How to get from Dublin Airport to Dublin City & Ireland: Ground Transportation

Wondering what's the best way of getting from Dublin Airport to Dublin City Centre or towns and cities across the island? Dublin Airport is pretty well connected to road and bus networks as the largest airport on the island of Ireland.

This article has got your options covered.

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1. Transport to Dublin City Centre

What is the cheapest, best or fastest way to get to Dublin City Centre? What is best may not be cheapest or fastest, so check out your options right here.

TLDR Shortcut

For 2 or more people, get a taxi to the city centre. It goes door to door and will cost about €25. If there's a big line on arrival, you're on your own or on a budget? Take the Dublin Express. Read on for why.

Transport Location

Taxis leave from right outside Terminals 1 and 2. Bus and coach services leave from the bus centre, located by walking through Short Term Car Park building in front of Terminal 1 or along the sidewalk/pavement (partially covered) from Terminal 2 (the bus stop side of the building is shown below). It is 300 metres from Terminal 2 to Terminal 1. All US flights arrive into T2, like my flight from Los Angeles (don't forget to try the Revival Lounge if you are eligible!). There are lots of signs, so you won't get lost!

Bus & Coach

There are four (4) bus and coach services that operate from Dublin Airport to parts of Dublin.

Dublin Express

Two route options with stops at 15 Dublin City Centre locations near the majority of central hotel or hostel locations. Fares are flat fee.

Aircoach

Three route options through Dublin City Centre, with a variety of stops at popular North City, City Centre, South City locations. Fares vary by drop-off location.

Aircoach also operates intercity routes starting/ending at Dublin Airport. This includes Cork, Galway, Belfast and Derry. Find the most up to date list here.

Dublin Bus

If you already know your way around, or don't mind using a timetable to establish your route, then Dublin Bus could work for you. However, you need to have the exact fare in cash, or to have a Leap card (a special card that you pre-load with money). Drivers will NOT accept notes or provide you with change.

Go Ahead

Go Ahead runs two bus routes to the North and East of the Airport. The 102 does connect to Sutton Station, if that works for your journey. This service accepts Leap cards if you have one or pay in cash (exact fare).

Fun Ireland Activities

Dublin Airport MetroLink & Train

Sadly, there's no direct metro or train that goes to Dublin Airport. For your future reference, there will be MetroLink which is expected to start construction in 2025 and take 6-8 years to complete.

Here is the proposed line:

Taxi, Uber & FreeNow at Dublin Airport

How to get from Dublin Airport to Dublin City Centre via car hire:
Taxis depart from right outside Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Join the line, there's a dispatcher at each terminal if you have questions. The price to the city centre will be around €25-30, but this really depends on whether you are going to the North City (closer) or South City as well as congestion on your route.

Uber

There is effectively no Uber in Ireland. It's a long story. Taxi operators in Ireland need to be licensed. If any driver does use Uber, it'll be a licensed taxi with a proper plate that shows up. Forget about Uber for your trip to Ireland and if you want to use an app, get FreeNow.

FreeNow

FreeNow is an app for taxi service that will feel a lot like Uber. You can [pre]order a taxi and use your credit/debit card via the app. There is a specific pick up zone for FreeNow users at pick-up zone 18. It's the same for passengers using either Terminal at Dublin Airport. The app includes a map that will help you get to the right spot. Click here for the FreeNow app.

Chauffeur Service or Car Rental

There may be chauffeur services that you can use from Dublin Airport. We have not tried or wish to recommend any specific service. Note that chauffeurs need to be registered with Dublin Airport Authority and follow a code of conduct.

This guide is about using general transport options at Dublin Airport. We will cover hiring cars at Dublin Airport as a separate article (coming April 2023).

2. Transport to major bus, train and ferry terminals

Busáras (Bus Terminal)

The main bus terminal in Dublin City Centre is called Busáras (pronounced bus-AWE-rass). The easiest way to transfer BY FAR from Dublin Airport to Busáras is to take a taxi or FreeNow, which will cost around €25 and take 25 minutes depending on traffic.

You can also take a Dublin Bus (lots of options stop at Eden Quay, about a 5 minute walk from the bus terminal). Use the very useful planning tool at Transport for Ireland.

Connolly Train Station

Connolly Train Station is right across the street from Busáras, so use the same directions.

As trains from Connolly go North, you may find it a wiser idea to take a coach service to Drogheda, Dundalk, Newry or Belfast directly from the Airport, rather than routing via taxi to the train.

Heuston Train Station

Take Dublin Express Route 782 from Dublin Airport directly to Heuston Train Station (route takes 35 minutes).

3. Transport direct to major cities & towns in Ireland

This guide is not just about how to get from Dublin Airport to Dublin City Centre – there's a lot more of Ireland to discover! A range of service providers depart directly from Dublin Airport to major cities & towns in Ireland. You may find services to be less frequent than your home city, so check carefully for which options work for your journey.