Best Way to Get From Dublin Airport to Dublin City Centre?

👋 Hi, I’m John, Reservations Supervisor at Vagabond & Driftwood Tours.

If you're embarking on an active Vagabond Tour with us or you're flying in for an easy-paced Driftwood Tour, chances are you'll touch down in Dublin Airport.

The good news is once you arrive in Dublin Airport, getting to the City Centre is simple and straightforward.

Read on intrepid traveller to learn more about the different ways you can travel from Dublin airport to your hotel in the city centre.

✈️ Dublin Airport - What You Need To Know

Familiarise yourself with these basic facts about Dublin Airport before you do anything.

📍 Dublin Airport is located 15km (9 miles) from central Dublin.

⏱️ The journey from Dublin Airport to Dublin takes 23-45 minutes by taxi or bus (heavy traffic increases the average).

🚖 Taxi ranks are located outside both terminals.

🚍 Multiple public bus services link Dublin Airport to Dublin.✈️ Dublin Airport has 2 terminals, imaginatively named T1 and T2.

🌎 Flights from the USA land at T2 (including Aer Lingus, Delta, United, US Airways, American Airlines).

🍁Ryanair, Transat and Air Canada (as well as many other airlines) flights land at T1. Check with your airline to see where you are landing.

🔀 No public transport operates between T1 and T2. You can walk the 300m (328 yard) distance between Dublin Airport terminals in around 5 minutes. Find the covered walkway in the departures level in T1 (beside the security screening point); or in the arrivals level in T2.

🚆 No rail services operate to or from Dublin Airport. You must travel into Dublin city to catch a train.

🚖 Our Recommended Option: Taxi

We recommend catching a taxi to and from Dublin Airport if your group is comprised of 2 or more people.

Why? Taxis hold several advantages over public transport.

Door-to-door convenience. Taxis will drop you from outside Dublin Airport directly to your hotel in Dublin city centre. Minimum carrying or rolling luggage.
Taxis move fast through traffic. Dublin taxis use dedicated bus lanes to cut journey times.
Taxis cost around the same as a bus for 2 passengers for a single journey (they should cost less for 3 or more). Not travelling alone? Take a taxi. The standard taxi fare (between €22-38) makes sense if you are in a group. With more than two people, you will most likely save money over the equivalent bus tickets. Return tickets on airport coaches and buses offer better value.
Taxi drivers help you with luggage. Got lots of bags? Mobility issues? A taxi makes sense. Your driver will load and unload your luggage, saving you the effort on public transport.

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How Much Is A Taxi From Dublin Airport to City?

The standard taxi fare from Dublin airport to Dublin city centre is between €22-38.

This rate can rise if you are travelling on an Irish public holiday or late at night. It could also be higher if your hotel is not in Dublin city centre. For example, a taxi from Dublin Airport to the Grand Canal Hotel (Vagabond Tours pickup point) would cost between: €25-36.

Make sure your taxi driver is using the meter, mounted on the dashboard. Never agree a fixed price with a Dublin taxi driver unless you're confident it's fair.

If you're travelling as a group with lots of bags to a specific location, taking a taxi from Dublin Airport to Dublin city centre can be a great option.

Sample Fares - Dublin Airport Taxis

Here are some sample fares from this handy taxi fare estimator:

Taxi rank (hail) - 4 people from Airport to Grand Canal Hotel (Southside) between 8pm and 8am or all day on Sundays/Holidays - €28.80 - €38.00 (dependent on traffic/luggage)
Taxi rank (hail) - 2 people from Airport to Trinity College (Downtown) between 8am-8pm (Monday-Saturday) - €21.00 - €31.60 (dependent on traffic/luggage)
Pre-booked - 4 people from Airport to Trinity College (Downtown) between 8am-8pm (Monday-Saturday) - €25.00 - €35.60 (dependent on traffic/luggage)

Where Can I Catch A Taxi From Dublin Airport to Dublin City Centre?

Taxis are available in the forecourts directly outside both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.

Depending on when you arrive, there may be a queue. If your flight has landed between 6am and midnight, the wait shouldn't take too long.

If your flight has landed in the wee hours (i.e. overnight), there may be a wait involved.

Find or pre-book a taxi in Dublin using the Free Now app

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What Do Taxis In Ireland Look Like?

Dublin taxis are not a uniform colour or car brand, as in cities like New York.

Recognise taxis in Ireland them from the yellow and blue illuminated sign, mounted on the roof.

Taxi with roof sign illuminated in Ireland

You'll know a taxi is available if this roof sign is illuminated.

A taxi without its roof sign on has passengers aboard, is booked to pick up elsewhere, and will not stop when you hail it.

How Do I Hail A Dublin Taxi?

Simply raise your arm and wave it as the moving taxi approaches. No need to whistle! Should I Tip Taxi Drivers In Ireland?

In Ireland, tipping taxi drivers is not obligatory.

However, rounding up your fare to the nearest €5 or €10 is common.

As is the case with tipping in Ireland generally, it's ultimately up to you whether you tip or not.

💡 PRO TIP: In a rush? Tired after your flight? Ask your taxi driver to take the Dublin Port Tunnel. This congestion-free shortcut can reduce the journey time between Dublin Airport and Dublin city centre by 10 minutes or more, depending on traffic elsewhere. Downside? You will be charged a small amount extra on your fare.

Are Airport Transfers Included with Vagabond or Driftwood Tours? - FAQs

🚏 Alternative Option 1. Aircoach

Aircoach is the only 24 hour coach service operating between Dublin Airport and Dublin city centre.

