Dublin Airport DUB terminal
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How to Get from Dublin Airport (DUB) to City Centre

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Dublin Airport (DUB)

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Quick Answer

Dublin Airport (DUB) to city centre — fastest to cheapest: 1. Aircoach: 30-40 minutes to O’Connell Street / Trinity College, €9 single, €15 return. Every 15-30 min, 24/7. 2. Dublin Express (route 757): 30 min to O’Connell Street, €8 single. Every 15-30 min, 24/7. 3. Dublin Bus 16: 60 min to City Centre, €3.30. Every 15 min, 5:30am-12am. Cheapest. 4. Dublin Bus 41: 60 min, €3.30. 5. Taxi: 30-45 min, €25-35. 6. Uber/FreeNow: €20-30. 7. Pre-booked transfer: €25-50. 8. NO TRAIN to Dublin Airport — only buses + taxi. Distance: 10 km north of Dublin centre. Currency: Euro. Tickets: Leap Card €5 + credit (best value for buses). Best option: Aircoach or Dublin Express — 24/7 + fastest + reasonable price. Dublin Bus if budget tight + not late-night.

Dublin Airport DUB terminal
Dublin Airport (DUB)

Aircoach — fastest 24/7

  • Duration: 30-40 minutes airport to Dublin centre.
  • Routes: 700 (Dublin centre), 702 (Dublin centre + Stillorgan), 704 (Cork), 706 (Galway).
  • Frequency: every 15-30 minutes.
  • Hours: 24/7. Late-night every hour.
  • Price: €9 single, €15 return.
  • Children under 4: free.
  • Where to board: bus station outside Terminal 1 + Terminal 2.
  • Stops: O’Connell Street, Trinity College, St Stephen’s Green, Ballsbridge.
  • Tickets: aircoach.ie, app, or driver (cash/card).
  • Pros: 24/7, fast, comfortable, WiFi, USB charging.
  • Best for: all travelers especially late-night arrivals.

Dublin Express (route 757)

  • Duration: 30 minutes airport to O’Connell Street.
  • Frequency: every 15-30 minutes.
  • Hours: 24/7.
  • Price: €8 single, €13 return. €1 cheaper than Aircoach.
  • Where to board: bus station outside terminals.
  • Stops: O’Connell Street, College Green, Bachelor’s Walk, Custom House.
  • Tickets: dublinexpress.ie or driver.
  • Pros: €1 cheaper than Aircoach for Dublin centre. Same speed.
  • Cons: fewer routes than Aircoach.
  • Best for: O’Connell Street area + budget vs Aircoach.

Dublin Bus 16 + 41 — cheapest

  • Dublin Bus 16: Airport → City Centre via Drumcondra. 60 minutes.
  • Dublin Bus 41: Airport → City Centre via Swords + Drumcondra. 60 min.
  • Frequency: 15-30 minutes each.
  • Hours: 5:30am-12am.
  • Price: €3.30 single (cash). €1.95 with Leap Card.
  • Where to board: bus stops outside terminals.
  • Tickets: Leap Card (recommended €5 + reload), or cash to driver (exact change preferred).
  • Pros: cheapest by far. Local Irish experience.
  • Cons: slowest. Many stops. No WiFi.
  • Best for: ultra-budget travelers, off-peak hours.

Taxi + Uber/FreeNow

  • Duration: 30-45 minutes (traffic-dependent).
  • Taxi metered: €25-35 to Dublin centre.
  • Where to board: taxi rank outside Terminal 1 + Terminal 2.
  • Surcharges: +€2 airport surcharge. +30% late-night/Sundays/holidays.
  • Uber: available since 2014. €20-30. Note: Uber in Ireland uses regular taxis (not regular Uber drivers).
  • FreeNow: Irish taxi-booking app — works exactly like Uber. €20-30.
  • Lynk Taxis: local Dublin taxi app.
  • Pre-booked transfer: €25-50 with driver waiting.
  • Family of 4: taxi €25-35 cheaper than 4× Aircoach (€36).
  • Avoid: unmarked taxis — Dublin has high regulation.

