2 days in Dublin itinerary for a sensational visit

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You are finally planning your trip to Ireland and are planning to spend 2 days in Dublin? Well, be excited because we have planned the best two days in Dublin itinerary that will take you to all the main Dublin landmarks and immerse you in the Irish culture and spirit! If you’re still unsure of what Irish city to visit, check out our comparison guide between Dublin vs Belfast.

This itinerary will suit you best if it is your first or second time in Dublin. If like us, you are specifically looking for Dublin activities for couples, you can check our 50 date ideas in Dublin guide here.

You can find our 8 days in Ireland itineraries here for a complete tour of Ireland for first-time visitors, returning visitors and more. Check our other romantic Europe guides here.

***Some of the links in this post are affiliate links meaning we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This does not change the fact that we only recommend products, stays, activities and attractions we are satisfied with and all opinions expressed here are our own.

Updated June 2022

Get to know Dublin

Dublin is located on the East coast of Ireland looking over the Irish Sea. Many people get confused at to whether Dublin is part of the UK or not. Dublin is the capital of the Republic of Ireland with 1.4 million inhabitants. And Ireland has a particular relationship with the UK. Dublin has been a European hub for expats in recent years and that has been enhanced with recent Brexit. It is a key city in Europe as it is the only English-speaking capital left in the EU. It attracts thousands of expats every year coming from France, Italy, Spain, Brazil, Poland and more. Millions of tourists visit Dublin every year and appreciate its friendly spirit and rich history.

If you love history, there is no doubt that you will love visiting Dublin (If you don’t, don’t worry, Dublin has lots to offer!). Dublin was founded in 841 by the Danish Vikings. Ireland history was marked by the famine in the 1840s that left 1 million people die of starvation while 2 millions had to flee the country. The more recent civil wars have also deeply affected the country. The Republic of Ireland is now independent!

Dublin is also surrounded by gorgeous coastal towns such as Dalkey and Howth. These towns are perfect for a day trip if you have 3 or 4 days in Dublin. In Howth, we would recommend doing the cliff walk Howth offers along the water.

When going around Dublin and even Ireland, some landmarks may be difficult to find as addresses aren’t always clear. In Ireland, we use the Eircode which is a unique code to identify each property. If you can’t find a landmark, you will need to add its Eircode onto Google Maps and it will guide you right to it.

Best time to visit Dublin

There are lots of destinations in Europe that you can visit at any time of the year to have decent weather. For example, we visited Lisbon for 4 days in February and had lovely weather! However, it’s not the case in Dublin. When it comes to the weather, the best time to visit Dublin is during Spring and Summer. At that time of the year, you have more chance of having better weather with sunnier day and pleasant temperatures. Those are also the months where days are much longer with daylight lasting until 10-11pm. Spring in Ireland is actually the most beautiful season with temperatures that can go up to 25°C!

That said, the weather in Ireland is quite unpredictable and no-one will be surprised if it rains the whole month of July! From my personal experience, I wouldn’t especially plan my trip to Dublin based on when the weather is supposed to be better as it might not work out in the end. In addition, Spring and Summer can be quite busy as it is considered as peak season here.

So I would recommend coming to Dublin during the shoulder seasons, either in early spring or in September and October at the peak of fall foliage. Dublin is a bit less crowded at that time of the year and flights can also be cheaper then. 

Weather in Dublin

No matter the time of the year you are visiting Dublin, I would recommend starting your days early in the morning. The weather is usually a lot clearer in the morning with clouds and rain showing up in the afternoon. Again, that is what we have concluded after living in Dublin for more than two years but nothing is ever certain with the weather here!

Budget Travel Tips

Dublin is one of those destinations that you can make as cheap or as expensive as you want. Of course, as we all know, it’s always easier to make it a trip more expensive than cheaper ha! So I’m sure those budget travel tips will come in handy for you when visiting Dublin. 

• If you are a student or a senior, bring your senior/student card! With that card, some entrance fees can be half-priced or even free depending on the visit.

