Transfer Options from Dublin Airport to the City

Since there isn’t a train from Dublin Airport to the city center, the quickest way to reach downtown by public transport is to take an Express Bus. Two different express lines depart for the city from each terminal – the 782 and 784. Buses make several stops along the way, including at O’Connell Street and Temple Bar, before terminating at Custom Quay House and 3Arena, respectively. The journey time by express bus takes between 30 and 40 minutes. 

*There is a third express bus, the 783, which services Dublin suburbs and terminates at Terenure.

The cost of an express bus ticket from Dublin Airport to the city is €8 for each adult traveler. We recommend booking tickets online in advance to secure a seat, although it’s also possible to purchase a ticket on the day from the airport in the Arrivals Hall, or straight from the driver.

Although taking a Dublin Airport bus to the city center takes longer than taking an airport taxi, the service itself is very efficient and is of good value for your money. Keep in mind that local buses offer limited luggage space so they may not be the best option for your group if you’re carrying multiple pieces of luggage and traveling during peak hours. This option also ranks lower in convenience because you’ll have to navigate your way to the bus stop and also to your destination once you get off the bus. 

While several buses offer rides between the airport and downtown, the 16 and 41 Lines operated by Dublin Bus are the cheapest and most reliable. If you’re headed near O’Connell Street – the heart of Dublin – Line 16 is the best choice, which takes 40 minutes and passes by Skylon Hotel and Drumcondra Rail Station. Line 41 also takes around 40 minutes but terminates on Lower Abbey Street in the city center instead.

A single-journey short fare ticket can be purchased on-board the bus for €2 in cash. The driver is unable to give change, so you’ll need to have the exact amount in coins. Euro notes are not accepted.

The Dublin Bus is the cheapest public transport option and the most flexible, with services running 24 hours a day at regular intervals. Luggage is limited, however, and passengers may be denied boarding if they have too much. Additionally, you’ll need the exact change in coins to purchase a ticket, which means withdrawing cash from an ATM on arrival and having it broken down into smaller bills and coins.

For a streamlined experience that you can pay for in advance, consider pre-booking a private transfer where a private vehicle and a highly trained English-speaking driver will greet you on arrival.

Aircoach services 700 and 701 offer passengers regular and fast rides from Dublin Airport to the city center. Services depart every 15 to 30 minutes and the trip takes around 40 minutes, making stops at Drumcondra Station, as well as O’Connell Street, Kildare Street and Leeson Street Lower in the city center.

A one-way bus ticket from Dublin Airport to the city on either Aircoach 700 or 701 costs €10 per adult. Tickets can be purchased online in advance, from the Aircoach service staff at the airport or from the driver on board using a card or cash.

It’s also possible to pay for your ticket using a LEAP card which can be purchased from Wrights Airport Convenience Store and WH Smith at T1 Arrivals or Spar Shop at T2 Arrivals. LEAP cards cost €19.50 and are valid for 3 days on most public transport across the city. 

The Aircoach service is the least cost-effective bus option, as it takes just as long as the Dublin Bus but costs five times as much. However, it offers more on-board amenities for a more comfortable ride, an increased luggage allowance, and simpler ticket purchasing with more payment options available.