How do you get to Dublin?
Getting There7.3/10Easier to reach than about 70% of cities
- Main airport
- Dublin Airport (DUB)
Updated July 2026 · Sources cited: tourismattractions.net, vagabondtoursofireland.com
Good to know
Good to Know
- Dublin Airport has 2 terminals (T1 & T2). No public transport between them; 5-minute walk (300m).
- Leap Card is Ireland's transit card system. Buy one at the airport or city for better fares on buses, trams, and DART.
- For groups of 2+ people, taxis are often better value than buses and avoid luggage hassles.
- Ferry travel to UK from Dublin Port requires 40 minutes check-in but is more relaxed than flying.
- SailRail is a low-cost, eco-friendly way to reach the UK: max €60 one-way to anywhere in Britain with onward trains.
- Day trips via DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transit) are affordable for Howth, Dalkey, and coastal villages.
- Book accommodation near O'Connell Street or city centre for easy access to all transport hubs.
- Buses and coaches often arrive at Busáras central bus station or Connolly Station; know which for onward travel.
Airport
- Name
- Dublin Airport (DUB)
- Distance Km
- 12
- Notes
- No direct rail or tram connection to airport. MetroLink planned for future years.
Transport From Airport
Dublin Bus (Routes 16 & 41)
- Cost
- €2.00
- Frequency
- Every 15-20 minutes
- Duration Minutes
- 45-70
- Notes
- Cheapest option. Use Leap Card for best rates. Limited luggage space. Runs 24/7.
Dublin Express (Routes 782, 783, 784)
- Cost
- €9.00
- Frequency
- Every 10-15 minutes
- Duration Minutes
- 14-30
- Notes
- Fastest express service. Limited stops. Leap Card not accepted. Luggage storage included.
Aircoach (Routes 700, 700X, 702)
- Cost
- €9.00
- Frequency
- Every 15-30 minutes
- Duration Minutes
- 25-40
- Notes
- Premium coaches. Runs 24/7. Leap Card accepted but standard discounts don't apply. Good for south Dublin destinations.
Taxi/Rideshare (Uber, Free Now app)
- Cost
- €25
- Frequency
- On-demand
- Duration Minutes
- 25-40
- Notes
- Day rate (8am-8pm, Mon-Sat) typically €25-€35. Night/Sunday rates €32-€45. Door-to-door convenience. Metered, no surge pricing.
Private Transfer
- Cost
- €35
- Frequency
- Pre-booked
- Duration Minutes
- 25-40
- Notes
- Fixed pricing €35-€50 standard vehicles. Guaranteed availability. Pre-book online.
Coach Intercity
Eurolines
- Cost
- €39
- Route
- Dublin to London
- Schedule
- Overnight (8pm-8am)
- Departs From
- Busáras (central bus station)
- Travel time
- 8 hours
Leap Card Option
- Coverage
- Dublin Bus, DART, LUAS tram
- Description
- Visitor Leap Card for unlimited public transport travel
Options
24 Hours
- Cost
- €8.00
72 Hours
- Cost
- €18
7 Days
- Cost
- €24
Accessible Destinations
Wicklow Mountains & Glendalough
- Transport
- DART, public bus, or organized tours
- Distance Km
- 50
- Travel Time Minutes
- 90-120
Kilkenny (Medieval City)
- Transport
- Train or organized tours
- Distance Km
- 120
- Travel Time Minutes
- 120-180
Cliffs of Moher
- Transport
- Organized full-day tours
- Distance Km
- 200
- Travel Time Minutes
- 240+
Galway
- Transport
- Train or organized tours
- Distance Km
- 210
- Travel Time Minutes
- 150-180
Giant's Causeway & Belfast
- Transport
- Organized full-day tours
- Distance Km
- 180
- Travel Time Minutes
- 120-200
Howth (Coastal Village)
- Transport
- DART train
- Distance Km
- 15
- Travel Time Minutes
- 30
Dalkey
- Transport
- DART train
- Distance Km
- 20
- Travel Time Minutes
- 30-40
Rail Connections
- Getting To Stations From Airport
- Take Dublin Bus, Dublin Express, Aircoach, or taxi to city centre stations
- Note
- Dublin is a major rail hub for onward travel across Ireland
Main Stations
Dublin Connolly Station
- Routes
- DART (coastal), Irish Rail to northern and western Ireland
Key Destinations
- Belfast
- Galway
- Cork
- Limerick
Dublin Heuston Station
- Routes
- Irish Rail to southern and western Ireland
Key Destinations
- Cork
- Galway
- Limerick
- Waterford
Ferry Connections
- Note
- Dublin Port offers ferry routes to UK and France. Terminal is ~2 km from city centre.
Routes
Holyhead, Wales
- Frequency
- Up to 4 sailings daily
- Vessel Types
- Fast ferries (2+ hours) and conventional ferries (3.5 hours)
- Crossing Duration Hours
- 2-3.5
- Notes
- Shortest crossing. Dublin Swift fast ferry takes just over 2 hours.
Operator
- Irish Ferries
- Stena Line
Irish Ferries
- Frequency
- Multiple weekly
- Destination
- Cherbourg, France
- Crossing Duration Hours
- 18
- Notes
- Longer route; direct ferry to continental Europe.
Sailrail
- Option
- SailRail (Train + Ferry combined ticket)
- Price EUR
- €60
- Notes
- Fixed low-cost fare. Allows travel anywhere in UK via onward trains. Works in reverse (London to Dublin).
- Description
- Single ticket combining train from Dublin to Holyhead ferry and connecting UK train
Transfer From Port To City
- Cost
- €3.00
- Option
- Bus from Dublin Port Terminal
- Notes
- Operates from ferry terminal to George's Quay, central Dublin
Note
Dublin is a great base for day trips across Ireland
Organized Tours
Many tour companies offer daily coach tours from city centre to Cliffs of Moher, Glendalough, Kilkenny, Northern Ireland sites, and more.
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this getting there & away research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Dublin
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.