Navigating Airport Transport: Which Bus To Take?

There are several bus options for getting to and from Dublin Airport. The Aircoach provides an express service to the city centre, with the main route, the 700, running every 30 minutes. Dublin Express offers a similar service, with its Route 782 running every 15-20 minutes. Dublin Bus Route 41 serves Swords and the city centre via Dublin Airport and operates 24 hours a day. The Airport Hopper provides hourly shuttle buses to Maynooth and Tallaght. JJ Kavanagh also offers bus services to Dublin Airport, with 118 buses running every day.

Bus routes to the airport

There are several bus options for getting to and from Dublin Airport. The Dublin Bus route 41 serves Dublin Airport, Swords and the city centre on a 24-hour basis. Dublin Express operates premium coaches between the airport and 15+ stops across the city centre, including Temple Bar, Trinity College and Heuston Station. This is the fastest route into the city centre, travelling via the Port Tunnel. The Aircoach also provides express services from the airport to the city centre, with several interchanges with key tram stops. The main route, the 700, runs every 30 minutes. Dublin Express Route 782 also travels to the city centre, via Heuston Station, and Route 784 goes to Harcourt Luas and 3Arena.

Other routes from the airport to the city centre include the 16 (Ballinteer/Kingston), 102 (Sutton DART station) and 33A (Balbriggan).

If you are travelling outside of Dublin, there are several options. The 100X, 101 and 109A all go north, with the 100X going as far as Dundalk. The 133 goes south to Wicklow, the 2 to Wexford, the 4 to Waterford, the 22 and 23 go west to Longford, the 30/X30 to Donegal, and the 32/X32 to Letterkenny.

Private operators also provide bus services to the airport, including Airport Hopper and Green Big Bus.

Buying bus tickets

When it comes to buying bus tickets for travel to and from Dublin Airport, there are a variety of options available. The recommended approach is to pre-book your ticket in advance, either online or through a mobile app, if possible. This ensures that you have a confirmed seat and avoids any potential disappointment or inconvenience. Here are some detailed instructions and options for purchasing bus tickets:

Online Ticket Purchase:

Several bus operators offer the convenience of buying tickets directly from their websites or through their partner websites. For instance, you can purchase tickets for Dublin Express, Aircoach, and Dublin Bus online. By booking in advance, you can often take advantage of discounts and flexible change policies. Some operators, like JJ Kavanagh, allow you to change your ticket time or date up to 2 hours before departure through their website or mobile app.

Ticket Purchase at the Airport:

If you are unable to book your ticket in advance, you can usually purchase tickets from customer staff or directly from the bus driver at Dublin Airport. This option provides flexibility if your plans are uncertain, but it is always good to check the availability of your desired route before departure.

Ticket Purchase at Designated Stops:

In some cases, you may be able to buy tickets at specific bus stops or terminals. For example, Dublin Express tickets can be purchased at terminal bus stops. This option is useful if you are joining the bus route at a designated stop rather than directly from the airport.

Payment Methods:

Different operators accept various payment methods, including bank cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and cash. However, it is important to note that some routes, like the 750X operated by Aircoach, do not accept cash. Additionally, Leap Cards, which are popular for local Dublin Bus and Go-Ahead Ireland services, are typically not valid for express services like Aircoach or Dublin Express. Always check the accepted payment methods for your chosen route to ensure a smooth transaction.

Ticket Prices and Discounts:

Ticket prices can vary depending on the operator and route. Some operators, like Airport Hopper, offer a 20% discount on online ticket purchases. Additionally, family tickets are available for certain routes, providing savings for families travelling with two adults and two children under 12 years of age.

In summary, purchasing bus tickets for travel to and from Dublin Airport can be done conveniently through online platforms, mobile apps, or on-site at the airport or designated stops. It is recommended to pre-book your ticket whenever possible to secure your seat and take advantage of flexible change policies. Remember to check the accepted payment methods and keep yourself informed about any discounts or special offers that may be available.

Bus times

Buses to Dublin Airport operate 24 hours a day, with the Dublin Express Route 782 running every 15-20 minutes. This route takes you from Dublin Airport to the city centre, with stops including Heuston Station, George's Quay and Custom House Quay. The Dublin Express is the fastest coach to the city centre, travelling via the Port Tunnel.

The Aircoach main route, the 700, also runs frequently, with buses every 30 minutes. This route also goes to the city centre, with interchanges with key Dublin tram stops.

The Dublin Bus route 41 runs 24/7 to Swords and the city centre via Dublin Airport. The 16 bus operates between 06:00-23:30 Monday to Saturday, and 08:00-23:30 on Sundays. The 102 route runs from Dublin Airport to Sutton DART station, with services from 05:50-23:40 Monday to Friday, 05:45-23:45 on Saturdays, and 08:40-23:40 on Sundays and Bank Holidays. The 33A route operates 06:00-00:30 Monday to Friday, 07:00-00:30 on Saturdays, and 10:00-23:30 on Sundays and Bank Holidays.

