londis store.
Printing Services – Did you forget to print a document for your trip? Printing kiosks are available.
Prayer Room – Situated behind the Car Parks Office, located on the ground floor of the multistory short-term car park. Open 24 hours a day.
Shopping – Newspapers, magazines, snacks, travel goods, and more are sold at WHSmith shops on the landside and airside. The Loop offers a variety of luxury brand items, liquors, and wines at “20% off downtown prices”.
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: 2024-08-26
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.