How to Get From Dublin Airport
Here are your options for getting to Dublin City Center from Dublin Airport on public transportation, by rental car, or by taxi (and back again).
Before you start exploring Dublin, you need to get there first. For many visitors, the first journey to the city center will start at the international airport.
In many destinations, getting from the main international airport to the capital city can often be quite a stressful and time-consuming process.
Luckily, getting from Dublin Airport to the city center of Ireland's capital is relatively easy.
There are several reasons why arriving in Dublin from the airport for the first time is not as challenging as elsewhere.
For starters, Dublin Airport is just 10 kilometers north of Dublin City Center. Frankly, the proximity of these two points makes everything so much easier.
Secondly, there are not that many options to choose from, and all of them are easy to understand.
Lastly, there is no need to combine modes of transport, making the entire journey very straightforward in this regard.
Let's find out the best way to get to Dublin City Center from Dublin Airport and vice versa.
Getting From Dublin Airport to Dublin City Center
As the options are limited, most travelers will need to decide whether to take a taxi, rent a car, or hop on the bus in order to travel from the airport to the city center.
As you can see, there are only a few options, and all have their own pros and cons.
Before starting your trip, there are a few things you should know about Ireland before you go that will allow you to plan your vacation better.
Also, make sure to read our guide on when to visit Ireland, plus how to get around Ireland.
These useful travel guides will not only help you to get a better idea of what to expect from the Emerald Isle but also allow you to decide on what is the best way to get from Dublin Airport to Dublin City Center and back.
And that's why initially you've come to this place. Don't worry. We've got you covered.
By Car
The easiest way to get to and from Dublin Airport from Dublin City Center is by car.
Renting a car in Ireland is very easy, and obviously, you can pick up your vehicle directly at the airport.
In this case, getting to the city center via M50 (and later N1) should not take longer than 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the current traffic situation.
During rush hour, GPS navigation will give you several routes to choose from to beat the traffic.
The route can vary dramatically, so pick the one that's the quickest at the given moment.
Honestly, the hardest part when renting a car at the airport and traveling to the city center from there is to decide whether you actually want to get from the airport directly to Dublin or not.
Depending on your Ireland road trip itinerary, exploring the Irish countryside first and visiting Dublin at the end of your trip might be a better choice.
This is the approach we opted for on our first trip to Ireland.
Therefore, we rented the car at the airport and drove directly to County Wicklow, where we visited Powerscourt, Glendalough, and Wicklow Mountains.
By the way, make sure to read our guide on tips for driving in Ireland, as there are a few things you should also know about this topic before you go.
After driving around the entire island, we arrived in the city center from the north, basically the same way as if we were traveling from the airport.
We arrived in the city during the peak time, and the traffic was really bad, so the journey took about an hour.
The situation was completely different on the way to the airport as we left the hotel super early in the morning.
The traffic was very light, and it took us about 25 minutes to reach the rental car office outside the airport.
Nevertheless, if you decide to visit Dublin at the end of your vacation, you might consider returning the car in the city and taking a taxi or bus to the airport instead.
If you decide to get to Dublin by car, don't forget that parking in Dublin City Center is limited and expensive.
If you're staying there overnight, make sure to find a hotel that has private parking or offers deals for nearby garage parking.
Travel Resources
When renting a car, we use Rentalcars.com.
By Taxi
As mentioned above, getting from the airport to Dublin City Center by car is a great option for most travelers traveling in a group.
Regardless of the destination, getting from and to the airport by taxi is often the fastest and most comfortable option you can choose from, especially if you don't mind spending a bit extra on transport.
The biggest advantage of this option is that taxis run between the airport and the city center 24/7.
It's usually also the fastest way to reach your hotel. You can easily catch a cab from the airport, as there are taxi stands at both terminals.
Taking a taxi from the airport is definitely more expensive than public transport, especially at peak times.
On the other hand, traveling in a group will save you money.
Taxis in Ireland have a yellow sign on them.
Unfortunately, there is no traditional Uber in Ireland, so even though you can get a cab via the app, the licensed drivers will use the meter.
By Bus
If you're visiting Ireland on a budget, then you are definitely wondering whether there is a way to get from the airport to the city center by public transport.
The good news is that you can take a direct bus from Dublin Airport to Dublin City Center.
Obviously, taking a bus is the cheapest way to get from the airport to Dublin, which is especially great for solo travelers or couples.
A regular bus ride from the airport costs around €4.
The downside is that the public bus is not the fastest way to get there as it makes stops along the way, but that's something you're probably prepared for.
Alternatively, you can pre-book an Aircoach (Airlink) bus for €7 one-way or €9 roundtrip.
As you can see, the roundtrip journey is almost the same as for public transit buses.
The best thing about this service is that it's fairly cheap and stops only at O'Connell Street, O'Connell Bridge, and Kildare Steet.
The buses leave the airport every 30 minutes in peak time, run 24/7, and stop at both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.
Another company that runs buses between the airport and the city center is Dublin Express.
The one-way ticket costs €7, and the buses go via the Dublin Port Tunnel, making it one of the fastest options you can pick.
They even claim on their website that the fastest journey takes only 14 minutes, but the buses run only between 4 AM and midnight.
Honestly, this is one of the best ways to get from the airport to the city center and back for visitors traveling on a budget or those who don't want to rent a car at the airport.
By the way, here you will find a list of free things to do in Dublin.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
Private Transfer
If you prefer to arrange things in advance, then you might consider booking a Dublin Airport: Private Transfer to/from Dublin City Center.
While private transfers are a bit more expensive, it is one of the most convenient and hassle-free ways to get to Dublin.
Similar to taxis, private transfers will drop you off at your hotel (or pick you up on the way to the airport).
By Train
Unfortunately, no train connects the Dublin Airport with the city center.
Where to stay
Finding accommodation in Dublin City Center is not difficult, but it's always better to make your reservations in advance.
Furthermore, be prepared that hotels in Dublin are expensive, and even the budget hostels are not cheap.
We've included three hotels in Dublin City Center for all types of travelers.
Additionally, there is also an option to stay at the airport, which is especially handy for travelers who need to catch an early flight.
Here are the best hotels in Dublin.
Budget | Jacobs Inn Hostel - This affordable hostel in the heart of Dublin has clean and modern dormitories (with lockers), private rooms, luggage storage, and helpful staff.
Mid-range | Leonardo Hotel Dublin Parnell Street - Located on Dublin's Parnell Street, Leonardo Hotel has a perfect location for exploring the city center and its top attractions. The hotel has contemporary rooms with comfy beds, welcoming staff, and an on-site restaurant and bar. A buffet breakfast is available.
Luxury | The Marker Hotel - Located on Grand Canal Square, The Marker is one of the best hotels in Dublin. It features modern rooms, an infinity pool, a spa, gym, and the Rooftop Lounge features views of the cityscape.
Dublin Airport | Radisson BLU Hotel Dublin Airport - Located directly in the Dublin Airport Complex, Radisson BLU Hotel Dublin Airport has modern and spacious rooms with great views and a fantastic location for early morning flights.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
