DART to Howth: Times, Fares and Cliff Walk

The DART to Howth is a short, easy ride that ends beside a working harbour and the start of a famous cliff walk. This guide covers the train, the fare, the walk and what else to do there.

Step 1: Take the DART to Howth from Dublin Connolly

The DART from Dublin Connolly to Howth takes about 25 to 26 minutes. In the Irish Rail timetable, one train leaves at 08:05 and arrives at 08:31, and another leaves at 08:25 and arrives at 08:50. Several trains an hour run at peak times, so you rarely wait long. Irish Rail's timetables page lists the service as "DART (Greystones - Malahide and Howth)", and the current timetable is valid until 12 December 2026.

One line serves several towns, so check that the destination on the train says Howth before you board. Irish Rail also says to use its Journey Planner for the latest times, so look up your exact train on the day.

Connolly is the station this guide uses. The timetable page does not list other Dublin stations for the Howth trip, so check the Journey Planner if you start somewhere else. That page gives no separate journey time for other city-centre stations, and it does not state how often trains run off peak. To compare the DART with buses, the Luas and taxis, see getting around Dublin.

Malahide, a small seaside town with a castle, sits on the same DART service. Howth and Malahide make two separate trips.

Pro Tip Start early. The timetable shows trains from Connolly at 08:05 and 08:25, so you can be on the cliff path by 09:00 and still catch a late lunch at the harbour.

Step 2: Pay for the ride with a Leap card

You cannot tap a bank card on the DART today. Use a Leap card, which is Ireland's transport smart card, or buy a ticket at the station machine. With a Leap card you tap on before you board and tap off when you leave. The Leap card's fare page says to tap on and tap off for DART journeys in Dublin.

The adult TFI 90 Minute Fare is €2.00. It covers DART and commuter rail journeys within Zone 1 that start within 90 minutes of your first tap. The Leap pages do not say whether Howth is inside Zone 1, and Transport for Ireland's fare zones page does not name the zone for Howth either. So the exact Howth fare is not confirmed here. Check the price on the ticket machine, or in the Journey Planner, before you travel.

A Leap Visitor Card also covers the DART in Zone 1, at €8 for one day or €18 for three days. The Zone 1 question applies here too, so ask at the station before you rely on it for Howth.

Step 3: Walk the Howth Cliff Path Loop from the station

The Howth Cliff Path Loop is a 7.8 km walk that starts and ends at Howth railway station and takes about two hours. Fáilte Ireland's trail page rates it moderate, with 130 m of climbing in total. It passes the harbour, goes around the Nose of Howth and climbs onto the cliff tops. The views take in Lambay Island, Ireland's Eye and Dublin Bay, and the Baily Lighthouse comes into view along the way.

The same page says the ground may be rough in parts and recommends walking boots. Trainers will work on a dry day, but expect mud after rain. The trail is free to visit.

For a shorter walk, Sport Ireland lists the Tramline Loop at 7 km and about two hours. It also starts at Howth railway station. It climbs along the cliffs to the summit and returns along the old tramline.

You can also walk with a guide. The Howth coastal hiking tour is run by Howth Adventures and lasts 3 hours. The price is from €39 per person, rated 4.9 from 182 reviews, with free cancellation. It meets at Bodega Coffee in Howth Market, in groups of up to 13, and food and drinks are not included. It is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

For a long day, the Howth safari hiking tour lasts 5 hours. The ticket is from €59 per person, rated 4.9 from 79 reviews, with free cancellation. The guide meets you at The House Restaurant on Main Street, and the group is up to 13. Food, drinks and transport are not included, and it is not suitable for children under 12 or people with mobility impairments.

Prices and ratings as shown on GetYourGuide on 25 October 2026.

You do not need a tour for this walk. The path starts at the station, it is free and you can follow it alone. A guide is worth it if you want local stories and a set pace, or if you do not want to plan the route. Do it yourself if you just want the views.

There is one honest limit to the walk. It is not a stroll, and it is the wrong choice if you have a pushchair, a wheelchair or a bad knee. In that case, stay at the harbour or take a boat.

Key Takeaway The DART gets you to the start of the 7.8 km Cliff Path Loop in about 25 minutes, so you need no car, no booking and only the green arrows to follow.

Step 4: Fill the rest of the day in Howth

Howth is a fishing harbour village, and the cliff trail passes the harbour early on. A stroll along the water is an easy first stop. The pages checked list no other harbour sights. For more on the village, its tours and the other things to do there, see Howth.

Boat trips run from the West Pier. The Howth coastal boat tour is run by Howth Adventures and lasts 50 minutes. The price is from €25 per person, rated 4.7 from 1,419 reviews, with free cancellation. It starts at 9 West Pier, and hotel pickup is not included. The tour page does not state a group size. It shows you the same coastline from the water, which helps if you do not want a long walk.

A one-way sailing across the bay suits a different plan. The Dublin Bay cruise from Howth to Dún Laoghaire is run by Dublin Bay Cruises and lasts about an hour. Tickets start at €28 per person, rated 4.1 from 70 reviews, with free cancellation. The ticket includes a DART discount voucher for the ride back, the group is up to 96, drinks and snacks are not included, and the meeting point depends on the option you book. The sailing is one way, so the return is by DART.

Prices and ratings as shown on GetYourGuide on 25 October 2026.

In Things to Do in Dublin's count of GetYourGuide listings on 25 October 2026, 6 listings name Howth in their title, from €25 to €89.10 per person.

If you want to stay over, King Sitric Seafood Bar & Accommodation is a guesthouse above a seafood restaurant on Howth's East Pier, with sea views.

A short train ride can change the whole day.