• If you are coming from a country with a different currency, it will be cheaper to order some euros before your trip than converting your money at the airport. Airport fees can be quite high. 

• I also recommend checking in with your bank before your trip so you can be fully aware of the fees attached to using your cards abroad. The easiest and cheapest way to get euros is usually to withdraw cash at an ATM one you are in Dublin. That said, if your card fees are really high, ordering some cash before your departure might be cheaper!

Although a couple of the activities and stops I have included in this Dublin itinerary involve an entrance fee, most of them are free things to do in Dublin which should satisfy your budget!

First time in Dublin Bucket list 

Trust me, there are a few things you have to do and try when visiting Dublin for the first time. Spending two days in Dublin is actually quite short so you won’t be able to see it all. That’s why I have put this list together. I want you to have the most “Dublin experience” so here is a Dublin bucket list of things you have to include in your itinerary. I have included most of these experiences into your 2 day in Dublin itinerary below to make it even easier for you!

• Watch the sunset over the Liffey

There is always something special about cities with a river. It’s no different for Dublin. The Liffey River flows across the city and the boardwalk offers great views on the city. More specifically, the views are well worth a look at sunset! Two great spots to watch the sunset are the Samuel Beckett Bridge and the Sean O’Casey Bridge. Don’t forget to use one of our quotes or captions about rivers to illustrate your photos on social media!

• Eat Fish and Chips

Eating Fish and Chips in Dublin is an absolute must. There are quite a few places you can get that meal but a good one we would recommend is Beshoff Bros on Dame Street. You can also order it to go and eat it on your way to your next visit!

• Eat an Irish breakfast

What’s more Irish than having an Irish breakfast in Ireland? Not much in my opinion! An Irish breakfast usually includes toasts with butter, tea, different types of sausages, mushrooms, tomatoes, beans in tomato sauce, eggs and bacon. Quite the breakfast if you ask me! With that kind of breakfast, you will be ready to explore the city for hours before you need another meal. 

You will find lots of pubs and restaurants serving Irish breakfasts in Dublin. However, our favourite place is O’Neills on Suffolk Street near the Molly Malone statue. At O’Neills, Irish breakfasts are served all day long so you don’t have to show up early. If you feel like an Irish breakfast in the middle of the afternoon, O’Neills are your guys! 

• Listen to Buskers 

Buskers are singers and musicians who perform on the streets of Dublin. Dublin is one of the best music cities in the world! Buskers are part of Dublin’s spirits and Dublin wouldn’t be Dublin without them. There are several streets where you can watch them perform such as Henry Street, which is a famous shopping street on the North side of Dublin. Another spot is right by the Molly Malone statue. But the best spot is probably Grafton Street, a couple feet away from Trinity College on the South side of Dublin. 

On Grafton Street, you can usually find between 3 and 6 buskers including Allie Sherlock, who has almost 5 millions of subscribers on Youtube and signed with Ryan Tedder (lead singer of One Republic). 

This is truly a great spot to visit in Dublin. Some artists even set up their grand piano on the street! The great thing about Dublin buskers is that each busker is only permitted to perform for about one hour. This means that performers switch every hour or so which gives you the opportunity to discover new artists. 

2 days in Dublin: Wandering the city 

Dublin is very well suited for visiting the city by walking around and making short stops along the way. Dublin City isn’t very big  and you can walk from one end of the city to the other in about 45 minutes while seeing a lot of its most famous landmarks. If you like walking around, spending some time outside and taking in your destination’s spirit and vibe, you will love spending two days in Dublin! 

2 days in Dublin Itinerary

I have prepared below a 2 days in Dublin itinerary to make your visit of Dublin the best and easiest possible. I have grouped visits and activities in a way that makes sense both geographically (so you don’t have to go back and forth a million of times) and in respect of sunset. For each day, I have recommended a place to have lunch and dinner. I have also added how long I recommend spending at each of the visits and spots so you know how to best maximise your time in Dublin. 

When we travel, we are early risers so I have based the number of activities on that and those days are pretty packed. On the basis that it might be a bit much for some people out there, I have added a note on the visits I think could be optional. 

