From ancient architecture and priceless artwork to Irish whiskey tours and captivating nightlife, the list of exciting things to see and do in Dublin is endless. If you’re looking to experience as much as you can in a short time, there’s nothing like a hop-on hop-off bus tour in Dublin. Read on for a detailed guide to a few fantastic Dublin tour bus companies offering hop-on hop-off experiences.
These are the best hop-on hop-off buses in Dublin:
- DoDublin Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
- City Sightseeing Dublin Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
- Big Bus Dublin Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
How Do Dublin Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tours Work?
Hop-on hop-off bus tours make their way along a predetermined route, stopping at the area’s most popular tourist attractions. You can either remain on the bus for the full route to enjoy a sightseeing tour or get off at any of the stops, hopping back on when you’re ready to head to the next attraction. Most tours have live guides and/or digital commentary, and many even include a free walking tour of the city.
You’ll have the option to purchase one-, two-, and even three-day tickets, which allow you to ride the bus and hop on and off as many times as you like for the duration of your ticket.
Best Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tours in Dublin
DoDublin Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
DoDublin offers comprehensive hop-on hop-off tours that cover the entire city center and include a free walking tour and free entry to The Little Museum of Dublin. Discounted rates are available for students and senior citizens, and children ride free with the purchase of one adult ticket. All of the buses feature open tops, making this company a great choice for a double-decker bus tour in Dublin.
Routes of the DoDublin Bus Tour in Dublin
DoDublin tours travel along one 26-stop route that hits all of the city’s top attractions.
- Duration: 1 hour, 45 minutes
- Frequency: Every 20-30 minutes
- First bus: 9 a.m.
- Last bus: 5 p.m.
- Stops: O’Connell Street (Dublin Bus Head Office), Parnell Square North, O’Connell Street (Abbey Street junction), Nassau Street, Merrion Square West, Merrion Street Upper, St. Stephen’s Green, Leinster Street South, Westland Row, Pearse Street, College Green, Dame Street, Cork Hill, Christchurch Place, St. Patrick’s Close, Newmarket Square (Teeling), St. James’s Gate (Guinness Storehouse), James’s Street (Roe & Co.), Irish Museum of Modern Art and Royal Hospital Kilmainham, St. John’s Road, Phoenix Park and Dublin Zoo, Parkgate Street, Collins Barracks, Arran Quay, Ormond Quay, Bachelors Walk
Map of the DoDublin Bus Tour in Dublin
Tickets for the DoDublin Bus Tour in Dublin
- The 24-Hour Ticket includes hop-on hop-off access for 24 hours and costs $31.93. Purchase tickets or learn more.
- The 48-Hour Ticket includes hop-on hop-off access for 48 hours and costs $37.26. Purchase tickets or learn more.
Buy DoDublin Hop-On Hop-Off Tickets Now
City Sightseeing Dublin Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
City Sightseeing is another great tour bus company in Dublin, featuring modern buses with spacious top decks from which you can enjoy panoramic views. All tickets include a free walking tour, and up to two children can ride free with each adult ticket purchased.
Routes of the City Sightseeing Bus Tour in Dublin
City Sightseeing buses travel along one route, which makes over 25 stops at the most popular monuments and attractions.
- Duration: 1 hour, 45 minutes
- Frequency: Every 45-60 minutes
- First bus: 9:15 a.m.
- Last bus: 5 p.m.
- Stops: Irish Whiskey Museum, Trinity College, Book of Kells, Dublin Castle, City Hall, Christ Church Cathedral, Dublinia Viking Museum, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Marsh’s Library, Teeling Whiskey Distillery, The Dublin Liberties Distillery, The Vaults, Guinness Storehouse, Pearse Lyons Distillery, Irish Museum of Modern Art and Kilmainham Gaol, Heuston Station, Phoenix Park and Dublin Zoo, Parkgate Street, Collins Barracks, National Museum of Decorative Arts & History, Smithfield Square, Jameson Distillery, Temple Bar, Irish Rock ’N’ Roll Museum, Dublin Writers Museum, Hugh Lane Gallery, Garden of Remembrance, O’Connell Street, General Post Office, Abbey Theatre, EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum, The Jeanie Johnston, Samuel Beckett Bridge, The Convention Centre Dublin, 3Arena, Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, Grand Canal Dock, U2 Studio, Shelbourne Park, Merrion Square, National Museum of Natural History, National Gallery of Ireland, St. Stephen’s Green, The Little Museum of Dublin, Museum of Literature Ireland, Mansion House and St. Ann’s Church on Dawson Street
Map of the City Sightseeing Bus Tour in Dublin
Tickets for the City Sightseeing Tour in Dublin
- The 24-Hour Ticket includes hop-on hop-off access for 24 hours and costs $30.87. Purchase tickets or learn more.
