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Day trips from Dublin

The best day trip tours from Dublin

The Cliffs of Moher and Galway, the Giant's Causeway and Belfast, Glendalough and the Wicklow Mountains, and Kilkenny. Here are the day tours that do the driving, with honest advice on the long hours on the coach, what the price includes and what costs extra, and what happens if the trip is cancelled.

By the Things to Do in Dublin editorial team 8 tours compared Prices checked 25 October 2026

See our 8 picks
The Cliffs of Moher above a blue Atlantic, with a sea stack below and white clouds over the headlands
Short answer

The most-reviewed day trip tour from Dublin is the Cliffs of Moher, Burren and Galway day. For a shorter day, Glendalough and Kilkenny take 9 hours and start from €45. For the north, the Giant's Causeway day takes 12 hours, and you need pounds there. Most big trips last 12 to 13 hours and leave from Parnell Square or O'Connell Street.

The 8 day trips we would book

Four Cliffs of Moher days, one trip north, two Wicklow days and one half day. All show free cancellation on GetYourGuide.

Day trip tours compared: price, hours and what is included

Day trip tours compared: price, hours and what is included
TourFromDurationFree cancellationMeeting pointWho it suitsWhy we picked it
Cliffs of Moher, Burren and Galway 4.7 (28,191)€78
per person		13 hoursNoHugh Lane Gallery, Parnell SquareFirst-timers who want the west coastThe most-reviewed day trip from Dublin, with Cliffs entry included.
Cliffs of Moher, Galway and Burren for less 4.5 (2,448)€69
per person		13 hoursYesArlington Hotel, Bachelors WalkBudget travellers and Spanish speakersThe cheapest Cliffs day here that includes the entry ticket.
Cliffs of Moher and Galway with pickup 4.7 (6,465)€75
per person		13 hoursYesPickup included (check your hotel on the listing)Visitors who want pickup and musicThe only Cliffs pick here with pickup included.
Cliffs of Moher day, back by 8 pm 4.5 (3,131)€69
per person		12 hoursYesDepends on the optionVisitors who mostly want the CliffsAn hour shorter than the other Cliffs days, with entry included.
Giant's Causeway, Dark Hedges and Belfast 4.8 (10,124)€80
per person		12 hoursYesHugh Lane Gallery, Parnell SquareVisitors who want the north in one dayTied for the top rating here: 4.8 from 10,124 reviews.
Wicklow Mountains, Glendalough and Kilkenny 4.7 (9,644)€45
per person		9 hoursYesThe Gresham, O'Connell StreetVisitors who want an easier dayA shorter day that still covers two places.
Kilkenny, Wicklow and Glendalough with a sheepdog show 4.8 (4,069)€38
per person		10 h 30 minYesHugh Lane Gallery, Parnell SquareBudget travellers who like a walkThe cheapest full day here, with a 4.8 rating.
Half day in Glendalough and Wicklow 4.2 (3,022)€33
per person		5 hoursYesDepends on the optionVisitors short on timeThe only half-day trip here.

  • Cliffs of Moher, Burren and Galway

    €78 per person13 hours 4.7 (28,191)

    Details
    Free cancellation
    No
    Meeting point
    Hugh Lane Gallery, Parnell Square
    Who it suits
    First-timers who want the west coast
    Why we picked it
    The most-reviewed day trip from Dublin, with Cliffs entry included.

  • Cliffs of Moher, Galway and Burren for less

    €69 per person13 hours 4.5 (2,448)

    Details
    Free cancellation
    Yes
    Meeting point
    Arlington Hotel, Bachelors Walk
    Who it suits
    Budget travellers and Spanish speakers
    Why we picked it
    The cheapest Cliffs day here that includes the entry ticket.

  • Cliffs of Moher and Galway with pickup

    €75 per person13 hours 4.7 (6,465)

    Details
    Free cancellation
    Yes
    Meeting point
    Pickup included (check your hotel on the listing)
    Who it suits
    Visitors who want pickup and music
    Why we picked it
    The only Cliffs pick here with pickup included.

  • Cliffs of Moher day, back by 8 pm

    €69 per person12 hours 4.5 (3,131)

    Details
    Free cancellation
    Yes
    Meeting point
    Depends on the option
    Who it suits
    Visitors who mostly want the Cliffs
    Why we picked it
    An hour shorter than the other Cliffs days, with entry included.

