Dublin Airport Transfers

Dublin Airport is one of the largest airports in Europe and is located 15 km from the city centre (about half an hour's drive). Once you land at Dublin Airport you can get to your hotel by bus or by hiring a private transfer. I'll give you all the details so you can plan your arrival in advance.

If you prefer to arrive directly at your hotel saving time and gaining comfort, I recommend private transport. Although you can order a taxi or VTC or hire a car on arrival, it is more convenient to pre-book a private transfer from Dublin Airport to your hotel and vice versa.

In addition to speed (it takes about half an hour to get to Dublin city centre) and comfort (all vehicles are fully equipped), pre-booking a private individual transfer from Dublin Airport to your hotel has other important advantages:

How this service works

The price per journey varies depending on the number of people in the group. You can book online; if your plans change you can cancel the service up to 24 hours before your arrival in Dublin.

Once you have made your booking you will need to provide your flight number and the address of your hotel in Dublin so that the driver can wait for you, taking into account any delays to your flight and drop you off directly at your hotel.

Private transfer back to the airport

This service is also available from your hotel in Dublin to the airport at the end of your trip. The conditions and price are the same; once the driver knows your flight details he will pick you up at your hotel in plenty of time for you to arrive at the airport without being rushed and without having to wait for hours until boarding.

I recommend using this service especially if your plane leaves early in the morning, as using Dublin's night transport can be quite tedious.

Ana's Traveller Tip

Before booking a private transfer, make sure that the final price is locked in and you won't be charged per extra person. Some private vehicles try to do this.

Aircoach bus

This is the fastest public transport option. These buses are distinguishable by their blue colour and stop at both terminals at Dublin Airport. The fare is 7 euros each way (12 if you buy a return ticket) and it only takes about half an hour to get to the centre as there are only three stops along the way - Drumcondra, O'Connell Street and Grafton Street.

They are available 24 hours a day and run approximately 15 minutes during the day and 30 minutes in the evening. You can buy your ticket directly on the bus.

Airlink

These are green double-decker buses provided by the city's official bus network. The difference with the scheduled buses is that they are specifically designed to connect the city centre with the two terminals at Dublin Airport (which means more luggage capacity).

The price is the same as the Aircoach buses (7 euros each way with a discount on the return ticket), but they have more stops (a total of 10) so you may find it useful if you are staying away from the Aircoach stops. The full journey time is one hour and the frequency is 15 minutes from 5.30am to midnight. There is no service at night.

Regular buses

These are the cheapest option and are signposted on arrival at the airport. However, you won't have much room for luggage as they are not special airport buses. It takes about 45 minutes to get to the city centre and depending on the area you are going to, there are three lines that stop at the airport: 16, 41 and 102. The ticket costs about 4 euros and you don't need a transport card to buy it.

Taxi

If you want to avoid public transport, but have not booked a private transfer on arrival at Dublin Airport, the option of taking a taxi is available. The taxi rank is indicated on the various signposts around the airport, but you will usually have to wait in a queue.

The price varies depending on the time of day and traffic, but if you need an approximate amount to get an idea, expect to pay between 25 and 35 euros.

VTC

Finally, you have the option of requesting a VTC upon arrival through the Uber application (you can use the airport's WIFI connection). The price will be fixed and you will be able to see it before confirming your request. However, you will have to make arrangements with your driver to pick you up at a specific point in the airport, which can be misleading if you are not familiar with the airport.

When to go to Dublin

The months of May to September are the warmest months in Dublin and therefore the best time to travel without the heat ruining your trip as average temperatures are limited to 20 degrees Celsius. If you're travelling in winter don't forget to pack warm clothes and an umbrella.

Where to stay in Dublin

Dublin is a very safe city, so there are no areas to avoid. However, you will often hear names like O'Connel Street, Temple Bar, Old Town and St Stephen's Green; these are the most central areas of the city where you'll have everything close at hand, so they tend to be the most popular for accommodation. Remember to book as far in advance as possible to save on costs.

Getting around Dublin

Mobility is not a problem in the Irish capital. When you're not walking between the city centre's attractions, you can cycle, which is a popular mode of transport in the city. For longer distances, there is an extensive network of buses, the underground and trams.

What to eat in Dublin

Dublin's cuisine is sometimes overshadowed by the international prominence of its whisky or beer, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy some of the city's traditional dishes during your visit. Be sure to try a good Irish stew or order soda bread to accompany your meal, made with baking soda instead of yeast. Make a note of boxty or coddle as typical dishes and always take advice from the locals.

Plan your trip to Dublin to make the most of the days you spend in the city. Here are some interesting articles on what to see and do in Dublin: