Bus, Boat & Jaunting Car Tour with Gap of Dunloe Tours
Difficulty
easy
Duration
4–5 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for all fitness levels as most of the experience involves riding rather than hiking.
Overview
Witness Killarney’s wild beauty aboard a bus, a horse-drawn Jaunting Car, and a lakeside boat. This unique trip from Gap of Dunloe Tours Ltd blends tradition with breathtaking views along Ireland’s storied mountain passes and lakes.
Bus, Boat & Jaunting Car Tour
Killarney’s Famed Story Tellers! • 6 hours! • Traditional Jaunting Experience! • all ages
Select participants and date
About This Adventure
Experience the breathtaking landscapes of Killarney and the Gap of Dunloe on a unique journey combining a scenic bus ride, a traditional Jaunting Car ride, and a picturesque boat trip across the lakes. Enjoy stunning views, historic sites, and the chance to relax at charming cafes along the way.
See the beauty of the mountains, lakes, and historic roads of Killarney and the Gap of Dunloe, in the most traditional way.
Please Note - The Jaunting Cars are a separate business to Gap of Dunloe Tours and are an additional cost to the tour price. You pay the Ponymen direct for the Jaunting Car journey.
The charge is €35 per person (up to a max of 4 people). If your party is smaller than 4 you will often share a jaunting cart with others. If you would like to book a private jaunting car the cost for that is €140 per jaunting cart. Please bring cash to pay the Ponymen.
Duration
6 hours
About
Your trip
- Join us at O'Connor's Traditional Pub (7 High Street) Eircode V93 DV26 for the departure (10:00 am check in)
- Alternatively we can collect you from your accommodation between 9:45 -10:15 am.
- There is a private car park available behind O Connors (up the alley way), which costs €5 per day, this fills quickly in the morning.
The tour can go in two directions
- Your journey begins with a bus trip to Kate Kearney's Cottage or Ross Castle
- The Jaunting Car's take approximately 1.5 hours to travel the 7 mile (12km) journey through the Gap. Jaunting Cars are available to hire at Kate Kearney's Cottage or Lord Brandon's Cottage.
- The terrain is hilly and picturesque.
- The Gap walk ends at Lord Brandon's Cottage (Beautiful cafe and view)
- The boat takes you through the Lakes of Killarney and to Ross Castle
- Open roof boat with cover if needed
- And then from Ross Castle our bus will bring you back to the pub (O Connors Irish Pub)
- If you wish, feel free to bring your own picnic lunch
- For those guests leaving from Ross Castle, you will start your journey on the boat across the lakes and finish at Kate Kearney's and then a bus journey back to O'Connors Pub
- Please Note - The bus returns from Kate Kearney's Cottage to Killarney at 4pm. This bus also brings guests who are walking the Gap of Dunloe, which takes longer than the Jaunting Car journey. Often you will have a wait when you arrive to Kate Kearney's the perfect opportunity to enjoy refreshments.
Points of Interest
- Purple Mountain
- Dinish Island
- Lord Brandons Cottage
- Innisfallen Island
- Augher Lake
- Black Lough
- Macgillycuddy's Reeks
- Head of the Gap
Weather conditions:
- Sometimes the tour is done is reverse to suit weather conditions
- If the water level is low, please be careful as the short walk from the boat to path can be tricky.
What to bring
Please wear comfortable footwear and bring a rain jacket and/or sunblock, you will need one or the other or both!
Adventure Tips
Book in advance during peak seasons
This popular multi-transport tour fills quickly, especially in summer; early reservations ensure your spot.
Wear sturdy footwear
While mostly seated, you’ll be on rough, uneven terrain during stops—comfortable shoes make all the difference.
Bring layers and waterproofs
Ireland’s weather can shift quickly, so prepare for cool winds and rain even in summer.
Respect local wildlife and horses
Keep a safe distance from horses outside the Jaunting Cars and avoid feeding animals to protect their health.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Red deer often spotted grazing near the lakeshore.
- Peregrine falcons nesting on sheer mountain cliffs.
History
The Gap of Dunloe has long been a passageway shaped by glacial activity, with human presence dating back to ancient Celtic times.
Conservation
Killarney National Park actively protects native flora and fauna, with the tour encouraging low-impact travel methods to sustain this fragile landscape.
Select participants and date
Adventure Hotspots in Killarney
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Waterproof jacket
Protects against unexpected Irish rain during all parts of the trip.
all specific
Comfortable walking shoes
Provides stability on uneven surfaces when disembarking or stopping along the tour.
all specific
Layered clothing
Allows quick adaptation to changing weather from bus to outdoor carriage and boat.
all specific
Camera or smartphone
Capture vivid scenery from multiple vantage points throughout the journey.
all specific