Is the Dublin Pass Worth it!? (A 2025 Local's GUIDE)
If you’re planning a trip to Dublin, you’ve probably come across the Go City Dublin Pass and wondered if it’s actually worth it.
Truthfully, it depends on the kind of traveller you are, and how much sightseeing you can realistically squeeze into your days.
I’ve used both versions of the pass, and when you plan it right, it can save you far more than you’d expect. But if your trip is more about slow mornings and spontaneous detours, you might be better off paying as you go.
Let’s be real, Dublin isn’t a cheap city, and most major attractions charge between €15 and €30 per ticket. That adds up quickly. The pass can take the sting out of it if you’re smart with timing.
| ✅ WORTH IT IF | ❌ NOT WORTH IT IF |
|---|---|
| You have 1-3 days in Dublin, plan to do big attractions such as Guinness, Jameson, and EPIC. | You prefer free sights, and are considering doing one or fewer of the major attractions. |
| BOOK YOUR PASS HERE | FREE THINGS DUBLIN GUIDE |
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AVOID HIGH ROAMING CHARGES
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AIRPORT TRANSFER MADE EASY
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 activities
Check out GetYourGuide & Viator for unique things to do, like a DIY Claddagh Ring Workshop or a street food walking tour with a local.
DON’T SKIP INSURANCE!!
I can't stress this enough, but travel insurance is an absolute must! Thankfully, VisitorsCoverage is great for comparing affordable, trusted insurance plans to find one that actually suits your needs.
AVOID OVERPAYING FOR CAR RENTALS
Before booking your rental, I'd advise checking out comparison tools like DiscoverCars to ensure you're getting the best deal on the market.
EXPLORE IRELAND
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The Dublin Pass BREAKDOWN
Go City offers two types of passes, designed to make sightseeing simple. Both are digital, so there is no need for paper tickets, and they grant you instant entry at many of Dublin’s biggest attractions.
The All-Inclusive Pass: This pass lets you select between a one to five-day duration, where you can visit as many attractions as possible within your chosen timeframe.
The Explorer Pass: You can choose between three to seven attractions to visit within a 30 day period.
In most cases, travellers save €40–€120 per adult, depending on how many places they visit and how they plan their days. It’s a flexible option that keeps your trip simple and your wallet a little happier.
|
PASS TYPE |
ADULT |
VALILITY |
BEST FOR |
|---|---|---|---|
|
€89 (1‑day) – €164 (5‑day) |
1–5 consecutive calendar days |
First‑timers, short stays, busy sightseeing days |
|
|
€74 (3 attractions) – €129 (7 attractions) |
30 days from first activation |
Longer trips, flexible planners, slower pace |
MY PERSONAL FAVOURITE: THE EXPLORER PASS
✅ Flexibility that fits real travel: The 30‑day validity means you can dip into Dublin on your first jet‑lagged day, see one or two big attractions without rushing, then come back at the end of your trip to finish the rest.
✅ No pressure itinerary: You don’t have to cram all of Dublin into one stretch of your holiday, you can spread it across your trip and still save.
✅ Smart savings: Even at a slower pace, you’ll get solid value from the pass if you plan around your must‑sees.
☘️ DISCOVER UNIQUE ACTIVITIES WHILE IN IRELAND: Check out GetYourGuide & Viator for unique things to do, like a DIY Claddagh Ring Workshop in Dublin or a street food walking tour with a local.
How to BEST determine if the Dublin pass IS WORTH IT FOR YOU?!
Personally, I think both the Explorer Pass and the All-Inclusive Pass are excellent value for money as long as you use them wisely.
The range of attractions included makes it easier to budget your sightseeing without feeling like you’re bleeding cash at every ticket counter.
However, it all really comes down to what attractions appeal to you the most and how much they cost individually.
The biggest mistake I see is people buying the pass and then not planning their days properly, that’s when it stops being good value.
💡LOCAL TIP: Always compare prices, while Go City sometimes offers promo codes for direct bookings. The likes of GetYourGuide or Tiquets (use code IRELANDTRAVEL5 for 5% off) can occasionally work out cheaper!
Explore Dublin
Arriving in Dublin and not sure where to start? It’s the small things that can really catch people out…
My Dublin Pocket Guide features simple, practical information that most first-time visitors wish they knew before they arrived.
