Even though it would be nice to explore a new place for well, forever, sometimes 24 hours is all you have. If you have 24 hours in Dublin, you have come to right place! Below I share tips on how to make the most of a short, but sweet, 24 hours in Dublin, Ireland.
Where to Stay
Try and find a place that is close to the City Centre and to public transportation. It will be easier to get to and from the airport and around Dublin. In my opinion, the closer to Trinity College area the better since it is very central.
When I was in Dublin for 24 hours, I had originally booked the Ashfield Hostel due to it’s good reviews and central location. However I ended up staying with a local near the 3 Arena. This was about a 30 minute walk to the main city centre. It was close to the airport bus stop AND a Hop on Hop Off bus stop, so it was easy access. Also, since I was exploring the area as a solo female traveler, I felt safe there too!
Suggested readings:
How to get to and from the Airport
The bus
Dublin has a very efficient bus service (the Airlink) that makes multiple stops within the City Centre in Dublin. Buses run frequently (every 10-20 minutes).
Tickets can be bought either when you arrive at the Airport, or in advance.
If you buy a ticket in advance, print out a copy of your voucher so that you can exchange it for a bus card. Just go to the bus and information desk at Terminal 1 when you arrive. If you don’t buy it in advance, you will need to go here anyway to buy your ticket!
“Free Now” Taxi App.
On my way back from Dublin, I had a very early flight. I didn’t feel comfortable waiting at a bus stop when it was dark and very early. I’m sure it would have been fine, but I personally don’t like walking around in the dark in a new place. So I opted to get a taxi from the City Centre to the airport. It’s more expensive than the bus, of course, but I think it’s important to not skimp out on your safety!
My local Irish friend recommended “Free Now.” It is similar to Uber, and very popular. You can pre-book your taxi and track where it is. No need to use cash either, since you can use your credit card through the app.
Tips for 24 Hours in Dublin
If you only have 24 hours in Dublin, my tip is to invest in a Hop-on-Hop-off bus ticket. Is it touristy? Yes. BUT I wanted to see the main, touristy sights, so it was a great way to see them quickly and without getting lost. I was able to see SO much of Dublin with this ticket. It also included a one-way bus ticket to or from the airport, so it was good value for money.
I purchased my Hop-on-Hop-off ticket online since I got a discount (yaaay, saving money!). If you do this, print out your voucher and exchange it for a bus card at the Dublin airport. It can be done at the bus services and information desk in the arrivals section in Terminal 1.
If you are staying very close to the City Centre (around the Trinty College area), then you will be within walking distance to most attractions, so you may be able to fit even more in than what I was able to.
What to Do and See in 24 hours in Dublin
What you do in Dublin for 24 hours will all depend on what interests you. Tip: look at the Hop on Hop off map and pick out what attractions you want to see the most. Then, try and organize where you get off so that you don’t have to backtrack.
Personally for me, this is what I was realistically able to do for 24 hours in Dublin:
Do one loop on the bus (duration: 2 hours)
It was recommended to me by a local to do one loop on the bus. This gives you a good lay of the land and see the most of the city. The bus leaves the first stop at 9:00am, which is enough time to have breakfast before you start your day!
Book of Kells (duration: 1 hour)
The Book of Kells is a 5 minute walk from the last stop on the Hop on Hop off bus. There was a line to get a ticket (I waited about 20 minutes). I recommend buying your ticket in advance so that you don’t have to wait as long. You can buy your ticket before 11am the same day to get a discount.
Trinity College (duration: 30 minutes)
After the Book of Kells, spend some time wandering around Trinity College – it’s a beautiful campus (and it’s free!)
Dublin Castle (duration: 1.5 hours)
I then boarded the bus again and got off at Dublin Castle. You can either do a guided or self-guided tour. I opted for the more expensive guided tour since it will take you underground.
Christ Church (15 minutes)
A short walk away from Dublin Castle is Christ Church. There is an admission fee to get in. I decided to just have a peek inside and look outside of the building.
Explore the Temple Bar area (duration 30 minutes – 1 hour)
This area is PACKED. People were everywhere! It felt quite touristy, so I didn’t feel like sitting down to eat. Drinking there will cost you a small fortune too. I instead wandered around and popped into a few shops.
Walk up Grafton Street and see the buskers and shops (30 minutes)
Grafton Street is very close to the Temple Bar area, so it easily flowed. I picked up a to-go lunch from “Spar” (a local grocery store) so that I could eat it for later. There are lots of extremely talented musicians who busk along this road too!
Visit the Little Museum of Dublin (45 minutes – 1 hr)
This museum is FREE if you buy a Hop on Hop Off ticket. Make sure to ask your bus driver for a ticket to the museum the first chance you get! Otherwise you will have to wait for a bus so that you can ask for a ticket. I luckily made it in time to see their last guided tour of the day (at 5pm).
I would highly recommend going on a guided tour (which is also free!). For 30 minutes we had a guide explain the history of Dublin in such a funny and interesting way. It was fantastic!!
Have a picnic in Stephen’s Green park (30 minutes)
It was about 5:30pm after I left the museum, so I went to Stephen’s Green Park. The park is literally across the street from the Little Museum of Dublin. It’s huge, and very peaceful! I had a snack in the park. Be wary of the birds there – they will steal the food right out of your hand if you’re not careful! Trust me, it happened. Yes, it happened to me.
Other options: The Guinness Storehouse
I REALLY wanted to see the Guinness Storehouse. I don’t drink, but there are amazing views on the top level. We all know how much I love a good view! But unfortunately I didn’t have time.
The Guinness Storehouse is at a hop on hop off bus stop, but it is kind of far away so it would have taken me awhile to get back. Also, the last bus of the day leaves stop #1 at 7pm (which I wanted to take to get back home). So, unfortunately, time was not on my side!
If you plan to stay out after dark and take a taxi back home or walk, then you will probably have time to add the Guinness Storehouse.
Tips
- Do one loop on the bus to get a lay of the land and see all of the city. Try and get a bus that has a live guide when you do this – they are hilarious!
- Check what time the last loop on the bus is. When I went, the last bus left stop 1 at 7:00pm.
- Plan where to go so that you don’t have to backtrack. Unfortunately the bus only does the loop in one direction!
- Check the opening and closing hours of each attraction you want to go to.
- Save the bus stops on Google Maps so that you can find them again. This can be done on the bus, while you are making your first loop.
- Stay in a location that is within the City Centre, or along the Hop on Hop off bus route. I used that bus as my transportation for the day too.
- If you are seeing the Book of Kells, buy your ticket online in advance. If you buy it the same day before 11am you will get a discount. The lines for online purchases is much shorter!
Of course more than 24 hours in Dublin would have been better. It’s such a fun city. There is still so much of Ireland that I want to see – like the countryside! But with only 24 hours, I feel like I got a good taste of what Dublin had to offer. What would you recommend seeing and doing if you only have 24 hours in Dublin? Let me know in the comments below!
This is great advice! We’re supposed to be taking my mom to Ireland in March (if we’re allowed to go by then), and while we’re doing a tour with Globus, we’re going a day early to explore Dublin on our own. I’ll make sure an incorporate your tips since I’m the one planning the itinerary!