Read our vademecum to find out which is the best way to get from Dublin Airport to the City Centre.
Dublin City Guide
With this Dublin city guide, you’ll have all the ingredients for an excellent experience in one of the most fast-growing cities in Europe.
It’s been a long time since the Vikings settled in this very place on earth. Many populations stopped in the city, and all left an unmistakable mark on it.
Dublin, despite everything, has continued over the centuries to build its own identity, and today it can be said to all intents and purposes a 100% Irish city.
Dublin city guide | Essentials
- Airports – Dublin Airport is an international airport operated by DAA. It is located in Collinstown, 7 km north of Dublin and 3 km south of Swords. Best travel options from Dublin Airport to Dublin City Centre.
- Time Zone – Ireland (GMT+1).
- Currency – The official currency of Ireland is the Euro (€).
- Climate – Dublin’s climate is predominantly oceanic, therefore, cool and humid throughout the year. Rains are frequent.
- Population – In 2016, Ireland’s population was close to 545.000. Map of Ireland.
- Visitor information – There are three official tourist information points in the heart of Dublin. Addresses: 16A O’Connell Street, 17 Lower O’Connell Street, 118 Grafton Street.
- Languages – The first official language is Irish Gaelic, the second is English.
The best time to visit the Irish capital
Although they are the most expensive, the best months to visit Dublin and Ireland are June, July, and August.
In the summer you can experience one of the hottest times in Ireland and also attend many festivals.
Dublin festivals
Although many festivals in the past two years have been skipped due to lockdown or happened online, Dublin continues to celebrate various events.
- 17th March – St Patrick’s Day.
- Throughout April – One Dublin, One Book (Online for 2021).
- 4-5 June – Forbidden Fruit Festival.
- June – Pride (Online for 2021).
- 1-5 September – Taste of Dublin.
- 11-14 November – Dublin Book Festival.
Dublin city guide | How to get around (public transport and much more)
Reaching and exploring Dublin and its surroundings is straightforward. To get around the countryside, you can use the DART train, and to discover the city, you can use the light rail and buses.
Besides, in Dublin, you can get around by bike as several companies offer bikes for rent.
If you want to reach the Irish capital from other parts of the world, Aer Lingus has several options for you (there are also flights to Dublin from NYC, Chicago, and Boston).
Metro and trains
Dublin’s light rail system is called Luas (Transdev) and has two lines serving 67 stations throughout the city. The green line runs north to south (and back), while the red line runs east to west (and back).
If you travel to Ireland on a budget, we recommend buying a Leap Card to save money.
If you want to travel to the surrounding cities and towns, you can use the DART. This commuter train connects you to all of Ireland’s most beautiful and natural places. Dart Ireland Itinerary and tickets.
Buses
The fleet of public buses that travel around Dublin has 120 routes and 18-night buses. Buying tickets for these routes is very easy. You can find vending machines and stands at stations, and you can also buy them on board. Remember that you can save a lot of money by purchasing a Leap Card.
Bike rental services
Dublin is a bike-friendly city and has a rental system called Dublin Bikes sponsored by Now TV and run directly by the city council.
Anyone over the age of 14 can rent these bikes independently. View the map of all bike rental stations in Dublin.
Taxis
As in all major European cities, Dublin cabs are a bit expensive, but they allow you to get to your destination quickly. The most popular companies in the city are City Cabs and Taxi 7.
Last but not least: yes, there is also Uber in Dublin, and it is available all over the city.
Dublin city guide | Leap Card’s advantages
The TFI Leap Card is a system that allows you to travel conveniently and is usable in:
- Dublin
- Cork
- Galway
- Limerick
- Waterford
- Sligo
- Athlone
- Kilkenny
- Wexford.
You can also use it on commuter and rural bus services within the TFI network.
With the TFI Leap Card, your travel fares are up to 31% cheaper than tickets purchased individually.
If you have a Leap Card in the Dublin area, you’ll also get intelligent discounts like Capping and the Leap 90 Discount. You can purchase the card online or in-store. Check out all the services in Dublin on which you can use it.
10 hotspots you shouldn’t miss while in Dublin
Although Dublin is of the smallest European capitals, it’s known to steal the heart of every visitor. Let’s find out together what are the must-see things in the city.
- Dublin Castle — A fantastic castle erected on the site of a Viking settlement. It dates back to the thirteenth century and is one of the city’s top tourist attractions.
- St Patrick’s Cathedral — This church dates back to the Middle Age and was built in honor of the patron saint St Patrick. Visiting this architectural complex will be a cultural and spiritual experience.
- Guinness Storehouse — You don’t have to be a beer lover to visit this storehouse and museum. Guinness beer is part of Ireland’s cultural heritage, so if you’re in town, you can’t miss this attraction. While there, don’t forget to drop by Gravity Bar!
- Museum of Literature Ireland — A museum in the heart of Dublin that pays homage to Molly Bloom, the protagonist of Ulysses by James Joyce.
- Irish Museum of Modern Art — IMMA is a museum that houses more than 3,500 national and international artworks.
- Kilmainham Gaol — Kilmainham Gaol is a former prison and museum operated by the Office of Public Works. Several Irish revolutionaries, including leaders of the Easter Rising, were imprisoned and executed at this very spot by order of the British government.
- The Temple Bar — Your walking tour can’t be complete without a visit to the city’s most famous neighborhood. Here you’ll find Ireland’s most famous pubs and live music venues!
- Jameson Distillery Bow Street — Any good travel guide in Dublin cannot but recommend this place to its readers. This is the site where Jameson Irish Whiskey was distilled until the early 1970s.
- Christ Church Cathedral — All the most famous guided tours of the city do not forget this wonderful church. Here you will find one of Ireland’s best choirs.
- Phoenix Park — Okay, we’ve reached the end of the tour, do you want to rest? Getting to this public park is the right idea for some peace! Another green space you shouldn’t miss is St Stephen’s Green!
Other places you shouldn’t miss
- Book of Kells Exhibition
- Trinity College
- Grafton Street
- Chester Beatty Library.
Dublin
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