Host Family Half-board
Enjoy a Classic Homestay Experience with Daily Meals
Live with a friendly host family in Cork, where you’ll experience life in a local household and practice your English in real-life situations. Experience authentic Cork life while improving your language skills.
Meals
Enjoy half-board from Monday to Friday, which includes breakfast and an evening meal. On Saturdays and Sundays, you’ll receive full-board, with breakfast, lunch, and dinner provided.
Location
All of our host families are conveniently located within the Cork City Bus Red Zone (routes 201–220), with an average travel time of 30 minutes to Cork English Academy.
What’s Included
Your stay includes Wi-Fi access and use of laundry facilities. Standard check-out time is 11:00 am, but later departures may be arranged directly with your host.
Cork Transfers
Transfers are available between 08:00 and 00:00 midnight on Saturday and Sundays Only. Please note that late-night or mid week arrivals are not permitted.
Booking Requirements
Minimum Stay: 2 week booking minimum. However, booking at least 4 weeks accommodation prior to arrival is strongly advised.
Arrivals and Transfers: Stays are booked from Saturday to Saturday or Sunday to Sunday. Arrivals and transfers must be between 08:00 and 00:00 midnight. If arriving mid-week or late, book a hostel in Cork, and the host family can pick you up from there on the weekend.
Suitability: Host family accommodation is not suitable for students needing to work remotely. These students should consider a shared apartment stay instead. Students are not permitted to smoke in the home.
Room Types
Single Room: A private room for one guest.
Twin Room: 2 single beds in 1 room, suitable for friends travelling together.
Double Room: This room is exclusively for couples traveling together.
Shared Bathrooms: We currently do not have private bathroom options.
Host Family Price
Per person per week
| Room | € |
| Single | €220 |
| Twin | €195 |
| Double | €195 |
+ €60 placement fee per person
Supplements
- Christmas Supplement 20 December to 6th January: €50 ( €25 per week)
- Supplement for vegan or coeliac diets:€25 per week
- No security deposit required.
Student Bus Fares
If you are staying outside of Cork City centre you might need to take the bus to school. Here’s some information about getting bus tickets at discounted rates.
General bus tickets are €1.90 per journey, Adult Leap Cards have a ticket price of €1.35 and Young Adult Leap Cards have a further discounted price of €0.65 per journey.
Anyone the age of 25 or younger is eligible to apply for a Young Adult Leap Card, which allows travel at the discounted rate of €0.65 per journey on Cork City Bus Éireann services and selected others (e.g., Cobh Connect).
Previously, students over the age of 26 enrolled in courses of 6 months or more could apply for a Student Leap Card. However, the Leap Card office is currently not issuing Student Leap Cards. We understand this is frustrating and hope it’s only a temporary issue.
If You’re 25 or Younger – Apply for a Young Adult Leap Card
- €0.65 per journey with a TFI Young Adult (25 or under)
- Anyone aged 25 or younger can apply online and have their card posted to their address in Cork.
- Apply Online Today.
If You’re 26 or Older – Use the TFI Go App for €0.65 Fares
Until the Student Leap Card issue is resolved, students aged 26 and over can still access the €0.65 fare using the TFI Go (Transport for Ireland) app. This is a great alternative that works regardless of age, as long as the correct steps are followed.
How to Use the TFI Go App for €0.65 Bus Fares:
- Create a Profile
Download the TFI Go app and register an account. - Buy a Card
Select “Bus Éireann” as the operator. - Buy a Ticket
- Passenger Type: Young Adult / Student
- Ticket Type: Cork Single Zonal (one-use ticket)
- Zone: Select Red Zone – €0.65
- Proceed with payment and card details.
- Manage Tickets
- Tickets appear under Active, Past, or Available Tickets.
- Active tickets must be used within 90 minutes of activation.
Top Tip: Only activate your ticket when your bus is about to arrive — just in case it’s delayed or doesn’t show up.
More Accommodation Options
Find Your Own Room
Explore local accommodation options independently of the school.
Host Family Self-Catering
Experience the independence of preparing your own meals while staying with a friendly host.
Shared Apartment
Viva Ireland offers rooms to rent for students and professionals who are looking for a place to stay in Cork.
Ready to Start Your Language Journey?
Get a Customized PDF Quotation or Make a Booking Today
No commitment or payment is needed right away. Simply explore your options and choose what course timetable and accommodation suits you best.