Can I have the best day trips from Dublin without a car? Of course! And it is easier than most people think. The most difficult thing here is to understand in which direction you really need to move. Some of them will take up your entire day. You will be on the road for half a day, spend a couple of hours at a sight, and then go back, spending the rest of the day on the road again. That looks like a waste of time.
Overall, transport links in Dublin are quite good. For example, the DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transit) runs along the coast. If you need to go to Kilkenny and Belfast, Irish Rail (Iarnród Éireann) goes to these cities. For places where trains don't go, you can use coaches. Or, even better, choose day tours with professional guides.
Our Generationtours.com guide can help you better plan your route. And before we get started, it is worth reading up on
getting around Dublin by public transport to understand a little more about how it works.
Best Car-Free Day Trips from Dublin
- Best coastal trip: Howth
- Best castle half-day: Malahide Castle and Village
- Best medieval city: Kilkenny
- Best nature/history mix: Glendalough and Wicklow Mountains
- Best big-city contrast: Belfast
- Best lively west-coast city: Galway
- Best guided-only ancient history trip: Boyne Valley
- Better with an overnight stay: Cliffs of Moher and Giant's Causeway
Can You Take Day Trips from Dublin Without a Car?
Dublin day trips without a car can be a lot better than most visitors expect. And it is usually less stressful than driving. Dublin city centre doesn't require a car at all. There are many attractions within walking distance, and you can see all of them by booking a
free walking tour.
What’s more, Connolly Station, on the north side of the Liffey, has trains to Belfast and the northeast. Heuston Station on the west side is great for getting to Kilkenny and everything south and west. For the coast, the DART works perfectly.
As you can see, there are many good short and long day options. But car-free day trips from Dublin may still be a bit tricky if you don't know the hacks.
How to Choose the Right Car-Free Day Trip
By travel time from Dublin:
- Under 45 minutes: Howth and Malahide
- Around 90 minutes: Kilkenny
- About 3 hours: Galway
- About 2 hours: Belfast
- Full day with a guide: Glendalough and Boyne Valley
By travel style and vibe:
- Coastal hike and fresh seafood: Howth
- Castles and gardens: Malahide
- Medieval history and walkable streets: Kilkenny
- Mountain lakes and monastic ruins: Glendalough
- Live traditional music and atmosphere: Galway
- Political history and maritime heritage: Belfast
By group type:
- Best for families with children: Malahide
- Best for active hikers: Glendalough
Best Easy Coastal Day Trips from Dublin (DART Accessible)
Going straight to the coast is the absolute best start if you are looking for easy day trips from Dublin. The DART line running along Dublin Bay is one of the most scenic short rail trips in the country.
Howth — Best for Cliffs, Seafood, and Harbour Views
Planning a Dublin to Howth day trip can be one of the simplest things, especially since the DART gets there in just about 30 minutes.
Once you are there, the Howth Cliff Walk for about 6 km is the main thing to do. The views are great the whole way. You can see the open sea, the Baily Lighthouse, the little island of Ireland's Eye out in the water, and beautiful nature around.
After that, you can go back to Howth Harbour and have lunch. There, you can buy fresh seafood like chowder, crab claws, fish and chips, etc.
Malahide — Best for a Castle and Village Half-Day
A Dublin to Malahide day trip is great if you want something more relaxed (especially if you are travelling with kids).
Malahide Castle is the main attraction there. It has been around since the 12th century, and the same family has lived there for nearly 800 years. Yes, it is not free, but the inside is worth the entry price. And if you want to spend a bit more time outside, the Talbot Botanic Gardens are located right on the castle grounds.
Also, the local village is worth a quick look after the castle. Plus, there are some nice cafés.
Best Historic Cities to Visit from Dublin by Train
Day trips from Dublin by train are the best way to see some cities. You just need to book your ticket in advance and try to get an early one.
Kilkenny — Best Medieval Day Trip
Taking a Dublin to Kilkenny day trip is probably the best you can do. The city is small, but it has such an interesting history. Yet, our advice is to get the earliest train from Heuston Station and start exploring the city by 10 am, as you will spend the whole day there.
You can start at Kilkenny Castle. It has been restored well and is situated right above the River Nore. You can walk the Medieval Mile from there up through the old town to St Canice's Cathedral. The tower next to it is worth climbing if it is open, as the views over the rooftops are amazing.
