Major city · Ireland
CarlowCeatharlach
Give Carlow one night, or a half-day stop on the Dublin–Kilkenny train: the town centre is 2–3 hours, the dolmen and Duckett's Grove need a car or bike.
Carlow is the county town of County Carlow, about 85 km south of Dublin and roughly an hour by train from Heuston. It is a compact market town on the River Barrow with a preserved old centre, a cathedral, a county museum and one of Europe's largest portal tombs a few kilometres east. Most travellers pass through on the Dublin–Waterford line; a night here works if you want the Barrow towpath, the dolmen and Duckett's Grove without a car-heavy detour.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Nov–Feb (short days, many rural sights closed or reduced)
- Airports
- DUB · ORK
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
- Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
- Ireland ↗Ireland is in the EU but not in the Schengen area; it sets its own entry rules and a Schengen visa is not valid for Ireland. Check Irish immigration for your passport.
- Ireland ↗Ireland and the UK form the Common Travel Area, with no routine checks on the land border. Visitors who are not Irish or British must still meet UK rules (including the UK ETA where it applies) to enter Northern Ireland.
- Ireland ↗Driving is on the left; rural roads are narrow with hedges and few passing places.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Carlow112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Carlow, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR).Ireland-wide
- SIM or eSIMVodafone, Three and Eir run the networks; prepaid SIMs (also 48, Tesco Mobile, GoMo) sell in phone shops and newsagents, no registration fuss.Ireland-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe; occasional local 'boil water' notices are posted by Uisce Éireann.Ireland-wide
- TippingRestaurant with table service: 10–15% if service is not included.Ireland-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Ireland-wide
- SafetyCarlow is a low-risk provincial town; the real issues are dark, unlit stretches of the Barrow towpath after dusk…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree in shopping centres, museums, pubs (as a customer) and many petrol stations; some public toilets charge 50c.Ireland-wide
- Emergency numbers112 police, fire and ambulance · 999 police (gardaí)
- Sundays & holidaysShops open Sunday afternoons in towns; rural shops and some attractions close in winter (November–March).Ireland-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportDUB Dublin Airport (Expressway 4/X4 and JJ Kavanagh 736 run to Carlow; 75 min–2 h depending on route and traffic).
- Getting aroundThe centre is compact and walkable: Dublin St north, Castle St and Bridge St west, Tullow St east.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee€3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
- Sit-down mealPub carvery or main course€14–22 (≈ US$17–30)
- BeerPint of stout€5–6.50 (≈ US$6–8)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)5 km (3.1 mi) taxi3.1 mi (5 km) taxiMetered; higher flagfall at night and on Sundays.€9–13 (≈ US$11–16)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week€10–20 (≈ US$12–25)
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per person€25 (≈ US$30)
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse or hotel double room, a night, per room€130 (≈ US$160)
- High-end bedGuesthouse or hotel double room, a night, per room€220 (≈ US$300)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €55 (≈ US$65) · Mid €95 (≈ US$120) · High €170 (≈ US$200)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- DUB Dublin Airport (Expressway 4/X4 and JJ Kavanagh 736 run to Carlow; 75 min–2 h depending on route and traffic) · ORK Cork Airport (No direct bus to Carlow; rail via Dublin or a car is the practical option)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Feb
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Mar
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Apr
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
May
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Jun
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jul
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Aug
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Sep
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Oct
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Nov
Avoid
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Dec
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)), coolest Jan (2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C) low), wettest Jan (14 rain days), driest Jun (10). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Carlow: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
14 rd
Feb
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
11 rd
Mar
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
12 rd
Apr
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
11 rd
May
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
11 rd
Jun
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
10 rd
Jul
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
11 rd
Aug
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
11 rd
Sep
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
11 rd
Oct
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
13 rd
Nov
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
13 rd
Dec
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
14 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The centre is compact and walkable: Dublin St north, Castle St and Bridge St west, Tullow St east. Outlying sights (Brownshill Dolmen, Duckett's Grove, Oak Park) have little or no public transport — use a bike or car. Lower Tullow Street is closed to traffic Mon–Sat 08:00–18:00. Taxis are metered and rank at Potato Market; they meet the Dublin trains and buses.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Brownshill Dolmen
goDoor to door: About 30 min by bike, 10 min by car
Car or bike on the R726 Hacketstown Road, 3 km (1.9 mi) east of townCar or bike on the R726 Hacketstown Road, 1.9 mi (3 km) east of town
Free access; the granite capstone is among the largest in Europe. No public transport.
