One-Way Bus Transfer from/to Dublin Airport

Dublin Airport Terminal 1

Dublin Airport lies about ten kilometres north of the city centre, near the village of Collinstown in north County Dublin, and it is by far the busiest airport in Ireland. Terminal 1, the older of the two terminals, handles a large share of European flights, and its bus stops sit just outside the arrivals level, so you walk from the baggage hall to your bus in a few minutes.

Because the airport has no rail link, the bus is the most practical way into the city for most visitors, and travellers searching for how to get from Dublin Airport to the city centre are usually pointed to exactly this kind of service. With a pre-booked seat you simply show your ticket and board; there is no need to queue at a kiosk or carry coins. Allow a little extra time at peak hours when many flights land together.

The Ride into Dublin City Centre

The journey between the airport and the city centre takes about 45 minutes, depending on traffic. You travel in a modern, clean bus with comfortable seats, free high-speed Wi-Fi and a power socket at every seat, so you can message family, check your hotel directions or charge your phone before you step off. There is an on-board toilet and a media system for the ride.

Ordinary luggage travels with you, folding bikes are accepted, and oversized items such as large sports bags are carried for an extra charge. In the opposite direction, the bus is a relaxed way to reach Terminal 1 for your flight, with departures available at any hour. Many travellers also use it on the last morning of a city break, leaving the hotel after breakfast with time to spare.

The River Liffey and O'Connell Street

Dublin city centre is split by the River Liffey into the Northside and the Southside, and the quays along the river are where most visitors get their bearings. On the north bank, O'Connell Street is the city's main boulevard, with the General Post Office, a landmark of the 1916 Easter Rising, and the tall steel Spire that rises above the rooftops.

Just upstream, the white cast-iron Ha'penny Bridge, opened in 1816, links the north bank to the lanes of the Southside. Walking from O'Connell Bridge along the quays to the Ha'penny Bridge takes only a few minutes and is a good first stroll after you arrive. Most city-centre hotels are within walking distance or a short taxi ride of the river, which makes a central bus transfer a convenient start to any Dublin stay.

Trinity College, Grafton Street and St Stephen's Green

South of the river, Trinity College Dublin, founded in 1592, is the oldest university in Ireland. Its cobbled squares are free to walk through, while its Old Library, with the vaulted Long Room lined with ancient books, is visited with a timed ticket; checking Trinity College opening hours and booking ahead is wise in summer.

From the college gates, pedestrianised Grafton Street leads past street musicians and shops to St Stephen's Green, a Victorian park with lakes, bridges and flower beds surrounded by elegant Georgian terraces. Nearby, Merrion Square shows off the colourful painted doors that Dublin is famous for. Is Dublin worth visiting for a short break? These few streets alone, all within walking distance of each other, answer the question and are easy to reach once your bus drops you in the centre.