Getting to and from Dublin

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Dublin is closely connected to the rest of Europe by air and sea – and to the rest of the island of Ireland by road and rail.

By air

Dublin’s airport is one of the top 20 in Europe for both direct and hub connectivity. 46 airlines connect the city to over 180 destinations in 42 countries across four continents. The airport, which is north of the city, is easily accessible by road from the city centre (25-35 mins).

Aircoach is a private bus service from the airport to the city centre and destinations in the south of the county. Airlink is the Dublin Bus company’s service between the airport and the city centre; it also links-up with various train and tram routes. A taxi will cost between approximately €17 and €25 depending on how far you are going and at what time you are travelling.

US Pre-Clearance facilities at Dublin Airport (and also Shannon Airport in the south of the country) are the only ones of their kind in Europe, making travel to the USA especially easy.

New connections in 2019 include direct flights from Dublin to Montreal, Minneapolis and Stuttgart.

By ferry

Dublin Port is served by two ferry companies, Irish Ferries and Stena Line. Both offer daily sailings from the UK (Holyhead in Wales) to Dublin for foot passengers and car drivers. Both also sail between France and Ireland: Irish Ferries from Cherbourg to Dublin and Stena from Cherbourg to Rosslare – a two-and-a-half-hour drive or a three-hour train ride from Dublin.

Stena Ferry heading into Dublin Port

Dublin Port is easy to get to. A taxi to the city centre should cost less than €15.

By rail

You can buy a cheap SailRail ticket – train & ferry on one ticket – between any rail station in Britain & any rail station in Ireland. (The route from London through Wales to Holyhead is particularly scenic.) If you are travelling from another European country, the rail link between Paris and London will speed you on your way to the ferry to Dublin from Holyhead; a train to Cherbourg and then the ferry to Dublin or Rosslare is another option.

Rail is an excellent option for travelling from Dublin to other locations in Ireland: all the major cities are connected by fast and reliable trains to the capital. This service is provided by Irish Rail.

By road

An on-going programme of motorway building, much of it focused on the needs of people travelling to and from Dublin, has ensured that road travel is often the fastest way to get where you are going in Ireland. Plan your route with the AA.

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