Skip to Content

How To Get From Dublin Airport To The City Center

Wondering how to get from Dublin Airport to the city center? We’ve got you covered!

Traveling to Ireland is a no-brainer, no matter the weather. (Even though it’s almost always raining there.)

Dublin is a compact capital sprinkled with vintage pubs, excellent little shops, and historical sites.

And getting from Dublin Airport to the city center isn’t as challenging as most people think.

In fact, it’s ridiculously easy to get to the city center. That’s why we’ll explain each available option (there’re four), including their costs, where to buy the tickets, and where to find them.

And of course, tell you which one we prefer to use. (Spoiler: It’s #2, the Dublin Airport Bus.)

All of that, just so you can plan your trip to Ireland hassle-free. Ready?

Traveling to Dublin – Dublin International Airport (DUB)

Dublin Airport is only 6.7 miles (10.8 km) far from the city center, which means that, without traffic, this is a 25-30-ish-minute drive.

Yes, drive – either by shuttle bus or car. Unfortunately, there is no train station at the airport.

Also, most flights from the United States land in Terminal 2. While Dublin Airport only has two terminals, there’s no need to walk from one to another as the transportation options we’ll indicate below depart from both T1 and T2.

How to Get from Dublin Airport to the City Center

Overall, it’s definitely not difficult to get from Dublin Airport to the city center. There are enough options, some more expensive than others, but they’re also a tad more comfortable.

We’ll thoroughly explain all the details, so you can decide what’s the best alternative for you. Let’s get to them.

Option 1 – Rental Car

Lots of tourists who go on an Ireland road trip get their rental car at the airport. This is a convenient and comfortable way to get to the center for sure.

However, you won’t use it to drive in the city itself because the center is compact, and for the farthest attractions, which aren’t that many, you can take a bus.

And unless you have free parking at your hotel, we wouldn’t even consider this option, to be honest.

In case you want a car just to visit the Cliffs of Moher, for example, know that there are excellent and hilarious day tours to the west coast.

In this post, we help you choose the best day tour from Dublin.

Our verdict: If you’re indeed going on a road trip around Ireland, we suggest getting your rental car after visiting Dublin to avoid unnecessary costs.

Blue double decker, Airlink, bus at Dublin Airport
Airlink Express 747

Option 2 – Airlink Aircoach (former Airlink Express 747) – Dublin Airport Shuttle

The Airlink Aircoach is an efficient shuttle service that runs between Dublin Airport and the city center (O’Connell Street, O’Connell Bridge, and Kildare Street stops only).

The whole system is practical, and there are enough buses throughout the day. We never had to wait long for it.

Personally, this is the best way to get from Dublin Airport to the city center, and we’ll name our reasons below, but first, know that the Aircoack rides from 4.45 am to 00.30 am.

The Airlink Aircoach Bus is the best Dublin Airport transportation because:

  • The bus runs every 20-30 minutes, 7 days a week.
  • It runs through Dublin Tunnel, which is the fastest route to the city center.
  • It’s cheaper than a taxi.
  • The bus rides near the major hotels and through the city center.
  • There’s free WiFi onboard.

Whenever we arrive at our destination, we always opt for the fastest route unless we’re exhausted and need some comfort.

We strongly prefer getting to our hotel fast to freshen up rather than having a little luxury for half an hour.

Note: the Leap Visitor Card, can’t be used in this aircoach.

Where Can You Buy the Tickets?

The bus fare from Dublin Airport to the city center is €8 for a round trip for adults. While the children’s (5-15 yo) ticket costs €4.

You can buy the tickets with the driver, at Bus & Travel Information Desk in T1 Arrivals Hall, or online and present them to the driver on your phone: buy it online.

Where Can You Catch the Bus?

Pick-ups and drop-offs at Zone 2 Terminal 1 and Zone 20 at Terminal 2.

Taxi cabs in Dublin
Taxi Cabs in Dublin – 4kclips / Shutterstock

Option 3 – Taxi

Taxi is by far the easiest way to get from Dublin Airport to the city center.

All you have to do is raise your arm, get into the car, and the taxi driver will take you to your accommodation. Vehicles are usually black or dark gray with a taxi sign on them.

It’s hassle-free indeed, but this convenience comes at a higher cost when compared to other transportation means. See below.

