Dublin

Best travel options from Dublin Airport to Dublin City Centre

Read our vademecum to find out the best way to get from Dublin Airport to the City Centre.

Some basic facts everyone needs to know before landing in Dublin:

  • Dublin has only one Airport (Dublin Airport – DUB). And it’s located 14 km north of Dublin Central.
  • Dublin Airport to City Centre distance – It takes about 30 minutes to get to the City Centre (and vice versa).
  • The best way to and from the Airport is by taxi or bus.
  • Dublin Airport has no rail services.
  • There are 2 Terminals.
  • Dublin Airport is one of 7 airports outside of Canada with US Pre-Clearance.
  • The Airport’s restaurants offer a wide variety of cuisines.

Taxi from Dublin Airport to Dublin City Centre (recommended option)

Kickoff your layover with a short trip to the city, and if you don’t know how to get there, here you find some valuable tips!

The primary travel agencies and bloggers recommend catching a taxi or rideshare service from the Airport. Do you want to know why? Ridesharing holds many advantages over private buses and public transport.

Where do I find taxis and rideshare services from Dublin Airport to Dublin City Centre?

You can find taxicab stands directly outside of both terminals – follow the signs to get to the nearest ranks.

For rideshare services, please go to Baggage Claim. Once there, walk outside and look for Passenger Pickups or TNC/Rideshares.

Advantages

  • No need to queue up or wait – The service operates 24/7, so you won’t need to stand in line or wait endless minutes.
  • It’s a convenient way to go directly to Dublin hotels – Taxis can lead you from the Airport terminal straight to the City Centre or the street of your hotel.
  • You don’t need to drag your luggage around – Taxi drivers will help you with your luggage!
  • Taxis use a dedicated lane and the shortest routes to reach your destination – you won’t waste your time because taxis move faster than ordinary cars through traffic. Moreover, taxi drivers know the streets of Dublin like the back of their hands.

Taxi fare from Dublin Airport to the City Centre

The standard fare from Dublin Airport to the City Centre is €20-30. If you catch them late at night or on public holidays, the price rises. Please note that the price could also be higher if your accommodation isn’t located in the Central district.

Uber

Another way to get from Dublin Airport to City Center is to use Uber, the American multinational ride-hailing company. According to its Price Estimator, a ride from the Airport to the city centre is between €31-40.

Useful information

Security– As in every other city in the world, in Dublin, you’ll have to be very careful when taking a taxi. We believe in common sense, but scams are always around the corner. Once you get into your taxi, make sure that the driver has mounted the meter and that it’s visible. If the taxi driver offers you a fixed rate, check beforehand whether or not it’s an average price.

Tip – Many users have asked us if they should tip taxi drivers in Ireland. It is not mandatory to tip taxi drivers, but it is common to round up the ride’s price to €5 or €10.

How to get a taxi -Stopping a taxi downtown or at Dublin Airport is a piece of cake! Just raise your hand and let the driver know your intentions.

Bus from Dublin Airport to Dublin City Centre


If you’re on budget travel or simply not used to taxis, you’ll find several companies providing shuttle services from Dublin Airport to downtown.

The cheapest option – €6

Undoubtedly, the most convenient way to travel from Dublin Airport to the city centre is to book an Airlink one-way ticket online (it costs €6). Buying the tickets onboard will cost you an extra euro (€7 one-way).

If you’re going to be traveling a lot on public transport during your holiday, you can buy a Leap Visitor Card, which allows you to travel on Airlink buses at no extra cost.

The Dublin Airlink routes contain several interchanges with key Dublin tram stops and train stations (there are no express options). There are two routes, both of them serving Terminal 1 and 2. The 747 gets to Heuston Station, while the 757 route runs to Charlotte Way via Pearse Station. You can check the complete list of stops and interchanges here.

Find here more information about Airlink’s express services in Dublin.

From Dublin Airport to Dublin City Centre: Other options + Dublin Airport transfers

With the Dublin Express, from the airport you can get around Connolly Train Station on a direct route in just over half an hour.

Another affordable service to and from the Airport is the one provided by Terravision coach. The single ticket costs €7 and is valid for both lines 747 and 757 (it remains valid in case of a flight delay).

You can use the tickets even if the buyer’s name is different from that of the passenger. It’s important to print out the receipt!

Find more info about Terravision and all the rules for passengers on the websites.

From Dublin Airport to Dublin City Centre (and from Dublin to Airport), you can also take advantage of Aircoach services. A single ticket on Aircoach Route 702/703 is €9 (one-way), and it’s €14 per person for a return on the same service.
You can purchase the tickets online, on the app, or from the customer service staff at Dublin Airport. You can also buy a ticket on board.

Here more information about Aircoach

Leap Visitor Card

Buying the Leap Visitor Card in Dublin is the best option to get unlimited travel on Dublin Bus, Airlink, Go-Ahead Ireland,
Commuter Rail, Luas, and DART.

Where do I buy the Leap Visitor Card?

You can buy this special card directly online before you arrive in Dublin, so you can start using it from day one. Alternatively, you can purchase it from authorized agents in the city. Here you find a list:

Dublin Airport

Spar (T2 Arrivals)
WHSmith (T1 Arrivals)
Bus & Travel Information Desk (T1 Arrivals)
Dublin City Centre

Dublin Bus, 59 Upper O’Connell St.
Discover Ireland Centre, 14 Upper O’Connell St.
Visit Dublin Centre, 25 Suffolk St.
Easons Busaras, Beresford Place
Easons Heuston Station, Dublin 8
You can choose several options and find the one for you!

1 day (24 hours) – €10;
3 days (72 hours) – €19.50;
7 days (168 hours) – €40.

Buy your Leap Visitor Card here.

Most popular attractions in Dublin

  • Dublin Castle
  • Guinness Storehouse
  • Temple Bar
  • Connell Street
  • Connell Bridge
  • House Quay.

Ask an expert

Do you have any questions about the world of travel? Ask the expert! We’ll be happy to answer all of your questions and give you useful advice about your next trips!

Are you planning to visit Edinburgh? Read our travel guide to make your journey easier!

Anna Maria Parente

Content manager and SEO copywriter at Radical Storage. Interested in linguistics, illustration, and rock music.

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