And also, if you like beer, the Smithwick's Experience is good fun too. In fact, it has been brewed on that exact spot for more than 200 years.
Galway — Best for Music, Pubs, and West-Coast Energy
It is easy to
find live music and cosy pubs in Dublin, but Galway has even more of that. Its west-coast energy takes that pub atmosphere to the next level. A Dublin to Galway day trip is totally doable, but it can take about 2.5 to 3 hours each way, so it is important to leave early.
The Latin Quarter is the best part of the city. There are lots of nice little streets around Eyre Square. You will also find the Spanish Arch if you walk down towards the River Corrib.
And we would like to advise you not to add a visit to the Cliffs of Moher to this trip if you are coming from Dublin. It is too much rushing. You will have a better time if you stay overnight in Galway and go exploring the cliffs the next day.
Belfast — Best for Titanic History and City Contrast
The Enterprise train from Connolly Station takes about two hours if you want to organise a Dublin to Belfast day trip.
The main place everyone wants to visit is the Titanic Belfast. This museum was built right where the Titanic was built and is one of the best museums in the area. Also, nearby, there is the SS Nomadic, which was used to transport passengers to the Titanic.
The Black Taxi Tour is a brilliant way to see the Peace Walls and learn about The Troubles from people who actually lived through them. We also advise you to spend a full day here, as there is a lot more to see than you may think.
And remember that Northern Ireland is part of the UK. So, they use pounds, not euros!
Best Nature and Ancient History Trips (Coach or Tour)
Some places in Ireland just don't have a good train link from Dublin. That is where day trips from Dublin by bus are really handy.
Glendalough and Wicklow Mountains — Best for Lakes and Monastic History
Glendalough is situated in a valley inside Wicklow Mountains National Park. There is one of the best old monasteries in Ireland, and a calm feel to the whole place.
Getting from Dublin to Glendalough without a car is really easy. St. Kevin's Bus Service leaves from St Stephen's Green every day and takes a little more than an hour. Alternatively, you can also book a day tour from Dublin, as a lot of them combine Glendalough with Powerscourt Estate (a big old house with nice gardens nearby).
Boyne Valley — Best Guided Day Trip for Ancient Ireland
If you want to do a Boyne Valley day trip from Dublin, it may be quite difficult without a car. The sites are spread out across County Meath, and there is no public transport between them.
The best thing you can do in this case is to book a guided tour from Dublin. It will take you right to Newgrange, which is the main attraction there. It is a part of Brú na Bóinne and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Most tours also visit the Hill of Tara and the big old Trim Castle, saving you from all that transport stress.
Day Trips We Don't Recommend (The "Anti-Itinerary")
Some places deserve to be on your Ireland list, but don't deserve to be rushed. This section is about being honest with you so you don't waste a precious travel day.
Cliffs of Moher — Too Much Bus Time
You can visit the Cliffs of Moher from Dublin without a car, but it is not worth it as a day trip. It is a 12-13-hour day in total, and more than 7 of those hours you will spend sitting on a bus. Imagine that you get to the cliffs around early afternoon, have maybe 90 minutes there, and then go back home on the bus. It is very tiring.
Going to Galway for a night and visiting the cliffs the next morning as a half-day trip from there is a much better plan.
Giant's Causeway — Better from Belfast
The same goes for the Giant's Causeway on the County Antrim coast. You will travel to Belfast from Dublin and then even further north. By the time you get there and back, most of the day is already gone, and you get a couple of hours at the Causeway itself.
So, stay in Belfast for a night and visit the Causeway Coast from there, not from Dublin.
Bray to Greystones — Closed for 36 Months
Before 2026, this trail was a really good option for having day trips from Dublin without a car. And even now, a lot of travel blogs still recommend taking the DART south for the famous 7km walk from Bray to Greystones, along the Irish Sea over Bray Head, as it is an amazing hike.
But you should know that the trail is completely closed to both tourists and locals now because of landslides that made the paths dangerous. Even worse, officials say it will stay
closed for another 36 months. So, please, skip this one for now.