This is one of the easiest Dublin Airport transportation means because:

  • You don’t have to wait for taxis.
  • You have door-to-door service.
  • You’ll have a nice and comfortable ride after your flight.

However, we think that taxis are quite expensive.

The cost of a taxi from Dublin Airport to the city center usually ranges between €25 and €35. Depending on the traffic conditions, it can be higher, though.

Note that night rates also apply to taxi rides. Also, be sure the taximeter is on from the beginning and only agree on fixed rates that you know are fair. After all, taxi scams are common worldwide.

Our verdict: This is the best option if you’re traveling with a group of four people and preferably not during peak hours.

Dublin busses
Dublin Bus is the biggest public transport provider in the Greater Dublin Area – abd / Shutterstock

Option 4 – Aircoach 700

The Aircoach 700 is a coach line that operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, except on Christmas Day.

The Aircoach 700 Bus is a good Dublin Airport transportation because:

  • It’s more luxurious and comfortable than other buses.
  • It’s cheaper than a taxi.
  • It runs every 15 minutes during the day and 30 minutes during the night.

The bus fare from Dublin Airport to the city center is €7 for a one-way ticket or €12 for a round trip for adults. While the children’s (5-15 yo) ticket costs €2 and €4, respectively.

Where Can You Buy the Tickets and Catch the Bus?

At Dublin Airport on T1: Exit the baggage reclaim area, turn left, and turn left immediately as you exit the terminal building.

At Dublin Airport on T2: Go to the Departures Road, then exit the baggage reclaim area, continue on the same level following the signs for buses and coaches, cross the footbridge, and then exit down the escalator on the left-hand side. There you’ll find their Customer Service Team.

Airlink or Aircoach?

Both buses have similar prices, and we know it can be confusing to choose the best option, but we’ll list their differences below.

  • More comfortable: Aircoach
  • Travel time to Dublin City Centre: About the same – 30-ish minutes
  • Price: About the same
  • Number of stops near hotels: Airlink
  • Frequency: Airlink

Our verdict: We prefer the facility Airlink offers, especially because it drives near the Temple Bar District, and that’s particularly handy when our flight is later in the day. (So we have more time to go sightseeing.)

How to Get to Dublin Airport from the City Center

Unfortunately, every trip comes to an end.

So whether you’re following our detailed Ireland itinerary, our complete one day in Dublin itinerary, or even our 2 days in Dublin guide, you’ll most likely be in Dublin on the day you travel back home.

If you’re going on some day trips, plan to overnight in Dublin to avoid any setbacks and catch the bus to Airport Dublin hassle-free.

Then, simply walk to an Airlink bus stop (they’re well marked), and show your printed ticket to the driver.

Be sure to purchase a return ticket instead of a one-way so you can get a little discount. Also, there’s no need to reserve a date for the return ticket.

Final Thoughts on How to Get from Dublin Airport to the City Center

Dublin is a compact city, and getting around or to it shouldn’t be difficult. Just plan these details in advance, and you’re good to go.

If you have any questions, please write them in the comments below, and we’ll happily try to help you!

Was this post useful to you? Then help us spread the word and pin it to your Pinterest board.

Don’t Forget About Travel Insurance!

Before you leave for Ireland, make sure you have a valid travel insurance policy because accidents happen on the road. We have been paying for Safety Wing travel insurance for a little over a year now, and we happily recommend them to our family and friends.

If you get sick, injured, or have your stuff stolen, you'll be happy to have the ability to pay for your medical bills or replace what was stolen.

Because, for just a couple of dollars a day (depending on how long your policy is for), you're going to get lots of things covered. Be smart and get travel insurance.

Kristen

Sunday 17th of March 2024

Which one is the Dublin Express?

xrey

Thursday 5th of October 2023

I appreciate the Airport to Dublin Guide very much. However, after having so much fun and drinks, how or where do you go to ride the bus back to the Airport? It’s a bit confusing where or if it’s the same where we were dropped off. Thank you.

Lorri

Wednesday 21st of June 2023

Thanks for the information. I am wondering, we have 5 people each with a large suitcase and a carry on bag. How does luggage work when using a shuttle bus, is one better than the other with luggage or do we need to rent a vehicle? We will be staying across from Temple Bar at the Holiday Inn Express

Wendy Persse

Wednesday 1st of February 2023

if we hired a taxi at the airport, how does our 2 year old travel? we won't be bringing a car seat with us.