Dublin in a Day

An early morning flight in and an evening flight out, here’s how to do Dublin in a day (or less!)

Getting there:

Plane: From London, the most convenient way to get to Dublin is to fly directly. There are many budget airlines that offer cheap flights from cities across Europe. It is of course home to one of the biggest budget airlines in Europe! The bus is the most cost effective way to get into City Centre, you can take it as you exit the terminal.

Train / Ferry: You could take a train and ferry via Belfast but given timings and duration, you might as well fly.

Time to visit:

Quintessentially West European weather means there is no ideal time to visit and given most of the activities in and around the city are not weather dependent, any time is good in Dublin! I went in mid-May so experienced a classic four season spring day with sunshine, wind, rain and clouds!

Things to do:

From the historic sites like Trinity College and Dublin Castle to strolling through the lively streets of Temple Bar and bustling markets, Dublin offers the perfect blend of flavours for a city break.

Where to stay:

I did not book a hotel as I was only there for the day. However, the best areas to stay in are Portobello, Docklands, Smithfield and Trinity.

Dublin in a day suggested itinerary:

9:00am: Start off with a stroll and grab breakfast in Portobello; the pancakes at Cafe Alma are delicious.

11:00am: Grab a coffee and walk around St. Stephen’s Green, this serene park nestled in the city center. Enjoy the park’s flowing fountains, colorful flowers, and beautiful architecture.

12 noon: Continuing the walk and enjoy the bustling Grafton Street, Dublin's most famous shopping street has cafes, restaurants, and buskers performing Irish music.

1:00pm: Walk the cobbled streets of the vibrant Temple Bar quarter, packed with traditional pubs, live music venues, galleries, and quirky shops. Grab lunch in one of the cosy restaurants in the area. While youre at it, make sure to enjoy a walk along the River Liffey.

2:00pm: A university may be a peculiar tourist spot, but the Trinity College campus is a must see.

3:00pm: Walk towards arguably Dublin’s most famous sight, the Dublin Castle. The imposing castle is a must-see to explore Irish history and architecture, walk further down to the Dublinia.

5:00pm: End your day at the Guinness Storehouse and make sure to go to the gravity bar with panoramic city views. You might need to take a taxi or bus to get there and make sure to pre-book tickets!

That was another quick tour for me and I was off to the airport again (Ryanair for the win!) back to London.

Tips and what you should know:

Currency: The local currency is Euro, and card was widely accepted.

Cost: I found it to be similar to London, so more expensive than what I expected and a decent meal would be around £15-17.
Transport: If you visit for a short period and only do the main sites, they can easily be covered on foot. There are buses and you can use contactless payment. Taxi’s and apps like Uber are available. From the airport you can take a bus, the Aircoach, to Grafton street, it takes around 30minutes, traffic depending.

Final Verdict on Dublin:

Dublin is certain a vibe. It has its charm and you’ll enjoy it if you go with the right expectation. Would definitely consider visiting for a 2-3 days.