Arrival, Information and Accommodation
Kerry's airport (tel 066/976 4644) is about a mile outside the village of Farranfore, eight miles north of Killarney on the N22 Tralee road. It is served by direct flights from Stansted and connecting flights from Dublin. Farranfore village is on the Killarney to Tralee trainline. A taxi into Killarney centre will cost around GBP12/?15.24. Killarney's train station off East Avenue Road, and bus station on nearby Park Road, are both pretty central. Even if you're not planning to bike round the Ring of Kerry, cycling is a great way of seeing Killarney's immediate surroundings, and makes good sense because local transport is almost non-existent. Bike rental is available at O'Sullivan's Cycles, Bishop's Lane, New St (tel 064/31282; GBP7/?8.89 per day) or at several of the hostels. The post office and banks can be found on New Street, and, off the same street down a lane next to Dunnes Stores, you'll also find Killarney's laundry. Fishing licences for Killarney are available at O'Neill's, 6 Plunkett St (tel 064/31970). Although there's plentiful accommodation of all sorts, the town gets very crowded in high season and it's worth visiting the extremely helpful tourist office , on Beech Rd (June & Sept Mon-Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 10am-6pm; July & Aug daily 9am-8pm; Oct-May Mon-Sat 9.15am-1pm & 2.15-5.30pm; tel 064/31633) or better still calling ahead to make advance bookings. The tourist office also offers a wealth of information about Killarney and the surrounding area, a good stock of local guides and maps for sale, a foreign exchange and Western Union money transfer (tel 1800/395 395), and is a good place to make bookings for a number of bus and walking tours including trips to the Dingle Peninsula, the Gap of Dunloe and around the Ring of Kerry. There are a number of options for camping nearby: Fleming's White Bridge (tel 064/31590) is just a mile east of Killarney - follow the N22 Cork road turning right for Ballycasheen; Flesk Muckross Caravan and Camping Park (tel 064/31704) is a mile south from Killarney on the N71 Kenmare road and handy for both the Kerry Way and Muckross House; and White Villa Farm (tel 064/32456) is a small site about two miles east of town on the N22 Cork road. An Oige Hostel , Aghadoe Rd (tel 064/31240). A large, well-run hostel that has been recently refurbished. About three miles northwest of town towards Killorglin it's located in beautiful countryside, and is well situated for walking in the mountains. Dorms sleeping up to eight are available, and there are comfortable twin (under GBP26/?33.01), and four-bedded rooms (GBP14/?17.78). A free shuttle bus service to and from the bus and train stations, and bike rental are available here. Arbutus Hotel , College St (tel 064/31037, arbutus@tinet.ie ). One of Killarney's oldest, this is a charming, traditional hotel with a spacious antique-furnished lobby and a homely atmosphere. Some of the bedrooms have canopy beds, and all offer TV, video, and tea- and coffee-making facilities. There's also a laundry service. GBP110-130/?139.67-165.07. The Copper Kettle , Lewis Rd (tel 064/34164). Comfortable B&B accommodation with rooms that have pleasant, rustic-styled interiors; one room has an en-suite Jacuzzi bath. GBP55-70/?69.84-88.88. Fair View House , Lewis Rd (tel 064/34164). Good-quality guesthouse in the centre of town that offers a range of standard and en-suite rooms. All rooms have TV, video and hairdryers. GBP33/?41.90-GBP70/?88.88. Killarney Royal Hotel , College St (tel 064/31853, www.killarneyroyal.ie ). A family-run traditional hotel with a warm welcome. All the rooms have excellent furnishings and en-suite bathrooms, and there are some superior suites available. The generously proportioned sitting room has an elegant fireplace with a turf fire. Over GBP130/?165.07. Neptune's , Bishop's Lane, off New St (IHH; tel 064/35255, neptune@eircom.net ). A friendly hostel which manages to successfully combine size with intimacy and offers lots of information and discounts for tours in the area. Family rooms, twins, doubles (under GBP26/?33.01) and dorms are available. Orchard , Fleming's Lane, off High St (tel 064/31879). A very pleasant, centrally located B&B, tucked down a quiet alleyway. GBP33-40/?41.90-50.79. Peacock Farm Hostel , seven miles out of town, signposted off the road to Muckross (tel 064/33557). A relaxed hostel with lovely airy rooms that overlook a stunning, rugged mountain location; an ideal place to unwind. Breakfast is available, but bring your own food to cook in the evening. Free lifts to and from Killarney are available. Closed Oct-March. Sugan Hostel , Lewis Rd (IHH; tel 064/33104). Small, cosy, cottage-style hostel right in the centre of town. The owner is a musician who welcomes others who want to play, and sessions take place frequently in the summer. Dorms are cheerful and small, and one private room is available. You can rent bikes from here and there is plenty of information about what's on around town. Discounts can be arranged on local tours.
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