Day 1 of your 2 days in Dublin

On Day 1, I am taking you to the heart of Dublin. This day involves quite a bit of walking with stops along the way. On Day 1, you will have seen 11 go the main landmarks of Dublin’s core districts.

1. O’Connell Street 

O’Connell street is the main avenue of the North side of Dublin. If you take the bus from the airport, this is where you will most likely be dropped off. There are quite a few things to see on O’Connell Street. 

The first on is clearly the avenue itself. With its two large lanes, it feels like the heart of Dublin. The second one is definitely the General Post Office. The General Post Office is a beautiful Georgian building that played a key role in the Eastern Rising of 1916. Actually, if you look up, you can still see some of the bullets holes! The Post Office is also a beautiful building from the inside so I highly recommend going in just to have a peak at the original counters.

While on O’Connell Street, you won’t be able to miss the big pointy silver things in the middle! That is the Spire. The Spire is a 120 metres high stainless steel monument overlooking the avenue. To be fully honest, it is quite unclear what the purpose of the Spire is but it does reflect the light in interesting ways and the tip lights up at night making it visible from many places in the city. It is also a cool spot to take photos.

Time recommended: 30 minutes

2. Henry Street

Henry Street is one of the famous shopping streets of Dublin and is located right off O’Connell Street by the Spire. If you love shopping, this street is definitely a must-see as it has some of the most known brands out there. 

If you don’t love shopping or don’t plan on doing any shop during your visit to Dublin, I would still recommend checking out Henry Street, especially for the architecture of the buildings. Buildings like Arnotts are definitely worth checking out. Arnotts actually has some of the most beautiful Christmas windows and decorations in December. If you are visiting Dublin during Christmas, that’s a place to check out for sure. 

Another reason to visit Henry Street is the Church bar and restaurant. The Church is one of our favourite restaurants in Dublin. It is a bar and restaurant located in an old church. The inside is beautiful and they also organise some Irish Dancing nights during the week, which are the perfect way to have a meal while taking in the Irish culture. 

Time recommended: 2 hours with shopping, 1 hour without shopping and with a stop at the Church. 

3. Ha’ Penny bridge 

The Ha’ Penny bridge is located near Temple Bar and connects Aston Quay and Bachelors Walk. The Ha’Penny Bridge is famous for its colour, shape and the view it offers on the city and the Liffey. If you want to take some photos there, coming in the morning is perfect as it is usually less crowded. 

Time recommended: 15 minutes

4. Merchants Arch 

Merchants Arch is located right between the Ha’Penny Bridge and Temple Bar. It is both the name of the spot and the name of the restaurant occupying the building. If you have time, I definitely think Merchants Arch Bar and Restaurant is a great place to have a drink and listen to live music at night. The building is quite pretty. During the day, it is more of a spot to see on your way to Temple Bar but still fun.

Time recommended: 5-10 minutes

5. Grab a bubble waffle and head to Temple Bar 

Is there a better morning snack than a bubble waffle? Ah, I’d say there isn’t! Under the actual arch of Merchants Arch, you will find one of our favourite snack/dessert places in Dublin and that is the Bubble Waffle Factory. You can pick one off the menu or make your own, either way, if you have a sweet tooth, you will love it! They are also pretty big so you might want to share with your partner (although we understand if you don’t haha).

Once you’ve grabbed your delicious bubble waffle, head to the Temple Bar district. This is one of the most famous districts of Dublin and is more often than not, considered the heart of Dublin. With the live Irish and folk music, the friendly and warm atmosphere, Temple Bar is definitely a symbol of the Irish culture. You’ll find some of the best and most iconic pubs in that district including Quays Pub and the Temple Bar Pub. Don’t hesitate to stop at one of the pubs and have an Irish coffee while listening to live music. Of course, check out the Temple Bar Pub and especially its facade. Have a look inside and take in the Irish spirit!