No train to Dublin Airport

  • Dublin Airport NOT on rail network: only buses + taxi.
  • MetroLink planned: €9.5B underground Metro from city to airport. Construction 2024-2030+. Not opening before 2030.
  • Until then: bus + taxi only.
  • Compare to other airports: Dublin Airport is one of few major European capitals without rail link to airport.
  • Workaround: Dublin Bus from train stations Heuston/Connolly to airport. Bus from Heuston Station 30 min, Connolly 25 min.

Dublin Airport layout

  • Two terminals: T1 (low-cost — Ryanair, easyJet, Vueling) + T2 (Aer Lingus + American Airlines + Lufthansa + Etihad + Emirates).
  • Connected by walkway: 5-10 min walking.
  • Free WiFi: 1 hour.
  • ATMs: in arrivals + departures.
  • Currency exchange: ATMs better than counters.
  • Lounges: Aer Lingus + Aspire + Plaza Premium. €30-50 priority pass.
  • Hotels: Maldron Dublin Airport, Carlton Dublin Airport, Clayton Hotel, Premier Inn.
  • US Pre-clearance: US Customs in Dublin Airport — clear US immigration BEFORE departure (faster on arrival).

From Dublin centre back to DUB

  • Allow extra time: 2 hours airport before EU departure. 3 hours US/non-EU (US Pre-clearance adds time).
  • Aircoach from O’Connell: 30-40 min, €9.
  • Dublin Express from O’Connell: 30 min, €8.
  • Dublin Bus 16/41 from centre: 60 min, €3.30 / €1.95 Leap.
  • Taxi from centre: 30-45 min, €25-35.
  • Pre-book Uber/FreeNow: save €5.
  • Strike days: rare in Dublin. All services typically run.

Tips

  • Leap Card: €5 (refundable) + reload at machines. Best value for Dublin Bus + LUAS (tram) + DART (Dublin train).
  • US Pre-clearance: if flying to US, allow extra 1h. Worth it — clear US immigration in Dublin.
  • Apple Pay/Google Pay: accepted on buses (Aircoach, Dublin Express).
  • Dublin Pass: €54/24h includes attractions + transport.
  • Pickpockets: low rate. Standard precautions only.
  • Apps: Aircoach, Dublin Express, Dublin Bus, FreeNow, Citymapper.
  • Late-night gaps: Dublin Bus closes midnight, restarts 5:30am. Aircoach + Dublin Express 24/7.
  • Currency: Republic Euro. Don’t confuse with Northern Ireland GBP.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cheapest DUB to Dublin?

Dublin Bus 16 or 41 — €3.30 cash / €1.95 Leap Card. 60 min to centre. Cheapest by far. Aircoach (€9) + Dublin Express (€8) faster + 24/7.

How long Dublin airport to centre?

Aircoach 30-40 min to O’Connell. Dublin Express 30 min. Dublin Bus 16/41 60 min. Taxi 30-45 min (traffic). DUB is close (10 km) but no rail link.

NO — Dublin Airport NOT on rail network. MetroLink planned €9.5B but won’t open before 2030. Only buses + taxi until then.

DUB taxi price?

€25-35 metered + €2 airport surcharge. +30% late-night/Sundays/holidays. Uber + FreeNow €20-30 (uses regular Irish taxis). Lynk Taxis local app.

DUB 24 hours?

Aircoach + Dublin Express run 24/7. Dublin Bus 16/41 closed midnight-5:30am. Taxi/Uber 24/7. Late-night arrivals: Aircoach (€9) or Dublin Express (€8).

US Pre-clearance Dublin?

Yes — US Customs in Dublin Airport. Clear US immigration BEFORE departure (faster on arrival). Allow extra 1h+ for pre-clearance. T2 only.

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See also

Last reviewed: April 2026
Author: Kir Rud, Grandgo editorial
Sources consulted: official tourism authorities, government health and law publications, peer-reviewed travel references. This article is for informational purposes; for formal advice, consult the relevant authority.

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