Useful info to know about Dublin
It’s good to have some useful information about a place to help navigate the basics when visiting; so, we put together a quick run-down of helpful information and things you might like to know about Dublin so you can spend less time looking for answers and more time planning all the fun things you’d like to do instead.
Of course, the best source of great local tips, info and recommendations on the ground will be from your local guides on free walking tours in Dublin, so do be sure to ask them anything you’d like to know more about!
There is just one airport in Dublin. It has two terminals, T1 and T2. Ryanair uses the original terminal 1 while Aer Lingus is served by the newer terminal 2. There is an outdoor smoking area in T1 (Garden Terrace Bar) and Pool tables in T2 (Oak Cafe Bar). And if you're still a bit hungover from your Dublin adventure before your departure flight, you can fast-track through security for about €6 or €7, and it includes a free coffee! Just book FastTrack on the Dublin Airport website.
There are several buses to / from Dublin airport / city-centre. The Airlink 747 costs €6 (when booked online) with a journey time of approx. 30 minutes. The Aircoach (24 hours) costs €7 and takes approx. 30 minutes, while the regular Dublin bus service (number 16) costs just €3.30 but can take from 45 minutes to a little over an hour during peak times.
A taxi should cost around €30 depending on the day (Sundays are more expensive), time of day and distance.
Other airport options on the island include Shannon, Cork and Belfast, each of which serves Dublin by bus, approximately 2.5 – 3.5 hours journey.
Dublin City is served by a number of city bus routes and a tram system, the Luas (or the “Jerry Lee” as the local Dubliners call it) and there is a wealth of taxis on the streets, but you really will not need to use these services in the city centre.
Dublin is a nicely compact city, so everything is within walking distance, the centre is easily navigable by map and locals are super-friendly and happy to give directions. Take note, however, that should you opt for a bus at some point, you pay the fare by dropping coins into the slot in front of the driver and change is not given, so best to have exact fare.
The Luas is handy for getting to and from The Guinness Storehouse, Museum of Modern Art, the National Museum of Decorative Arts and Connolly & Heuston train stations. You must purchase a ticket before boarding at the touch-screen ticket machines at Luas stops. They are patrolled regularly by ticket inspectors and you're likely to face a hefty fine if you're caught without a ticket.
Ireland uses the Euro currency while, outside of the Republic, in Northern Ireland the currency is the Pound Sterling. There are several currency-exchange offices in both the south and north and you can also exchange currency in Irish banks or withdraw from local cash machines. Major credit cards are accepted practically everywhere.
There are several national holidays scattered throughout the calendar year in Ireland. Generally, day to day life is unaffected by these holidays with establishments and shops etc. operating on Sunday times, with the exception of Christmas day when almost everything is shut down, including pubs. The most famous holiday in Ireland is St. Patrick's Day (March 17th) which sees a party atmosphere and a huge parade take over the city. Other holidays of note include New Year's Day, Easter Sunday and Monday, the first Monday in May, first Monday in June, the first Monday in August and the last Monday in October when most establishments and businesses operate on Sunday opening hours. St. Stephen's Day, or Boxing Day (i.e. December 26th), is also a holiday and should it fall on a weekend is granted on the next 'working' day in lieu.
Area: Dublin City centre is 115 km2
Population: Dublin (Metropolitan); 1.8 Million
Time Zone: GMT
International dialing code: +353
National Language: Officially, the first language of Ireland is Gaeilge (or 'Irish') but it is mostly spoken in Gaeltacht regions in the west and south-west. There are of course many fluent Irish speakers country-wide, but for the vast majority of Ireland, English is the dominant spoken language although road signs and public notices appear in both Irish and English throughout the Republic. Most Irish people will certainly have at least a few sentences ‘as Gaeilge’ to teach you from their school-days.
We hope this info helps you to plan your trip to Dublin and we look forward to welcoming you in the Irish capital.
Of course, the best source of great local tips, info and recommendations on the ground will be from your local guides on free walking tours in Dublin, so do be sure to ask them anything you’d like to know more about!
Airports
There is just one airport in Dublin. It has two terminals, T1 and T2. Ryanair uses the original terminal 1 while Aer Lingus is served by the newer terminal 2. There is an outdoor smoking area in T1 (Garden Terrace Bar) and Pool tables in T2 (Oak Cafe Bar). And if you're still a bit hungover from your Dublin adventure before your departure flight, you can fast-track through security for about €6 or €7, and it includes a free coffee! Just book FastTrack on the Dublin Airport website.
There are several buses to / from Dublin airport / city-centre. The Airlink 747 costs €6 (when booked online) with a journey time of approx. 30 minutes. The Aircoach (24 hours) costs €7 and takes approx. 30 minutes, while the regular Dublin bus service (number 16) costs just €3.30 but can take from 45 minutes to a little over an hour during peak times.
A taxi should cost around €30 depending on the day (Sundays are more expensive), time of day and distance.
Other airport options on the island include Shannon, Cork and Belfast, each of which serves Dublin by bus, approximately 2.5 – 3.5 hours journey.
Transportation
Dublin City is served by a number of city bus routes and a tram system, the Luas (or the “Jerry Lee” as the local Dubliners call it) and there is a wealth of taxis on the streets, but you really will not need to use these services in the city centre.
Dublin is a nicely compact city, so everything is within walking distance, the centre is easily navigable by map and locals are super-friendly and happy to give directions. Take note, however, that should you opt for a bus at some point, you pay the fare by dropping coins into the slot in front of the driver and change is not given, so best to have exact fare.
The Luas is handy for getting to and from The Guinness Storehouse, Museum of Modern Art, the National Museum of Decorative Arts and Connolly & Heuston train stations. You must purchase a ticket before boarding at the touch-screen ticket machines at Luas stops. They are patrolled regularly by ticket inspectors and you're likely to face a hefty fine if you're caught without a ticket.
Currency
Ireland uses the Euro currency while, outside of the Republic, in Northern Ireland the currency is the Pound Sterling. There are several currency-exchange offices in both the south and north and you can also exchange currency in Irish banks or withdraw from local cash machines. Major credit cards are accepted practically everywhere.
National Holidays
There are several national holidays scattered throughout the calendar year in Ireland. Generally, day to day life is unaffected by these holidays with establishments and shops etc. operating on Sunday times, with the exception of Christmas day when almost everything is shut down, including pubs. The most famous holiday in Ireland is St. Patrick's Day (March 17th) which sees a party atmosphere and a huge parade take over the city. Other holidays of note include New Year's Day, Easter Sunday and Monday, the first Monday in May, first Monday in June, the first Monday in August and the last Monday in October when most establishments and businesses operate on Sunday opening hours. St. Stephen's Day, or Boxing Day (i.e. December 26th), is also a holiday and should it fall on a weekend is granted on the next 'working' day in lieu.
Quick Facts
Area: Dublin City centre is 115 km2
Population: Dublin (Metropolitan); 1.8 Million
Time Zone: GMT
International dialing code: +353
National Language: Officially, the first language of Ireland is Gaeilge (or 'Irish') but it is mostly spoken in Gaeltacht regions in the west and south-west. There are of course many fluent Irish speakers country-wide, but for the vast majority of Ireland, English is the dominant spoken language although road signs and public notices appear in both Irish and English throughout the Republic. Most Irish people will certainly have at least a few sentences ‘as Gaeilge’ to teach you from their school-days.
We hope this info helps you to plan your trip to Dublin and we look forward to welcoming you in the Irish capital.
