Travelling to Dublin
Visa information
Visitors arriving in Ireland must have a valid national passport or an ID card for the Schengen area. Citizens of certain countries will require a visa to enter the country. Please check the list on the Department of Foreign Affairs webpage. Citizens of most European countries, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and the USA do not need a visa. In cases of difficulty IAML(UK & Ireland) will do its best to assist but it is a visitor's own responsibility to obtain any necessary visa from the Irish Embassy or Consulate in their country of residence.
Arrival by air
Dublin airport is served by direct flights from most major cities in Europe and from some in North America. There are frequent flights from all London airports, making this the most convenient hub for connecting flights. The airport lies approximately twelve kilometres north of the city centre, and has two terminal buildings adjacent to each other.
Bus and coach services convey passengers to the city centre within about 30 minutes. The Aircoach service is probably the most convenient connection to the city centre as it stops at the main entrance to Trinity College. Current fares are €7 (single) or €12 (return).
Other buses from the airport terminate at Busáras the main bus station which is a short taxi ride or around 10 minutes' walk from Trinity College. There are no train services to and from the airport.
Taxis are available from the forecourt of the Arrivals area. A taxi dispatcher is available at the taxi rank if you require any further information or assistance. Dublin taxis have no distinctive colour but are easily identified by their official roof signs. A taxi from the airport to the city centre will usually cost between €25 and €30.
All licensed taxis are obliged to display passenger information including rights and responsibilities and fare information, supplied by the Commission for Taxi Regulation, in the front and back of the vehicle. A taxi receipt printed directly from the meter (not handwritten) must be given to all customers including details of the vehicle's licence number, the distance travelled, the amount paid, the date and duration of journey.
Ferries to Ireland
Ferry routes operate to Ireland from the UK mainland and from France. Irish Ferries runs services from Holyhead to Dun Laoghaire or Dublin Port, from Pembroke to Rosslare, from Cherbourg to Rosslare, and from Roscoff to Rosslare. Stena Line runs services from Holyhead to Dun Laoghaire or Dublin Port, from Fishguard to Rosslare, and from Stranraer to Belfast.
Combined rail and ferry
From the UK it is possible to buy a combined train + ferry ticket to travel by rail to Holyhead, Fishguard or Stranraer then by ferry respectively to Dublin Ferryport or Dun Laoghaire, Rosslare, or Belfast with onward rail connections. Tickets are available at very advantageous prices.
Train services in Ireland
There are two main train stations in Dublin. Connolly Station serves the east coast of Ireland to the north and south, and Heuston Station serves the west and south–west. The rail network is run by Irish Rail. The DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transit) service runs to the north and south of the city, connecting it with the port at Dun Laoghaire.