The Airport Hopper runs hourly shuttle buses to Maynooth and Tallaght, serving Lexlip, Liffey Valley, Lucan, Clondalkin and various hotels en route. The Green Big Bus (by Dublin Coach) provides 36 direct express services daily between Dublin Airport, the Red Cow Luas tram stop and Dundrum town.

Luggage allowance

When taking the bus to the airport, it's important to be mindful of the luggage allowance restrictions that may be in place. These restrictions can vary depending on the bus company and the specific route, so it's always best to check their website or get in touch with their customer service team beforehand to ensure you're compliant. In general, most bus companies allow passengers to bring one carry-on bag and one checked bag or suitcase.

For carry-on luggage, the standard allowance typically includes one small bag that can fit in the overhead compartment or under the seat in front of you. This could be a small suitcase, a backpack, or a large purse. It's important to ensure that your carry-on luggage complies with the size and weight restrictions specified by the bus company, as oversized or overweight bags may not be allowed on board.

Checked luggage allowances can vary more significantly between different bus companies. Some may allow passengers to check in one standard-sized suitcase or bag, while others may offer a more generous allowance, especially for longer journeys. It's crucial to note that there may be weight and size limits for checked luggage as well, and exceeding these limits could result in additional fees.

Some items are generally considered prohibited or restricted across most bus companies. These may include dangerous goods such as flammable liquids, compressed gases, and sharp objects, which must be packed in compliance with regulations and may be subject to quantity restrictions. Additionally, valuable or fragile items may be prohibited from being checked in, and passengers may be required to keep them in their carry-on luggage instead.

It's always a good idea to arrive at the bus station with enough time to spare, especially if you have luggage that needs to be checked in. This allows you to go through the check-in process smoothly and gives you some leeway in case there are any unexpected delays. Remember to keep important items, such as travel documents, medications, and valuables, with you in your carry-on luggage, ensuring easy access during your journey.

Transport from the airport to other locations

There are several bus services that connect Dublin Airport to the city centre and other locations in the Greater Dublin Area and beyond. Here are some of the key services:

Aircoach

The Aircoach service provides express routes from Dublin Airport to the city centre, with several interchanges at key tram stops. The main route, the 700, typically runs every 30 minutes. There are also additional routes serving other parts of Dublin, such as Leopardstown, Greystones, and Killiney. Aircoach buses are wheelchair accessible, but passengers must contact Aircoach 24 hours in advance to ensure accommodation. Tickets can be purchased online or from customer staff at the airport.

Dublin Express

The Dublin Express Route 782 connects Dublin Airport to the city centre, with stops including Heuston Station, George's Quay, and Custom House Quay. This route typically operates every 15-20 minutes. Dublin Express also offers additional routes to destinations like Terenure and Charlotte Way. Their buses provide amenities such as free Wi-Fi, USB charging points, and onboard toilets. Tickets can be booked online or bought at terminal bus stops.

Dublin Bus

Dublin Bus offers multiple routes to and from the airport, including route 41, which operates 24 hours a day between Dublin Airport, Swords, and the city centre. Route 16 runs between Dublin Airport and Ballinteer (Kingston) from 6:00 am to 11:30 pm daily. These buses are wheelchair accessible and offer low-floor access. Payment can be made with coins (exact fare) or pre-paid tickets.

Airport Hopper

Airport Hopper provides hourly shuttle buses from Dublin Airport to Maynooth and Tallaght, with stops at Lexlip, Liffey Valley, Lucan, Clondalkin, and various hotels. They offer a 20% discount on tickets purchased online. This service is cashless, and tickets can be bought from the driver using a credit or visa debit card.

Bus Eireann

Bus Eireann is Ireland's state-owned coach company, providing services to the Greater Dublin Area and beyond. Some of their routes from Dublin Airport include:

• 100X: Dublin > Airport > Drogheda > Dundalk
• 101: Dublin > Airport > Balbriggan > Drogheda
• 109A: Dublin City University > Airport > Ratoath > Dunshaughlin > Navan > Kells
• 133: Dublin Airport > Dublin > Ashford > Wicklow

JJ Kavanagh

JJ Kavanagh offers bus services to Dublin Airport from various locations across Ireland, including Limerick, Nenagh, Portlaoise, Kilkenny, and Waterford. Their buses provide amenities such as power sockets, USB chargers, and Wi-Fi. Pre-booking is essential for their services, and tickets offer flexible changes up to 2 hours before departure.

Frequently asked questions