Time recommended: 2 hours

6. Fish and chips for lunch

After a busy morning, there is no doubt you will want to have lunch. One of the specialties here is fish and chips. As you will be in the area, I recommend ordering fish and chips from Beshoff Bros on Dame Street. You can eat inside or take it to go. If you are in the mood for something a bit fancier, we recommend Chez Max for delicious French food.

Time recommended: 30 minutes to one hour

7. Trinity college

Although at this stage you will be super close to Dublin’s castle, in the interest of maximising your time, I recommend heading to Trinity College via Dame Street. On your way, keep an eye open for The Bank on College Green which is a beautiful restaurant. You can go in just to have a peak and continue on your way to Trinity College.

Trinity College is a beautiful university and one of the best in the country. You will love the architecture and style of the buildings. One of the main visits here is the Book of Kells Library. I highly recommend doing this visit. This is definitely not an optional visit! The tour is very educational and fun and the library will take your breath away! 

We also recommend heading to the geology building on the side of the Campanile. This is one of Dublin’s free museums and is a gorgeous building. Inside you’ll find an exhibition of rocks and fossils, and two skeletons of the great Irish deer. The inside of the building is beautiful as well and well worth a visit!

Time recommended: 1,5 hours

8. Grafton Street 

After Trinity College, head to Grafton Street, the other main shopping street of Dublin. Grafton Street is famous for its buskers and has some of the best Christmas decorations in Dublin. Head all the way to the end of the Street for our next step!

Time recommended: 30 minutes

9. St Stephen’s Green Park (optional) & Shopping Centre

At the end of Grafton Street, you will find the St Stephen’s Green Park on your left and the St Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre on your right. Although the park offers some of the best walks in Dublin, it is just a park at the end of the day so you can skip it if you are running out of time or don’t feel like walking too much anymore.

However, the St Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre is, in my opinion, one of the most unique buildings out there and definitely worth a visit. You will notice the building right away for its unique facade’s architecture. Go in and take the stairs all the way to the top. There, you will have a great view on the architecture of the building as well. 

Time recommended: one hour

10. Watch the Sunset 

After such a long day, you will be happy to know that I have some more walking planned for you (hahah). From the Shopping Centre, come back down Grafton Street and at the Liffey, start walking on the boardwalk to your right. From there, you will see the sky changing colours and hopefully if the weather allows, you will be able to see a beautiful sunset. 

If the weather isn’t great, you will still get to see the famous white Samuel Beckett Bridge. 

Time recommended: one hour

11. Dinner at the Harbourmaster in the IFSC

To finish the day, head to the Harbourmaster restaurant in the IFSC. There, I recommend ordering the barbecue chicken wings! You can choose to sit in the bar area or in the back room restaurant area. 

If you are tired, hop on the Luas and head home. If you still have it in you, head back to Temple Bar for a fun Irish night!

Day 2 of your Dublin visit

On Day 2, you will discover some of the most majestic landmarks in Dublin and a couple of hidden gems that tourists usually miss out on! 

1. Phoenix Park and the deer

Since mornings in Dublin are usually the best weatherwise, I suggest that you start your second day with a walk through Phoenix Park to find the herd of deer. I have a fully detailed guide on how to find the deer so I will let you read on that when you’re done with this guide. 

Phoenix Park is bigger than Central Park, NY and is a breath of fresh air in the city! There are lots of activities to do in Phoenix Park. In a couple of hours, seeing the deer will probably be the best one to do. The fastest way to get there is to hop on the red line of the Luas and get off at Heuston Station. You can also walk on the boardwalk from the city centre to the park although that would take an extra 45 minutes. I suggest spending a couple of hours in the park. You can also rent some bikes at the entrance.

On your way to or back from Phoenix Park, we recommend stopping by Dublin’s only vegan cat cafe to see some cute cats and grab some vegan drinks and treats!

