Killarney: Lakes Boat Tour & Gap of Dunloe Jaunting Cart

Three Lakes, One Mountain Pass, Two Ways to Move

You get picked up by bus, spend ninety minutes on a boat through Killarney's three lakes with views of Ross Castle and the Meeting of the Waters, then transfer to a jaunting cart for a two-hour climb through the Gap of Dunloe. The cart ride is paid separately in cash to the driver at the cottage (budget €120 per cart for up to four people), and the return bus brings you back to town by afternoon.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Gap of Dunloe5h
2. Ross Castlepassing by

Bus, boat, and jaunting cart tour

• Take morning bus transfer
• Boat journey through three Lakes of Killarney
• View Ross Castle from boat
• Pass Old Weir Bridge at Meeting of The Waters
• Jaunting cart ride through Gap of Dunloe (optional, pay driver)
• Return by bus in afternoon

The experience

The bus pulls out in the morning and you're already climbing toward the water. Killarney's three lakes spread below as the boat leaves the dock, and for the next ninety minutes you're gliding past Ross Castle, watching the shoreline change from green fields to steep rock. The Old Weir Bridge marks where the lakes meet. A narrow stone arch that's been there long enough to feel permanent. You'll see it from the water, and later from the jaunting cart, which is the whole point of this tour: two different angles on the same landscape, two different speeds.

After the boat, you're driven to either Kate Kearney's Cottage or Lord Brandon's Cottage at the base of the Gap of Dunloe. That's where you pay the ponymen directly: €120 per cart, cash only, maximum four people per cart. The jaunting cart climbs seven miles through the mountain pass in roughly ninety minutes to two hours, depending on pace and how many times you stop to photograph the valley. It's not a gentle ride. The cart bounces on the old track, and the ponies move at their own rhythm. Bring cash, wear layers (it's cooler up there), and don't expect the driver to rush.

The whole day runs from morning pickup through afternoon return, so you're out for most of the daylight. The bus is air-conditioned, which matters on the drive to and from town. The boat is the easier part. You sit and watch. The jaunting cart asks more of you physically. It's a working mountain road, not a scenic loop. If your back or heart isn't up for it, or if you move slowly, this isn't the right fit. But if you can handle the bounce and the pace, you see the Gap the way people have seen it for generations: from a cart pulled by a pony, moving through stone and heather.

What’s included

Hotel or town pickup in the morning, air-conditioned bus transfer to the lakes, a ninety-minute boat journey through the three Lakes of Killarney with views of Ross Castle and the Meeting of the Waters, and afternoon return transport. The jaunting cart through the Gap of Dunloe is arranged separately and paid directly to the ponymen in cash (€120 per cart, maximum four people per cart).

Before you book

Days and timesThursday to SaturdayDeparts at 10:00Last departure this season: 31 Oct

AgesUp to age 70

GroupUp to 60

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 34 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on site€ 35

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Gap of Dunloe Tours

Is this one for you?Right for travelers who want to see Killarney's lakes and mountains in one day without arranging their own transport. Plan for a full day out (the boat and cart together take most of the daylight), and expect the jaunting cart to be a working ride on a mountain track, not a smooth scenic drive.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Is the jaunting cart included in the tour price?

No. The bus and boat are included. The jaunting cart costs €120 per cart (up to 4 people) and you pay the ponymen directly in cash on the day.

How long is the boat journey?

Approximately ninety minutes through the three Lakes of Killarney.

How long does the jaunting cart take through the Gap of Dunloe?

Between ninety minutes and two hours, depending on pace and stops. The distance is seven miles (eleven kilometers).

Where do I pay for the jaunting cart?

You pay the ponymen directly in cash at either Kate Kearney's Cottage or Lord Brandon's Cottage, where the carts are hired.

What should I bring?

Cash for the jaunting cart, layers or a jacket (it's cooler in the mountains), and comfortable shoes for the cart ride.

Is this tour suitable for people with back problems?

The tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries. The jaunting cart bounces on a mountain track, so discuss it with your doctor first.

Can children do this tour?

Yes. Infants can ride in a pram or stroller on the bus and boat. Small children can sit on an adult's lap. The jaunting cart is suitable for children who can sit still for one to two hours.

Is the vehicle air-conditioned?

The bus is air-conditioned. The jaunting cart is open to the air.