OVER TWO-THIRDS (77%) OF PEOPLE IN IRELAND SAY GETTING TO THE AIRPORT IS MORE STRESSFUL THAN THE FLIGHT ITSELF

New Citylink Research Reveals Parking Costs, Traffic And Delays Are Driving Airport Travel Anxiety

According to a new Citylink commissioned survey, getting to the airport is proving more stressful than the flight itself for many Irish holidaymakers, with over three-quarters (77%) saying the journey to and from the airport causes them stress.

The research points to a clear insight: Irish travellers want airport journeys to be simpler, more predictable and cause them less anxiety.

To ensure 99 problems but airport travel isn’t one, Citylink has launched its new campaign, Just a Bus from Cork, that leans into local humour and pride while highlighting awareness towards Citylink’s Cork to Dublin Airport route as a straightforward alternative to driving. The campaign reframes the journey as something that doesn’t need overthinking, positioning Citylink as a reliable and easy option that works around real life. 

The survey, conducted via Opinions.ie, showcases that it’s not turbulence or take-off nerves weighing people down, it’s traffic, parking, delays and uncertainty before they even reach the terminal. Nearly 9 in 10 people (88%) agree that airport parking costs are high, while 74% say parking can be difficult to find. Meanwhile, 72% say driving and traffic contribute significantly to travel stress, rising to 84% when flights are delayed or schedules change.

Public transport isn’t always offering reassurance either, with 74% of respondents agreeing that airport transport options can be difficult to navigate or find, adding to the pressure of time-sensitive travel.

“What this research shows very clearly is that for many people, the stress starts long before they reach the airport,” said Seán Ó Ciardha, Marketing Manager,  Citylink. “Traffic, parking costs and the pressure of getting there on time all add up. With our Cork to Dublin Airport route, we aim to remove as much of that stress as possible — offering a simpler, more flexible way to travel that people can rely on. Citylink connects people across Ireland every day, and this route in particular plays an important role in supporting the public moving between two of the country’s key cities, whether they’re heading away for work, family or holidays.”

“Last year alone, over 300,000 passengers travelled on Citylink’s Cork to Dublin Airport route, with demand peaking at up to 25,000 passengers in the busiest months.”, Seán adds. 

As part of the campaign, Citylink is working with Cork personality Kevin Twomey. The phrase “Just a boy from Cork,” widely associated with the podcast I’m Grand Mam which is co-hosted by Kevin. The collaboration taps into the same Cork sensibility and turns Just a Bus from Cork into a familiar, catchphrase that residents will relate to.

As part of the campaign, Citylink is working with Cork personality Kevin Twomey. “Cork people have a habit of keeping things simple,” said creator Kevin Twomey. “When Citylink said ‘Just a Bus from Cork’, it made perfect sense to me. No drama, no overthinking, you get on the bus that is from Cork, someone else does the driving, and you’re sorted.”

Citylink’s Cork to Dublin Airport service offers a direct alternative to driving, removing the hassle of traffic and parking, while building flexibility into travel plans. Passengers can hop on the next available coach if they miss their bus at no extra cost, and tickets can be changed up to three times, making it easier to adapt when plans change. The service operates up to 14 daily departures each way (28 services per day), making it suitable for flights at any time of day or night.

With new, modern, comfortable coaches and a service relied upon daily by commuters, families and holidaymakers, Citylink aims to make the journey part of the trip, not the most anxious part of it.