Do You Need a Car in Dublin?

For most visitors staying in Dublin city, the answer is no.

Dublin's public transport network includes Dublin Bus, Luas trams and DART rail services, while the city centre itself is compact enough to explore many areas on foot.

For current public transport information, visit Transport for Ireland's visitor travel information .

The Easiest Way to See Dublin Without a Car

If you're visiting Dublin for the first time, a hop-on hop-off tour can be one of the simplest ways to get your bearings.

The DoDublin Hop-on Hop-off Tour has 25 stops around Dublin, close to many of the city's major attractions.

• Trinity College
• Temple Bar
• Dublin Castle
• Christ Church Cathedral
• St Patrick's Cathedral
• Guinness Storehouse
• Teeling Whiskey Distillery
• Phoenix Park
• Dublin Zoo
• EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum
• Jameson Distillery

View the DoDublin Hop-on Hop-off route map before travelling to plan your sightseeing route.

How to Get Around Dublin Using Public Transport

Dublin Bus

Dublin Bus is useful for getting around areas that aren't directly served by the Luas or DART.

Use the TFI journey planner to check routes before travelling.

Luas

The Luas is Dublin's tram network, with Red and Green lines crossing important parts of the city.

DART

The DART is Dublin's coastal rail service and is useful for exploring destinations such as Howth, Dún Laoghaire and Bray.

Walking

Don't underestimate walking in Dublin. Many central attractions are surprisingly close together, making it easy to combine walking with public transport.

What About a Leap Card?

If you're planning to use public transport regularly, it's worth looking at the TFI Leap Card .

A Leap Card can be used on Dublin Bus, Go-Ahead Ireland services, Luas, DART and commuter rail within the relevant fare zones.

Visitors can also find information about the TFI Leap Visitor Card on the TFI website.

The DoDublin Freedom Ticket

If you're looking for a combination of sightseeing and public transport, the DoDublin Freedom Ticket is designed around this idea.

It combines a 48-hour Hop-on Hop-off Tour with public transport travel, giving visitors 72 hours of unlimited travel on eligible Dublin bus, DART and Luas services according to DoDublin's current offering.

The Best Dublin Attractions You Can Visit Without a Car

1. Trinity College and the Book of Kells

Start your trip around Trinity College and explore the surrounding city centre on foot.

2. Temple Bar

Temple Bar is one of Dublin's best-known neighbourhoods and is easy to reach without a car.

3. Dublin Castle

Dublin Castle sits in the historic centre, close to Temple Bar and Christ Church Cathedral. Check the latest visitor information before planning your visit.

4. Guinness Storehouse

Guinness Storehouse is one of Dublin's most popular visitor attractions and is located on the DoDublin route.

5. St Patrick's Cathedral

St Patrick's Cathedral is another major attraction that works well as part of a car-free Dublin itinerary.

6. Phoenix Park and Dublin Zoo

Phoenix Park is one of the best places to escape the busy city centre and is also home to Dublin Zoo.

A One-Day Dublin Itinerary Without a Car

Morning: Trinity College and Dublin City Centre

Start around Trinity College, then walk towards Grafton Street and St Stephen's Green before continuing towards Dublin Castle.

Lunch: Temple Bar or the City Centre

Stop for lunch around the city centre before continuing your sightseeing.

Afternoon: Guinness Storehouse

Make your way towards Guinness Storehouse and allow enough time to enjoy the attraction.

Evening: Back to the City Centre

Return to the city centre and enjoy Dublin's restaurants, pubs and live music.

A Two-Day Dublin Itinerary Without a Car

Day One: Historic Dublin

• Trinity College
• Grafton Street
• St Stephen's Green
• Dublin Castle
• Christ Church Cathedral
• St Patrick's Cathedral
• Guinness Storehouse

Combine walking with the DoDublin Hop-on Hop-off Tour to move between areas.

Day Two: Phoenix Park, Smithfield and the Docklands

• Phoenix Park
• Dublin Zoo
• Jameson Distillery
• EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum
• The Jeanie Johnston
• Dublin Docklands

Best Day Trips From Dublin Without a Car

You don't need to hire a car to see more of Ireland either. Organised day tours are one of the easiest options for visitors.

Check the current DoDublin Day Tours for available destinations and dates.

Glendalough

Glendalough combines spectacular Wicklow scenery with an historic monastic site.

Kilkenny

Kilkenny's medieval streets, castle and historic centre make it an excellent day trip from Dublin.

Cliffs of Moher

An organised trip to the Cliffs of Moher can save you the hassle of arranging multiple transport connections yourself.

How to Get From Dublin Airport to the City Without a Car

Dublin Airport has several bus and coach services connecting the airport with Dublin city.

Visit Dublin Airport's bus information for current airport transport options.

DoDublin also offers airport transfer options and combination deals that can be useful when combining airport travel with sightseeing.

Dublin Without a Car: Is It Worth It?

Absolutely.

For most short Dublin breaks, a car can be more of a complication than a benefit.

By combining walking, public transport and sightseeing tours, you can visit many of Dublin's biggest attractions without worrying about parking, navigating unfamiliar roads or leaving your car somewhere while you explore.

For first-time visitors, the DoDublin Hop-on Hop-off Tour is a convenient way to move around the city while seeing many of its major attractions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you visit Dublin without a car?

Yes. Dublin has an extensive public transport network and many of the city's major attractions are within walking distance of one another.

What is the best way to get around Dublin as a tourist?

For first-time visitors, a combination of walking, public transport and a Hop-on Hop-off sightseeing tour can work particularly well.

Is public transport good in Dublin?

Dublin has Dublin Bus, Luas tram and DART rail services, with journey planning information available through Transport for Ireland.

Can I take day trips from Dublin without a car?

Yes. Organised day tours are one of the easiest ways to visit destinations outside Dublin without driving.

Is the DoDublin Hop-on Hop-off Tour worth it?

For visitors who want to see multiple Dublin attractions in a short period, it can be a convenient way to move around the city while also getting guided commentary.