Cavan to Dublin Bus: Prices, Timetables & Routes

Anyone who’s made the trip between Cavan and Dublin knows the bus is the workhorse of the route — but choosing the right one can save both time and money. Expressway’s direct coach and Bus Éireann’s 109X each have their own loyalties, fares, and quirks. Here’s how they compare, down to the last departure.

Starting price: €16 (Alibus) / €17 (Expressway) ·
Fastest journey: 1 hour 43 minutes (Expressway) ·
Main operator: Bus Éireann ·
Frequency: Hourly on Expressway; 109X runs every 1–2 hours

How much is a bus from Cavan to Dublin?

Fares start at €16 with Alibus if booked online, though most travellers pay between €17 and €25 for the main operators. The exact amount depends on whether you choose Expressway’s direct coach or the 109X regional service.

What is the cheapest fare?

• Alibus offers fares starting at €16, bookable through online aggregators like Omio (Omio fare listing)
• CheckMyBus reports the cheapest observed price as $12 (approx €11) on 2 September 2025 (CheckMyBus price data)
• Busbud shows fares ranging from $12 to $87 depending on demand and booking window (Busbud observed range)

Expressway vs 109X pricing

• Expressway direct coach: €17–€25, depending on whether you book one-way or return (Bus Éireann fare info)
• 109X regional service: typically €16–€20 for a single ticket (Rome2Rio fare comparison)
• Book in advance at buseireann.ie for the best prices on both routes (Transport for Ireland fare guidance)

Are there student or group discounts?

• TFI Leap Card offers discounted fares for students on Dublin Bus services, though not directly on intercity routes (TFI Leap Card fare info)
• Group discounts are not explicitly listed on Bus Éireann’s site; booking multiple tickets together may yield savings through online platforms (Omio group booking options)

The trade-off: Alibus is cheapest but less flexible on timing; Expressway costs more but runs hourly. For regular commuters, the 109X at €16–€20 offers the best balance of price and schedule reliability.

What time is the last bus from Dublin to Cavan?

The last reliable departure from Dublin to Cavan is the 109X from Busáras at 23:35, though Expressway services may run slightly later depending on the day.

What is the last departure from Busáras?

• Bus Éireann’s 109X departs Dublin Busáras at 23:35, arriving Cavan approximately 1h 43m later (Bus Éireann 109X timetable)
• Omio lists the last bus from Dublin at 23:20, which aligns closely with the 109X schedule (Omio last bus timing)

What time does the last Expressway leave?

• Expressway services run hourly; the last departure is typically around midnight, but exact times vary (Rome2Rio Expressway schedule)
• CheckMyBus shows last departure from Dublin at 21:00 for some services, suggesting limited late-night options beyond 23:35 (CheckMyBus evening departures)

What time is the last 109X?

• The 109X’s final departure from Dublin Busáras is 23:35, making it the latest named service (Bus Éireann official timetable)
• After that, the next option is the 00:30 service listed by Omio, but this may be an Expressway variant (Omio early morning departure)

The implication: If you’re catching a late evening event in Dublin, the 23:35 109X is your firm cutoff. Missing that means waiting until the early morning services start around 00:30.

Does the 109 go to Cavan?

Yes — but with a crucial distinction. Bus Éireann operates two versions: the 109 (standard, with many stops) and the 109X (express, skipping smaller towns). Only the 109X is recommended for the full Cavan-to-Dublin journey.

What is the difference between 109 and 109X?

• Route 109 is a standard service that stops at many local villages and can take up to 2h 30m (Bus Éireann route descriptions)
• Route 109X is the express variant, serving Dublin to Cavan via Kells with fewer stops and a journey time of about 1h 43m (Bus Éireann 109X official page)

How long does the 109 take?

• The standard 109 takes around 2h to 2h 30m, versus the 109X at 1h 43m (Rome2Rio journey estimates)
• Omio lists the fastest bus overall at 1h 37m, which likely corresponds to an Expressway service (Omio fastest departure)

Where does the 109 stop in Cavan?

