Woman enjoying afternoon tea on a festive bus, a great experience when driving in Ireland.

Planning a trip to Dublin?

Hi, I’m Laura Grace, a Dublin local and Irish travel expert.

I’ve spent years creating practical guides to Dublin, so I’ve pulled some of the most useful ones together here to make planning your trip that little bit easier.

Whether you’re trying to work out how to get around, where to stay or what is actually worth fitting into your time here, these are the guides I’d start with.

QUICK TIPS for Dublin

Explore like a local

AVOID HIGH ROAMING CHARGES

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NEED AN EASY AIRPORT TRANSFER?

Welcome Pickups is my go-to for reliable rides from the airport straight to your accommodation, I’d advise booking in advance for peace of mind.

DISCOVER UNIQUE actvities & THINGS TO DO

Like a DIY Claddagh Ring Workshop or a street food walking tour with a local. I advise browing GetYourGuide and Viator for more great options.

🚍 Getting around Dublin

  • Dublin Public Transport – my complete guide to Dublin Bus, the Luas, DART, Leap Cards, fares and the little things that aren’t always obvious when you first arrive.

  • Dublin Airport to the City Centre – compare airport buses, public transport, taxis and private transfers so you know exactly what you’re doing when you land.

  • Unspoken Rules of Dublin – the local quirks worth knowing before you arrive, including how to actually get a Dublin Bus to stop for you.

📍 Plan what to do

  • Two Days in Dublin – a practical itinerary if you want to see the highlights without spending your entire trip racing around the city.

  • One Day in Dublin – ideal if Dublin is a short stop at the beginning or end of a bigger Ireland trip.

  • Hidden Gems in Dublin – quieter corners, unusual experiences and some of my favourite alternatives to the usual Dublin attractions.

  • Free Things to Do in Dublin – museums, parks, gardens, coastal spots and plenty of ways to explore without paying for another attraction.

  • Is the Dublin Pass Worth It? – a proper breakdown of what’s included and whether you’ll actually save money based on what you want to see.

🏨 Where to stay

  • Where to Stay in Dublin – my local guide to the different areas of Dublin, who each one suits and where I’d consider staying as a first-time visitor.

🚗 Explore beyond the city

🧳 A few things worth knowing before you arrive

  • Ireland Packing List – my overall packing guide works perfectly for Dublin too, particularly when it comes to layers, rain gear and comfortable shoes.

  • Ireland Travel Tips – the practical bits that are easy to overlook, from money and local customs to transport, weather and everyday life in Ireland.

  • Tipping in Ireland – when we tip, when we don’t and how much is normal, without making every interaction feel like a maths exam.

And if you’d rather have the practical Dublin information ready to use on your phone while you’re here, I’ve also created The Dublin App. It brings together the everyday information visitors tend to need once they arrive, including transport, toilets, ATMs, pharmacies, shopping and more.

Explore Dublin

With Ease
Phone screen displays a map app with icons for local businesses and services in Dublin.

Arriving in Dublin and not sure where to start? It’s the small, practical things that tend to catch people out…

The Dublin App is designed to give you clear, easy access to the information you actually need, all in one place.

✔️ An interactive map showing key locations across the city, from top attractions to everyday essentials

✔️ Live location and directions so you can navigate Dublin with confidence

✔️ Practical information like ATMs, public restrooms, pharmacies, and where to find what you need

✔️ Guidance on getting to and from the airport and using public transport

✔️ Quick access to booking links and useful resources while you’re on the go

It’s everything you don’t realise you need… until you’re standing in the middle of the city trying to figure it out.

Common DUBLIN questions

Answered by a local

For most first-time visitors, I recommend two full days in Dublin. That’s enough time to see the main sights, explore the city on foot and actually enjoy your evenings without racing from one attraction to the next.
If you only have one day in Dublin, you can still see quite a bit because the city centre is relatively compact. With three days or more, I’d start looking at day trips from Dublin or exploring beyond the city centre.

No. If you’re only visiting the city, I actually recommend using Dublin’s public transport rather than hiring a car.

Central Dublin is very walkable, while Dublin Bus, the Luas and DART will get you farther out. Parking can be expensive and having a car in the city often creates more hassle than it solves.

If Dublin is the beginning of a wider Ireland trip, that’s different.
Renting a car in Ireland can absolutely be worth it once you start exploring areas where public transport is more limited, but I’d generally pick it up when you’re ready to leave Dublin.

For most visitors, an express coach or taxi will be the easiest option. There is no train from Dublin Airport, which catches quite a few first-time visitors out.

There are several different ways of getting from Dublin Airport to the city centre, including express coaches, regular public buses, taxis and private transfers.

If you’re travelling as a group or carrying lots of luggage, it’s worth comparing the total price of several coach tickets with a taxi rather than automatically assuming public transport will be the better option.

For a first visit, I’d prioritise location over simply choosing the cheapest hotel you can find. Dublin accommodation is expensive, but staying far outside the centre can mean losing quite a bit of your day travelling backwards and forwards.

There isn’t one best area to stay in Dublin for everyone either. Some neighbourhoods are ideal if you want to be right beside the main attractions, while others suit visitors looking for quieter evenings or a more local feel.

Yes, although accommodation will probably be the hardest part of keeping your Dublin budget down.

Once you’re here, there are loads of free things to do in Dublin, including national museums, galleries, parks, gardens and coastal areas.

I’d choose a handful of paid attractions you genuinely care about and fill the rest of your time with free sights and simply exploring the city rather than paying for an attraction every few hours.

Pack for changeable weather rather than constant rain.

Layers are your friend, along with a lightweight waterproof outer layer and comfortable shoes. Even on a city break, you’ll probably walk considerably more than you normally do because central Dublin is so easy to explore on foot.

My overall Ireland packing list works just as well for Dublin, and you can adjust the layers you bring depending on the season you’re visiting.

Google Maps is useful for walking directions, and having access to live public transport information can make getting around much easier.

I also created The Dublin App specifically around the practical things visitors tend to need once they’re actually here, including transport information, toilets, ATMs, pharmacies, shopping and other everyday essentials.

DETAILED DUBLIN GUIDES

to help plan your trip