Travel to Dublin

Dublin is located on the East Coast of Ireland, the last major island outpost of Europe before you hit the Atlantic and, eventually, the North American continent. To get to Dublin, you can either fly or take a ferry. If you are already on the island, Dublin is well connected by train, coach and a network of motorways.

Flights to Dublin
The city is serviced by only one airport, Dublin Airport. Dublin is one of the ten busiest airports in Europe with an average of 60,000 passengers per day, rising to 80,000 during the peak season. Many international airlines fly to Dublin Airport. As of January 2009, Dublin airport was served by 78 airlines on more than 200 routes. For an up to date overview of available connections, please see the Dublin Airport.

Air Travel Times
Approximate travel times to Dublin by air are, pending weather conditions:

UK Airports: 45 mins
European Airports: 2-2.5h
Scandinavian Airports: 3h
Eastern European Airports: 4h
New York: 5.5h
Other Intercontinental: 8+h

Travelling To/From Dublin Airport
Dublin city centre is accessible from the airport by bus and taxi. The journey from Dublin Airport to the city centre takes approximately 45 minutes. Both buses and taxis use special lanes and can avoid the worst of the traffic. prices for a journey into the city centre by bus start from €6.00. A taxi fare to a city centre location will set you back approximately €25.00.

Rental Car
Many international and national car rental companies are located in the arrivals hall of Dublin Airport. Please note that, compared to other main European tourist destinations, you may find car rental relatively expensive in Ireland. It is advisable to shop around and book in advance to get a competitive price.

Please remember to DRIVE ON THE LEFT in Ireland! Travelling by car from Dublin Airport into the city takes approximately 45 minutes, pending on the time of day. If you can, avoid the rush hour between 7:00-9:00 and 16:00-19:00. The route is well signposted. If you are travelling to a location on Dublin's Southside, you will likely save time using the Port Tunnel and the East Link, both are tolled but help you bypass city centre traffic.

Dublin By Ferry
Dublin has two major ferry ports, Dublin Port and Dun Laoghaire (pronounced 'Doon Leerie'). Both ports are serviced several times a day from Holyhead in Wales. There are two principal ferry lines operating on the Holyhead-Dublin route, Stena Line and Irish Ferries. Both offer a standard 3.5 hour and a faster 2 hour crossing on high speed catamarans, sea conditions permitting. Please not that this is no idle threat, if the Irish Sea gets rough, the catamarans stay in port and only the slow boat goes. It is advisable to contact your ferry line on the day you travel and confirm your sailing time.

Ferry Travel Times
Stena offers a 2h service to Dun Laoghaire and a 3:15h to Dublin Port. Irish Ferries operates a 2h and a 3.5h service, both to Dublin Port.
www.stenaline.co.uk/ferry/routes/holyhead-dublin/
www.irishferries.com/routes-times-dublin-holyhead.asp

Dublin Port
Dublin Port is located on the Northside of the city, approximately 3km from the centre. If you travel as a foot passenger, there is a public bus service that brings you to the central bus terminal in the centre, the Busaras near the International Financial Services Centre. If you are travelling by car to destinations outside the city centre, you can use the tolled Port Tunnel to connect with the M50 ring road and the main airport and Belfast road, the M1.

Dun Laoghaire Port
Dun Laoghaire is situated on the Southside, circa 11km from the city centre. Travelling from Dun Laoghaire into the city as a foot passenger, you have a choice of buses and the DART local railway, which calls at many stops convenient for city centre locations.

Both Dublin Port and Dun Laoghaire are linked by the East Link toll bridge, which helps you avoid city centre traffic if you travel by car.

Dublin By Train
The main railway line through Ireland runs North-South along the East Coast, connecting Dublin with Cork at the very southern tip of Ireland and Belfast in Northern Ireland.

From Belfast
Travelling from Belfast in Northern Ireland, you can get to Dublin on the Translink Enterprise. The Enterprise travels several times a day. Fares start from as little as £10.00 for an adult day return. Travel time is approximately 2.5h. If you take an early service, you can get an Ulster Fry hot breakfast on the train for a surcharge. It's worth a thought, if you are going to be sightseeing or shopping all day. The Enterprise arrives at Connolly Station on Dublin's Northside. Connolly is situated on the Red Luas tram line and is serviced by a large number of buses. The central bus station, Busaras, is literally opposite the train station.

From Cork
Getting from Cork to Dublin by train is approximately a 4h journey. A day return starts at €71 for Adults. There are special family tickets and other discounts available. The Cork train arrives at Heuston Station on Dublin's Southside. Heuston is located on the Red Luas tram line that brings you into the city centre and connects with Connolly station.
www.irishrail.ie

Dublin By Coach
Bus Eireann connects most major towns across Ireland with Dublin. Bus Eireann coaches start and terminate at the Busaras or central bus terminal at Store Street on the North Quays near the International Financial Services Centre.
www.buseireann.ie

Dublin By Car
There is a saying in Ireland that all roads lead to Dublin. Ireland's single largest metropolis is well connected to the rest of the country by a network of motorways and National Routes. The M50 ringroad makes it easy to navigate around the city.

M50 Toll Road
Please note that the M50 is a toll road, but you can use large chunks of it for free, depending on the direction you are travelling in. The toll point is located between the exits for the N3 and the N4 on the north-eastern tranche of the M50. Please note that tolling is barrier-less: If you travel in a rental car, check with your rental company how M50 tolls are billed. If you travel in a private car you are expected to pay online by 20:00 the next calendar day.
www.eflow.ie