Time recommended: 2 hours

2. Guinness Storehouse

The Guinness Storehouse is pretty much on the other side of the Liffey from Phoenix Park so it makes sense for it to be your next visit. Guinness is the iconic Irish beer and is exported worldwide. The visit of the storehouse is really great even if you don’t drink alcohol (I don’t). You will learn lots and appreciate how fun the visit is. During the visit, you get to try a sample as well. At the end, you get a free Guinness at the top of the storehouse with a sweeping 360 degree view on the city.

Time recommended: 2 hours

3. St Patrick’s Cathedral

After your visit at the Guinness Storehouse, head over to the St Patrick’s Cathedral. If you are into history, you will not be disappointed here. The visit is subject to a small €8 entry fee but in my opinion, this is a must-do in Dublin. You can use audio guides to learn about the cathedral during your visit.

Time recommended: 1 hour

4. Christchurch Cathedral (optional)

The Christchurch Cathedral is a beautiful cathedral, way smaller than St Patrick’s Cathedral, but beautiful. We often see Wedding shoots here! I have marked it as optional as it is secondary to the St Patrick’s Cathedral and can be skipped if needed. 

Time recommended: 45 minutes

5. Irish breakfast for lunch

Are you even a good tourist if you don’t eat an Irish breakfast while visiting Dublin? Okay okay, maybe you are! But still, in my opinion, having an Irish breakfast in Dublin is a mandatory step of your visit. 

What’s amazing is that the traditional Irish breakfast is literally a full meal which is perfect for lunch! And the best place to have such breakfast is O’Neills on Suffolk Street. Head in there, find a table and order your breakfast. You will love it!

Time recommended: 1 hour

6. Molly Malone statue 

After a good meal, you will have recharged your batteries to keep on discovering the city. Your next visit is actually really close by and that is the statue of Molly Malone. Molly Malone is a symbol of the Irish culture and the main character of the song of the same name. She is represented as a fishwife during the day and is said to be a part-time prostitute by night. The legend says that touching her breasts is good luck so don’t be surprised if you see a bunch of tourists touching the statue!

Time recommended: 20 minutes

7. Dublin Castle 

From the Molly Malone statue, head to Dublin Castle walk through Dame Lane. On your way, check out Dame Court and the famous Stag’s Head Pub.

Dublin Castle is a great visit that I highly recommend. The visit of the Castle and the Chapel is subject to a fee but the gardens are open to the public for free. You can choose to do a guided tour or grab some audio guides. I highly suggest doing the guided tour of the Chapel as well.

Time recommended: 1,5 hours

8. George’s Street Arcade

The George’s Street Arcade is a gallery located only a few minutes from Dublin Castle. It is often overlooked by tourists. However, it is located in an interesting building with a unique architecture that is worth checking out. Inside the arcade, you will find lots of small shops from vintage clothes to Dublin souvenirs and food. 

Time recommended: 30 minutes

9. Dinner at the Temple Bar Pub

To finish your last day in Dublin the right way, head over to the Temple Bar Pub for some dinner and live music. At the Temple Bar Pub, I recommended ordering the pizza. 

Time recommended: As long as you want

Where to eat

Okay, first, you will not have any trouble finding food in Dublin! There is literally always a pub or a restaurant or a café in sight (which, hum, we LOVE!). As you will have seen, my two days in Dublin itinerary already includes where to eat in Dublin for lunch and dinner. But just in case you are like me and need to know more about the kind of restaurants Dublin offers, I have put together this list of the best restaurants in Dublin, whether that be for breakfast, lunch, brunch or dinner. We have tested every single restaurant on that list and can recommend them from our experience.

I wanted to mention a few more here as well that we have also added to our own bucket list:

• Queen of tarts: Located in the Temple Bar district, this seems to be one of people’s go-to places for dessert and more specifically patisserie. If you have a big sweet tooth, that might be one worth trying.

• Murphy’s: Murphy’s is an ice cream place who originally started in Dingle in the West of Ireland. Their reputation precedes them! If you are visiting Dublin on an exceptionally hot and sunny day, you might want to give it a try!

• Pink: Pink is a restaurant located in Dublin 2 and seems to be a whole experience in itself. The cuisine seems quite fine with a bit of a mix that will satisfy anyone. Their signature pink afternoon tea might be a great idea to break off a busy visiting day and relax for a little bit. 