- The 48-Hour Ticket includes hop-on hop-off access for 48 hours and costs $39.39. Purchase tickets or learn more.
Buy City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Tickets Now
Big Bus Dublin Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
Big Bus tours in Dublin are popular and affordable, and they include free walking tours of the city. All adult tickets come with one free child ticket.
Routes of the Big Bus Tour in Dublin
Big Bus’ open-top buses in Dublin run along a single central route, which features 25 stops and offers live guides and digital commentary in eight languages.
- Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes
- Frequency: Every 20-30 minutes
- First bus: 9 a.m.
- Last bus: 5 p.m.
- Stops: O’Connell Street Upper, Nassau Street, Leinster Street, National Gallery of Ireland, Merrion Square, St. Stephen’s Green, College Green, Dame Street and Temple Bar, Dublin Castle, Christ Church Cathedral, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Teeling Whiskey Distillery, Guinness Storehouse, Pearse Lyons Distillery, Irish Museum of Modern Art and Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Heuston Station, Parkgate Street West, Phoenix Park, Parkgate Street East, National Museum of Decorative Arts & History, Arran Quay, Bachelors Walk, Parnell Square North
Map of the Big Bus Tour in Dublin
Tickets for the Big Bus Tour in Dublin
- The 24-Hour Classic Ticket includes hop-on hop-off access for 24 hours and a Yellow Umbrella walking tour. These tickets cost $28.74. Purchase tickets or learn more.
- The 48-Hour Premium Ticket includes hop-on hop-off access for 48 hours, a guided walking tour, and a panoramic night tour. These tickets cost $38.32. Purchase tickets or learn more.
- The 72-Hour Deluxe Ticket includes hop-on hop-off access for 72 hours, a guided walking tour, a panoramic night tour, and a half-day coastal tour. These tickets cost $57.48. Purchase tickets or learn more.
Buy Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tickets Now
Recommendation: If you want to save some money by bundling your hop-on hop-off bus tour with entry tickets to popular Dublin attractions, you may be interested in the Go City All-Inclusive Pass. You can choose a one-, two-, three-, four-, or five-day pass, which cost $79, $109, $129, $154, and $164 respectively. Passes include a 24-hour Big Bus ticket and entrance to over 35 of the city’s most popular attractions.
Benefits of a Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour in Dublin
Although Dublin is a relatively small city, it is jampacked with exciting things to see and do. Even the seasoned traveler is at risk of being overwhelmed by the never-ending list of must-see attractions. Hop-on hop-off buses offer a fun and affordable way to see the city, making sure you hit all of the must-see spots along the way.
These convenient tour buses in Dublin map out the route and stops for you, saving you the time of getting your bearings in a new city. They also provide fun facts and historical context for the many sights and stops along the way. The nature of the tickets means you can choose where to spend your time once you have a bit more information about each attraction.
The modern buses feature two floors and open tops that provide panoramic views of the city. They are typically cleaner than public transportation and more affordable than taxis. You can even bundle hop-on hop-off bus tour tickets with passes to various attractions, which can save you quite a bit of money.
Tips for Taking a Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour in Dublin
To help you effortlessly hop-on hop-off in Dublin, we recommend following these tips:
- If you have time, consider riding along the entire bus route before making any stops. This gives you a sense of the city’s various neighborhoods and helps you decide which attractions you’re most interested in seeing.
- If you purchase a one-day ticket, hop on as early as you can and avoid rush hours to get the most out of the tour.
- Read through your selected tour’s timetable and list of stops before heading out, and keep a copy with you so you’re ready to hop off at your desired stops.
- Since hop-on hop-off buses in Dublin have open tops, take note of the weather before heading out. It’s always a good idea to bring water if the tour company doesn’t provide it, and bring an extra layer in case it gets windy or chilly up top.
We hope this guide catches you up on the best sightseeing bus tours in Dublin. Whether you’re settling in for a while or just stopping by for a few days, you can’t go wrong with a hop-on hop-off bus tour in Dublin.
Comments