✔️ A list of apps worth downloading before you arrive.
✔️ Where to find ATMs, public toilets, pharmacies and luggage storage.
✔️ How to use Ireland’s Eircode system and public transport to navigate.
It’s the kind of information you don’t realise you need… until you do.
I have divided the main attractions into a tiered system so you can better determine if your bucket list attractions actually help you save.
A quick heads up, a few of these (like the food tours and 14 Henrietta Street) need to be booked in advance, even with the pass, so it’s worth checking availability early.
❌ WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
It is important to keep in mind that both The Book of Kells and Kilmainham Gaol aren’t included in either of the two passes, so if they are on your bucket list, make sure to factor in the extra ticket costs (around €19 and €8, respectively).
Let's take a deeper look at Potential savings per pass
Now that you know how to spot value, let’s look at what that actually looks like in real numbers.
The All‑Inclusive works best for those who have 2-3 consecutive days in Dublin and actually want to keep busy, ticking off the bigger attractions back to back.
The table below demonstrates attraction combinations that allow you to save when opting into the All-Inclusive Pass.
As you can see, the multi-day passes are more value for money, sometimes, the one-day all-inclusive pass can work out more expensive if you don't want to do the higher-tier attractions. Or, opting into the 3 Attractions Explorer Pass for €69 could work out better!
ALL INCLUSIVE PASS SAVINGS BREAKDOWN
|
Guinness (€30) |
TOTAL SAVINGS OF €13 |
|
|---|---|---|
|
Guinness (€30) |
TOTAL SAVINGS OF €47 |
|
|
Guinness (€30) |
TOTAL SAVINGS OF €111.80 |
*Please keep in mind that prices fluctuate throughout the year, all information in this guide is from the time of writing.
The Explorer Pass is best suited to those who plan to visit Dublin, both at the beginning and the end of their trip, as you are not so restricted by time. Or, if your trip is a bit more relaxed, this is usually the better optio, you’re not rushing around trying to justify the cost, you’re just picking the things you actually want to do.
Personally, I like the flexibility you get with this pass, it means you can go easier on yourself if you do end up with a tad bit of jet lag from your flight.
It is also a great option if you plan on mainly visiting the higher-tier attractions, as it works out cheaper than the all-inclusive pass for the most part. However, it does limit you to 7 total attractions, which may not suit those who like to keep a super busy itinerary.
EXPLORER PASS EXAMPLE SAVINGS BREAKDOWN
|
Guinness (€30) |
TOTAL SAVINGS OF €19 |
|
|
Guinness (€30) |
TOTAL SAVINGS OF €35 |
|
|
Guinness (€30) |
TOTAL SAVINGS OF €58 |
*Please keep in mind that prices fluctuate throughout the year, all information in this guide is from the time of writing.
Drive in Ireland
Feeling nervous about driving in Ireland? You’re not the only one… and you don’t have to figure it out alone.
The Ireland Driving Toolkit is a practical guide with clear local advice and no guesswork.
✔️ Custom Google Maps with petrol stations and toll roads mapped out.
✔️ Cheat sheets for roundabouts, road signs and km to miles.
✔️ Straightforward tips on tolls, navigation and what to expect on different road types.
Plus, the small local details most guides skip, but make all the difference once you’re here.
So, is the Dublin Pass worth it?
Honestly… for most first-time visitors, yes, it is.
If you’re planning to visit at least a few of the bigger attractions like Guinness, Jameson, or the Hop-on Hop-off bus, the savings add up quickly. And more than that, it just makes things easier. You’re not standing at every ticket desk doing the maths in your head.
That said, it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution.
If your trip is more about wandering, popping into free museums, and seeing where the day takes you, you’ll probably get better value by paying as you go.
But if you’ve got a rough plan and a few must-sees in mind, the pass can take a lot of the friction out of your time in Dublin.
If I had to choose, I’d still go with the Explorer Pass. The flexibility alone makes it feel far more relaxed, especially if you’re juggling jet lag or splitting your time across different parts of Ireland.
At the end of the day, it’s less about the pass itself and more about how you use it. Plan it well, and it’ll save you money. Wing it, and it won’t.
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