Visiting Dublin

Dublin is an interesting city which can be reached quickly by plane from airports in the UK.

There is a lot to see from the cobbled, pub-lined streets of Temple Bar to the imposing Dublin Castle. The home of The Black Stuff - The Guinness Storehouse - is not to be missed, and the boutique shops of Loft Market are a must-see as well.

When is the best time to visit Dublin?

Dublin can be visited year round - the temperature is always mild but don't forget to pack an umbrella because it rains a great deal.

The biggest festival in Dublin is St Patrick's Day which is celebrated on the 17th March every year. The city gets really crowded and there are parades and parties, and Dublin Castle is lit up with green lights.

Dublin Fringe Festival takes place in September and shows off live art, performances, dance and visual art over a two week period.

How to get the most out of your trip to Dublin

The currency in Dublin is the Euro, and with ATMs on every corner it's easy to withdraw cash. When planning what to do in the city, head to the tourist information office in St. Andrew's Church where there are maps, timetables and recommendations about what to see and when. Generally, Dublin is considered to be an expensive city, but the national museums and galleries are free to enter.

Finding a place to stay in the city is easy, but the room rates can be high. Hostel accommodation is the cheapest at around EUR12 per night, with Bed and Breakfasts costing roughly EUR45 per person. Expect to pay about EUR80 per person;per night for a stay in a 3 star hotel.

The cost of getting around Dublin

The city can easily be explored on foot. When it comes to using public transport, there is an extensive bus and tram system with a single ticket costing around EUR2.20. Leap Cards are rechargeable cards which save around 10-18% on fares, so for frequent use, getting one of these is advisable. Taxis are a bit more expensive than they are in London with cross city fares costing roughly EUR6 to EUR10.

To get from Dublin Airport to the city, there is an express bus every 15 minutes costing approximately EUR9 for a single or EUR15 return which takes 30 minutes. The Airlink 747 bus service runs to Dublin Connolly Railway Station and Heuston Railway Station and tickets are around EUR6 for a single or EUR10 return.