Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you 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.
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 and modern single-terminal, two-level international airport. There are a few shops and restaurants catering to travellers but these establishments close around 10:00PM or after the airport’s last departure. There are vending machines scattered around the airport if you need 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 arrive around 4:00AM. Have a sleep mask and earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones handy to block out the bright lights and airport noise just in case. For uninterrupted sleep, there are hotels near the airport. See the Airport Hotels section below for more info or read some traveller airport reviews for more tips.
Good to Know
There’s a Bus Éireann station right outside of the terminal, handy if you need to take reasonably-priced transportation to or from Dublin or Cork city center. See our Airport Transportation in the guide below.
Covid-19 Update
Some airport reviews and tips in this guide and elsewhere on the site were written before March 2020 and may no longer be valid. 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. You can also visit the airport’s web site for current information.
For more airport information continue scrolling down to explore more in our Cork Airport Guide.
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. For more information on Europe’s Schengen Area, click here.
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 through a lounge membership program. Visit the individual lounge page for more details about the lounge itself and to also find out how you can gain lounge access with just an economy class ticket!
Aspire Lounge – Location: Airside, opposite Gate 8. Lounge Access: Pay at the Door • Lounge membership programs.
Related Pages: Cork Airport Lounges
Airport Hotels
If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, there are hotels near Cork Airport:
With Covid restrictions constantly changing, we recommend that you confirm shuttle availability prior to booking and/or prior to your arrival.
- 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 is not available. 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 WiFi/Internet
Free WiFi is available at Cork Airport. Additionally, there are internet kiosks located landside, on the lower level, adjacent to Easons Shop in the check-in area and in the arrivals area near Starbucks. Airside, you can find a kiosk next to Lir Chocolate Cafe.
More Services, Facilities & Things To Do On A Layover At The Airport
ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available. Fees may apply, so be sure to check your bank’s fee schedule and your daily withdrawal limit if you are travelling internationally. You may also want to notify your bank of your travel plans. Locations: Ground floor only.
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 – The Bank & Bureau de Change is located on the ground floor (Level 1), next to WHSmith. Hours: 10:00AM – 4:00PM (Mon-Fri).
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 • Food Republic
- Airside: Food Republic • Craft Lane • AMT Coffee
- Vending Machines: snack vending machines are located throughout the terminal.
Information Desk – Location: landside, on the Arrivals Level, between the Car Hire Desks and Londis store.
Luggage Storage & Lockers – Not available.
Mobile Charging – Charge your mobile devices at power outlets located throughout the terminal.
Printing Services – Forget to print a document for your trip? Printing kiosks are available.
Prayer Room – situated behind the Car Parks Office which is 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, located landside and airside. Groceries, takeaway food, and more can be purchased at Spar, a convenience market located on the ground floor near the Information Desk. The Loop offers a variety of luxury brand items, liquors, and wines at “20% off downtown prices”.
Rest Zones – There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.
Showers – Not available.
SIM Cards – A reader has asked us to include where to buy SIM Cards. If you know, click here to update this airport guide.
Airport Hours
The airport is open 24 hours.
Airlines
Cork airport is served by the following airlines: Aer Lingus • Air France • Iberia Express • KLM • Norwegian Air • Ryanair • Swiss • Volotea.
Airport Transportation: Getting To/From The Airport
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 service details, 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
At the time of this update there were no hotels that provided an airport shuttle. 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, about a 10 minute walking distance 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: 2022-10-28
This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning. All information, including rates and hours, are 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 web sites. 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.
