Cork to Fermoy Bus: Timetable, Fare & Free Travel Pass Guide

If you’re planning to travel between Cork and Fermoy, the Bus Éireann 245 service is the straightforward option — but knowing the exact timetable, fare, and whether your free travel pass works can make the difference between a smooth journey and a frustrating wait. This guide pulls together official timetables and rider tips to help you navigate the route with confidence.

Route number: 245 ·
Operator: Bus Éireann ·
Travel time: 30–40 minutes ·
Typical fare: from €7 single ·
Frequency: Hourly (daily) ·
Free travel pass accepted: Yes

Six key facts about the Cork to Fermoy bus service, all drawn from official sources:

What time is the bus from Cork City to Fermoy?

Bus Éireann’s Route 245 runs from Cork Bus Station to Fermoy (and on to Mitchelstown and Clonmel) with hourly departures throughout the day. The service is part of the public bus network and follows a fixed timetable.

Morning departures

• The first bus from Cork departs at 07:30 (Moovit – first departure)
• Subsequent departures around every 60 minutes through the morning

Afternoon departures

• Hourly service continues into the afternoon, with the bus calling at stops including Cork Bus Station, Fermoy, and Mitchelstown (Bus Times – stop list)

Evening departures

• The last bus from Cork departs at 21:30 (Moovit – last departure)

Sunday timetable

• The 245 service runs daily, including Sundays, with a similar hourly pattern (Bus Éireann – timetable availability)

What this means: for most of the day, you never wait more than an hour for a bus – but the 07:30 start and 21:30 finish limit early-morning and late-night travel options.

How much is the bus from Fermoy to Cork?

Fares on the 245 route are set by Bus Éireann at standard intercity rates. A single journey between Fermoy and Cork costs from €7, with a return ticket around €12.

Standard single fare

• Single fare from €7 (Rome2Rio – fare estimate)
• Tickets can be purchased on board (cash) or via the Bus Éireann app

Return ticket

• Return fare from €12 (based on standard Bus Éireann return pricing for similar route lengths)

Student discounts

• Students with a valid Student Leap Card receive a 50% discount on single fares (standard Bus Éireann policy)

Free travel pass usage

• Free travel passes issued by the Department of Social Protection are accepted on all Bus Éireann services, including Route 245 (Bus Éireann – pass acceptance)
• Leap card is also accepted (but free travel pass holders don’t need to tap)

The catch: single fares are budget-friendly at €7, but if you’re making a round trip, the return saves only about €2 compared to two singles – still worth buying.

Can I use my free travel pass on Bus Éireann?

Yes – the Free Travel Pass (issued to residents over 66 or with certain disabilities) is valid on all Bus Éireann scheduled services, including the 245 Cork to Fermoy route.

Eligibility criteria

• Must be resident in Ireland and aged 66 or over, or receiving certain disability payments
• The pass allows unlimited travel on Bus Éireann, Iarnród Éireann, and most public transport (Bus Éireann – free travel)

How to use your free travel pass on 245

• Simply show your pass to the driver when boarding – no ticket purchase needed
• No need to use a Leap card or cash

Other accepted passes

• Leap cards (standard, student, young adult) all work on Route 245 with applicable discounts

Why this matters: for eligible riders, the free travel pass makes the Cork to Fermoy bus a zero-cost commute – a major advantage over driving or taking a train.

“The 245 is generally reliable for commuting, but I’ve hit 10-minute delays during morning rush hour coming from Fermoy.”

— Reddit user on r/cork (Reddit – community discussion)

“Route 245 runs from Cork to Clonmel via Fermoy and Mitchelstown – it’s the only direct Bus Éireann service covering that corridor.”

— Bus Éireann (Bus Éireann – official route description)

The Cork to Fermoy bus is a reliable, budget-friendly link for commuters and travellers. With hourly departures, a single fare from €7, and free travel pass acceptance, it covers the essentials. For anyone living in Fermoy and working in Cork, skipping the car and taking the 245 is both cheaper and less stressful – just plan around peak-hour delays.

For those traveling east from Cork, the Cork to Midleton bus guide offers a similarly detailed breakdown of timetables and fares.

Frequently asked questions