How to Get from Dublin Airport to the City Centre: Your Complete Guide

Getting from Dublin Airport to the city centre is one of those things that is easy once you know how, and slightly bewildering the first time you arrive and stand in arrivals trying to work out whether to take a bus, hail a taxi, or find someone holding a sign with your name on it. This guide covers everything you need: the costs, the journey times, the pros and cons of each option, and what to do if you are arriving late at night or leaving very early in the morning.

Dublin Airport has two terminals — Terminal 1 (older, handling most charter and some scheduled flights) and Terminal 2 (handling Aer Lingus, Delta, and some others). The good news is that both terminals have access to all the main transport options, and the journey time to the city centre is broadly similar from either.

Option 1: Aircoach

Aircoach is the most convenient express coach service from Dublin Airport to the city centre, and for guests staying at Albany House on Harcourt Street, it is particularly useful. The Route 700 runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week, departing every 15 minutes at peak times. It serves both Terminal 1 (Zone 2, a one-minute walk from arrivals) and Terminal 2 (Zone 20, reached via the atrium escalators).

The route takes you into the city centre via Drumcondra, O’Connell Street, Kildare Street, and Leeson Street Lower. The Leeson Street Lower stop is the one for Albany House — from there, the guesthouse is a five to ten minute walk along Leeson Street to the top of Harcourt Street. The journey from the airport typically takes 30 to 40 minutes depending on traffic, though it can be longer during rush hour on weekday mornings and evenings.

Cost: Tickets start from around €9 for a single when bought online in advance, or slightly more on the day. A return ticket works out cheaper if you plan to use Aircoach in both directions. Children travel at a reduced rate.

Pros: Runs through the night, so it covers early morning departures and late arrivals without any concern about last services. Coach is comfortable and has luggage storage underneath. No need to negotiate anything — buy a ticket online or at the stop, board, and you are on your way. Contactless payment is accepted.

Cons: Not the fastest option during morning or evening peak times when city centre traffic can add time to the journey. You will have a short walk at the Leeson Street end rather than a door-to-door drop-off.

Tips: Book online to save a little money and guarantee your ticket. The Aircoach app allows you to track the coach in real time, which is useful when you have just landed and are deciding whether to head for the stop or stop for a coffee first. For departures, leave plenty of time during peak hours.

Option 2: Dublin Bus (Route 16)

Dublin Bus Route 16 connects Dublin Airport with the city centre and runs south through O’Connell Street, Kelly’s Corner (Harrington Street), and onward through Harold’s Cross and Terenure to Ballinteer. For Albany House guests, the Kelly’s Corner stop — one stop past O’Connell Street — puts you a short walk from Harcourt Street.

This is the cheapest way to get from the airport to the city centre. Fares are €2 with a Leap Card or €2.60 in cash (exact change only on Dublin Bus — this is a genuine consideration and worth knowing in advance). A Leap Card can be bought at the airport and loaded with credit immediately.

The Route 16 stop at Dublin Airport is at Zone 15, a short walk from arrivals at both terminals. The bus operates from approximately 5.30am to 11pm, with frequency varying from every 15 minutes to every 20 minutes depending on time of day. Note that it does not run through the night — if you are arriving on a late flight after 11pm, this is not your option.

Cost: €2 with Leap Card, €2.60 cash.

Pros: Significantly cheaper than any other option. Stops at useful city centre points. Leap Card works across the whole Dublin bus and Luas network, so you can use it for the rest of your trip too.

Cons: Journey time is longer than the express coaches — allow 45 to 60 minutes depending on traffic. No overnight service. Can be crowded at peak times, which is more difficult with large luggage. Exact change required if you do not have a Leap Card.

Tips: Pick up a Leap Card from the Spar or newsagent in arrivals before heading for the bus stop. Load at least €10 to cover the airport journey and a few city trips. The card is reusable across buses, Luas, and DART.

