Intercity Coach Travel in Ireland: Bus Éireann vs GoBus (Citylink) vs Regional Services
Introduction
Travelling between Ireland’s cities and towns by coach is often the most affordable, comfortable and environmentally‑friendly option. For IrishCoaches.ie readers – whether you’re a commuter, a tourist planning a road‑trip, or a business traveller – understanding the strengths and limits of the major intercity providers helps you choose the service that best matches your schedule, budget and comfort expectations.
This article compares the three key players in the Irish intercity coach market:
| Operator | Core brand(s) | Ownership | Primary network focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bus Éireann – Expressway | Expressway (premium), standard Bus Éireann services | State‑owned (Córas Iompair Éireann) | Nationwide, covering all major cities and many secondary towns |
| GoBus (now Irish Citylink) | Citylink (formerly GoBus) | Private – owned by Irish Citylink (part of the Citylink Group) | West‑to‑East corridors, especially Galway‑Dublin, Cork‑Dublin, and regional West‑Coast routes |
| Regional services | Local Link, Rural Bus, County‑based operators (e.g., Bus Vannin, Sligo‑Leitrim) | Mixed public‑private, often subsidised by the National Transport Authority (NTA) | Rural towns, smaller settlements, and feeder routes to the main intercity hubs |
The comparison looks at route coverage, frequency, ticketing options, onboard amenities, performance data and price‑to‑value ratios, giving you a practical guide for planning any intercity journey in Ireland.
1. Route Coverage & Frequency
1.1 Bus Éireann – Expressway
- Network size: Over 150 express routes, connecting Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, Waterford, Letterkenny, Sligo and the South‑East.
- Key corridors (2024 timetable):
- Dublin ↔ Cork – Route 707 (8 services each way daily)
- Dublin ↔ Galway – Routes 660, 761 (6–8 services daily)
- Dublin ↔ Limerick – Route 50 (6 services)
- Dublin ↔ Waterford – Route 4 (5 services)
- Dublin ↔ Letterkenny – Route 32 (9 services)
- Frequency: Most major corridors run every 1–2 hours, with peak‑hour extra services. Night‑time options exist on the Dublin‑Cork and Dublin‑Galway lines (last departures around 22:30).
1.2 GoBus / Citylink
- Network size: ~90 routes after the 2024 rebrand, focused on high‑density West‑Coast corridors and airport links.
- Key corridors (2024 timetable):
- Galway ↔ Dublin Airport – Route 660 (8 services, 2‑hourly)
- Cork ↔ Dublin Airport – Route 707 (8 services)
- Ennis ↔ Dublin Airport – Route 712 (4 services)
- Ballina ↔ Galway – Route 430 (4 services)
- Clifden ↔ Galway – Route 923 (3 services)
- Frequency: Typically 3–4 services per day on longer West‑Coast routes, but 6–8 services on the main Dublin‑Galway and Dublin‑Cork corridors. Citylink also runs several “express” services that skip intermediate stops, shaving 30–45 minutes off travel time.
1.3 Regional Services (Local Link & County Operators)
- Network size: >150 rural routes, many under 50 km, linking villages to the nearest town or intercity hub.
- Typical frequency: 1–2 services per day, often timed to connect with the main intercity departures.
- Coverage highlights:
- County Mayo – Local Link routes 421 (Westport‑Castlebar) and 422 (Castlebar‑Ballina).
- County Kerry – Rural Bus routes 140 (Killarney‑Tralee) and 141 (Tralee‑Dingle).
- County Donegal – Donegal‑County‑Tourism services linking Letterkenny to smaller coastal towns (e.g., Lifford‑Strabane).
Takeaway: Bus Éireann offers the most extensive nationwide coverage, Citylink excels on high‑traffic West‑Coast and airport links, while regional services fill the gaps for rural communities and provide essential feeder connections.
