Dublin Airport to the City Centre: Coach, Bus, Taxi or Freenow?
4 hours ago
5 min read
Landing at Dublin Airport and wondering how to get into town? There is no train from the airport, so your choice is between an airport coach, an ordinary city bus, a taxi or a ride-hailing app. I filmed the whole journey from Terminal 2 arrivals to the river by Temple Bar, and this guide walks you through it, with today's routes and fares checked against the operators.
I filmed this in August 2022, so the prices I mention in the video were correct then. Wherever I give a current fare or route below, I have checked it with the operator's own website. Here is the video:
Getting out of Terminal 2
Dublin Airport has two terminals, and I landed at Terminal 2. Once you are through arrivals, head for the exit and walk straight ahead across the glass walkway. Turn left at the end and take the escalator down to the coach and bus stops. It is all well signposted, and on a sunny day that walkway is a lovely first glimpse of Ireland.
If you land at Terminal 1 instead, don't worry: Dublin Express and Aircoach stop outside both terminals, so you won't need to change terminals to catch your coach.
Option 1: the airport coach (my pick if you are on your own)
For a solo traveller the coach is the sweet spot between price and comfort. One thing I point out in the video: Dublin Express is deceptively named. It is a coach, not a train. There is no rail link at the airport, so if you are heading on by train around Ireland you will need to take a coach or bus into the city first.
Dublin Express runs three routes from the airport. The 782 runs along the quays, with stops for Temple Bar, Dublin Castle, Christ Church, the Guinness Storehouse and Heuston Station. The 784 goes to Trinity College, O'Connell Street, the Docklands and the 3Arena. The 783 heads out to the southern suburbs as far as Terenure. At Terminal 1 the coaches leave from Zone 1, and at Terminal 2 from Zone 21.
Dublin Express says fares start from €9 one way if you book online. You can also buy on the day at the airport or from the driver, but those prices are higher and you can only pay by card. In 2022 I paid the driver, but these days I would book ahead. A nice touch: on the 782, 783 and 784 your ticket is valid on a standby basis for up to 12 hours either side of the time you booked, which helps if your flight is early or late. Their fastest journey into town takes 14 minutes through the Dublin Port Tunnel, but allow longer at rush hour.
Aircoach is the other airport coach, and it also stops outside both terminals. Its 700 and 700X go to the city centre and run 24 hours a day, up to every 15 minutes, and the 702 continues through the city centre and Ballsbridge to Dalkey. If you are landing in the small hours, that round-the-clock timetable is very handy. Fares change, so check the current price on aircoach.ie before you travel.
Option 2: the Dublin Bus (cheapest)
If you are travelling light and not in a rush, an ordinary Dublin Bus is the cheapest way in. Dublin Bus lists four routes that run through the airport. The 16 runs to Ballinteer about every 10 to 15 minutes, the 19 and 24 go to Merrion Square, and the 41 runs between Swords and Lower Abbey Street in the city centre around the clock.
The cash fare is €2.60, but drivers can't take notes or bank cards, and you can't tap your phone. Bring coins, or better still use a Leap card. There is a visitor version you can use for a few days. These buses stop a lot more than the coaches, so they take longer.
Option 3: taxis and ride-hailing apps (best for groups)
There is a taxi rank outside each terminal and Dublin taxis are metered. When I filmed, a traditional taxi into the centre was costing around €35 to €50. Fares are set nationally, and Transport for Ireland has a taxi fare estimator if you want to check before you go.
In Dublin the three most popular apps are Free Now, Uber and Bolt. Locals tend to use Free Now rather than Uber. If there are three or four of you sharing, a car can easily work out cheaper per person than the coach, and you get dropped at your door.
If you have never used Freenow before, my referral code axzn3v68o gives you 40% off your first trip (up to €6).
Arriving in the city
On my coach, the drop-off was right by the River Liffey, a short walk from Temple Bar. From there you are in the heart of Dublin, ready for a pint and a wander. If you are planning the rest of your stay, have a look at my Essential Dublin Travel Guide.
So which should you choose?
On your own, take the coach: book Dublin Express or Aircoach online and you will be in the centre without fuss. On a tight budget with time to spare, take a Dublin Bus with coins or a Leap card. In a group of three or four, or with lots of luggage, a taxi or a Free Now, Uber or Bolt ride is probably the best value.
Changing money at the airport? Check Money Maps first
If you are bringing pounds or dollars to swap for euros, remember that airport bureaux usually give the worst rates, so compare before you change at Dublin Airport. Money Maps compares bureau de change and online exchange rates near you, on a map and in a list, and its 'You get' calculator shows what you would actually receive after fees. With Capture the Board you can snap a bureau's rate board to earn points towards prizes, and you can report wrong rates too. It is free on the App Store, and an Android version is coming.
Stay connected on arrival
Before you leave home, sort your data, because you will want maps and your ride-hailing app working the moment you land. I recommend Roamless for an eSIM that you can set up before you fly. Use code WONDERING for 20% off.
Where to stay in Dublin
Use the map below to compare places to stay near Temple Bar and the city centre:
Things to do once you are in
Browse more Dublin tours and activities on Viator:
Plan your trip
Apartments: Airbnb
Tours and activities: Viator Dublin
Tours and tickets: GetYourGuide Dublin
Private transfer: GetTransfer
Taxi app: Freenow (code axzn3v68o for 40% off your first trip, up to €6)
eSIM: Roamless (code WONDERING for 20% off)
Flights
Flying in? Compare fares to Dublin below.
Sources: coach and bus routes, stops and fares checked on 3 November 2026 with Dublin Express, Aircoach and Dublin Bus. The taxi price is from when I filmed in August 2022.
Photos: stills from my own video.
Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links, so I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
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Safe travels, The Wondering Englishman
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