The main Aircoach route (700) to the city centre departs every 15 minutes between 3.15am and 11.55pm. Outside of these times, its every 30 minutes.

💡 PRO TIP: If you're staying at the Grand Canal Hotel, you need to take Aircoach route 701 (BallsBridge). Disembark at the Schoolhouse Hotel stop (your driver will announce it). See map below.

Map of Walking Route to Grand Canal Hotel from Schoolhouse Hotel Aircoach stop

From the Schoolhouse Hotel Aircoach stop, it's only a 3 minute walk to the Grand Canal Hotel.

How Much Does The Aircoach Dublin Airport Bus Cost?

The cost of a single ticket is €10 from Dublin Airport into the city centre (you'll pay €12 for a return).

This is on Aircoach Route 700.

If you're staying at the Grand Canal Hotel (or anywhere outside Dublin city centre) the Aircoach fare is ever-so-slightly higher.

A single ticket on Aircoach Route 701 (convenient for the Grand Canal Hotel) is €10.80 per person. It costs €16.20 per person for a return on the same service.

Check the latest Aircoach routes and timetables

Is The Aircoach Better Value Than A Taxi To Dublin?

The Aircoach is good value if you're travelling solo or as a duo.

If you buy a return ticket (often not much more than a single ticket) the Aircoach will certainly be more cost-efficient than taking a taxi.

The convenience offered by taxis from Dublin Airport to central Dublin may appeal to you if:

You have 3 or more in your travelling party
Your destination is not located directly on an Aircoach route (and you'd prefer not to walk)
You have extensive luggage that you don't want to have to carry or pull
You're simply very tired after a long flight!

Where Do I Catch An Aircoach Dublin Airport Bus?

The Aircoach service picks up passenger outside Arrivals at both Dublin Airport Terminals 1 and 2.

Terminal 1: When you exit T1, turn left immediately and you'll see the Aircoach stop.

Terminal 2: On exiting the baggage reclaim area, continue along the same level. Make sure to follow the signs for buses and coaches. Cross the footbridge, and then exit the escalator on the left side. During peak hours, you should find an Aircoach customer representative to answer any questions.

🚍 Alternative Option 2. Dublin Express

Dublin Express is another coach service from Dublin Airport to multiple locations throughout Dublin city centre.

Fares are cheaper than both Aircoach and taxis.

In our experience however, the journey to Dublin city takes a little longer than the Aircoach as there are more stops and it is not as convenient as a taxi.

On the Dublin Express service, a single journey costs €9 or €11 return. Online discounts are available if booked in advance.

Do be mindful that:

Dublin Express serves Dublin city centre only. If you're staying at our tour pick-up, Grand Canal Hotel, you'll have to walk from the bus stop to the hotel (see below) or hail a taxi.
There are two Dublin Express routes: 782 and 784.
The first 784 Airport to City route departs at 05:20 am. The last bus departs 10:50 pm.
The first 784 City to Airport City route departs at 04:00 am. The last bus departs 10:30 pm.
The first 782 Airport to City route departs at 03:05 am. The last bus departs 00:35 am.
The first 782 City to Airport City route departs at 03:28 am. The last bus departs 00:58 am.
Dublin Express uses the Port Tunnel, which runs under much of the north side of the city.

Staying at the Grand Canal Hotel and taking Dublin Express?

Are you staying at our pick-up/drop-off point at Grand Canal Hotel? You can catch eithert the 784 or the 782.

If you take the 784, you will need to disembark at North Wall Quay (Stop 303). It's a 10 minute / 1.3km (0.8mile) walk from the bus stop to the Grand Canal Hotel.

Find walking directions from North Wall Quay to Grand Canal Hotel on Google Maps

Where Do I Catch The Dublin Express Bus?

The Dublin Express departs from both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.

Terminal 1: There is a Dublin Express information desk in Terminal 1. You can purchases your Dublin Express ticket there or on board the bus. We reccomend booking your ticket online ahead of time when possible. These services can be busy in the summer.

Terminal 2: There is also a Dublin Express information desk in Terminal 2. You can purchases your Dublin Express ticket there or on board the bus. Staff will also assist you with any queries you might have.

Dublin Leap Card

💚 Dublin Travel Card - Visitor LEAP Card

Do you want discounted travel on bus, tram, rail, coach and other public transport in Dublin?

Course you do!

These little green pre-charged cards are small but mighty. They come in very handy if you're spending a few days in Dublin, allowing you to hop-on and off almost all forms of public transport.

Need another reason?

LEAP cards also work on public transport in the Irish cities of Galway, Waterford, Limerick and Cork.

Still not convinced you need a LEAP card?

Well, because we always strive for responsible travel, we hope you know that public transport is the most sustainable way to experience Ireland's capital.

Read our tips to travel more sustainably on your tour of Ireland.

What's The Best LEAP Card to buy in Dublin?

Your best option is the visitor LEAP card.

This costs €10 for one day, €19.50 for three days and €40 for seven days - simply select the option that best fits your timetable and budget.

You'll get unlimited travel on:

All Dublin Bus scheduled services
All LUAS (tram) services
DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transit) and Commuter Rail in the Short Hop Zone (all of Dublin city and county)
Some private coach services - notably Wexford Bus routes to the southeast

Where Can I Buy A Visitor LEAP Card In Dublin?

Well, we're glad you asked!

The most convenient place for arrivals from the USA to pick yourself up a VIsitor LEAP Card is the Spar Convenience Store, located at Terminal 2 Arrivals.

This will suit - Aer Lingus, Delta, United, US Airways, American Airlines).

Otherwise, once in Dublin, you can also buy (or top-up) a visitor Leap card in the following locations: