The cheapest public route into Dublin is a TFI public bus, such as the 16 or 41, on a Leap Card at about €2.60, taking 50 to 70 minutes. The fastest is the Dublin Express coach at 14 minutes from €9. There is no train, DART, Luas or metro at the airport, so every option below runs by road. Prices checked August 2026.
No rail link
Dublin Airport has no railway, DART, Luas or metro station and no direct train of any kind. The long-planned MetroLink rail line was still not open as of August 2026. If you need the rail network, take a coach or bus to the city and change to DART, Luas or Irish Rail there, or a bus to a mainline station. There is no through rail ticket to the airport.
Dublin Express (routes 782 and 784)
Dublin Express is a premium coach to more than 15 city-centre stops, including Temple Bar, Trinity College, O'Connell Street, Heuston Station, George's Quay and the 3Arena. Fares start from €9 one-way online, the fastest journey is 14 minutes, and there are 102 services a day. The first departure is about 03:05 and the last about 00:35, so early flights are covered. Coaches leave from airport Zones 1 and 21, and one ticket is valid on either the 782 or the 784.
Aircoach 700 and 702
The Aircoach 700 runs to the city centre and St Stephen's Green via the southside (O'Connell Street, Ballsbridge, Donnybrook, UCD and Leopardstown). A single is €8 and a return €14, the journey is about 25 to 35 minutes, and departures are every 15 to 20 minutes on a 24-hour service, which makes it a dependable night option. It leaves from airport Zones 2 and 20. The Aircoach 702 runs to Dun Laoghaire and Dalkey via the Port Tunnel roughly hourly at peak; confirm that fare when you book.
TFI public buses (the cheapest option)
TFI public buses run by Dublin Bus, Go-Ahead Ireland and Bus Éireann are the cheapest way into the city. Routes 16, 19, 24, 33a, 41, 101, 102 and 109A serve the airport from Zones 11, 13 and 15. A Leap Card single is about €2.60, and a route such as the 16 or 41 takes roughly 50 to 70 minutes with local stops. This is the option to choose if you are watching the cost and are not in a hurry. Note that the old blue Airlink Express 747 and 757 city bus has been withdrawn; use Dublin Express, Aircoach or these TFI routes instead.
Coaches to other cities
Several express coaches link the airport directly with cities beyond Dublin, which is almost always far cheaper than an intercity taxi:
| Route | Destination | Journey | Fare from |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aircoach 704X | Cork | ~3 to 3.5 hr | €18 |
| Aircoach 705X | Belfast (and Derry) | ~1 hr 50 min | ~€12 |
| Citylink 760/761 | Galway | ~2.5 hr | ~€22 |
Bus Éireann also operates several TFI airport routes and longer links, for example route 101 north via Drogheda and Dundalk; confirm long-distance fares when you book.
At a glance
| Mode | Fare | Time to city | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dublin Express 782/784 | from €9 single | 14 to 30 min | 102 a day, from ~03:05 |
| Aircoach 700 | €8 single | 25 to 35 min | every 15 to 20 min, 24 hr |
| TFI bus 16/41 | ~€2.60 Leap | 50 to 70 min | frequent daytime |
When a taxi is worth it
Public transport wins on price for solo travellers and small groups with light luggage. A taxi becomes competitive when you are two or more people once you split the fare, when you are carrying heavy bags, or late at night when you want a door-to-door ride rather than a walk from a city-centre stop. See the taxis page for metered fares, and the routes page for destinations beyond the city.
Public transport FAQs
Is there a train from Dublin Airport? No. There is no railway, DART, Luas or metro station at the airport and no direct train. The fastest public option is the Dublin Express coach at 14 minutes to the city centre.
What is the cheapest way into Dublin from the airport? A TFI public bus (route 16 or 41) on a Leap Card, at about €2.60, taking 50 to 70 minutes.
How fast is the coach to Dublin city centre? The Dublin Express reaches the centre in as little as 14 minutes from €9, and the Aircoach 700 takes about 25 to 35 minutes for €8.
Is there public transport from Dublin Airport at night? Yes. The Aircoach 700 runs a 24-hour service and Dublin Express starts around 03:05, so early and late flights are covered.
More: Overview, Taxis, Parking, Drop-off, Routes, FAQs.
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Last verified August 2026 by the Dublin Airport Guide editorial team. Prices and timetables change, so confirm the specifics on the official Dublin Airport website before you travel.