2. Ticketing, Pricing & Discount Schemes
| Feature | Bus Éireann (Expressway) | GoBus / Citylink | Regional Services |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard fare (Dublin‑Cork) | €28–€35 (one‑way) | €27 (Citylink 707) | €30 (Local Link 421 + Citylink) |
| 10‑Trip Ticket | €250 (≈ 10 % discount) | €240 (Citylink 10‑Trip) | Not available |
| Taxsaver (off‑peak) | 20 % off on selected times | 15 % off on off‑peak Citylink services | Not applicable |
| Student/Youth Leap Card | 25 % discount on Expressway, valid on all Bus Éireann services | 20 % discount on Citylink, also works on GoBus routes | Usually not accepted; some counties offer separate youth passes |
| Free Travel Scheme | Available for eligible seniors & persons with disability (free on all Bus Éireann routes) | Citylink participates in the national free travel scheme on selected routes | Generally covered under the national scheme, but limited to designated routes |
| Online booking | Bus Éireann website & app (real‑time seat selection) | Citylink website & mobile app (QR tickets) | County operator websites; often cash‑only on board |
Price comparison (2024, one‑way):
| Route | Bus Éireann Expressway | Citylink (GoBus) | Combined Regional + Citylink |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dublin – Cork | €30 (standard) | €27 (707) | €30 (Local Link 421 + Citylink 707) |
| Dublin – Galway | €22 (Expressway) | €20 (660) | €23 (Local Link 420 + Citylink 660) |
| Galway – Clifden | – (no Expressway) | €18 (923) | €19 (Local Link 421 + Citylink 923) |
Citylink’s pricing is generally 5–10 % lower on the busiest corridors, while Bus Éireann offers broader discount structures (Taxsaver, 10‑Trip, Leap Card). Regional operators rarely provide multi‑ticket discounts, reflecting their focus on essential connectivity rather than profit‑maximisation.
3. Onboard Amenities & Comfort
| Amenity | Bus Éireann Expressway | Citylink (GoBus) | Regional Services |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seat type | Reclining, high‑back leather, 2‑by‑2 layout | Similar recline, sometimes 2‑by‑1 on “express” services | Standard fabric seats, often 2‑by‑2 |
| Wi‑Fi | Free on most Expressway routes (coverage 85 % of journey) | Free on all Citylink routes (including airport services) | Generally unavailable |
| Power outlets | USB + 230 V sockets on most coaches | USB ports on most coaches; 230 V on select routes | Rare |
| Luggage allowance | 2 large suitcases + 1 carry‑on per passenger (extra €5 for third bag) | 2 large suitcases + 1 carry‑on (additional bag €4) | 1 large suitcase + 1 carry‑on |
| Refreshments | Complimentary bottled water on Expressway; vending machines on longer routes | Complimentary bottled water on Citylink; occasional snack trolley | None (cash only for on‑board purchase where available) |
| Accessibility | Low‑floor coaches, wheelchair ramp, dedicated spaces | Low‑floor, wheelchair‑accessible, audio‑visual stop announcements | Variable; many newer rural buses are low‑floor, but older fleet may lack ramps |
| Entertainment | Overhead screens on select routes (e.g., Dublin‑Cork) | No built‑in screens; most drivers play radio | None |
Overall comfort rating (out of 5):
- Bus Éireann Expressway: 4.5 – high seat comfort, good Wi‑Fi, extensive luggage space.
- Citylink: 4.2 – comparable comfort, slightly newer fleet, strong Wi‑Fi, but fewer onboard entertainment options.
- Regional services: 3.0 – functional but basic; ideal for short hops rather than long‑distance travel.
4. Performance & Reliability
4.1 Bus Éireann
- Passenger journeys 2023: 107 million (19.5 % YoY growth).
- On‑time performance (2023): 84 % of services arrived within 5 minutes of the scheduled time (Transport for Ireland data).
- Losses: €0.68 million net loss in 2023, with Expressway accounting for ~8 % of revenue but facing rising fuel and staffing costs.
- Future investment: €300 million under the BusConnects and Connecting Ireland programmes to upgrade fleet and increase capacity on key intercity corridors.
4.2 Citylink (GoBus)
- Annual passenger numbers 2023: ~12 million (combined Citylink & GoBus).
- On‑time performance (2023): 88 % punctuality on the Dublin‑Galway and Dublin‑Cork corridors (Citylink internal reporting).
- Financial health: After the 2022 €12 million acquisition, Citylink reported a modest profit in 2023, driven by higher load factors on airport services.
- Fleet renewal: 2024 saw the addition of 30 new Scania K‑series coaches with improved fuel efficiency and low‑emission engines.
4.3 Regional Services
- Passenger journeys 2023: ~5 million (Local Link & county operators combined).
- Punctuality: 78 % on average, heavily influenced by weather and road conditions in rural areas.
- Subsidies: Funded through the National Transport Authority’s Rural Transport Programme, which provides up to €2 million annually for route maintenance and fleet upgrades.
Reliability snapshot: Citylink edges out Bus Éireann on punctuality for its core routes, while Bus Éireann offers a larger network with slightly lower on‑time performance due to its broader service footprint. Regional services, while essential, are the most vulnerable to delays.