Duckett's Grove
goDoor to door: About 20 min by car
Car to Kneestown, about 10 km (6.2 mi) southeastCar to Kneestown, about 6.2 mi (10 km) southeast
Walled gardens and the shell of an 1830 neo-Gothic mansion; free, open daily 09:00–dusk.Walled gardens and the shell of an 1830 neo-Gothic mansion; free, open daily 9:00 AM–dusk.
Tullow
goDoor to door: About 30–40 min
Local Link bus 800 from Carlow, or car on the N81
Market town on the Slaney; the bus also links to Arklow for trains and the Rosslare ferry.
Bagenalstown
goDoor to door: About 15–20 min
Train from Carlow station, or Kavanagh bus 873
Small Barrow town; the bus continues to Leighlinbridge and Kilkenny.
Leighlinbridge
goDoor to door: About 15 min
Car on the R705, or Kavanagh bus 873
Barrow bridge and riverside walk; the hydro scheme above the village once powered Carlow.
Borris
cautionDoor to door: About 35–45 min
Car via the R702 through the Barrow valley
Village and house gardens; check opening before you go.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Town centre (Tullow St, Dublin St, Castle St)
Walk to the cathedral, museum, castle and both riverside parks; best for one night without a car.
Fairgreen and Barrack St
Next to the coach park and shopping centre; handy for early buses and the cinema.
Athy Rd and Dublin Rd
Chain hotels with parking on the N80 edge of town; 15–20 min walk to the centre.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €55–85 (≈ US$65–100) excl. bed
- Mid
- €95–150 (≈ US$120–180) excl. bed
- High
- €170 (≈ US$200)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse or hotel double room1 × 1 night × €130 | €130 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × €95 | €190 |
| Train Dublin Heuston → Carlow, single2 × €11 · check | €22 |
| Expressway 4/X4 Dublin Airport → Carlow, single2 × €20 · check | €40 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × €15 | €30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €41 |
| Trip total≈ €227 per person per day, bed included | €453≈ US$550 |
2026 estimate in euro; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | €3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Pub carvery or main course | €14–22 (≈ US$17–30) |
| Pint of stout | €5–6.50 (≈ US$6–8) |
| 5 km taxiMetered; higher flagfall at night and on Sundays. | €9–13 (≈ US$11–16) |
| Adult swim, Graiguecullen poolcheck | €5 (≈ US$6) |
| Round at Carlow Golf Club, Deerpark coursecheck | about €50 (≈ US$60) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | €10–20 (≈ US$12–25) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Outlying sights such as Brownshill Dolmen and Duckett's Grove have no public transport: plan a car, bike or taxi.
- Some rural attractions and gardens run reduced or seasonal hours outside summer — check before travelling.
- Lower Tullow Street is pedestrianised Mon–Sat 08:00–18:00; do not plan to drive through the centre.Lower Tullow Street is pedestrianised Mon–Sat 8:00 AM–6:00 PM; do not plan to drive through the centre.
- Multi-storey car parks need your ticket validated by a local shop before you leave.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire and ambulance
- 112
- Police (Gardaí)
- 999
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
CarlowCeatharlach
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Chuig an seoladh seo, le do thoilTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire and ambulance112
- Police (Gardaí)999
Embassy
No embassies in Carlow; the US embassy and most others are in Dublin.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Train Dublin Heuston → Carlow: about €11 (≈ US$13) walk-up single, about 1 h (check)
- Expressway 4/X4 Dublin Airport → Carlow: about €20 (≈ US$25) single, 75 min–1 h 40 (check)
- Taxi within town: €6–10 (≈ US$7–12), metered (check)
Say or show
- Dia dhuit — Hello (jeea gwit)
- Go raibh maith agat — Thank you (guh rev mah agut)
- Le do thoil — Please (leh duh hull)
- Cá bhfuil an stáisiún? — Where is the station? (kaw will on staw-shoon)
- Cé mhéad é? — How much is it? (kay vade ay)
- Sláinte — Cheers (slawn-che)
Carlow Tourism is in the library on College St, next to the county museum; hours are reduced outside summer.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Carlow. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Nov–Feb (short days, many rural sights closed or reduced) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for DUB: last Expressway and Kavanagh departures field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Tullow St and Potato Market, the cathedral and College St, the castle and Barrow bridge, the west-bank parks.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (cathedral, county museum, military museum, Brownshill Dolmen, Duckett's Grove) and eat pages with last orders.
- Golden and hostile arrival fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialCarlow Tourism
- officialCarlow County Council
- officialIrish Rail — Carlow station
- officialBus Éireann
- officialCarlow County Museum
- officialCarlow Cathedral
- officialDuckett's Grove — Carlow Garden Trail
- secondaryWikivoyage: Carlow, revision 5320367 (CC BY-SA 4.0)