Best Day Trips from Dublin Without a Car: Comparison List
If you want to compare your options, here is a quick list:
- Howth – Coastal hikes and fresh seafood. (DART, 30 mins)
- Malahide – Beautiful castle and quiet village atmosphere. (DART, 35 mins)
- Kilkenny – Medieval streets and a historic castle. (Train, 90 mins)
- Belfast – Titanic history and city contrast. (Train, 2 hours)
- Glendalough – Mountain lakes and ancient ruins. (Bus/Tour, 1.5 hours)
- Galway – Great pubs, live music, and west-coast energy. (Train/Bus, 3 hours)
- Boyne Valley – Ancient history and stone tombs. (Guided tour, 1 hour)
- Cliffs of Moher – Amazing scenery, but a brutal drive. (Coach, 7 hours round trip — better stay overnight)
Suggested Car-Free Day Trip Itineraries
Easy Half-Day Itinerary: Howth or Malahide
- Take DART from the city centre in the morning
- Walk the cliff path in Howth or explore the castle in Malahide
- Have lunch at the harbour (Howth) or a café in the village (Malahide)
- Go back on the DART to Dublin
Full-Day History Itinerary: Kilkenny
- Take an early train from Heuston Station (book it the day before!)
- Start at Kilkenny Castle, then walk the Medieval Mile up to St Canice's Cathedral
- Lunch at one of the pubs in town
- Try Smithwick's Experience after lunch, then a walk back slowly to the station
- Take the train back to Dublin
Nature Day Itinerary: Glendalough and Wicklow
- Use St. Kevin's Bus from St Stephen's Green
- Walk around the old monastic site and the lower lake when you get there
- Lunch at the small café on site
- Head up to the upper valley if you have time
- Take a bus back to Dublin in the late afternoon
Long City Day: Belfast or Galway
- Take an early train from Connolly Station (Belfast) or a coach from the city centre (Galway)
- Walk around the city
- Lunch in the Latin Quarter (Galway) or the Cathedral Quarter (Belfast)
- Visit the Titanic Museum or book a Black Taxi Tour
- Go back in the early evening
Practical Tips for Car-Free Travel from Dublin
- Tickets & Booking. DART needs no advance booking. But it is better to use a Leap Card, as it is cheaper and works across all public transport. Intercity trains require online advance booking through Irish Rail or Translink.
- Know which station you need. In Dublin, use Connolly for trains toward Belfast (arriving at Belfast Grand Central). Heuston station is for trips south and west to Kilkenny and Galway. Arriving at the wrong one may become an expensive and stressful mistake.
- Start early and check the last return times. If you don't want to be left without a ticket or standing in lines, remember that each trip on our list is best started early in the morning. And don’t forget to check the last return service before you leave Dublin (especially for Kilkenny).
- Dress in layers for coastal/mountain winds. Coastal and mountain places in Ireland can turn cold even in July. You will absolutely regret not bringing a windproof jacket.
FAQ: Day Trips from Dublin Without a Car
What is the easiest day trip from Dublin without a car?
Howth or Malahide can be reached on the DART in less than 40 minutes. Malahide is great for families with kids, and Howth is the better choice if you want to enjoy the ocean views and try the local catch of the day.
What is the best day trip from Dublin by train?
Kilkenny. It is about 90 minutes from Heuston Station and the whole city is easy to walk around. You can get the earliest train, and you have plenty of time there.
Can you visit Glendalough from Dublin without a car?
Yes. There is a bus called St. Kevin's Bus that leaves from St Stephen's Green every day and goes straight there. If you would rather join a tour, some options combine Glendalough with other places in Wicklow.
Is Galway worth a day trip from Dublin?
Yes, but it is a long day. The coach takes about 2.5 to 3 hours each way, so you need a full day there to make it worth it. If the Cliffs of Moher are on your list too, just stay a night in Galway and visit them the next day.
Is Belfast a good day trip from Dublin?
Absolutely. The Enterprise train gets you there. Give yourself the full day there, as it is one of those places that is much better when you are not rushing.
Can you visit the Cliffs of Moher from Dublin without a car?
You can, but it is difficult. The coach there and back takes 12–13 hours, and you only get about 90 minutes at the cliffs. So, take day trips from Dublin that are a lot easier.
Do you need a guided tour for day trips from Dublin?
For some places. The Boyne Valley is one of them because it is really hard to manage without a tour there. But for most trips like Kilkenny or Howth, you don't need one.
