Cork City Sightseeing Tour

See the city from way up high on our bright red open top bus

Visiting Cork has never been easier than with Cork City Bus Tours. Take in the sights of Cork, from our open top bus tour that includes sights such as Shandon Bells, Cork City Gaol, the English Market, University College Cork and much more…

Highlights:

  • Buy your ticket on board (cash/card accepted) or in advance online (recommended). 
  • The Recorded Tour commentary is in English and is informative and a fun way to discover the city’s history architecture & culture.
  • Take some fantastic Instagramable pictures from way up high on our upper deck.
  • Great family activity with the excitement of an open top bus.

Your Tour:

See the very best Cork City and feel the wind in your hair from the open top deck of our bright red city tour bus. Enjoy panoramic views from the top deck as we drive through the historic streets of Cork including the beautiful Victorian Quarter or as you travel along Cork’s famous St. Patrick’s Quay and cross the mighty River Lee on its many distinct bridges. From the sacred sights of Shandon Cathedral and Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral to the more open air pleasures of Fitzgerald Park and the UCC campus you will experience every part of Cork city.

From the open top deck of our bus, you’ll see all of Cork’s history. Both past and present. In a city whose story is told on its streets, there’s no better way to spend your time when visiting Cork.

Click here for an interactive map of Cork city highlighting all the attractions we visit. 

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University College Cork (Nearest Stop: Western Road)

University College Cork was founded in 1845 as one of three Queen’s Colleges located in Belfast, Cork, and Galway. Full of many interesting buildings and features you can wander around the campus or take a guided audio tour.

Shandon Cathedral (Nearest Stop: John Redmond St.)

Shandon is a district in Cork city noted for the world-famous Shandon Bells that you can ring when you hop off at this stop.

Cork City Gaol (Nearest Stop: Convent Ave.)

Step back in time to see what the 19th/early 20th century was like in Cork both inside and outside the prison walls.

Crawford Art Gallery (Nearest Stop; St. Patricks St.)

The gallery's collection comprises of almost 4,000 works, ranging from eighteenth-century Irish and European painting and sculpture.

Nano Nagle Place (Nearest Stop: South Mall)

Nano Nagle Place is an unexpected oasis in the centre of bustling Cork City.

English Market (Nearest Stop: Grand Parade)

Enclosed market, long tradition of fine foods and wines that are on offer from over 40 traders.

University College Cork was founded in 1845 as one of three Queen’s Colleges located in Belfast, Cork, and Galway. Full of many interesting buildings and features you can wander around the campus or take a guided audio tour.

University College Cork (Nearest Stop: Western Road)

Shandon is a district in Cork city noted for the world-famous Shandon Bells that you can ring when you hop off at this stop.

Shandon Cathedral (Nearest Stop: John Redmond St.)

Step back in time to see what the 19th/early 20th century was like in Cork both inside and outside the prison walls.

Cork City Gaol (Nearest Stop: Convent Ave.)

The gallery's collection comprises of almost 4,000 works, ranging from eighteenth-century Irish and European painting and sculpture.

Crawford Art Gallery (Nearest Stop; St. Patricks St.)

Nano Nagle Place is an unexpected oasis in the centre of bustling Cork City.

Nano Nagle Place (Nearest Stop: South Mall)

Enclosed market, long tradition of fine foods and wines that are on offer from over 40 traders.

English Market (Nearest Stop: Grand Parade)

April & September

Grand Parade (Start) 09.30 11.00 12.30 14.00 15.30
Patricks Street 09.35 11.05 12.35 14.05 15.35
McCurtain Street 09.37 11.07 12.37 14.07 15.37
Kent Station 09.40 11.10 12.40 14.10 15.40
Patricks Quay 09.45 11.15 12.45 14.15 15.45
Shandon Street 09.52 11.22 12.52 14.22 15.52
City Gaol 10.00 11.30 13.00 14.30 16.00
Wellington Bridge 10.05 11.35 13.05 14.35 16.05
Western Road (GAOL CROSS) 10.10 11.40 13.10 14.40 16.10
Mardyke 10.12 11.42 13.12 14.42 16.12
Shear's Street 10.13 11.43 13.13 14.43 16.13
Grand Parade 10.20 11.50 13.20 14.50 16.20
South Mall 10.22 11.52 13.22 14.52 16.22
City Hall 10.31 12.01 13.31 15.01 16.31
Grand Parade (Finish) 10.45 12.15 13.45 15.15 16.45

