Portlaoise to Dublin Airport: Bus Timetables & Tickets

If you’re heading from Portlaoise to Dublin Airport, you have two main operators competing for your fare — and catching the wrong one can mean an extra hour on board. The N7 corridor between Laois and the capital is well-served, but routes, stops, and booking requirements aren’t always obvious from a quick search.

Fastest bus time: 1h 10m · Starting price: €14 · Daily services: 112 on JJ Kavanagh routes · Key operator: Dublin Coach 726 · Route availability: 24/7 N7 service

Is there a bus from Portlaoise to Dublin Airport?

Yes — and you have two distinct options depending on whether you want a direct motorway run or don’t mind extra stops. Dublin Coach operates route 726 directly from Portlaoise to Dublin Airport via the N7, while JJ Kavanagh runs services 735 and 736 that connect Portlaoise to Dublin Airport via Dublin City.

Dublin Coach 726 service

The 726 is your fastest bet. It runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week from Portlaoise Blue Bridge directly to Dublin Airport (Dublin Coach N7 Timetable, October 2023). Departures from Portlaoise start at 00:30 and continue every hour through the night and day. The bus reaches Dublin Airport Zone 16, then continues to Red Cow Luas — about 20 minutes after the airport stop (BusTimes.org).

JJ Kavanagh routes

JJ Kavanagh’s airport network is broader but less direct from Portlaoise specifically. Routes 717, 735, and 736 together account for 112 services daily to Dublin Airport (JJ Kavanagh). Route 735 connects Portlaoise to Dublin Airport via Dublin City, with departures from the Limerick area around 06:45 and 07:00 (JJ Kavanagh 735 Timetable). All JJ Kavanagh airport buses depart from Coach Park Zone 16.

The implication: if your flight is early morning or late night, the 726’s hourly 00:30-to-23:30 pattern covers you without booking. JJ Kavanagh requires pre-booking even for 24-hour services.

What bus goes straight to Dublin Airport?

The Dublin Coach 726 is the only direct route from Portlaoise to Dublin Airport. It serves the N7 motorway corridor through Kildare towns like Naas and Newbridge, with 23 stops between Dublin Airport Zone 16 and Portlaoise JFL Avenue (Moovit).

726 N7 Service details

The 726 departs Portlaoise at 00:30, 01:30, 02:30, 03:30, 04:30, 05:30, 06:30 and continues hourly throughout the day (Dublin Coach N7 Service Page). The Portlaoise Hospital stop is three minutes after the main Portlaoise stop — so 00:33, 01:33, and so on. From Dublin Airport, buses leave every hour from 00:30 to 23:30.

Direct routes and stops

The route from Dublin Airport goes: Zone 16 → Red Cow Luas (20 minutes later) → Naas Poplar Square (55 minutes into the journey) → Newbridge St Conleth’s Church (~01:38 from a 00:30 departure) → Portlaoise JFL Avenue (BusTimes.org 726 Schedule).

Is the 46a still running?

No. The 46a route ceased operation after nearly 100 years of service, replaced by 24-hour E1 and E2 routes that cover similar territory (Dublin Airport Official Bus Routes). The E1 and E2 routes operate 24/7 and serve Dublin Airport Zone 12.

Replacement routes

If you’re coming from Portlaoise, the 46a’s replacement doesn’t directly serve your starting point. Your best options remain the 726 on the N7 or JJ Kavanagh’s southern corridor services. The Dublin Airport official bus routes page lists all current services if you want to cross-reference.

Historical context

The 46a’s cancellation marks the end of a long-running Dublin route that connected the city centre to various suburbs. The E1/E2 replacements offer 24-hour coverage but take a different path via the M50 corridor rather than the city centre.

The trade-off: passengers who relied on the 46a for city centre access now have fewer options without a car or taxi, while airport travellers specifically benefit from the 726’s direct N7 timing.

Which buses serve Dublin Airport?

Dublin Airport lists all-Ireland bus routes departing from Zones 12 and 16. From Portlaoise specifically, two operators serve the airport: Dublin Coach and JJ Kavanagh.

From Portlaoise

Dublin Coach Green Bus (route 726): 24/7 direct N7 service. Every hour from 00:30. Serves Naas, Newbridge, Red Cow Luas, and Dublin Airport Zone 16. Earliest Portlaoise departure: 00:30.

JJ Kavanagh (routes 717, 735, 736): 112 daily services across three routes. Route 735 connects Limerick to Dublin Airport via Portlaoise. Pre-booking essential (JJ Kavanagh). JJ Kavanagh uses EURO VI engines for lower emissions on airport routes.

Frequency and operators

The comparison breaks down clearly: Dublin Coach 726 runs hourly 24/7 — simple, predictable, no booking required. JJ Kavanagh runs 112 daily services spread across three routes with more stops but also more departure times throughout the day.

How early should I get to Dublin Airport?

For most international flights departing from Dublin, aim to be at the airport at least 2.5 hours before departure for check-in, or 1.5 hours if you’re using online check-in and only need to drop bags. The quickest bus from Portlaoise is the 726 at approximately 1h 10m to 2 hours depending on traffic and your exact stop.

Check-in times

Dublin Airport’s US Pre-Clearance facility operates from Terminal 2 for American flights, requiring additional buffer time. Self-service bag drop is available in both terminals for eligible passengers. If you’re uncertain about desk locations or self-service options, check Dublin Airport’s official bus routes page for terminal maps.

Travel duration from Portlaoise

The 726 takes approximately 1.5-2 hours from Portlaoise to Dublin Airport depending on stops (Moovit). Add 20 minutes if you’re connecting to Dublin City after the airport. For a 10:00 flight, boarding the 726 at 07:30 or 08:00 from Portlaoise gives you a comfortable buffer — but if your flight is early morning, the 00:30 or 01:30 departure the previous night works if you want to sleep at the airport.

What this means: overnight layovers at Dublin Airport aren’t comfortable, but they’re better than missing a dawn flight because you underestimated the N7 traffic at 05:00.

Operator comparison

Two distinct options serve the Portlaoise-Dublin Airport corridor, with different trade-offs on time, convenience, and flexibility.

The pattern: choose 726 for speed and simplicity, choose JJ Kavanagh if you need Dublin City connectivity or want more departure time options.

How to book your Portlaoise to Dublin Airport bus

For Dublin Coach 726, you can board at any stop along the route — just turn up and pay the driver or buy tickets at the Dublin Coach website. For JJ Kavanagh, pre-booking is essential and can be done through their official site.

Dublin Coach fares start from approximately €14 based on typical intercity pricing for this route. JJ Kavanagh pricing varies by route and booking time.

“Pre-Booking Essential · Operating 24 hours.” — JJ Kavanagh (bus operator)

“726: N7 Service Portlaoise – Red Cow Luas & Dublin Airport. 24 Hours x 7 Days.” — Dublin Coach (bus operator)

For passengers with a Free Travel Pass, note that acceptance varies by operator and route — check with Dublin Coach or JJ Kavanagh directly before relying on it for airport travel. The exact terms aren’t consistently published, so calling ahead avoids surprises at the stop.

What this means: Portlaoise residents heading to Dublin Airport should take the Dublin Coach 726 for the fastest, most direct option with no booking required. Use JJ Kavanagh if Dublin City connectivity or more departure time options matter more. Either way, the 24/7 coverage on both operators means you’re covered even for dawn flights — travellers who skip pre-booking with JJ Kavanagh risk being turned away at the stop.