How To Reach Dublin

Dublin is the largest city in Ireland and also serves as its capital. It is situated on a bay along the eastern coast of the country and lies in the province of Leinster. A historically significant yet culturally contemporary city, Dublin is a major hub of tourism in Ireland and has also contributed to the world immensely by producing famous literary figures like Oscar Wilde, W.B. Yeats, James Joyce among many others. Spending an infinite amount of time in this enchanting city will never be enough to explore its many attractions on offer and know the depths of its exceptional beauty. But there’s always a start to everything. Here are the most convenient ways to reach Dublin.

Reach Dublin via air by flying to Dublin Airport, which is located just 10 km away from the city centre. There are two terminals at Dublin Airport, and there are direct flights available from several major cities in the UK to Dublin. From India, there are no direct flights but numerous airlines make international connections to the city with one or multiple stopovers. Transatlantic flights are serviced at terminal 2, whereas terminal 1 operates airlines mostly from within the continent. There are bus services and meter taxis available from both terminals to reach the city from the airport.

Dublin can be reached via rail journey only if you are travelling from within Ireland. The city has two railway stations, which connect Dublin to the rest of the country. Heuston Railway Station is situated to the west of the city centre and operates trains to and from the western and southern part of Ireland. The other station is Connolly Railway Station, which serves the eastern coast and south-east part of the country. The suburban commuter service known as DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transit) system, which can be used to travel to the nooks and corners of the city and the small adjoining villages, is also operated from the Connolly Station. Much like the airport, there are taxis and buses available from both train stations.

If you are travelling to Dublin from England and Wales, getting on a ferry to the city is a good way to do so. Liverpool-Dublin and Holyhead-Dublin are the main routes taken by the numerous passenger ferry services operated to and from Dublin Port. Travellers from Britain can choose to buy a SailRail ticket, which combines a rail and ferry ticket and is a much cheaper option to travel to Dublin.

The motorways M1 to M9 all lead to Dublin from different parts of the country. Bus services are available from most major cities around Dublin, and taxis can be hired to do the same. If you decide to bring a car and drive yourself to Dublin for a day trip, it is advisable to leave your vehicle at a Park and Drive Station to avoid the busy traffic of the city. Otherwise, the road trip to Dublin, through the rolling hills and meadows of Ireland is worth every mile of effort.

Options with public transportation are quite varied in Dublin. The tram system Luas is a handy and reliable way to get around town, with the DART system being a convenient option to get to the surrounding suburbs. Buses, both private and state-run, are also easily available all over the city. Tourists can benefit greatly from purchasing the rechargeable Leap Card, which allows them to travel across the Luas and DART trains, along with the buses of the city. Alternatively, bicycles can also be hired from several locations around the city centre for those more interested in exploring the city on two wheels.