Dublin is the island’s transport hub: its airport handles most international flights, and the national rail and coach networks radiate from the city. You do not need — or want — a car in the centre.
Routes at a glance
| From | By | Time | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dublin Airport (DUB) | Express coach | 30–45 min | Frequent services to the centre and Heuston station; buy online or on board. |
| Dublin Airport (DUB) | City bus | 45–60 min | Cheapest option; Leap Card or exact coins. |
| Dublin Airport (DUB) | Taxi | 25–40 min | Metered; roughly €30–40 to the centre, more in heavy traffic. |
| Dublin Port (ferries) | Bus or taxi | 15–25 min | Ferries from Holyhead dock about 4 km east of the centre. |
| Belfast | Enterprise train | ≈2 h 05 min | To Connolly station, roughly hourly; coaches take about the same. |
| Galway / Cork | Train or coach | ≈2 h 30 min | Trains arrive at Heuston, on the Luas Red Line. |
Times are typical and fares change — check current timetables and prices before you travel.
From the airport
Dublin Airport has no rail link. Express coaches leave from outside both terminals every few minutes for the city centre, and some continue to Heuston station or the south side. Ordinary city buses are cheaper and slower. Direct coaches also run from the airport to Belfast, Galway, Cork, Kilkenny and Limerick, so you need not go into town at all if you are heading straight out.
Getting around the city
- On foot: the centre is flat and small. Trinity to St Patrick’s Cathedral is 15 minutes; O’Connell Street to St Stephen’s Green about the same.
- Luas trams: two lines. The Red Line runs east–west past Connolly and Heuston stations, with stops near the Guinness Storehouse and Kilmainham; the Green Line runs north–south through the centre.
- DART: the coastal railway around Dublin Bay — north to Howth and Malahide, south to Dún Laoghaire, Dalkey and Bray. A scenic outing in itself.
- Buses: comprehensive. Pay with a Leap Card; cash fares need exact coins.
- Leap Card: buy and top up at shops and the airport. A Leap Visitor Card gives unlimited travel for 1, 3 or 7 days on city buses, Luas, DART and commuter rail.
- Taxis are metered and can be hailed or booked by app. DublinBikes is the city’s bike-share scheme.
Driving and parking
Avoid driving in central Dublin: there are bus-only streets, parking is scarce and expensive, and the M50 ring road has a barrier-free toll that must be paid afterwards. If you are hiring a car for a tour of the country, collect it on the day you leave the city — from the airport if that suits your route. See getting there and around.
Onward travel
Heuston station serves Cork, Killarney, Limerick, Galway, Westport, Kilkenny and Waterford; Connolly serves Belfast, Sligo and Wexford. The main coach station, Busáras, is beside Connolly, and private coaches leave from the quays and the airport.
