Dublin airport to city centre: Best Dublin airport transport options

Getting from Dublin Airport to the city centre is easy.  There are multiple reliable transport options which will take you to the city centre in under half an hour. Read on to learn which routes you can take and how much the tickets cost.

How to get from Dublin airport to city centre

Dublin Airport offers several transport connections to reach the city centre:

All services operate from both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, with clear signage directing passengers to designated pickup zones. So no matter what airline you fly with, you will be directed to the nearest bus stop upon exit.

Best bus services from Dublin airport

Dublin Express

Dublin Express (Routes 782/784) provides the fastest and most frequent service to the city centre. Buses depart every 10-15 minutes during peak hours, stopping at key locations including Trinity College, Dublin Castle, and Heuston Station. The €9 fare includes luggage storage and free WiFi.

Dublin Express works on a standby basis - meaning that depending on the number of avilable seats you might have to wait in line. The first bus of the day departs at 03:05 am and the last one leaves at 00:35 am.

Although it's very simple to get a ticket at the Terminal/bus stop, you can also book a ticket online in advance - this might save you a few euros. You can do so on the Dublin Express official website.

Dublin Express 782 route:

• George's Quay (Tara Street Station)
• Aston Quay (O'Connell Bridge & Temple Bar)
• Wellington Quay (Temple Bar & Dublin Castle)
• Usher and Merchant's Quay (Christ Church Cathedral & Guinness Storehouse)
• Heuston Station (Phoenix Park & Dublin Zoo)
• Arran Quay (Smithfield & Jameson Distillery)
• Ormond Quay Upper (Capel Street)
• Eden Quay (O'Connell Street & Marlborough Street)
• Custom House Quay (Gardiner Street & Connolly Station)

Dublin Express 784 route:

• Trinity College (College Green & Temple Bar)
• Custom House Quay (Gardiner Street & Connolly Station)
• Eden Quay (O'Connell Street & Marlborough Street)
• North Wall Quay (Docklands & Samuel Beckett Bridge)
• 3Arena (Point Village & Ringsend)

Aircoach

Aircoach operates three main routes: 700 (city centre via Grafton Street), 700X (express to city centre), and 702 (southside route). These premium coaches offer comfortable seating and reliable scheduling, with fares starting at €6. The 700X express service reaches the city centre in approximately 25 minutes.

The buses depart every 15 minutes 24/7 and you can buy the ticket online (it is recommended to do so to ensure you have a spot). Make sure to also check if you are eligible for a discount, as students, big families and others might be charged less when booking online. You can book your tickets on the Aircoach website.

Aircoach route 700:

• Dublin Airport
• Drumcondra, opp Rail Station
• Dublin City Centre, O’Connell Street, RIU Gresham Hotel
• Dublin City Centre, O’Connell Bridge
• Dublin City Centre, Kildare Street
• Dublin City Centre, Leeson Street Lower
• Burlington Road, Clayton Hotel
• Morehampton Road, opp Hampton Hotel
• Donnybrook Road, Old Wesley RFC
• Stillorgan Road, RTE
• UCD, Montrose Student Residence
• Stillorgan, N11, Radisson Blu Hotel
• Stillorgan, N11, Talbot Hotel
• Stillorgan Village, opp Shopping Centre
• Kilmacud, St Raphaelas School
• Sandyford, LUAS Stop
• Leopardstown, Clayton Hotel

Aircoach route 700X:

• Dublin Airport
• Drumcondra, opp Rail Station
• Dublin City Centre, O’Connell Street, RIU Gresham Hotel
• Dublin City Centre, O’Connell Bridge

Aircoach route 702:

• Dublin Airport
• The 3 Arena, East Wall Road
• Grand Canal, Cardiff Lane, opp Clayton Hotel
• Ballsbridge, School House Hotel
• Ballsbridge, Ballsbridge Hotel
• Ballsbridge, opp RDS
• Merrion Rd, opp St Vincent's Hotel
• Booterstown, Merrion Road / Rock Road
• Booterstown, Rock Road, DART Station
• Blackrock, opp Frascati Centre
• Monkstown, opp Knox Memorial Hall
• Dun Laoghaire, Marine Road, opp County Hall
• Glasthule, St Joseph's Church
• Dalkey Village, Castle Street

Dublin Bus

Dublin Bus provides the most economical option from €2.60, though journey times extend to 35-45 minutes depending on traffic conditions. Multiple routes serve the airport, with Route 16 being the primary city centre connection. Pickup points are clearly marked outside both terminals.

