The Bottom Line
Let's face it - it is a must-do if you are in Ireland's capital for the first time and want to take in Dublin's most important attractions at a leisurely pace. The whole tour would take just 75 minutes (depending on traffic), but 21 stops along the (largely) circular route will have you hopping off the bus. And hopping on again after a closer look, you have 24 hours to do this. Many attractions also offer reductions with the bus ticket.
Pros
- Gets you to (or at least near to) all the important points of attraction in Dublin City.
- You are free to choose your agenda within the limits of the circular route.
- Tickets valid 24 hours.
Cons
- Open-topped doubledeckers are not really made for rainy days.
Description
- Open-topped doubledecker buses take you on a circular route passing all important Dublin attractions.
- 21 stops along the route allow the visitor to get off and take a closer look, sometimes at reduced entry fees.
- Views and camera angles from the upper deck of the bus are good - but it can get wet!
- Live commentary can be very entertaining and full of "local color".
Guide Review - Dublin Tours - Dublin Bus City Tour Hop-on Hop-off
The buses follow this route from 9:30 am at frequent intervals (you can join at any stop and buy a ticket from the driver):
- Cathal Brugha Street
- just off O'Connell Street, official starting point of the tour; - O'Connell Street
- near O'Connell Bridge; - College Green
- get off here for Trinity College and the Bank of Ireland; - Nassau Street
- get off here for a view of the Kildare Street Club, the National Library of Ireland and the National Museum of Ireland; - Merrion Square West (northern end)
- get off here for the National Gallery of Ireland and Leinster House; - Merrion Square West (southern end)
- get off here for the Natural History Museum and the Government Buildings; - St. Stephen's Green
- get off here for the Stephen's Green Shopping Centre and the park itself; - Suffolk Street
- get off here for the Dublin Tourist Information Office; - Dame Street
- get off here for Temple Bar; - Cork Hill
- get off here for Dublin Castle; - Christ Church Place
- get off here for Christ Church Cathedral; - Patrick Street
- get off here for St. Patrick's Cathedral; - St. James's Gate
- get off here for the Guinness Storehouse; - Royal Hospital Kilmainham
- get off here for the Museum of Modern Art and Kilmainham Gaol; - Parkgate Street
- get off here for a pint in Ryan's Victorian Bar; - Phoenix Park
- get off here for the Phoenix Park itself or Dublin Zoo; - Collins Barracks
- get off here for the National Museum of Ireland; - Smithfield
- get off here for the Old Jameson Distillery and "The Chimney"; - Bachelor's Walk
- get off here for the Ha'penny Bridge and O'Connell Street; - Upper O'Connell Street
- get off here for O'Connell Street and Moore Street Market; - Parnell Square North
- get off here for the Writers Museum and the Garden of Remembrance.
Please take note that the exact route may change due to roadworks or changing traffic layouts!
