By Plane

Aer Lingus (www.aerlingus.com; [tel] 081/836-5000), Ireland’s national airline, operates regular, direct scheduled flights between Dublin International Airport and numerous cities worldwide. From the United States, direct routes include Boston, Chicago (O’Hare), Hartford, Los Angeles, New York (JFK and Newark), Philadelphia, Seattle, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. (Not all of these routes operate in winter.) On the return journey, passengers bound for the U.S. may pre-clear Customs at Dublin Airport—meaning you get to skip passport control on the American side. American Airlines (www.aa.com; [tel] 800/433-7300), Delta (www.delta.com; [tel] 800/241-4141), and United (www.united.com; [tel] 800/864-8331) all fly direct to Dublin from at least one of those same cities. From Canada, direct flights are operated by Air Canada (www.aircanada.com; [tel] 888/247-2262). From Australia and New Zealand, Quantas (www.qantas.com; [tel] 13-13-13) and Air New Zealand (www.airnewzealand.co.nz; [tel] 080/0737-000) both fly to Dublin, with at least one change. Virtually all of the major European airlines have direct flights to Dublin.

Dublin Airport (www.dublinairport.com; [tel] 01/814-1111) is 11km (6[bf]3/4 miles) north of the city center. A travel information desk in the arrivals concourse provides information on public bus and rail services throughout the country. All major international and local car-rental companies operate desks at Dublin Airport.

For speed and ease—especially if you have a lot of luggage—a taxi is the best way to get directly to your hotel or guesthouse from the airport. Depending on your destination, fares average between €20 and €35, plus €1 for each additional passenger (but they shouldn’t charge you extra for luggage). A tip of a couple of euro is standard. Cabs are lined up at a first-come, first-served taxi stand directly outside the arrivals terminal (turn right as you walk out the door—you can’t miss it).

An excellent airport-to-city shuttle bus service called AirCoach (www.aircoach.ie; [tel] 01/844-7118) operates 24 hours a day, making runs every 15 minutes. Its buses go direct from the airport to Dublin’s city center and south side. Not all the major stops are covered on every service, so do check that you’ve got the right one before you board. City center fares are €6–€8 one-way, depending on where you are going; fares to Ballsbridge, Dún Laoghaire, or Dalkey run around €10. Children aged 5 to 12 are €2–€6; children 13 and over are counted as adults. You can buy tickets in advance on the AirCoach website to guarantee a seat, or you can buy your ticket from the driver. AirCoach is slightly faster than Dublin Bus (see below), and takes travelers directly to the hotel districts.

Dublin Bus (www.dublinbus.ie; [tel] 01/873-4222) has regular daily connections between the airport and the city center from around 6am to 11:30pm. The one-way trip takes about 55 minutes, with fares starting at €4 adults, €3 children. Consult the travel information desk in the arrivals concourse to figure out which bus takes you closest to your hotel.

Dublin Bus’s 747 and 757 buses, otherwise known as Airlink ([tel] 01/844-4265), provide express coach services from the airport to the city’s central bus station, Busáras, on Store Street, and on to Connolly and Heuston railway stations. Services run daily from 5am until 12:30pm (Sun 7:25am–12:15pm), with departures every 15 to 20 minutes (every half-hour late at night); it takes about 40 minutes to travel from the airport to Busáras. One-way fare is €7 for adults, €3for children 11 and under. Tickets can be purchased online in advance, at vending machines at bus stops, or at bus information desks. Route maps can be found on the Dublin Bus website, but for well-designed, downloadable versions, try www.dodublin.ie/airport-transfers/airlink-express/timetables/route-maps. Note: As with anywhere, Dublin Bus timetables are subject to change. It’s always a good idea to check timetables online before you arrive, especially if you’ll be getting in late.

Major international and local car-rental companies operate desks at Dublin Airport.

By Ferry

Passenger and car ferries from Britain arrive at the Dublin Ferryport, on the eastern end of the North Docks. Contact Irish Ferries (www.irishferries.ie; [tel] 0818/300-400); P&O Irish Sea (www.poirishsea.com; [tel] 0871/66-6464 from the U.K); or Stena Line (www.stenaline.com; [tel] 01/204-7777) for bookings and information. Irish Ferries also sails to Dublin from Cherbourg in northern France. Buses and taxis serve both ports.

By Train

Called Iarnród Éireann in Gaelic, Irish Rail (www.irishrail.ie; [tel] 1890/77-88-99) operates daily train service to Dublin from Belfast, Northern Ireland, and all major cities in the Irish Republic, including Cork, Galway, Limerick, Killarney, Sligo, Wexford, and Waterford. Trains from the south, west, and southwest arrive at Heuston Station, Kingsbridge, off St. John’s Road; from the north and northwest at Connolly Station, Amiens Street; and from the southeast at Pearse Station, Westland Row, Tara Street. For the lowest fares, buy tickets in advance from the Irish Rail website.

By Bus

Bus Éireann (www.buseireann.ie; [tel] 01/836-6111) operates daily express coach and local bus service from all major cities and towns in Ireland into Dublin’s central bus station, Busáras, on Store Street. Buy tickets in advance online for the cheapest prices.

By Car

If you are arriving by car from other parts of Ireland or on a car ferry from Britain, all main roads lead into the heart of Dublin and are well-signposted to An Lar (City Centre). The quickest way into Dublin from the airport is to take the Dublin Tunnel. The toll for cars is €3, or €10 between 6am and 10am, Monday to Friday. To bypass the city center, follow signs to the East Link toll bridge (€2) or the M50 highway toll (€3.10).  The M50 circuits the city on three sides. From Wexford Town, Galway, or Belfast the drive takes around 2 hours; from Cork, 2[bf]1/2 hours. Your car rental agency should inform you of all anticipated tolls.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.