DUBLIN FAQ'S

How do I get from the airport to my hotel?

Visitors will be arriving by air at Dublin Airport (IATA code DUB), located approximately 6 miles north of the city center. If you have not booked a private transfer with us then you have a few options. Aircoach shuttle bus service runs from the airport to the city center 24 hours a day for €7 one way and €12 roundtrip. You buy your ticket from the driver and the service stops at major hotels. For more information, visit www.aircoach.ie.

If you need to connect with the Irish bus or rail service, Dublin Bus`s Airlink Express provides express coach services from the airport into central Dublin and beyond. Buses go to the city`s central bus station, Busáras, on Store Street and on to Connolly and Heuston railway stations. Service runs daily from 4:45am until 12:30am, with departures every 10 to 20 minutes. One way fare is €6 for adults and roundtrip is €11.

For speed and convenience, a taxi is the best way to get directly to your hotel. A line of taxis waits outside the arrivals gate; the fare for the 30 minute journey to most of the main city center hotels is between €20 and €35, depending on your destination. Ask about the fare before leaving the airport and note that a tip of a couple of euro is standard.

How do I get from the train station to my hotel?

Irish Rail (Iarnród Éireann) runs intercity trains connecting Dublin with the rest of Ireland. Connolly Station provides train service to and from the East Coast, Belfast, the North, and the Northwest. Heuston Station is the place for trains to and from the South and West including Galway, Limerick and Cork. Trains also run from here to Kildare Town, Maynooth and other stops west of Dublin.

A regular bus route (Route 90) connects the two main railway stations, Connolly and Heuston. Additionally, the Luas Red Line services both stations. There is a DART train link at Connolly Station and a taxi rank located at the side entrance of Heuston station.

How do I get from the port to my hotel?

Irish Ferries runs a regular high speed car and passenger service into Dublin port from Holyhead and Pembroke in Wales. Stena Line has services to both Dublin and nearby Dun Laoghaire port from Holyhead. Taxis are available to take you into town from both ports or you can take DART or a bus to the city center.

How do I get around the city using public transportation?

Buses are the easiest way to get around the city. Dublin Bus operates a fleet of double-deckers, single-deckers, and minibuses (called `imps`). Bus stops are located every few blocks on main thoroughfares. Buses heading to the city center indicate that with the Irish phrase `An Lar`. Inner-city fares are based on distances traveled. Fares begin at €2.15 and are paid on board the bus. (The fare is €1.55 when using your Leap Card.)

Please Note: No Dublin bus accepts notes or gives change so be sure to have the correct coins. The sole exception to this rule is Airlink Express Route 747, which runs between the airport and the city center. It accepts notes and gives change.

Bus service operates daily starting at 5:00am (9:00am on Sunday) to midnight. On Friday and Saturday nights, Nitelink service runs from the city center to the suburbs from midnight to 4:00am at a cost of €6.60 (€4.50 on your Leap Card). Buses run about every 30 minutes; schedules are posted on revolving sign boards at bus stops.

Several buses link the DART stations. An acronym for Dublin Area Rapid Transit, the electric DART trains travel above ground, linking the city center stations at Connolly Station, Tara Street, and Pearse Street with suburbs and seaside communities. Service operates roughly every 10 to 20 minutes Monday to Saturday from around 5:30am to 12:00am (midnight) and Sunday from 9:30am to 11:30pm. Individual fares begin at €3.30 (€2.40 when using your Leap Card). Tickets can be bought at stations, but it`s also possible to buy weekly rail tickets, as well as weekly or monthly rail-and-bus tickets, from the Irish Rail Travel Centre. For further information, contact DART, Dublin Pearse Station (tel. 01/703-3592).

The sleek, modern (and wheelchair accessible) light rail tram system, known as Luas, runs from around 5:30am to 12:30am Monday to Friday, 6:30am to 12:30 am on Saturday, and 7:00am to 11:00pm on Sunday. There are two lines, Red and Green, facilitating easy access to sights like the Guinness Storehouse (James Street Stop), O`Connell Street (the Northside Abbey Street stop), and St. Stephen`s Green. They run every 7 to 10 minutes at peak times and every 15 to 20 minutes after that. Fares range from €2.10 to €3.20 according to the number of zones traveled. (That price range is reduced to €1.54-€2.40 for Leap Card holders.) For further information, contact Luas (tel. 01/800-300-604 or 01/461-4910).

How do I call/hail a taxi?

It can be difficult to hail a taxi on the street; instead, they line up at taxi stands called `ranks`. Taxi ranks are located outside major hotels, at bus and train stations, and on major thoroughfares such as Upper O`Connell Street, College Green and the north side of St. Stephen`s Green. The initial charge is €3.60 (reduced in 2018 from the former €4.10), with an additional charge of about €1.10 per kilometer afterwards (€1.45 for trips longer than 15 km). The fare is displayed on a meter (make sure it`s turned on). You may want to phone a taxi company to meet you at your hotel, but this may cost up to €2 extra. Each extra passenger costs €1, but there is no charge for luggage. To call a cab try Co-Op (tel. 01/677-7777), Trinity (tel. 01/708-2222), and VIP Taxis (which can be summoned by downloading the VIP Taxis app).

Note: Although the taxi fleet in Dublin is large, the cabs are not standard, and some cars are neither large nor in good condition. And not all cabs are equipped to accept credit cards so make sure you ask BEFORE you get in.

I will have a car in Dublin, where can I park?

Unless absolutely necessary, we suggest that you don`t drive in Dublin! The city`s roads are crowded and confusing with heavy traffic, one way streets and bad signage being common problems. Gasoline is also expensive at around €2 a liter. If you have a car, leave it behind at your hotel or as close as you can get as parking is notoriously difficult. If you are planning on taking any day trips or touring the Irish countryside then we suggest you pick up your rental car as you depart the city to avoid excessive rental/parking expenses.

Is Dublin a walking city?

Wonderfully compact, Dublin is ideal for walking. The majority of the capital's best sites are located in the city center, an area of only a few square miles. Just remember to look right and then left (and then look again) before crossing the street. Pedestrians have the right of way at special crossings marked with black and white stripes. These intersections usually have two flashing lights as well.

Is Dublin a dangerous city? Are there certain areas I should avoid?

Like most big cities, Dublin has its share of crime, but in general, violent crime against visitors is extremely rare. Tourists are typically prey to incidents of pickpocketing and mugging and should take the same precautions as they do elsewhere in the world. They should also avoid visiting ATMs if it is late at night and there aren't many people around.

Can I pay/tip in U.S. dollars?

The currency of Ireland is the Euro (€). U.S. dollars are not accepted. Please be sure to have the correct currency on hand or be prepared to exchange your dollars for euros upon arrival. Currency exchange desks and ATM's can be found at the airport and many locations throughout the city. For more detailed information, consult our guide to tipping in Ireland by clicking here.

What are the best areas for shopping?

The hub of mainstream shopping south of the Liffey is Grafton Street, but there's much better shopping on the smaller streets radiating out from Grafton, such as Duke, Dawson, Nassau and Wicklow. On these streets you'll find smart boutiques and small, interesting shops that specialize in books, handicrafts, jewelry, gifts and clothing, but don't expect too many bargains.

The best items to buy are Aran wool sweaters, Waterford Crystal, tweed, Irish linen handkerchiefs and tablecloths, Belleek china, Irish whiskey and traditional musical instruments like the bodhrán (drum), harp or pennywhistle.

I hear Dublin is home to many museums. Is it worth it to buy the Dublin Pass in order to visit them?

The Dublin Pass is a very convenient way to see lots of attractions for a reasonable price. Over 30 different attractions are included in the cost of the Dublin Pass, such as the Dublin Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour, the Guinness Storehouse, the Old Jameson Distillery, Dublin Castle, EPIC: The Irish Emigration Museum, Christ Church Cathedral, the Teelings Whiskey Distillery Tour, St. Patrick`s Cathedral, Dublinia, Malahide Castle, the Jeanie Johnston Tall Ship, Dalkey Castle and Heritage Centre, the An Post General Post Office Visitor Centre, the Dublin Zoo, Dublin City Hall, the Hugh Lane Gallery, the Dublin Writers Museum, and the National Museum of Gallery - Natural History, among others. The Dublin Pass costs €62 for a one-day adult pass, €79 for two days, and €92 for three days. It can be purchased online at www.dublinpass.com or in person in Dublin (view the FAQ section on the Dublin Pass website to find out where).

I want to bike on my vacation. Where can I rent a bicycle in Dublin?

The easiest way to rent a bicycle while in Dublin is to locate one of the 115 Dublin bike stations. Dublinbikes (www.dublinbikes.ie) was inaugurated in 2009, and in the last decade, partnerships with Coca-Cola Zero and the online food delivery company Just Eat have expanded the service, and now over 1,600 Dublinbikes are located throughout the city. Kiosks are located next to the bikes, and it is required for riders to register (paying a €5 fee for three days of riding) before taking a bike. Fares are currently free (up to 30 minutes), €0.50 for an hour, €1.50 for two hours, €3.50 for three hours, and €6.50 for four hours. Every extra 30 minutes after four hours costs €2.