Getting Around Dublin: Your Comprehensive Guide
You’ve touched down in the Fair City. The bags are collected, the excitement is building and now comes the big question… How does getting around Dublin actually work?
Dublin is a city that’s best explored with a little bit of local know-how. And lucky for you, we’re the experts there.
Whether you’re hopping on the Dart for those stunning coastal views or navigating the cobblestones of Temple Bar (stilettos not recommended!), we’ve rounded up everything you need to move through Dublin like a pro.
Getting from Dublin Airport to the city centre
You’ve got plenty of great options to bridge the 10km gap to the city centre.
Dublin Bus
The cheapest way to get out of the airport is by travelling on Dublin Bus.
Hop on a 16, 19, 24 or 41 and you’ll get into town for €2 with a Leap Card (more on that later) or €2.60 without. The journey takes at least 45 minutes, so it’s longer than the other options. But if you have the time or you’re on a budget, it’s a great option.
Express Bus Services
Dublin Express and Aircoach are your ticket to a direct, comfortable run into town. You can expect Wi-Fi, plenty of luggage space and stops at key spots around the city like O’Connell Street, Trinity College and Heuston Station.
They usually take about 25 minutes with one-way rides €10 and return trips €13. You can buy them online in advance or from the driver.
If you book online, Dublin Express tickets are a little more flexible. They can be used on any of their buses either 12 hours before or after your chosen time.
Meanwhile, you’ve got to ring Aircoach to make changes to your booking. But as Aircoach offer services between Dublin Airport and Belfast, Cork and Galway, they’re a good choice if you’re going further afield.
Taxis
Taxis are often the quickest way to get out of the airport, particularly if you’re aiming for somewhere other than the city centre. There’s a well-managed taxi rank outside both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.
Depending on where you’re headed and the time of day, a trip to the city centre costs between €25 and €45. The drive should take between 20 and 40 minutes.
Take the Leap
If you’re planning on getting a lot of public transport on your trip, a Leap Card will be your not-so-secret weapon. You can use it on Dublin Bus, the Luas (the tram) and the Dart (train).
You can also use it in many of Ireland’s biggest cities and towns including Cork, Galway and Limerick, so ideal if you’re city hopping. There are a couple of different routes you can take for this. You can get a regular Leap Card or a Visitor Leap Card. What’s the difference?
Regular Leap Cards
Regular Leap Cards cost €5 and are available in over 2,000 outlets nationwide, including the Spar in Terminal 2. Once you have your card, you top it up in a shop, Dart station or Luas stop, or on this app and spend as you go. Leap fares are roughly 30% less than the cash equivalent.
In Dublin, a 90-minute trip across any combination of Dublin Bus, Luas or Dart is almost always capped at €2. Then there’s a daily cap of €6. It doesn’t expire, so if you’re staying for a while or you’re a frequent visitor to Ireland, getting one is a no-brainer.
If you’re not coming back for the foreseeable, you can also get a refund for the card. However, you’ll have to register your card online and then apply for a refund to an Irish bank account. Not totally practical if you’re coming from abroad! But there is another option…
Visitor Leap Cards
Visitor Leap Cards operate a little differently. You opt for 24 hours (€8), 3 days (€18) or 7 days (€24) of travel and that ticket is pre-loaded onto your card. You can add additional travel periods onto your card, up to a maximum of five times. And then your card expires after 12 months.
There are a handful of places you can pick this up across Dublin, including the Spar in Terminal 2. You can also have it delivered before your trip as you’ll need the physical card. It could take anywhere from three to 14 working days to arrive, depending on where you live.
Long story short, we think it’s a safer bet to just buy one when you arrive!
Easy to navigate and fun to explore, pick your mode of transport and discover all the delights of Dublin
Getting around Dublin: your options
Getting around Dublin is easy thanks to the fact it’s such a walkable city and there’s a great mix of transport. Grab the TFI Live app to plan public transport journeys in real-time across Dublin and beyond.
All aboard Dublin Bus
The Dublin Bus network is the most widespread public transport service in the city and even dips into neighbouring counties.
Paying in cash? Remember that you need exact change in coins to get on the bus.
But if you’re using a Leap Card, just tag on and hop aboard. No need to tag off here, but if you want to blend in with the locals, thank your bus driver as you’re getting off at the rear door.
Nip around on the Luas
With a name meaning speed in Irish, the Luas is one of the quickest ways to traverse the city centre. This tram system has two lines, Green and Red. The Green Line is great for heading south towards the leafy suburbs of Ranelagh or the shopping at Dundrum.
Meanwhile, the Red Line connects the two main train stations, Heuston and Connolly, as well as the central bus station Busáras. It’s also perfect for big gigs as it goes to the 3Arena.
You can buy a single fare in the machines at every Luas stop or use your Leap to tag on at the platform before you board. Don’t forget to tag off too!
Coastal views on the Dart
Dublin Area Rapid Transport (more commonly known as the Dart), hugs Dublin’s coast and can take you to some of the most beautiful seaside spots in the county. A trip on the Dart is worth it for the views alone!
You can buy single journey tickets at the machines in any station or use your Leap Card to tag on and off as you go through the platform barriers.
Pedal power
If you like an urban cycle, you’re going to love Dublinbikes. There are stations all over the city centre.
Here for just a couple days? Get a day pass from just €3.50. After that, you pay by journey. The first 30 minutes of every trip is free and it’ll cost €0.50 for a full hour of cycling joy.
You can rent it for up to 24 hours at an additional cost, but our tip for keeping your budget in check is to return your bike at the nearest station after every ride. And then if you want to hit the road again, simply pick up a new one.
Taxi!
Want to get somewhere fast? Hail a taxi off the street or head to an official rank to get yours. Alternatively, download the Uber or Freenow apps to schedule pick ups or get a ride asap.
But if you’re collecting Avios, Uber might be the better option. Link your AerClub and Uber accounts and every Irish taxi trip takes you one step closer to a free flight!
Taxis have to take card but you almost always have the option to pay in cash too, if you prefer.
Wondering about tipping? In Ireland, taxi drivers won’t expect a tip but around 10% would be appreciated. You can add a tip in the apps, if that’s how you hailed!
Your own set of wheels
If you’re planning on a road trip or two to neighbouring counties, hiring a car could make sense. And the good news is that you can collect Avios when you hit the road with Avis or Budget. Download the Payzone app and make your life a little easier when you’re paying for parking around the city.
Whether you’re visiting with kids or a gang of friends, compact Dublin is easy to get around as long as you know the basics
Getting around Dublin with children
Getting around Dublin as an adult is one thing, but is it trickier with kids? The good news is that Dublin is actually a pretty kid-friendly city.
Leap Cards for kids
Children under five years travel free on most public transport, with no additional card required. However, children aged 5-8 can also travel free if they have a Child 5-8 Leap Card. To apply for this, you need to upload your passport and your child’s passport or birth certificate. And, of course, allow for time for it to be sent out to you.
But there’s another option for kids aged 5-15. You can pick up a Child 5-15 Leap Card from thousands of outlets and when you do, your kid will travel with a reduced fare.
Is Dublin buggy friendly?
First things first, in Dublin, we tend to call strollers and pushchairs “buggies” or, occasionally, “prams”. But whatever you call it, these are important pieces of kit for small people.
For the most part, Dublin is pretty buggy friendly. Most of the footpaths in the city centre are fairly wide and relatively even, with dishing at all pedestrian crossings. Of course, the Temple Bar cobbles might prove slightly challenging!
The Luas and Dart are well set up for buggy access. You should be able to get on the platform and find a spot for your buggy with no major hassle. Dublin Bus can be a little trickier, especially during rush hour, as there’s only space for one or two buggies.
Irish car seat requirements
As a rule of thumb, children need a car seat of some kind until they are around 12 years old.
Add a child seat or booster to your car hire and you’re covered if you’re renting a set of wheels. If you’ve got a baby under nine months, contact the hire company first to see if they have a suitable seat for your family.
However, this rule doesn’t apply to taxis. They’re not legally required to supply car seats and children don’t have to use them in a taxi. Having said that, some taxi companies will provide one if you ask or you can use your own.
Hiring kids equipment in Dublin
If you don’t already know, every family with young kids flying with Aer Lingus can take one fully collapsible buggy free of charge, plus a car seat, booster seat or travel cot.
But if you want to hire any extras, Stork Rentals have a great range available in their Dublin Airport base.
Choose from well known brands for car seats, travel cots, high chairs, bouncers and even baby hiking carriers! They’ll even install car seats for you free-of-charge.
Just remember to book your gear in advance to avoid disappointment, especially during busy travel periods.