• Both the 109 and 109X serve Cavan Bus Station, located on Farmham Street in the town centre (Rome2Rio station details)
• The 109 also stops at intermediate points including Kells and Virginia, while the 109X is direct (Bus Éireann stop list)

The pattern: If speed matters, take the 109X. If you’re connecting to a local destination along the route, the standard 109 gives you more options — but at the cost of nearly an hour extra travel time.

Where does 27b leave from?

The 27b is a Dublin Bus route, not directly linked to Cavan services, but it often comes up in searches from travellers trying to connect within Dublin. Its main stops include Dorset Street and the city centre, making it useful for reaching Busáras or Connolly station.

Where is the 27b stop near Cavan Bus Station?

• The 27b does not go to Cavan; it is a Dublin city route covering Dorset Street, Parnell Square, and the city centre (Dublin Public Transport bus routes guide)
• Travellers arriving at Cavan Bus Station should take the 109X or Expressway into Dublin, then transfer to the 27b for local destinations (Bus Éireann 109X timetable)

Where does bus 27 go in Dublin?

• The 27 bus runs from Clare Hall to the city centre, serving Coolock, Artane, and Drumcondra (Dublin Public Transport 27 route info)
• Its terminus is near Busáras, making it a convenient connection for Cavan-to-Dublin travellers (Rome2Rio Dublin connection data)

How often does the 27 bus run?

• Dublin Bus core routes like the 27 run every 5 to 15 minutes during peak hours (Dublin Public Transport frequency guide)
• Services typically start around 5:00 AM and end by midnight (Dublin Public Transport operating hours)

Why this matters: The 27b and 27 are your link from Busáras to north Dublin neighbourhoods. Without them, a Cavan-to-Dublin trip becomes harder if your final stop is not right at the bus station.

Is the 46A still running?

Yes — the 46A remains an active Dublin Bus route, serving Howth to the city centre and Dun Laoghaire. It’s not directly relevant to Cavan travellers, but it often appears in search queries about Dublin bus services.

What is the 46A route?

• The 46A runs from Howth through the city centre to Dun Laoghaire, via O’Connell Street and UCD (Dublin Public Transport 46A route)
• It is a high-frequency route, with buses every 10 minutes during peak times (Dublin Public Transport frequency data)

Does the 46A connect to the Cavan bus?

• The 46A stops at Busáras, making it a valid connection for Cavan travellers arriving on the 109X (Bus Éireann Busáras stop info)
• From Busáras, take the 46A south toward Dun Laoghaire or north toward Howth (Dublin Public Transport 46A stops)

Where to find current service updates

• Real-time updates for the 46A are available on Transport for Ireland’s Journey Planner (TFI Journey Planner)
• Bus Éireann’s own website provides service alerts for 109X and Expressway routes (Bus Éireann alerts)

The catch: While the 46A is still running, it’s not the most efficient link for Cavan travellers — the 27 or 27b are usually better options for reaching the same areas.

Step-by-step: Booking your Cavan to Dublin bus

1. Check your preferred departure time — Expressway runs hourly, 109X runs every 1–2 hours (Bus Éireann 109X timetable)
2. Compare fares — Visit buseireann.ie for operator prices, or use Omio and Busbud for aggregator comparisons (Omio fare aggregator)
3. Book online for the best price — Alibaba from €16 via Omio; Expressway from €17 on buseireann.ie (Busbud price range)
4. Arrive at Cavan Bus Station — Located on Farmham Street, with shelters and real-time departure boards (Rome2Rio station details)
5. Transfer in Dublin — From Busáras, take Dublin Bus routes 27, 27b, or 46A for onward travel (Dublin Public Transport guide)

The pattern is straightforward: book early to lock in the €16–€17 fare, and know your Dublin connection before you arrive.

Expressway operates a bus from Cavan Bus Stn to Terminal 2 Zone 19 hourly.

Rome2Rio route overview

109X serving Dublin to Cavan via Kells with a journey time of approximately 1 hour 43 minutes.

Bus Éireann official timetable

For a traveller making the journey from Cavan to Dublin regularly, the choice is clear: Expressway for speed and frequency, 109X for evening departures and slightly lower cost, or Alibus for the absolute cheapest fare when flexibility isn’t a concern.

For a more detailed breakdown of departure times and stops, consult the detailed Cavan to Dublin bus timetable for 2025.

Frequently asked questions

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