Unfortunately, unlike most other major European cities, Dublin does not have a direct link from the airport into the city centre. There is no subway, tram or train connecting Dublin airport to the city centre. While there have been discussions about extending the tram line to the airport, such a project is likely many years away from completion.

So, how do you get from the Dublin airport to the city centre? In this guide, I will outline four options, helping you choose the best one for your budget and schedule.

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The Dublin airport is approximately 11 kilometres (6.8 miles) from the city centre. If there is no traffic, it takes about 30 minutes to drive from the airport to the city centre. Since there is no train service, its important to factor in rush hour traffic, which can significantly extend travel time. Regardless of whether you arrive in Terminal 1 or Terminal 2, all the following options below are available to you.

There are several bus options to get into town from Dublin Airport, with the Dublin Express being one of the fastest due to its route through the Port Tunnel, minimising traffic impact. The total travel time varies from 15 minutes to 40 minutes depending on your desired destination.

Dublin Express buses are actually coaches rather than buses, due to the storage compartment underneath, which is convenient for passengers with several suitcases. The buses run from about 3 am to midnight, every 10 to 15 minutes depending on the time of day. The buses service both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. When you are exiting the terminal, follow the Dublin Express signs for the pick-up location.

Tickets cost €8 one-way and €10 roundtrip per person. You can purchase tickets at the airport, onboard (note: only credit/debit cards are accepted. Drivers do not accept cash or Leap Cards), or you can also reserve tickets online. Please note that seating is not guaranteed without advance booking. Usually seating availability is not an issue, however, during peak tourist season sometimes the buses fill up fast.

The bus tickets are flexible, allowing you to travel anytime 12 hours before or after your scheduled time (subject to availability). You can also cancel a reserved ticket free of charge up to 24 hours before departure, in case your plans change. 

Onboard amenities include Wi-Fi and power outlets for charging devices. 

The Dublin Express operates three lines: 

• Line 782: This route stops at Custom House Quay, O’Connell Street, Capel Street, Smithfield & James Distillery, Phoenix Park & Dublin Zoo, Guinness Storehouse, Christ Church Cathedral, Temple Bar & Dublin Castle, O’Connell Bridge & Temple Bar, and Tara Street Station.
• Line 784: This route stops at 3Arena, Samuel Beckett Bridge, Custom House Quay, and Trinity College.
• Line 783: The newest line, servicing several stops in town and parts of South Dublin, including Terenure, Rathgar, Rathmines, Ranelagh, Harcourt, and Portobello.

If you are unsure which bus to take and/or which stop is best for where you want to go, the bus drivers and the employees at the ticket kiosk will be able to help you.

The Dublin Express bus is a great, cheap option for getting into town; especially if you are travelling alone or with two people. If you are travelling with more than two people, it might be cheaper to take a taxi and split it between the group. 

Although Aircoach services a few stops in the city centre, it does not use the Port Tunnel making it a much slower option compared to the Dublin Express, especially during rush hour traffic.

One of the main reasons to use Aircoach is if your destination is either Drumcondra or South Dublin. The Aircoach 700 line stops at several major hotels in South Dublin and also University College Dublin.

Tickets cost between €7 and €12.50 for a single journey, and €12 to €18.50 for round trip, depending on your stop. You can purchase tickets at the airport, onboard (cash or credit/debit card accepted), or you can also reserve tickets online at their website here. The aircoach service runs 24/7 every 15 to 30 minutes depending on the time of day. 

• Aircoach 700: This route stops at Drumcondra, O’Connell Street, Kildare Street, Leeson Street, Clayton Hotel (Burlington Road), Hampton Hotel, Old Wesley RFC, Stillorgan Road (RTE), UCD, Radisson Blu Hotel, Talbot Hotel, Stillorgan Village, Kilmacud, Sandyford, Clayton Hotel (Leopardstown)

• Aircoach 701: This route stops at Drumcondra, O’Connell Street, Trinity Library, Merrion Square North, Ballsbridge School House Hotel, Ballsbridge Hotel, RDS, Ballsbridge Clayton Hotel, and St. Vincents Hospital

To access the pick up point from Terminal 1, exit the terminal, cross the street, and you’ll see Aircoach signs to your left. A small kiosk is available to purchase tickets if you haven’t reserved one online.

From Terminal 2, follow the signs for buses and coaches from baggage claim. Cross the footbridge, turn right down an escalator, and the buses stop on the left-hand side. An Aircoach employee is usually available to assist if needed. 

