Travel to Sligo
The Sligo Chess & Culture Festival takes place at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Sligo, just outside Sligo Town on Ireland’s northwest coast.
Sligo is well connected by bus and rail, with public transport options available from Ireland’s major airports and cities. You do not need to hire a car to attend the festival.
At a Glance
| Arrival Point | Recommended Travel to Sligo | Approx. Journey |
|---|---|---|
| Ireland West (Knock) Airport | Bus Éireann Route 64 | 1 hour |
| Dublin Airport | Bus Éireann Route 23 | 3 hours 30 minutes |
| Dublin City Centre | Direct train from Dublin Connolly Station | 3 hours 15 minutes |
| Shannon Airport | Car / Car Hire | 2 hours 30 minutes |
Driving or hiring a car? Ireland West Airport Knock is approximately 45 minutes from Sligo, Dublin Airport approximately 2 hours 45 minutes, and Shannon Airport approximately 2 hours 30 minutes.
Flying to Sligo
Ireland West (Knock) Airport
Closest airport to the festival
Ireland West Airport Knock is the closest airport to Sligo and may be the most convenient option for international visitors where suitable flights are available.
By Bus — Route 64
Bus Éireann Route 64 connects Ireland West Airport Knock with Sligo Bus Station.
Journey time: approximately 1 hour.
Sligo Bus Station is located immediately below Sligo Mac Diarmada Train Station. There is a taxi rank at the bus station, and the Radisson Blu Hotel is approximately five minutes away by taxi.
Route 64 Information & Timetable →
Bus Éireann →
Plan Your Journey →
By Taxi
A taxi from Ireland West Airport Knock directly to the Radisson Blu Hotel takes approximately 45 minutes.
Approximate fare: €95.
Airport Transport Information →
By Car
Car hire is available at Ireland West Airport Knock.
Dublin Airport
Dublin Airport offers the widest range of international connections and a direct bus service to Sligo.
Recommended: Direct Bus to Sligo — Route 23
For visitors flying into Dublin Airport, we recommend taking Bus Éireann Route 23 directly from Dublin Airport to Sligo Bus Station.
Journey time: approximately 3 hours 30 minutes.
This is generally the simplest public transport option. Travelling by train requires first travelling from Dublin Airport into Dublin City Centre and then transferring to Dublin Connolly Station for the train to Sligo.
Sligo Bus Station is located immediately below Sligo Mac Diarmada Train Station. There is a taxi rank at the bus station, and the Radisson Blu Hotel is approximately five minutes away by taxi.
Route 23 Information & Timetable →
Plan Your Journey →
Alternative: Train via Dublin Connolly Station
Visitors who prefer to travel by rail can travel from Dublin Airport into Dublin City Centre and then take a direct train from Dublin Connolly Station to Sligo Mac Diarmada Station.
Train journey from Dublin Connolly: approximately 3 hours 15 minutes.
Because this option requires travelling from the airport into Dublin and transferring to the train, we recommend the direct Route 23 bus for most visitors arriving at Dublin Airport.
Sligo Mac Diarmada Train Station is directly above Sligo Bus Station, where there is a taxi rank for the short journey to the festival hotel.
Irish Rail →
Plan Your Journey →
By Car
The drive from Dublin Airport to Sligo takes approximately 2 hours 45 minutes.
Car hire is available at Dublin Airport.
Shannon Airport
Best suited to visitors planning to hire a car
Shannon Airport can be a useful option for international visitors, particularly those combining the festival with a wider trip along Ireland’s west coast.
Public transport between Shannon Airport and Sligo is indirect and can involve a lengthy journey. For this reason, we recommend hiring a car if travelling to the festival through Shannon Airport.
By Car
The drive from Shannon Airport to Sligo takes approximately 2 hours 30 minutes.
Car hire is available at Shannon Airport.
Travelling from Dublin
By Train — Dublin Connolly to Sligo
Direct trains operate between Dublin Connolly Station and Sligo Mac Diarmada Station.
Journey time: approximately 3 hours 15 minutes.
Sligo Mac Diarmada Train Station is directly above Sligo Bus Station. There is a taxi rank at the bus station, and the Radisson Blu Hotel is approximately five minutes away by taxi.
By Bus
Bus services connect Dublin with Sligo. Use the Transport for Ireland Journey Planner to find current routes, timetables and journey options.
Bus Éireann →
Plan Your Journey →
By Car
The drive from Dublin to Sligo takes approximately 2 hours 45 minutes.
Arriving in Sligo
Sligo Bus Station and Sligo Mac Diarmada Train Station are beside one another in Sligo Town, making arrival straightforward whether you travel by bus or train.
The bus station is located immediately below the train station, and there is a taxi rank at Sligo Bus Station.
The Radisson Blu Hotel is approximately five minutes away by taxi.
Uber also operates in Sligo, providing another option for travelling to the festival hotel if there are no taxis available at the rank when you arrive
Festival Venue
Radisson Blu Hotel
Ballincar, Rosses Point
Co. Sligo
F91 XW7Y
Ireland
Useful Travel Links
Transport for Ireland Journey Planner →
Bus Éireann →
Irish Rail →
Planning Your Stay?
Once you’ve worked out how you’re getting to Sligo, start planning the rest of your visit.