How's it going, I'm Deirdre 👋
Nestling on a bay, ringed by mountains, Dublin has to be one of the world's most beautifully-located cities.
More importantly, it's my home city!
It's high time you knew how affordable and easy it is to take day trips from Dublin via the city's extensive public transit system.
Hopefully you've already absorbed our list of quirky, non-touristy things to do in Dublin and also our favourite traditional pubs. If not, you know what to do!
Now, read on intrepid Dublin daytripper. You'll soon see how scenic the coast and suburbs of Dublin are!
🚉 The Rail System In Dublin Explained
⬇️ South: The Bray and Greystones line
⬆️ North: The Malahide line
↗️ Northeast: The Howth line
🚊 Dublin's Tram System Explained
The tram system in Dublin is called the LUAS. It runs on the streets amid car and bus traffic.
Listen out for its distinctive beep-beep sound are you explore the city!
The Red LUAS line runs roughly east-west and the Green LUAS line runs north-south.
The Cross City line (blue in the image below) connects the other two lines and then extends northwards to Broombridge.
💡 ATTENTION FACT FANS! LUAS means 'speed' in Irish.
🚏 Dublin's Bus Network Explained
For all the places that Dublin's rail and tram lines don't reach — like Dublin airport — there's an extensive public bus network available to you.
Dublin Bus is the main provider.
You'll notice the distinctive blue and yellow, double-decker buses everywhere around Dublin.
Remember that, in Dublin, you have to hail an approaching bus to make it stop. Just stick out your arm and give a wave.
Another hot tip? It's a long-held tradition that people in Ireland always thank their bus driver when exiting.
Just spreading the love!
🤓 Build Your Dublin Knowledge Even More by taking our FREE 6-Part Ireland Email Course
What’s The Best Way To Get Around Dublin?
Before delving into a few of our favourite easy day trips from Dublin, let us tell you that one of the best, cheapest and easiest ways to experience Dublin is using the Visitor Leap Card.
The Leap Card is a pre-charged swipe card that gives you access to Dublin public tranport.
For €10 a day, this touch-on, touch-off card will give you unlimited use of all the buses, trains and trams mentioned above.
Hop on a Dublin Bus, DART or LUAS in Dublin city centre.
Then hop off as many times as you like!
Easy Day Trips From Dublin By Public Transport
1. Malahide
This is the last station along the northern Malahide DART line. It's hard to miss!
When in Malahide, visit beautiful 12th century Malahide Castle. Owned by the same family for 800 years, the castle has a long and interesting history.
There are a few good ghost stories too! Learn about the castle and see the wonderful gardens on a guided tour.
The 2024 admission price is €16 (€11 for seniors).
Other things to do in Malahide
🛍️ Stroll Malahide village for chic boutiques and coffee shops.
🍺 Gibney’s in the town centre is a great traditional Irish pub.
⛵ Malahide is located on the coast. A seaside wander around the marina and estuary is well worth your time!
2. Howth
Howth is the last stop on the northern Howth DART line.
Howth is the name for both a village and a peninsula. The peninsula is located at the northern curve of Dublin Bay.
Howth village is a popular spot on a sunny day. In fact, it's popular at the weekend no matter what the weather is like!
Howth harbour is ideal for a short stroll and a chance to soak up some coastal atmosphere. Watch fishing trawlers mingle with yachts and dinghies.
Hike Around Howth Head
Looking for stunning views of Dublin Bay? Howth is yer only man!
Walk around Howth head, starting directly from Howth DART station. The views from Howth Head are some of the best in Dublin.
Look north to Lambay Island. On a clear day, you may even be able to make out the Mourne Mountains on the horizon in Northern Ireland.
As you round the headland, Dublin Bay opens up to the south and west, with the city and the Wicklow Mountains coming into view to the south.
Other Things to Do in Howth
🦐 Head to Howth harbour for amazing seafood restaurants down on the marina. Go fancy with fresh lobster. Or try Irish fish and chips!
🍦 Tuck into delicious ice-cream while strolling on Howth pier. Just watch out for hungry swooping seagulls!
3. Killiney
Heading south from Dublin on the Bray/Greystones DART line, you'll find the charming little village of Killiney.
