Transport

Road

The town is situated on the M6 motorway connecting Galway to Dublin. The route bypasses Athlone on the northern side of the town, crossing the River Shannon into county Roscommon. A number of national secondary roads connect Athlone with other towns and regions. The N55 road connects the town with Ballymahon and Cavan, the N61 road connects it with Roscommon, and the N62 road connects it with Birr, Roscrea, and southern Ireland.

If you are arriving by car from Dublin or Galway, at exit 10 from the bypass take the N55 north. If arriving by bus or train take the N55 north. The accommodation unit is located behind the Department of Education and Skills building, approximately 2km from the town centre.

Bus

Bus Éireann, the national bus operator, operates beside the railway station and provides an hourly service to Dublin and Galway. Other services provide transportation to Limerick, Dundalk, Waterford, Cavan, Belfast, Longford, and Roscommon.

Bus Éireann also operates a local Athlone bus service. Route 459 runs from the Bus Station to Willow Park and Athlone Institute Of Technology, Route 459A runs from Monksland, in the west to Athlone Institute Of Technology.

A bus service operates twice a day to the Direct Provision site.

See Bus timetable

Rail

Athlone railway station provides train services travelling eastwards to Portarlington, Kildare, and Dublin Heuston, and westwards to the Westport/Ballina lines as well as to Athenry, Oranmore, and Galway.

Taxi

Taxi service is widely available throughout the area but this is more expensive than public transport.