Cork, just inland from Ireland’s southwest coast, is a university city with its centre on an island in the River Lee, connected to the sea by Cork Harbour.
Overview
Approximate flight time: 1 hour 30 minutes (total distance 288 miles)
Airlines that fly direct: Ryanair
No. of Airports in Cork: 1 Airport
Seasons: High = June - September; Low = November - March
Currency: Euro (€)
Departing from Birmingham Airport
Located in the UK’s second city, Birmingham Airport flies to countless destinations all over the world. With an extensive selection of restaurants, shops and all the facilities you need, Birmingham Airport is a great choice for anyone flying from the UK.
We’ve got lots of shops for you to browse while you wait for your flight to Ireland. Bag a bargain in World Duty Free, with many deals on perfume, alcohol, make-up and more. If you’ve forgotten any holiday essentials, fear not. Pick up toiletries in Boots or treat yourself to a new pair of trainers from JD Sports. Once you’ve shopped until you’ve dropped, relax at Aerospa. Offering an array of treatments from 15-minutes upwards in duration, you’re bound to start your holiday in a good mood.
Hungry? Don’t worry, you’ll also find some fantastic cafés, bars and restaurants in our terminal where you can feast on a variety of cuisines before you fly. Enjoy an all-day brunch or mezze platter from Giraffe or grab a burger, chips and drink from Burger King or a coffee and pastry at Costa. If you fancy a drink before you fly, make sure you visit Wetherspoon.
For some real pre-flight indulgence, book into one of our five excellent airport lounges. Enjoy comfy seating, complimentary food and drinks and stay connected with Wi-Fi.
Whether you’re travelling via car, train, bus or taxi, Birmingham Airport is easily accessible. There are seven car parks to choose from. These are all extremely easy to find from the terminal, on foot or via the courtesy shuttle bus. Make an advanced booking online for a parking space and save up to 70%.
Taxis can drop you directly outside the terminal. Alternatively, there are plenty of buses running directly to the airport from Birmingham city centre and surrounding areas. Coaches and trains run from all over the country, and our free and frequent transport takes you from the train station to the terminal in just two minutes.
Convenient and fast, Travelex’s ATM machines are operational 24/7 and accept most major cards.
To find out about our other services, head to our terminal facilities page.
If you like to make the most of your airport experience or prefer to get through as quickly as possible, check out our ‘Plan your Journey’ articles for the speedy and leisurely traveller.
Average temperature in Cork
| January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum | 7°C | 7°C | 9°C | 11°C | 14°C | 16°C | 19°C | 18°C | 16°C | 13°C | 10°C | 8°C |
| Minimum | 3°C | 3°C | 4°C | 5°C | 7°C | 10°C | 12°C | 12°C | 10°C | 8°C | 6°C | 5°C |
Arriving at Cork Airport
Cork Airport is only five miles south of Cork city centre. With one terminal and only eight gates, it’s easy to navigate. Getting to Cork City from the airport is very straightforward, as is travelling to other Irish cities such as Dublin and Galway.
Take the 226 bus which runs from the front of the airport terminal and you’ll be in Cork city centre in around 20 minutes. If you’d prefer, there are many taxis available as well as numerous car hire companies situated at the airport.
Those travelling further across the country can take advantage of the train station in Cork city centre, a ten-minute walk from the main bus terminal. There are also coach services running to Dublin and Galway from the airport.
Pre-book your transfer with HolidayTaxis and avoid the queues when you arrive.
What to expect in Cork
Cork is a small walkable city just inland from Ireland’s southwest coast, set on an island in the River Lee. Cramped 17th-century alleys host an artisan coffee shop on every corner, and, arguably, the best food scene in the country.
The city has a town-like feel to it rather than the rush of a city, with locals adopting a laid back, friendly attitude. Known as Ireland’s second city, Cork’s inhabitants prefer to call it ‘the real capital’ due to its churches, museums, food culture and cosmopolitan lifestyle.
English is the main language spoken in Cork, however you may encounter some dialect that originated from the Irish language (Gaeilge, or Gaelic).
People don’t visit Cork for the weather. The summers are comfortable and partly cloudy; the winters are long, very cold, wet, and even more cloudy. It is windy year-round – something to bear in mind when packing.
St Finbarre's Cathedral, Cork City
The Old Head of Kinsale in County Cork
Culture in Cork
Cork has a varied and vibrant culture, ranging from innovative artistic communities to a fascinating history derived from Gaelic folklore. The streets, theatres and art galleries all convey the city’s culture and exhibitions take place throughout the year, from Cork Coffee Weekend to ukulele festivals. St Patrick’s Day is a major event in Cork and usually takes over the city for four days every March.
Food is hard to miss in Cork, with the huge English Market selling everything from cheese to chocolate. Make sure to try an Irish Fry Up with traditional soda bread for breakfast and follow with an Irish Stew for dinner, washed down with – what else – a Guinness.