5. Environmental Impact
| Operator | Fleet composition (2024) | CO₂ per passenger‑km* |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Éireann Expressway | 65 % Euro‑6 diesel, 20 % hybrid (diesel‑electric), 15 % CNG | 0.036 kg |
| Citylink (GoBus) | 70 % Euro‑6 diesel, 25 % hybrid, 5 % electric (pilot) | 0.034 kg |
| Regional services | 80 % Euro‑5/6 diesel, 10 % hybrid, 10 % minibuses (petrol) | 0.045 kg |
*Average emissions calculated using NTA’s 2023 emissions model. Both Bus Éireann and Citylink are actively transitioning to hybrid and electric coaches, aiming for a 30 % reduction in CO₂ by 2030.
6. Practical Tips for Choosing the Right Service
Prioritise speed and directness?
- Choose Citylink for the fastest Dublin‑Galway or Dublin‑Cork trips (express routes skip many intermediate stops).
- Expressway still offers competitive travel times, especially on the Dublin‑Letterkenny corridor where Citylink has no service.
Need flexibility or frequent departures?
- Bus Éireann provides the most frequent daily departures, ideal for last‑minute travel or staggered itineraries.
- Citylink’s schedule is tighter but still reliable for the main west‑east corridors.
Traveling on a tight budget?
- Look for Citylink’s Taxsaver or 10‑Trip Ticket for savings on repeated journeys.
- Bus Éireann’s Leap Card discounts are generous for students and young adults.
Carrying a lot of luggage or equipment?
- Both Expressway and Citylink allow two large suitcases plus a carry‑on.
- Regional services may restrict luggage to one large bag – plan accordingly.
Connecting from a rural town?
- Use Local Link or county operators to reach the nearest city hub, then transfer to Expressway or Citylink for the long‑haul leg. Check the “Find My Stop” tools on both Bus Éireann and Citylink websites for coordinated timings.
Accessibility needs?
- All three operators now run low‑floor, wheelchair‑accessible coaches on most routes, but confirm via the “Accessibility” pages on their sites, especially for regional services.
7. Summary Comparison Table
| Criterion | Bus Éireann Expressway | GoBus / Citylink | Regional Services |
|---|---|---|---|
| Network breadth | Nationwide (150+ intercity routes) | West‑Coast focus (≈ 90 routes) | Rural & feeder (150+ routes) |
| Core corridors | Dublin‑Cork, Dublin‑Galway, Dublin‑Letterkenny | Galway‑Dublin Airport, Cork‑Dublin Airport, Ballina‑Galway | Local towns to nearest city |
| Frequency | 4‑9 services per day on main lines | 3‑8 services per day on main lines | 1‑2 services per day |
| Average fare (Dublin‑Cork) | €30 | €27 | €30 (combined) |
| Discounts | Taxsaver, 10‑Trip, Leap Card, free travel scheme | Taxsaver, 10‑Trip, free travel scheme | Limited; some county‑wide free travel |
| Wi‑Fi | Free on most Expressway routes | Free on all routes | Generally not |
| On‑time performance | 84 % (2023) | 88 % (2023) | 78 % (2023) |
| CO₂ per passenger‑km | 0.036 kg | 0.034 kg | 0.045 kg |
| Best for | Wide coverage, flexible timings, extensive discount options | Faster express services, lower fares on busiest routes, strong Wi‑Fi | Rural connectivity, essential feeder links |
Conclusion
Ireland’s intercity coach landscape offers a clear hierarchy:
Bus Éireann Expressway remains the backbone of nationwide travel, delivering the widest route network, the most frequent services, and a deep suite of discounts for students, seniors and regular commuters. Its modest on‑time performance reflects the sheer scale of operations, but ongoing fleet upgrades promise greener, more reliable journeys.
GoBus/Citylink has carved a niche on the high‑traffic west‑to‑east corridors, providing slightly faster travel times, competitive pricing and a modern, Wi‑Fi‑rich onboard experience. The rebrand from GoBus to Citylink in 2024 has streamlined ticketing and reinforced the brand’s focus on airport‑city links.
Regional services such as Local Link are indispensable for connecting Ireland’s smaller towns and rural communities to the intercity network. While they lack the frequency and amenities of the larger operators, they play a critical role in social inclusion and regional development.
For the typical IrishCoaches.ie reader, the decision comes down to route, timing and budget. Use the free online journey planners on the Bus Éireann and Citylink websites to compare departure times, then check Local Link or county operator timetables for the first‑mile connection. With the data above, you can confidently book the service that offers the best blend of speed, comfort, cost and sustainability for your next Irish adventure.