Getting to Dublin

Visitors to Dublin have a number of options for getting here. The most convenient and popular way is to fly, and the nearby airport now serves over 100 destinations worldwide with 40 different airlines. Dublin's location on the east coast of Ireland makes ferry crossings a good choice if travelling from the UK. Meanwhile, Ireland has an extensive rail network linking all major towns and cities in the country, and long distance bus services from the UK and the rest of Europe are easily available.

By car

Reaching Dublin by car is simple, as the road system connects to all large cities in Ireland. Main roads serving the city include the N1 and the M1 motorway from Belfast; the N6 and N4 from Galway; and the N8 and N7 from Cork. If you are arriving on a car ferry from Britain, all main roads lead to the heart of Dublin and are well signposted to the city centre (An Lar). To bypass the city centre, the East Link and West Link are signposted, and the M50 surrounds the city on three sides.

By rail

You can organise your journey by train through the InterRail service offered by Larnrod Eireann, Ireland's national rail carrier. A joint train/ferry ticket is available and there are channel services from Britain, with ferry connections taking you across the Irish Sea, both by day and night. 

Daily train services operate to Dublin from Belfast, Northern Ireland and all major cities in the Irish Republic including Cork, Galway, Limerick, Wexford and Waterford. Trains from the south and west arrive at Heuston Station, off St John's Road, while trains from the north and northwest arrive at Connolly Station, on Amiens street. If you intend to use the rail service as your mode of transport while in Ireland, you may want to consider one of Larnrod Eireann's Explorer Tickets, which offer discounted prices.

By bus

Long distance bus services from Britain to Ireland are operated by Eurolines in conjunction with Bus Eireann. The luxury buses are all equipped with onboard toilet facilities and reclining seats.

Within Ireland, Bus Eirann provides a nationwide expressway service, provincial service and city service. Routes and destinations include Cork, Galway and Limerick as well as Belfast and Derry in Northern Ireland. Services are more frequent than those provided by the rail network. The bus station is located on Store Street, behind Custom House

By air

Dublin International Airport is located just seven miles from the centre of the city and provides a good bus service for the short connection into the city. Alternatively, taxis and car hire are also available. Many international airlines offer flights to Europe and the USA from the airport, and domestic flights are available to Cork, Donegal, Galway, Kerry, Shannon and Sligo.

By ferry

If you travel to Dublin by ferry, you'll arrive at one of two harbours: Dún Laoghaire or Dublin Port. Dún Laoghaire is six miles south of the city and is connected by the efficient DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transport) city train network. Facilities include several cafés, bureaux de change, a tourist office, ATMs, a newsagent and a gift shop. Dublin Port is just one mile east of the centre and is served by local buses 53 and 53A. The facilities here are limited to a café and bureaux de change. Buses arriving from Britain will usually continue to the main bus station on Store Street.

Irish Ferries operate car and foot passenger services six times a day to Holyhead in Wales. Stena Line also operates a car ferry service twice a day to Holyhead and a high-speed car and foot passenger ferry service three times a day. The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company runs Seacat ferries twice a day in summer (once a day in winter) to Liverpool.

Dublin International Airport

Dublin Airport has direct flights from all major European centres and a number of American cities. Flights from other continents are usually routed through London. The single terminal airport currently handles over 16 million passengers every year and is growing at a fast rate. There are the normal range of facilities including a bank, ATMs and currency exchange services as well as a tourist office, shops, restaurants and bars. Facilities specially adapted for people with disabilities include telephones, toilets and lifts, and the main terminal building is easily accessible.

Dublin International Airport transportation

The airport is situated just seven miles north of Dublin, and an excellent shuttle bus (AirCoach) operates 24 hours for the short connection to the city. It stops at all of the main hotel locations such as O'Connell Street, St Stephen's Green, Fitzwilliam Square, Merrion Square and Ballsbridge. Tickets can be purchased directly from the driver and are more expensive than the regular bus service. Normal city buses 41A and 41C cover similar routes, but take slightly longer. The airport taxi rank is located outside the Arrivals area of the terminal building, but be prepared to queue at peak times.