Killiney Bay has been compared to Italy’s Bay of Naples for its beautiful curving contours and mountainous backdrop.
Enjoy panoramic vistas of Dublin Bay to the north; the Wicklow mountains to the south.
On a clear day, you might even spy the mountains of Snowdonia in Wales, 50 miles away across the Irish Sea.
Other Things to Do in Killiney
🐚 The pebble beach in Killiney is ideal for a picnic, walk or even a refreshing swim.
👀 Hike up to the top of Killiney Hill Park for the best views. The park was gifted to the state in 1887 by Prince Albert Victor of Wales, for Queen Victoria’s Jubilee.
😎 Go Bono-spotting. The U2 frontman lives locally. You never know who you might bump into!
4. Dalkey
Dalkey has culture, history and craic in abundance.
Head south on the Bray/Greystones DART line to reach Dalkey.
Dalkey boasts not one but TWO medieval Norman castles.
A visit to Dalkey Castle is a must. It's located right on the main street.
Actors from a local theatre comapny passionately recreate the story of Dalkey from early Christian era right via up to the medieval heyday of the Normans and towards modern times.
✍️ While you're at Dalkey castle, meet the many writers who have passed through the area at the Writers' Gallery.
They include James Joyce, Samuel Beckett, Maeve Binchy, and even Bono.
Other Things to Do in Dalkey
🐐 Meet wild goats on Dalkey Island. You can kayak your way to this tiny piece of rock lying just offshore. Or hitch a lift with ferryman Ken.
🧗 Feeling energetic? Go rock climbing in Dalkey quarry.
🍻 Now that you've built up an appetite, head over to one of the various traditional pubs on Dalkey's main streets for good food, friendly conversation and superb beer.
5. Bray
Bray is a scenic Victorian seaside resort town. It's the penultimate stop on the southern Bray/Greystones DART line.
Start your Bray day on the seaside promenade. This mile-long walkway offers magnificent views of Bray Head, towering above the town.
The promenade dates back to Victorian times when Bray attracted holidaymakers and daytrippers from Dublin city.
Other Things To Do in Bray
🏰 Take a short taxi ride up to Kilruddery House and Gardens.
As well as regular events, there's a farmer's market here on Saturdays.
Believe it or not, Kilruddery has been in the hands of the Brabazon family since 1618.
☂️ If the weather isn’t behaving, check out Platform Pizza or the Harbour Bar for lunch. Both full of 'delish grub'. Both towards the north end of Bray promenade.
6. Greystones
This charming harbour town is the last stop along the southern Bray/Greystones DART line.
Greystones is known for its quirky shops and great dining. Try any of the following for amazing eats:
- The Happy Pear - Vegan-friendly meals, healthy treats and outstanding hot chocolate.
- Chakra - Upmarket Indian restaurant and takeaway.
- Fat Fox - Best coffee in Greystones, allegedly.
Other Things To Do In Greystones (apart from eating)
🍹 Funky cocktails and retro styling make Mrs Robinson's bar on the main street stand out from the crowd.
😀 Meet our founders! Rob and Amy Rankin live in Greystones. Keep an eye out for Rob, painting his boat at the harbour, or for Amy while she is swimming on the South Beach
7. Dún Laoghaire
Dún Laoghaire (pronounced dun-leery) is a suburb of Dublin - but it's also a small city in itself.
It lies only 11km (7 miles) south of Dublin on the Bray/Greystones DART line.
The story of Dún Laoghaire is all about the sea.
Its harbour was built in 1817. The town then sprouted up around it.
The original Victorian architecture features strongly here; from grand red brick buildings to 19th-century bandstands.
🚶 The classic Dún Laoghaire activity is a stroll along the pier. There are two piers; east and west. The wind whips in off the sea here, so wear layers!
Other Things To Do In Dún Laoghaire
🍦 Dubliners love to grab an ice cream from the famous Teddy’s stall on the west pier before stretching their legs.
📖 Bookworm? You may enjoy the James Joyce Tower and Museum. This is a genuine Napoleonic Martello Tower that featured in Joyce's masterpiece, Ulysses.
🏊 Feeling brave? People take a dip all year round at the 40 Foot swimming spot in Sandycove. Ah, go on, it's only a bit of snow!
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