Dublin - a vibrant European capital

Famous for it's cultural heritage, colourful nightlife, and of course, Guinness, Dublin is one of Europe's most exciting - and beautiful - riverside cities.

The best time to visit - festivals and parties

Weather wise, Dublin is similar to the rest of the British Isles, with a fairly mild and often wet climate. Visit in Spring to enjoy the parades and parties of St Patrick's Day on 17th March, or come in September for the Dublin Theatre Festival and Dublin Fringe Festival and soak up some culture and comedy as well as the last of the summer sun.

Tips before you travel - currency and budget

You won't need to waste time changing the clocks on all your devices when you arrive, because Dublin is in the same time zone as the UK. The centre of Dublin is small and simple to navigate, but to get your bearings when you arrive, head to the tourist information office in St. Andrew's church to pick up a map and directions to your hotel.

Dublin uses the euro, so be sure to change some currency before you go. How much you decide to take is up to you - Dublin is one of Ireland's more expensive cities, but it's comparatively cheaper than London, with a meal out averaging at 10 Euros. You'll be able to save on cultural attractions too, as entrance to national museums is free.

Local information - getting from A to B

Getting to central Dublin from the airport couldn't be simpler, with several bus services all serving the city centre. The Aircoach service runs every 15 minutes, reaching Dublin in 30 minutes for roughly a 9 euro single fare or 15 euro return. The Airlink 747 bus drops off in two central locations, Connolly Railway Station and Heuston Railway Station. The cost is approximately 6 euros for a single and 10 euros for a return ticket. Local buses 16, 41 and 102 will also get you into central Dublin.

Tourist accommodation in Dublin is plentiful and affordable, with a bed in a shared dorm in one of the city's many hostels costing approximately 12 euros a night, while bed and breakfast accommodation comes in at roughly 45 euros a night, and a three star hotel will cost about 80 euros a night on average.

The centre of Dublin is small enough to explore easily on foot, but there is an extensive bus and tram network serving the metropolitan area. Tickets are just over 2 euros for a single fare.