  • Giant's Causeway, Dark Hedges and Belfast

    €80 per person12 hours 4.8 (10,124)

    Details
    Free cancellation
    Yes
    Meeting point
    Hugh Lane Gallery, Parnell Square
    Who it suits
    Visitors who want the north in one day
    Why we picked it
    Tied for the top rating here: 4.8 from 10,124 reviews.

  • Wicklow Mountains, Glendalough and Kilkenny

    €45 per person9 hours 4.7 (9,644)

    Details
    Free cancellation
    Yes
    Meeting point
    The Gresham, O'Connell Street
    Who it suits
    Visitors who want an easier day
    Why we picked it
    A shorter day that still covers two places.

  • Kilkenny, Wicklow and Glendalough with a sheepdog show

    €38 per person10 h 30 min 4.8 (4,069)

    Details
    Free cancellation
    Yes
    Meeting point
    Hugh Lane Gallery, Parnell Square
    Who it suits
    Budget travellers who like a walk
    Why we picked it
    The cheapest full day here, with a 4.8 rating.

  • Half day in Glendalough and Wicklow

    €33 per person5 hours 4.2 (3,022)

    Details
    Free cancellation
    Yes
    Meeting point
    Depends on the option
    Who it suits
    Visitors short on time
    Why we picked it
    The only half-day trip here.
  • None of these listings states a group size.
  • Only the Cliffs of Moher and Galway with pickup includes hotel pickup. The other seven start from a meeting point.
  • Prices and ratings as shown on GetYourGuide on 25 October 2026. Prices are “from” prices in euros and can change; the booking page shows the live price.

The best day trips from Dublin at a glance

The best day trips out of Dublin go to the west coast, the north or the mountains just south of the city. These are the daily tours from Dublin we would pick:

  • West coast: the Cliffs of Moher, the Burren and Galway. A 12- to 13-hour day from €69.
  • The north: the Giant's Causeway, the Dark Hedges and Belfast. A 12-hour day from €80.
  • Wicklow and Kilkenny: Glendalough and the medieval city of Kilkenny. A 9- to 10.5-hour day from €38.
  • Half day: Glendalough and Wicklow in 5 hours, from €33.

Where the coaches leave from

Most of these tours meet on the north side, at Parnell Square or O'Connell Street. A hotel nearby saves an early walk: see where to stay in Dublin.

Guides on day trips from Dublin

How to choose a one-day tour: the west coast, the north, or the mountains next door

Choose by how long you want to sit on the coach. The Cliffs of Moher and the Giant's Causeway are each a 12- to 13-hour day. Wicklow and Kilkenny take 9 to 10.5 hours.

Next, check what the price includes. Cliffs entry is included on three Cliffs picks, and the fourth lists the Cliffs in its includes. Kilkenny Castle entry and lunch are extra on both Wicklow days.

You cannot see the Cliffs of Moher and the Giant's Causeway on the same day. They are on opposite sides of the island, so pick one.

Private tours from Dublin

Private day trips are rare on GetYourGuide. Of 216 Dublin tours listed there, 7 show a private option, and only one of those is a day trip: a whiskey day. For a private driver-guide over several days, see the multi-day tours below.

Short on time? Dublin half-day tours and short day trips

Yes, you can see Glendalough in half a day. Our half-day pick takes 5 hours with a guide, and it starts from €33.

It starts late and gets back early, so you still have the evening in Dublin. It is rated 4.2 from 3,022 reviews, lower than the full days here.

If you have a whole day but want less time on the coach, the 9-hour Wicklow and Kilkenny day is the next shortest.

Cliffs of Moher: the long day that is worth it

13 hours
a typical Cliffs day
2 hours
at the Cliffs on our top pick

A Cliffs of Moher day trip from Dublin takes about 13 hours, and you get about 2 hours at the Cliffs. Plan for a long day on the coach.

Our top pick has no set lunch stop, so its listing says to bring a packed lunch. You can buy sandwiches at rest stops.

On your own, the Cliffs of Moher site sells adult tickets from €15 online, but the price depends on the time slot. The visitor centre is open 9:00 to 17:00 from November to February, and longer in summer.

