The bus, tram and train system is an excellent way to see Dublin and her people. It's not too expensive, and tourist passes are available. However, there are daily commuter passes for bus and train which are sometimes much cheaper than the tourist packets - both Dublin Airport terminals have shops which sells all tickets. You can also check with a newsagent or with a train station. You might like to read my tips on using the Luas.

Getting to and from Dublin airport: The best option are the express coach services run by Dublin Bus, Dublin Bus AirLink and AirCoach; note that there is no rail link to the airport. For a complete list of services from the airport, see these helpful webpages. Top tip: On arriving at the airport visit the Tourist Information shops and buy a Leap Visitor card which allows travel on Dublin Bus services to the city centre, all Dublin Bus services as well as Luas (tram) and surburban rail (including DART). You can buy this in Terminal 1's Wrights shop situated in the car park - follow signs from T1 and it's inside the entrance on the left). You can also buy this ticket at Easons shop in Busarus (very helpful staff here) or Dublin Bus HQ on O'Connell Street.

The Visitor Leap card is valid for 24, 72 or 168 hours (1 day, 3 or 7 days). The 72-hour pass is excellent - if you, say, arrive on a Saturday afternoon and first tag it at 1400, you can still use it on a Tuesday morning and early afternoon (some city transport passes are counted in days, not hours, thus a three-day pass elsewhere from a Saturday would end on a Monday).

The cheapest way to travel into Dublin city centre from the airport is by the stopping Dublin bus, route 16 (to Ballinteer via O’Connell Street, southside) or route 41 (to Lower Abbey Street, off O’Connell Street). If you buy a ticket on the bus from the driver to the city centre, you must pay using coins (no notes) and there is no change given. If you go to the “Travel Information” on the ground floor of Terminal 1 (presume there is also one in T2), you can pay in a variety of way and get change To validate a Dublin bus ticket, firstly find the yellow machine situated just inside the bus (on the right, opposite the driver who is on your left). Hold the ticket against the machine until you hear a tone, and it then registers the ticket and starts the 90 minutes. You can buy this ticket in advance, but do check the “use by” date printed on the ticket (typically up to the following month)

Don’t use Dublin Bus routes 16 or 41 if you’re in a hurry to get to the airport from Dublin centre; opt for one of the express bus services instead that won’t pickup so frequently along the route (some take the Port Tunnel with no pickups). Transit times normally take about 45 minutes but in rush hour this can extend to an hour, despite the bus priority measures.

Drumcondra railway station is a very convenient way to catch the Dublin Bus airport routes 16 and 41 from an Irish Rail train service. In peak hours it can be difficult or impossible to board airport-bound services, since they are often full and standing from the city centre (the stop for northbound/airport services is almost right beside the station’s entrance/exit). This can also happen at weekends too where the services are not as frequent. To ensure passage on these buses to the airport using your Leap card, I recommend catching them in the centre of the city.

If you are travelling as a party of four people to the airport, then the taxis on O'Connell Street opposite the Aircoach stop offer a flat fare. Taxis in Dublin can use bus lanes, so it is probablythe fastest way to get to the airport.

One of the best and cheapest ways to see Dublin and environs is the DART. Not only is it one of the best ways to enjoy Dublin Bay but it is also a deep cultural experience; have a close encounter on a morning commuter DART, jostle with prams and shoppers up to 3pm and update all the latest swear and slang words after schools close at about 3.30-4pm before the evening rush (now the Commitments begins to make sense). It runs between Howth on the northside and Greystones in Co. Wicklow and has now been extended to Malahide. Travel through Kilbarrick [Roddy Doyle land and inspiration for The Snapper, The Commitments etc], Howth [Dodgy seafood but excellent pubs] and under Landsdowne Road stadium. See the martello towers along the south bay and setting for some of James Joyce's Ulysses. If you are a U2 fan leave the train at Killiney and head north [towards the city] along the Station road until you meet the other groupies outside Bono's house on Vico Road. You might also bump into racing drivers Eddie Irvine and Damon Hill who also live in the vicinity. If you pockets haven't been picked by the time you get to Bray, then go and lose it legally at the seafront amusement arcades.

A must-see is Kilmainham Jail (Gaol), a short bus or Luas ride [stop - Suir Road, Red line] from the city centre. Not only will you see a superbly preserved example of a Victorian jail, but this place was a defining moment in modern Irish history since it is the place where the leaders of the 1916 Rising against British occupation were executed.There is a small charge (Equiv. ST £2.80) and the Jail is open daily from April - Sept, daily except Saturday from Oct - March. Buses 51, 51B, 78 and 79. The nearby Royal Hospital Kilmainham is also worth a visit and few visitors make the effort to see the War Memorial Gardens in Islandbridge (about 10 - 15 mintutes walk from the Jail). The gardens are open during daylight and entrance is free - the design of Lutyens is well worth the effort in getting there.

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