Dublin Bus Route 16:

• Dublin Airport
• Corner Collinstown Rd.
• Cloghran Service Station
• Swords Rd. (Turnapin Lane)
• Swords Rd. (Santry Stadium)
• Swords Rd. (Santry Ave.)
• Swords Rd. (Lorcan Rd.) / Santry (Shanard Rd.)
• Swords Rd. (Shanowen Rd.) / Larkhill
• Swords Rd. (Collins Ave.)
• Drumcondra Rd. Upr. (Griffith Ave.)
• Drumcondra Rd. Upr. (Clonturk Park)
• Drumcondra Rail Station
• Dorset St. (North Circular Rd.)
• Dorset St. (North Frederick St.)
• O'Connell St.
• South Great George's St.
• Aungier St. (Bishop St.)
• Kelly's Corner (Harrington St.)
• Leonard's Corner
• Harold's Cross Green
• Harold's Cross Rd. (Kenilworth Rd.)
• Terenure Cross
• Rathfarnham Rd. (Rathdown Park)
• Rathfarnham Castle
• Rathfarnham Church
• Grange Rd. (St Enda's Dr.)
• Grange Rd. (Sarah Curran Ave.)
• Grange Rd. (Eden Ave.)
• Elm Park (Marley Grange Estate)
• The Grange
• Ballinteer (Kingston)

If you opt for this option, keep in mind that if you don't pre-purchase the ticket (online or at the Terminal), the driver might not take notes and/or card, so you might need to keep some coins on hand. Depending on your further plans for Dublin, you might want to consider getting a day pass or a Travel 90 ticket. You can learn more about them on the Dublin Bus website.

Taxi and private transfer options

Licensed taxis operate from designated ranks outside both terminals, with typical fares ranging €30-45 to the city centre. Journey times vary significantly based on traffic conditions, from 25 minutes during off-peak hours to 40+ minutes during rush periods.

Pre-booked private transfers offer fixed pricing and guaranteed availability, particularly valuable for early morning or late evening arrivals. Most providers charge €35-50 for standard vehicles, with larger vehicles available for groups.

Ride-sharing services operate from specific pickup zones, requiring advance booking through mobile apps.

Train connections from Dublin city centre

Dublin Airport has no direct rail connection. However, the city centre offers excellent onward rail connectivity through several stations:

DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transit) serves coastal routes from city centre stations including Tara Street and Connolly Station. Passengers can reach these stations via bus or taxi from the airport.

Heuston Station provides intercity rail services to Cork, Galway, and other major Irish cities. Dublin Express Route 782 offers direct connections from the airport to Heuston Station.

Connolly Station serves northern and western routes, accessible via city centre bus connections from Dublin Airport.

What if your flight is delayed arriving in Dublin?

Flight delays can significantly impact your ground transport planning and may entitle you to compensation under the UK261 regulation.

If your flight arrives more than 3 hours late at Dublin Airport, you could be eligible for up to £220, £350, or £520 in compensation, depending on your flight distance and departure location. This applies to flights operated by EU airlines or departing from EU airports, regardless of your final destination.

Airlines are responsible for compensation when delays result from factors within their control, such as technical issues, crew scheduling, or operational decisions. Weather-related delays and other extraordinary circumstances generally don't qualify for compensation.

Frequently asked questions

How early should I arrive at Dublin Airport for my departure flight?

Allow 2-3 hours for international flights and 1-2 hours for domestic/EU flights. Factor in your chosen transport method's journey time plus potential traffic delays.

Do Dublin Airport buses run 24 hours?

Not all fo them. Most bus services operate from approximately 3 am to just past midnight. Aircoach is one of the few buses that run 24/7, however in the night hours, their frequency drops - they go once or twice every hour. This makes taxis the primary option for very early or late flights.

Can I use contactless payment on all Dublin Airport transport?

Most bus services and taxis accept contactless payments. Mobile ticketing apps are also widely supported for advance booking. However, there are cases in which the drivers might require coins and won't accept alternative payment options.

Is there WiFi available during the journey to city centre?

Dublin Express and Aircoach provide complimentary WiFi on their services. Dublin Bus and taxis typically don't offer WiFi connectivity.

If your flight to Dublin was delayed or cancelled, you might be entitled to compensation. Our experienced team has already helped 2 million passengers claim what they're owed under the UK261 regulation. Check your eligibility with Flight Delayed UK and let us handle your compensation claim while you focus on enjoying your time in Dublin.