2023 TIMETABLES

April & September

Grand Parade (Start) 09.30 11.00 12.30 14.00 15.30
Patricks Street 09.35 11.05 12.35 14.05 15.35
McCurtain Street 09.37 11.07 12.37 14.07 15.37
Kent Station 09.40 11.10 12.40 14.10 15.40
Patricks Quay 09.45 11.15 12.45 14.15 15.45
Shandon 09.52 11.22 12.52 14.22 15.52
City Gaol 10.00 11.30 13.00 14.30 16.00
Wellington Bridge 10.05 11.35 13.05 14.35 16.05
Western Road (GAOL CROSS) 10.10 11.40 13.10 14.40 16.10
Mardyke 10.12 11.42 13.12 14.42 16.12
Shear's Street 10.13 11.43 13.13 14.43 16.13
Grand Parade 10.20 11.50 13.20 14.50 16.20
South Mall 10.22 11.52 13.22 14.52 16.22
City Hall 10.31 12.01 13.31 15.01 16.31
Grand Parade (Finish) 10.45 12.15 13.45 15.15 16.45
Grand Parade (Start) 09.30 10.15 11.00 11.45 12.30 13.15 14.00 14.45 15.30 16.15
Patricks Street 09.35 10.20 11.05 11.50 12.35 13.20 14.05 14.50 15.35 16.20
McCurtain Street 09.37 10.22 11.07 11.52 12.37 13.22 14.07 14.52 15.37 16.22
Kent Station 09.40 10.25 11.10 11.55 12.40 13.25 14.10 14.55 15.40 16.25
Patricks Quay 09.45 10.30 11.15 12.00 12.45 13.30 14.15 15.00 15.45 16.30
Shandon Street 09.52 10.37 11.22 12.07 12.52 13.37 14.22 15.07 15.52 16.37
City Gaol 10.00 10.45 11.30 12.15 13.00 13.45 14.30 15.15 16.00 16.45
Wellington Bridge 10.05 10.50 11.35 12.20 13.05 13.50 14.35 15.20 16.05 16.50
Western Road (GAOL CROSS) 10.10 10.55 11.40 12.25 13.10 13.55 14.40 15.25 16.10 16.55
Mardyke 10.12 10.57 11.42 12.27 13.12 13.57 14.42 15.27 16.12 16.57
Shear's Street 10.13 10.58 11.43 12.28 13.13 13.58 14.43 15.28 16.13 16.58
Grand Parade 10.20 11.05 11.50 12.35 13.20 14.05 14.50 15.35 16.20 17.05
South Mall 10.22 11.07 11.52 12.37 13.22 14.07 14.52 15.37 16.22 17.07
City Hall 10.31 11.16 12.01 12.46 13.31 14.16 15.01 15.46 16.31 17.16
Grand Parade (Finish) 10.45 11.30 12.15 13.00 13.45 14.30 15.15 16.00 16.45 17.30

2023 TIMETABLES

May | June | July | Aug

Grand Parade (Start) 09.30 10.15 11.00 11.45 12.30 13.15 14.00 14.45 15.30 16.15
Patricks Street 09.35 10.20 11.05 11.50 12.35 13.20 14.05 14.50 15.35 16.20
McCurtain Street 09.37 10.22 11.07 11.52 12.37 13.22 14.07 14.52 15.37 16.22
Kent Station 09.40 10.25 11.10 11.55 12.40 13.25 14.10 14.55 15.40 16.25
Patricks Quay 09.45 10.30 11.15 12.00 12.45 13.30 14.15 15.00 15.45 16.30
Shandon Street 09.52 10.37 11.22 12.07 12.52 13.37 14.22 15.07 15.52 16.37
City Gaol 10.00 10.45 11.30 12.15 13.00 13.45 14.30 15.15 16.00 16.45
Wellington Bridge 10.05 10.50 11.35 12.20 13.05 13.50 14.35 15.20 16.05 16.50
Western Road (GAOL CROSS) 10.10 10.55 11.40 12.25 13.10 13.55 14.40 15.25 16.10 16.55
Mardyke 10.12 10.57 11.42 12.27 13.12 13.57 14.42 15.27 16.12 16.57
Shear's Street 10.13 10.58 11.43 12.28 13.13 13.58 14.43 15.28 16.13 16.58
Grand Parade 10.20 11.05 11.50 12.35 13.20 14.05 14.50 15.35 16.20 17.05
South Mall 10.22 11.07 11.52 12.37 13.22 14.07 14.52 15.37 16.22 17.07
City Hall 10.31 11.16 12.01 12.46 13.31 14.16 15.01 15.46 16.31 17.16
Grand Parade (Finish) 10.45 11.30 12.15 13.00 13.45 14.30 15.15 16.00 16.45 17.30

Cork City Sightseeing Tour

Category:

From where does the tour start?

The tour begins at Grand Parade (outside the library)
You can also join the tour at the stops below:

• St. Patrick’s Street (Bus-stop outside Savoy Shopping Centre)
• McCurtain Street (Opposite Everyman Theatre)
• Kent Station (Across the road at Pedestrian Crossing)
• St. Patrick’s Quay (At top near St. Patrick’s Bridge)
• Shandon
• Cork City Gaol
• Western Road (Bus stop near Youth Hostel)
• South Mall (Just beyond Imperial Hotel)

Does it operate every day?

Our tour returns in Spring 2023. Please check for updates on our website, social media channels and bus stops for updated timetable.

Can I pay on board?

Yes, we accept cash or card payments on board.

How long is the tour?

The tour takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes, (depending on traffic) if you do not get off at any of the attractions.

What about entrance fees to attractions?

Entrance fees you pay locally at the attraction of your choice.

Is there commentary?

Full Factual history by recorded commentary, in English (sorry, no foreign language commentary at present)

Is there wheelchair access?

Yes, there is wheelchair access, however space is limited. Pre-booking is advisable.

How long is my ticket valid for?

All tickets valid for 24 hours – Hop on and Hop off as often as you wish

Do I need to print my email confirmation?

This is not necessary. Presentation of your confirmation on your phone or mobile device is sufficient.

Cruise Ship Information

Most cruise ships arrive in the port of Cobh next to the Train Station, which you can walk to from the ship (2 minute walk).  You can get a commuter train from there to Cork City (it takes approx. 25 minutes) often with extra capacity and departures on the days that there are cruise liners in port). When you get off the train in Cork, walk out of the station, (exit door on your right as you come through the barriers), cross the road at the pedestrian crossing and we have a bus stop directly across the road.  (Just at the Railway View Pub)

Hop on there and you can pay the driver.  There is no need to pre-book. Don’t forget to bring your cruise ID and you can avail of a discount of € 2.00 per person