Ireland, the Emerald Isle, captivates visitors with its dramatic coastlines, ancient castles, vibrant cities, and legendary hospitality. From the rugged Cliffs of Moher to the lively pubs of Dublin, Ireland offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, rich history, and Celtic culture that enchants travelers year-round.
- Public
- Dublin has reasonable bus and Luas tram coverage but no city-wide metro; outside Dublin public transport becomes sparse and infrequent — many rural areas have one or two buses per day
- Taxi
- Taxis readily available in all cities via apps (Free Now, Bolt); reliable and metered; surge pricing can occur on weekends
- Rental
- Car rental is essential for exploring rural Ireland, the Wild Atlantic Way, Ring of Kerry, Connemara, and most areas outside major cities; drives on the left
- Walking
- Irish city centres are compact and walkable; Dublin, Galway, Killarney, and Kilkenny all highly walkable; coastal cliff walks and mountain trails accessible on foot from many towns
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- Airlink Express Bus 747/757 - €7-8, 25-40 minutes to city center
- Shuttle
- Dublin Bus routes 16, 41, 102 - €3.30, 40-60 minutes
- Bus
- Taxi - €25-35, 20-30 minutes depending on traffic
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
Dublin Bus covers the capital extensively (€2-3.30 per journey). Bus Éireann operates intercity and rural routes nationwide. Belfast has Metro buses (£1.70-2.50). Most cities have local bus networks.
Alternatives
metro, taxi, rideshare, trains, bike_share, walking
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- Metered taxis in all cities. Dublin: €3.80 base fare + €1.10-1.40 per km. Booking apps: FreeNow (mytaxi), Lynk, Bolt. Taxis readily available at ranks and can be hailed.
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
Bus Éireann and private operators (GoBus, Citylink, Aircoach) serve all routes. Generally cheaper than trains (Dublin-Galway €10-20, Dublin-Cork €12-25). More frequent service and reach smaller towns. Comfortable coaches with WiFi.
Flights
Aer Lingus operates limited domestic routes between Dublin and regional airports (Cork, Shannon, Donegal). Generally not necessary given Ireland's small size and good ground transport.
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Airports
Dublin Airport
From centre: 10 km north of Dublin city center
Options: Airlink Express Bus 747/757 - €7-8, 25-40 minutes to city center; Dublin Bus routes 16, 41, 102 - €3.30, 40-60 minutes; Taxi - €25-35, 20-30 minutes depending on traffic; Rental car available from multiple agencies
Cork Airport
From centre: 8 km south of Cork city
Options: Bus Éireann route 226A - €8, 25-30 minutes; Taxi - €20-25, 15-20 minutes; Rental car available at airport
Shannon Airport
From centre: 24 km from Limerick, gateway to west coast
Options: Bus Éireann to Limerick - €8, 40 minutes; Bus to Galway - €18, 90 minutes; Taxi to Limerick - €40-50; Rental car recommended for exploring west coast
Belfast International Airport
From centre: 21 km northwest of Belfast
Options: Airport Express 300 bus - £8, 30-40 minutes; Taxi - £30-40, 25-30 minutes; Rental car available
Belfast City Airport
From centre: 5 km from Belfast city center
Options: Airport Express 600 bus - £3, 15 minutes; Taxi - £10-15, 10 minutes; Walking distance to some hotels
Kerry Airport
From centre: 16 km from Killarney
Options: Bus Éireann - €10, 25 minutes to Killarney; Taxi - €30-35; Rental car recommended for Ring of Kerry
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
TFI Live
Transport for Ireland official app — real-time bus and tram tracking across Ireland including Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann, and Luas trams
Free Now (MyTaxi)
Ireland's dominant taxi booking app; works in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Belfast and all major cities; fully metered and licensed drivers
Leap Card App
Top up and manage your Leap Card for discounted Dublin Bus, Luas, and DART travel; also shows real-time journey planning
Irish Rail / Iarnród Éireann
Official Irish Rail app for booking intercity and DART train tickets; advance purchase discounts available on major routes
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Rent a car if you want to explore rural Ireland — public transport outside Dublin is very limited and infrequent
Buy a Leap Card on arrival for all Dublin public transport (bus, Luas tram, DART rail) at 30% discount versus cash fares
Book Irish Rail intercity tickets online in advance for significant savings (sometimes 50% off walk-up prices)
Irish roads in the west and southwest are narrow with passing places — drive slowly, yield to oncoming traffic, and watch for sheep
The M50 Dublin ring road has barrier-free tolling — pay online at eflow.ie by 8PM the day after travel or face penalty fine
Dublin Bikes scheme has 100+ stations citywide — €2 for 3-day pass for unlimited 30-minute journeys