Giant's Causeway and Belfast: the north in one day

The Giant's Causeway trip takes 12 hours and crosses into Northern Ireland. There is no border check on the road.

Northern Ireland uses pounds sterling, not euros. Cards work in most places, but small shops may not take euros.

You may also need a UK ETA, an online travel permit, before you go. US visitors need one. Irish and British citizens do not.

The National Trust's Causeway visitor centre lists adult tickets from £16. It can close in high winds, so check on the day. The coast path stays open from dawn to dusk.

Wicklow, Glendalough and Kilkenny: the easy day out

Wicklow and Kilkenny make the easiest full day from Dublin: 9 to 10.5 hours with two stops. Both picks walk you round Glendalough and give you free time in Kilkenny.

Kilkenny Castle entry is not included. It costs €8 for an adult on the Heritage Ireland site.

Kilkenny Castle is closed from 13:00 on Monday 2 November until 09:30 on Thursday 5 November 2026 for filming. The park around it stays open.

Tour or on your own: bus, train and rental car by trip

Some of these trips are easy without a tour, and some are not. Glendalough is the easiest: St Kevin's Bus leaves St Stephen's Green and costs €23 return. A tour starts from €38.

Kilkenny is a direct train from Heuston, about 1 hour 30 minutes. Belfast is a train from Connolly, about 2 hours 8 minutes.

The Cliffs of Moher take a full day by train and bus. You ride the train to Galway, then take Bus Éireann route 350 to the Cliffs.

Day trips from Dublin by car

A car gives you the most freedom for Wicklow or the west coast. Driving yourself? Our getting-around page covers parking in Dublin, tolls and when a car makes sense.

Staying more than a day: multi-day tours from Dublin

If one day feels rushed, a 2- or 3-day tour lets you sleep on the road. Those tours cover Kerry, Cork and Belfast with a night or two in a B&B or hotel.

The Ring of Kerry is too far for a day trip from Dublin. See it on a multi-day tour instead.

Booking tips for day trips from Dublin

  1. Check the meeting point the night before

    Most tours meet at Parnell Square or O'Connell Street, and some change by option. Your voucher shows the exact place and time.

  2. Cancel up to 24 hours ahead

    All eight picks show free cancellation on GetYourGuide. Each listing gives its own deadline, so check it before you pay.

  3. Pack for rain and a long day

    The Cliffs tours run rain or shine. Bring a jacket, good shoes and food, as some days have no lunch stop.

  4. Bring pounds for the north

    Northern Ireland uses sterling. Check if you need a UK ETA before you book the Giant's Causeway day.

Day trips from Dublin: questions and answers

How long is a day trip from Dublin?
Most full-day tours from Dublin take 9 to 13 hours. The Cliffs of Moher days take 12 to 13 hours, the Giant's Causeway 12, and Wicklow with Kilkenny 9 to 10.5. The half-day Glendalough trip takes 5 hours.

Is Cliffs of Moher entry included on day tours?
Yes, on most of our picks. Entry is included on our top pick, the cheaper Spanish and English day and the day that is back by 8 pm. The pickup day lists the Cliffs and its visitor centre. Always check the listing's includes before you book.

Can I see the Cliffs of Moher and the Giant's Causeway in one day?
No. Each one is a 12- to 13-hour day from Dublin on its own, and none of our picks does both. Choose one, or book a multi-day tour.

Is it better to book a tour or go on my own?
It depends on the trip. Glendalough is easy by St Kevin's Bus for €23 return. Kilkenny and Belfast are direct trains. The Cliffs of Moher need a train to Galway and a bus, so a tour is simpler there.

Do I need pounds or an ETA for the Giant's Causeway trip?
Northern Ireland uses pounds sterling, though cards work in most places. You may need a UK ETA before you go: US visitors do, but Irish and British citizens do not.

What happens if my day trip is cancelled?
All our picks show free cancellation, so you can cancel up to the deadline on the listing for a full refund. The Cliffs tours run rain or shine. The Giant's Causeway visitor centre can close in high winds, but the coast path stays open.

More day trips from Dublin, live

More options with live prices and availability, straight from GetYourGuide.

See every tour with today's prices and open dates on GetYourGuide.

Browse all on GetYourGuide

Browse all of them on GetYourGuide

Sources (9), facts checked on 25 October 2026

Written by the Things to Do in Dublin editorial team.