Where to stay in Dublin

As you’ve probably noticed, I have packed your two days in Dublin with lots of fun stuff. Of course, you can always choose to have a more laid-back two day trip in Dublin but if you are up for the challenge, this 2 day in Dublin itinerary will show you the best of Dublin. 

To maximize your time in Dublin, I would recommend staying either in the city centre or somewhere on the Luas line. That way, you can be in the city in just a few minutes and you won’t waste time in the commute. 

Dublin Stay Budget

In Dublin City Centre, hotel rooms tend to be the most expensive type of accommodations, if you are traveling alone. That said, if you are traveling as a couple or with friends, they become much more affordable. 

For cheaper options, you can look at Airbnbs or hostels. If you want to stay at nice and cheaper hotels, try to look on the outskirt of the city where the price by night will definitely be lower.

Dublin Stay Recommendations

Hotels I would recommend include:

• the Celtic Lodge Guesthouse for its central location
• the Maldron Hotel on Pearse Street. We have stayed at the Maldron before and were very satisfied with the service and how close to the city centre it is.  

For a more budget-friendly option, the Abbey Court hostel has a good reputation although we have never stayed there. 

Now, maybe you would enjoy staying in nature rather than staying in the city. The Wicklow Mountains National Park, also called Ireland’s garden is located just about an hour in the South of Dublin. There are direct DART trains from towns in Wicklow to Dublin which makes it easy to reach the capital. Wicklow is beautiful and if you have time, we definitely recommend including it in your Ireland trip. From hiking the mountains to walking an alpaca in Wicklow, you will love this County. Wicklow is also home to more unique accommodations that are particularly fitted for romantic getaways. We have created a guide of the best sites for glamping in Wicklow where you can find the cutest chalets with hot tubs or unique pods to look at the stars!

If you have more time

If you have more than 2 days to visit Dublin, you can, of course, spend more time in the city and visit more of its main landmarks such as the Jameson Factory, the Leprechaun Museum (only recommend if you are an English speaker), and Croke Park.

But you can also decide to adventure a bit around Ireland and Northern Ireland! Only a couple of hours North of Dublin, you’ll find the Bushmills Distillery, Giants Causeway and of course, Belfast! In the south, you’ll find the Wicklow Mountains National Park and its beautiful heart-shaped lake Lough Ouler.

How to get around Dublin

Dublin is a small capital and therefore, it’s quite easy to walk around from one end to another. If that is what you decide to do, I would recommend wearing good walking shoes that you are comfortable in to avoid blisters and bad aches the next day! However, if you would prefer to avoid walking too much, here are a few options to get around Dublin.

By Bus and Leap Visitor card

If you are not too keen on walking around, rest assured, Dublin has a pretty good bus system that is very budget-friendly. There are a couple of ways you can pay for the bus.

The first one is to pay by cash when hoping on the bus. Be mindful though that only the exact amount in coins is accepted. I know this sounds a bit weird but it is what it is. Bills are not accepted and if you pay more than the exact amount, you can say goodbye to your change. 

The second way to pay for the bus is by using a Leap Visitor card. With a Visitor Leap card, you get unlimited travel over a certain period of time. You have the choice between a one day (24 hours) card for €10, a 3 days (72 hours) for €19,50 and a 7 days (€168) for €40. The time period starts from the first time you use the card. You can use the card on Dublin buses, on the Luas (tramway), the DART (local train) and Commuter Rail, making it an affordable and practical way to get around. When getting on the bus or waiting for the Luas, look for the validators to tap your card when you get on and off. 

You can buy your Leap Visitor Card at the airport at the Arrivals terminals or in the city centre. You can also order your card before your travel for it to even be more practical. You will receive your card at home. You can find more information here. 

By Luas – Leapcard

The Luas is Dublin’s tramway. There are two lines that go across the city. The red line goes from the East to the West while the green line goes from the North to the South. It can take you to most touristy areas and is very convenient. You can buy tickets on the platforms for a few euros or use your Leap Visitor card.