Although taxis can be more expensive, especially if you are travelling alone, they are one of the most convenient and fastest options to reach the city centre. Taxis are readily available right outside each terminal at dedicated taxi stands, with no need to download any app such as FreeNow or Uber.

The times that I have taken a taxi at the Dublin airport, there has never been longer than a 5 minute wait. During peak tourist season, the wait time can be a bit longer.

All taxi drivers accept credit or debit cards, and you can expect the trip to the city centre to cost between €25 and €35. Note that premium rates apply if you are travelling between 8 PM and 8 AM, on Sundays, or on public holidays, which could increase the price. You can use this taxi fare calculator to estimate the cost of your trip and determine if a taxi is the best option for you.

All taxi drivers in Ireland are required to have a mounted metre, so be wary of any taxi that does not have one. Tipping is not required but appreciated, and it is common to round up the price of the ride.

If you’re travelling with more than two people, taking a taxi will often be more economical than using the bus or Aircoach, plus taxis provide the convenience of dropping you off directly at your destination, which is a definite perk.

I would not recommend a rental car if you are only planning on visiting Dublin. However, if you plan to travel around Ireland, renting a car is a convenient, cheap, and comfortable way to explore.

There are a few rental car agencies in the city, however, the main offices are at the airport. Plus, the car rental agencies located at the airport offer more flexible hours than other locations, making this a popular choice for many visitors. If you plan to drive into the city centre, be aware that it is compact, and parking is both expensive and limited. It is advisable to check with your hotel for parking options.

There are car rental desks at both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. For Terminal 1, the desks are located inside at the arrival hall on your right as you exit baggage claim. For Terminal 2, the desks are located across the footbridge after you exit baggage claim. Follow the car rental signs.

Note that the majority of the car rental companies have their vehicles located at a car park about five minutes from the airport, requiring a short shuttle ride to reach your rental car. You will drop off the rental car in the same car park, meaning that you need to factor in more time in your journey for pick up and drop off.

If you are in Dublin for a long layover and want to explore the city without hauling around your suitcase, or if you simply need to store a bag at the airport, there are storage facilities available at both terminals.

Figuring out luggage storage at Dublin Airport can be challenging due to the limited information available online. But don’t worry, I have figured it out so you don’t have to, as I recently had to use the luggage storage at the Dublin Airport. 

For Terminal 1, visit the Excess Baggage Company on the ground floor in the Arrivals Hall near the elevators and the information desk. In Terminal 2, the baggage facility is in the baggage hall area on the ground floor.

Both of the baggage facilities are open Monday to Sunday from 5am to 9pm. If you need to pick up your bag outside of these hours, speak to an employee because they might be able to arrange something for you.

The cost for storing suitcases, bags, and rucksacks is €9 for up to 4 hours, €12 for up to 12 hours, €16 for 24 hours, €25 for 48 hours, and €7 per day per bag after 48 hours. For smaller items such as laptops and small handbags, the cost is €5 per day and €30 for 7 days.

They can also store large items such as surfboards and bicycles for €30 per day or €180 for 7 days. Although this service can be a bit expensive, it is worth it if you are in Dublin for a short period of time and need to store your bag.

Alternatively, you can store your luggage in Dublin city centre. There are several luggage storage companies, such as Nannybag, Stasher, Luggage Hero, Bounce, etc. that have various storage locations around Dublin to choose from. I have used these companies in various cities around Europe and they’ve been great.

Prices vary, but you can expect to pay around €10 per day per piece of luggage or about €1 per hour if you are wanting to pay hourly.I highly recommend storing your bags so you don’t have to carry them around the city while you explore. Additionally, many hotels will store your luggage for free after you check out. 

Getting around Dublin by public transportation is simple once you know how to pay the fare. The key point to remember is that you cannot use a credit or debit card to buy a bus ticket; you must use Euro coins or an Ireland transportation card called a Leap Card.

To learn more about Leap Cards and determine the best option for your visit to Dublin, you can refer to this post where I outline how to purchase and use a Leap Card, as well as the best options for visitors.

Getting to the city centre from Dublin Airport is straightforward once you know the available options. Whether you prefer the cost-effective and frequent Dublin Express bus, the Aircoach for specific destinations, the convenience of a taxi, or the flexibility of a rental car, there is a solution to fit your itinerary and budget. With a little bit of planning, you can enjoy a smooth transition from the airport to your Dublin adventure!

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