Dublin Airport ground transportation
One fact shapes every journey from Dublin Airport: there is no station here. Unlike most European capitals, DUB has no train, DART or metro connection, so everything runs on the road through the Dublin Port Tunnel or the M50. The workhorses are the coaches. Dublin Express (routes 782/784) and Aircoach (route 700) run into the city centre every 10-20 minutes for roughly €8-10, both carrying luggage free and offering wifi. Aircoach also runs the 702 south through Ballsbridge and Dún Laoghaire toward Dalkey. For a fraction of the price the local Dublin Bus routes (16, 41) and Go-Ahead's 102 to the northern coast charge the TFI flat fare of €2 with a Leap Card (€2.60 cash), though they stop often and take longer. Metered taxis wait outside both terminals with regulated national tariffs — no surge, roughly €25-35 to the centre by day and more at night. Pre-booked private transfers give a fixed price and a driver waiting in arrivals. For the west of Ireland, Citylink coaches (which absorbed the old GoBus brand) run direct from the airport to Galway in about two and a half hours. This guide compares price, time and frequency for each popular destination.
Dublin Airport to Dublin city centre
Dublin City Centre is 10 km from DUB, about 30 min at the quickest. Roughly 10 km south of DUB via the Port Tunnel; the Dublin Express and Aircoach coaches are quickest at about 30 minutes, with cheap Dublin Bus routes and taxis alongside.
| Option | Time | Fare | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dublin Express (782/784) Fastest | 30 min | €8–10 | Every ~10–20 min · roughly 03:30–00:30 |
| Aircoach 700 | 35 min | €9 | Every ~15–20 min · 24 hours |
| Dublin Bus 16 / 41 Cheapest | 55 min | €2–3 | Every ~15–30 min · ~05:30–23:30 |
| Dublin taxi (metered) | 30 min | €25–35 | On demand at the rank |
| Welcome Pickups · local Dublin firms | 30 min | €35–48 | Pre-booked, meet on arrival |
Where are you heading?
Every destination from DUB: cheapest way and taxi fare
| Destination | Distance | Cheapest way | Taxi | Fastest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dublin City Centre | 10 km | Dublin Bus 16 / 41 · €2 | €25–35 | 30 min |
| Temple Bar | 11 km | Dublin Express 782 · €8 | €25–35 | 32 min |
| Galway | 208 km | Citylink 760 (was GoBus) · €20 | €300–400 | 2h 30m |
| Dublin Docklands | 10 km | Dublin Express 784 · €8 | €25–32 | 28 min |
| Ballsbridge | 13 km | Aircoach 702 · €9 | €30–40 | 40 min |
| Howth | 17 km | Go-Ahead 102 + DART · €3 | €30–42 | 45 min |
| Malahide | 9 km | Go-Ahead 102 · €2 | €18–28 | 30 min |
| Dún Laoghaire | 21 km | Aircoach 702 (Dublin Airport – Dalkey) · €12 | €45–58 | 45 min |
Buying tickets in Dublin
There is no train or tram to Dublin Airport, so you travel by bus. A Leap Visitor Card (sold as 24-hour, 72-hour and 7-day passes) covers the Dublin Bus and Go-Ahead routes from the airport, such as the 16, 41 and 102, plus Luas trams and DART, and is sold at the airport information desks and convenience shops. The old Dublin Bus Airlink 747 no longer runs. The faster private coaches, Dublin Express (from around €9) and Aircoach (from around €6 online), do not accept Leap — pay those by contactless card or app instead. Book the coaches online for the lowest fare.
Taxi scams & safety in Dublin
Dublin taxis are regulated and metered, and the official rank sits right outside the arrivals hall — join the queue there rather than accepting any offer from someone inside the terminal. Apps like FreeNow, Bolt and Uber all work here, though in Ireland "Uber" simply dispatches a normal licensed taxi at the metered rate, not a private car. Ask for an estimate or watch the meter, keep to the marked rank or app pickup point, and you will avoid the rare overcharge.
Step-free access in Dublin
Dublin is the one airport here where the coach you pick decides whether the journey is step-free at all, so it is worth reading before you book.
- Airlink (Dublin Bus) is the dependable choice: low-floor buses with extendable ramps and a priority wheelchair space on every vehicle, with no advance notice needed.
- Aircoach is wheelchair accessible and takes one wheelchair user per vehicle, but you must contact them at least 24 hours ahead. Mobility scooters are not carried.
- Dublin Express does not offer step-free access for wheelchair or mobility-scooter users. They may be able to carry a passenger who can board using the coach steps, subject to conditions, but as a step-free route it is not an option.
If you need certainty and have not booked anything in advance, Airlink is the one to head for.
Dublin Airport transport — FAQ
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Other airports nearby
Flying into a different gateway? These hubs are covered too.
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