By Taxi – Freenow

There are lots of taxis in Dublin. Most people here use the FreeNow app to order taxis or book them in advance. FreeNow is very convenient if you want to book a taxi in advance to take you to the airport even if it is in the middle of the night. You can also hop on a taxi in the city.

By Dublin Bikes

Dublin bikes are available everywhere in the city. You can buy a 3 day ticket to hire bikes whenever you want on a 3 day period. The first 30 minutes of each journey is free and then rental charges apply. The ticket costs €5. The rental fees are as follows:

• 1 hour: €0.50
• 2 hours: €1.50
• 3 hours: €3.50
• 4 hours:€6.50
• Every extra half hour:€2

This is a great way to get around Dublin for cheap as most visits in Dublin are close by. To use the Dublin Bikes system, you will need to use the app. You can find more information here.

By Dublin Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus

Dublin’s Hop-On and Hop-Off double decker Bus is a great way to ally seeing the city while also having a cheap way to get around easily and whenever you want to. Tickets are around €20 per person with advantages such as discounts on entrance tickets to the Guinness Storehouse and on child under 15 included. You can hop on and off whenever you want on the double decker bus and enjoy the live commentary! Tickets are valid for 24 or 48 hours.

From Dublin Airport to the city centre

Unless you are coming from Northern Ireland, chances are you will be arriving in Dublin by air at Dublin Airport (DUB). Dublin Airport is quite small and easy to navigate. It is also close to the city centre with lots of public transportation connecting the two.

The cheapest way to get to the city centre is by taking the public buses. When coming out of the terminal, you’ll have to walk across the parking lot and you’ll find all the buses behind there. Bus 16 is one of the buses that can take you to the city centre. The ride will take about 45 minutes.

The fastest and reasonably priced way to travel to the city centre is the Airlink Express buses. They are located on the left by the taxi lane when coming out of the terminal. Count about €7 for a ticket which you can purchase in the terminal or outside on the machines. You will be in the city centre in about 20 minutes.

If you have lots of luggage, taxis can be a great way to get to the city centre. The taxi lane is located outside of the terminal on the right. The wait is usually very reasonable and you can be in the city centre in about 20 minutes for €25-30. 

Should you rent a car in Dublin?

If your plan is to spend two days in Dublin only, I would recommend relying on public transportation and not rent a car. As I explained, Dublin is a very walkable city with good public transportation so a car is really not needed if you are staying in the city. Car rentals can be quite pricy here so you will definitely save money by using public transportation.

If after your two days in Dublin, you are heading to other parts of Ireland such as the Dingle Peninsula, the Cliffs of Moher or the Wicklow Mountains, then I would highly recommend renting a car for that period. Some companies we have used and loved are Sixt and GoCar. GoCar is ideal and worth it if you need a car for a couple of days. You can rent a car pretty much anywhere in the city through the app. That said, there are also lots of day tours departing from Dublin that can take you around the country, here are some of our favourites:

• Wicklow and Glendalough full day trip from Dublin – €30 – 9 hours
• Cliffs of Moher full day trip from Dublin – €45 – 12 hours
• Cliffs of Moher, Galway Bay and Burren National Park coastal drive from Dublin – €50 – 13 hours

Those tours are great if you are short in time, meaning you only have a day to see more of Ireland than Dublin and if you don’t feel comfortable driving on the left (although it is fairly easy once you get the hang of it, especially in the countryside). With these bus tours from Dublin, you will just have to care about enjoying your trip and letting yourself be guided!

Is Dublin safe?

Being a woman and having lived most of my life in France, I would consider Dublin very safe. I have never had an issue walking in the city centre even when people have had quite a bit to drink. 

I would however advise, for good measure, to stay on the main avenues, especially at night and not get yourself into small and dark alleys! If you have any doubts, get a taxi or hop on the bus. 

Any questions on your 2 days in Dublin itinerary? Drop them in the comments or on insta and we will get back to you asap.