Dublin Airport (DUB) is Ireland's primary international gateway, 12 kilometres north of the city centre via the M1 motorway and the M50 ring road. The airport has two terminals: Terminal 1 (most Aer Lingus European routes, British Airways, Ryanair, and charter flights) and Terminal 2 (Aer Lingus transatlantic routes, American Airlines, Delta, United, Lufthansa, and Emirates). The M50 motorway is the main ring road for coaches approaching from south Dublin and connecting to the N1/M1 north.
Group transfers from DUB to the city centre take 25 to 40 minutes in normal traffic, depending on the exit used and the hotel's location. Morning peak (7am to 9am) and evening peak (4pm to 7pm) add 15 to 25 minutes on the M50 and the city-centre quays. Airport arrivals in the early afternoon (12pm to 3pm) typically have the easiest run into the city.
Terminal 1 and Terminal 2: Drop-off and Pick-up
Terminal 1 (the original terminal, on the western side of the airport) handles most Aer Lingus European routes, British Airways, Ryanair, Wizz Air, and charter flights. The coach drop-off and pick-up area is on the upper level of the terminal forecourt, with bays designated for coaches adjacent to the main departure entrance. Terminal 2 (the newer terminal, on the eastern side) handles Aer Lingus transatlantic routes and the main long-haul carriers. The coach bay at Terminal 2 is on the ground level of the arrivals forecourt. A short shuttle bus (free of charge) runs between the two terminals. We confirm the terminal when you book and track your flight in real time so the vehicle is on the bay when you land.
Route Options: M1, M50, and the Port Tunnel
From Dublin Airport, coaches to the city centre use three main routes depending on the destination. The M1 south to the M50 and city centre is the fastest route for groups staying in hotels on the south side of the Liffey (the Ballsbridge, Sandymount, and city-centre south hotel cluster). The N1 south via the R132 (the old airport road) passes through Drumcondra and Phibsborough and is used for northside city hotels (Croke Park area, Mater hospital area). The Port Tunnel (a 4.5-kilometre toll tunnel from the M1 to the North Wall Quay and the Convention Centre Dublin) provides the fastest connection between the airport and the Docklands, avoiding the M50 entirely; the tunnel has a height restriction of 4.65 metres (suitable for standard coaches but not double-deckers).
Onward Connections: Cork, Galway, Killarney, and Belfast
Dublin Airport is the arrival point for most international groups touring Ireland, and we provide onwards connections from DUB to all main touring centres. Dublin to Cork (255 kilometres via the M8, approximately 2 hours 30 minutes) and Dublin to Galway (220 kilometres via the M6, approximately 2 hours 15 minutes) are the most common DUB-to-touring-base runs. Dublin to Killarney (310 kilometres via the M7 and N21/N22, approximately 3 hours) and Dublin to Belfast (165 kilometres via the M1 and A1, approximately 2 hours) are also regularly booked. We provide full door-to-door touring coaches with experienced drivers.
What Airport Transfer Coach Costs in Dublin
| Vehicle Type | Typical Range (EUR) |
|---|
| Minibus (up to 19 seats) | 280 to 540 EUR |
| Midi-coach (around 35 seats) | 460 to 890 EUR |
| Full-size coach (49 to 55 seats) | 700 to 1,340 EUR |
Dublin airport transfers price on a per-trip basis; most airport-to-city runs for groups of up to 55 are quoted on a single fixed trip rate. Onward touring rates to Cork, Galway, or Killarney are quoted per day. The final figure depends on your route, date, vehicle movements, and waiting time. We confirm a fixed price with no hidden charges -- send your details for a free quote.