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Getting Around Dublin

Dublin is Ireland’s capital city. This lively city offers plenty of history, culture, food and music to explore. With so much to see and do in Dublin, you want to waste as little time as possible waiting on public transport. Navigating a new city can be confusing. So here is our guide for getting around the city.

Getting to DCU Rooms:

DCU rooms is approximately 8km from Dublin Airport. There are regular buses from the Airport that will take you to Durmcondra. The 16 bus leaves every 10 minutes. You can get on this bus at Dublin Airport terminal 1, arrival zone 14. The bus ride takes less than 30 minutes. Get off the bus at St Patrick’s College, stop 7603, and you are about a 4-minute walk from DCU Rooms All Hallows.

If you arrive at Dublin Airport at off-peak times, you can get a taxi from Dublin Airport to DCU rooms. There is a busy taxi ranks outside the airport terminal, so you will be able to get a ride quickly. DCU Rooms is about a 15-minute drive from the Airport. The Free Now app can also be used to order taxis all around the city.

Getting to the city from DCU rooms is so simple. You can take a leisurely walk into the heart of the city. This will take you about 30 minutes. You can also get a bus from Drumcondra directly into the city centre. Bus routes 1, 11, 13 and 16 are a few options. These buses are very regular, so you won’t be waiting too long for a bus.

Seeing the City:

Walking

Dublin city itself is relatively small in comparison to other European cities. This is good news as it means you can explore the charming city on foot.  Most of the major landmarks, such as the GPO, the Ha’penny Bridge, St Stephens Green and Trinity College, are within a 5-minute walk from one another. Walking around Dublin will allow you to see the sights and experience Dublin’s unique atmosphere while discovering the city’s hidden gems.
Top tip: Make sure to wear comfortable walking shoes.

Dublin Bikes

Cycling around the city is an excellent way of seeing the sights. You can cover more ground than you would on foot.  Opting to cycle also reduces your carbon footprint and benefits your health and wellbeing. Dublin Bikes is a self-service bike rental.  It’s a cost-effective way of seeing the city where you can rent a bike for as little as €3.50 a day. Docking stations are strategically placed within the city centre, where you can pick up and return bikes at your convenience.  
We always recommend a cycle around Phoenix Park. The park is located on the edge of the city centre and is a sweet escape from the urban hustle and bustle. Phoenix Park is Europe’s largest enclosed park.  Because of the park’s sheer size, cycling is a great way to explore. Within the park, you will find Áras an Uachtaráin, which is the home to the president of Ireland, Dublin Zoo and vast grasslands with a diverse range of plants and animals, including wild deer.

Buses to the City

Dublin Big Bus tours are a great option if you are in a time crunch. Adult tickets are from €29.70. These buses are hop-on-hop-off tours that take you to Dublin’s most famous landmarks.  They are pre-recorded in many different languages and live commentary on board so you can learn about the city’s rich history.
 

The Dart: Coastal Day Trips

A trip to one of Dublin’s coastal towns is a beautiful way to spend a day.Three of Dublin’s most popular seaside towns are Howth, Malahide and Dún Laoghaire. The dart is the best way to explore Dublin’s beautiful coastline.The Dart (Dublin Area Rapid Transport) is a train system that connects the Dublin seaside suburbs to the city.  This is a frequent service with various routes. There are three main dart stations within the city centre, these include Dublin Conolly, Dublin Pearse and Tara Street Station. Darts run about every 20 minutes in both directions. If you are planning a trip to Dún Laoghaire, you need to get on a southbound dart heading towards Bray or Graystones. If you are heading to Howth or Malahide, you’ll be looking for a Northbound train labelled either Howth or Malahide.

Planning your trip:

Leap card

A leap card is a must for your trip to Ireland. The TFI leap card is a prepaid travel card that is valid on most forms of public transport in Ireland.  There are a few benefits of using a leap card. Firstly, Dublin Bus do not accept card payment or notes. You need to have the exact bus fair in coins. Carrying a leap card eliminates this inconvenience. Secondly, there is no need to queue up at the ticket machines, so you will save time.  Lastly, you save money on your fares as leap cards are typically 30% less expensive than regular fairs. If you are travelling with children under the age of 16, be sure to get them a child’s leap card, as train and bus fares are subsidised for children.
 
Rush hour traffic can be hectic. Buses and trains can be jam-packed with people going to and from work and school. The peak times are between 7 am and 9 am in the morning and between 5 pm and 7 pm in the evening. Sunday bus and train times are less regular than the other days of the week. Be sure to pre-plan your journey and check the timetables so you don’t have to wait long. Google Maps and the TFI Live App are great tools for planning your trips in Dublin. Both of these apps provide live times of when buses and trains are due to leave the bus stop or train station near you.
 
Staying at DCU Rooms gives you easy access to the city without breaking the bank. Our visitor suites are available all year round. Remember, if you book on our own website, you’ll get our best rate guarantee
Picture of Niamh Shields

Niamh Shields

Niamh Shields is a Digital Marketing and PR professional at Sprint Digital, specialising in hospitality, tourism, content marketing, SEO, social media, and digital communications. With extensive experience supporting hotels and tourism-focused businesses across Ireland, Niamh creates informative content designed to help visitors plan memorable stays and discover the best of their destination. For DCU Rooms, she writes about Dublin attractions, campus events, local experiences, family-friendly activities, visitor information, and things to do throughout Dublin City. Combining hospitality marketing expertise with a passion for travel and storytelling, Niamh develops helpful and trustworthy content that supports guests exploring Ireland's capital and making the most of their stay at DCU.
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