Option 3: Taxi or Uber

Taxis from Dublin Airport are metered and regulated. The journey from the airport to Harcourt Street typically costs between €25 and €35, depending on the time of day and traffic. There is a fixed fare supplement for airport journeys, and luggage is included in the metered fare. The taxi rank at Terminal 1 is directly outside arrivals; at Terminal 2, follow signs to the taxi rank from the arrivals hall.

Uber operates in Dublin. The app works broadly as it does elsewhere, though in practice fares are often comparable to or only slightly below metered taxis at peak times. The main advantage is convenience — you can see the estimated cost before you book and track your driver’s approach. Uber pick-up at Dublin Airport is at a designated area in the car park, so you will need to walk to that rather than being picked up at the kerb.

Cost: €25–€35 for a taxi; Uber varies but is broadly similar.

Pros: Fastest door-to-door option, particularly with large luggage or when arriving late at night. No connection to worry about. Available 24 hours. If there are three or four people splitting the fare, it becomes much more cost-effective.

Cons: Significantly more expensive than public transport. During rush hour or in wet weather, taxi availability can be strained and wait times longer.

Tips: Always use the official metered taxi rank rather than accepting offers from unlicensed drivers, who occasionally approach arriving passengers in arrivals halls. Dublin taxis are generally reliable and drivers know the city well. For Uber, book before you clear customs to minimise waiting time.

Option 4: Private transfer

For families with children, groups sharing the cost, or anyone arriving very late who wants no uncertainty, a private transfer booked in advance is worth considering. A driver meets you in arrivals, takes care of the luggage, and brings you directly to Albany House. Prices typically run from €40 to €60 for a standard car. Several reputable operators work from Dublin Airport — book in advance and confirm pick-up arrangements directly with them. Most will track your flight and adjust if it is delayed.

The Luas Green Line: once you are in the city

One of the best things about staying at Albany House is that the Luas Green Line stop is directly outside the door on Harcourt Street. This is useful not just for getting to and from other parts of the city but also for the airport journey itself. If you are arriving via Aircoach to Leeson Street Lower, a short walk brings you to the Harcourt Luas stop and direct access to anywhere on the Green Line. If you are departing, the Green Line takes you to St Stephen’s Green, Grafton Street, and onward — it is the most stress-free way to move around Dublin 2.

The Luas does not currently serve Dublin Airport directly, but the network covers the south city comprehensively. For airport connections, the bus options above remain the most practical.

Late arrivals and early departures

If your flight lands after midnight, your options are Aircoach (which runs 24/7 on the 700 route, roughly every 30 minutes through the night) or a taxi. Both are reliable. The Leeson Street stop is well-lit at any hour, and the walk to Harcourt Street is short.

For early morning departures, Aircoach operates from the city from the early hours. Allow at least 90 minutes from catching the coach at Leeson Street to clearing security at the airport, more if you are checking luggage. If you are on a very early flight and want certainty, a pre-booked taxi is the most reliable option — the driver will be there at the agreed time regardless of conditions.

Summary: which option is right for you?

For most visitors arriving at a normal hour with standard luggage, Aircoach is the simplest and most direct option — comfortable, frequent, and a short walk from Albany House at the Leeson Street Lower stop. For those travelling light on a budget, Dublin Bus Route 16 is excellent value and perfectly straightforward. For late night arrivals, early morning departures, or groups sharing the cost, a taxi is often the easiest choice. Private transfers suit families or business travellers who want everything handled in advance.

Albany House at 84-85 Harcourt Street, D02 FY24, is centrally located for all these options. The Luas Green Line stop is at the door, and the guesthouse is part of the Byrne Hotel Group with full arrival and transport information in the FAQ. Full directions and a location map are on the website, and the rooms are available to book directly. Whether you are arriving from Terminal 1 or Terminal 2, getting here is more straightforward than you might expect.

For questions about packages or anything else before you arrive, the Albany House team is happy to help.