These Are the 12 Best Ireland Bus Tours from Dublin
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What better way to explore the Emerald Isle than by hopping on one of these Ireland bus tours from Dublin?
Ireland is a country that should be on every traveler’s bucket list. Renowned for its lush green landscapes, warm hospitality, and rich history – it’s brimming with reasons to visit.
I was lucky enough to study abroad in Dublin and was able to take a few bus tours during my time there!
This small island certainly packs a punch, and each region holds unique attractions. This makes it challenging to choose just one area to visit – which is where Ireland bus tours from Dublin come in.
By adding a few bus tours to your itinerary, you can be sure not to miss out on experiencing the real Ireland.
The many Ireland bus tours on offer boast carefully curated itineraries, encompassing some of the country’s best landscapes and attractions. Choosing a bus tour is a surefire way to get the most out of your Ireland trip.
Best Bus Tours from Dublin in Ireland
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Northern Ireland Highlights Day Trip Including Giant’s Causeway from Dublin
✅ Explore Belfast
✅ Visit Giants Causeway
✅ Visit Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
Cliffs of Moher Tour Including Wild Atlantic Way and Galway City from Dublin
✅ See the Cliffs of Moher
✅ Drive part of the Wild Atlantic Way
✅ Visit Burren National Park
Kilkenny, Wicklow Mountains, Glendalough, Sheep Dog Trials, Day Trip from Dublin
✅ Visit Kilkenny Castle
✅ Drive the Wicklow Gap
✅ Guided walk of Wicklow Mountains National Park
Ireland Bus Tours from Dublin
Northern Ireland Highlights Day Trip Including Giant’s Causeway from Dublin
⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 13.5 hours | ✅ Book it!
Northern Ireland absolutely should not be missed on your Ireland adventure, and this bus tour is a great way of experiencing its highlights. This 13-hour day tour sets off from Dublin and will start by taking you on a 2-hour drive to Belfast.
Here, you’ll jump into a black cab for a Belfast tour led by a guide who grew up in this city during the ‘troubles’ (the Northern Ireland conflict).
The tour will take you through the neighborhoods that were at the heart of the conflict, as well as the famous peace wall, and along the way, you’ll listen to tales of this city’s bloody past.
There is the option to swap the black cab tour for a visit to the Titanic Dock and Pump House, the site where the ship was constructed before beginning its tragic journey.
The Titanic Experience, situated next door, is a fantastic museum containing artifacts from the ill-fated ship, as well as many interactive exhibitions.
Next, you’ll head to the UNESCO World Heritage sight of the Giants Causeway. This natural wonder is a true sight to behold, and learning about the mythology surrounding the causeway is fascinating.
Test your bravery by crossing the nearby Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, suspended 100 feet over the fierce Irish Sea.
All admission costs are included in this trip, and the onboard guides are informative and will keep you entertained throughout the day.
⭐ Click here to book this tour! ⭐
Cliffs of Moher Tour Including Wild Atlantic Way and Galway City from Dublin
⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 13 hours | ✅ Book it!
The Wild Atlantic Way is a popular trail covering the entire east coast of Ireland, taking in some of the country’s most breathtaking scenery. The road is windy in many parts, and conditions can be treacherous, thanks to Ireland’s unpredictable weather.
This means that driving the Wild Atlantic Way as a self-guided trip can be a stressful experience, and you’re likely to spend more time looking at maps than appreciating the magnificent views.
There are many Ireland tour packages that cover this route, and a bus tour of the area means all hassle is removed – instead, you can sit back and take in the epic beauty in comfort.
The Cliffs of Moher Tour takes you through the most scenic spots along the Wild Atlantic Way, and you’re given free time to explore the magnificent cliffs at your own pace.
The trip also makes a stop at Burren National Park, famed for its thousands of archaeological sites and rocky landscapes.
Your final stop will be Galway City, where you’ll enjoy a 30-minute introductory tour before spending a few hours exploring this waterfront paradise on your own accord.
Wandering around Galway’s brightly colored buildings and sampling fresh local cuisine is an experience not to be missed!
The day trip lasts for around 13 hours, and your local guide will share their knowledge of the Irish countryside as you pass each stop.
There’s even Wi-Fi on board the coach, so you can keep your Instagram followers updated with all the incredible things you see throughout the day.
⭐ Click here to book this tour! ⭐
Kilkenny, Wicklow Mountains, Glendalough, Sheep Dog Trials, Day Trip from Dublin
⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 10 hours | ✅ Book it!
This bus tour will take you on a journey exploring Ireland’s mythical folklore and stunning medieval architecture. You’ll start at Kilkenny Castle, an 800-year-old Castle founded soon after the Norman occupation of Ireland.
After spending time exploring this remarkable site, you’ll head to a working sheep farm where you’ll watch sheepdog trials and learn how these dogs heard the farm’s animals.
Getting an opportunity to visit a working Irish farm isn’t part of the usual tourist trail, and this is just one of the things that makes this bus tour a great choice.
After this, you’ll drive through one of the highest mountain passes in Ireland – the Wicklow Gap. This road is nestled between rugged green hills, and the scenery is breathtaking. Make sure to pack your camera!
This area was used as a filming location for ‘Braveheart’ and ‘P.S. I love you’; it’s one of the most stunning spots in Ireland.
The nearby Wicklow Mountains National Park is your next stop, and here, you’ll enjoy a two-hour guided walk that takes in impressive views across the dramatic mountain range.
From here, you’ll head to the Glendalough Monastic Settlement. This early Christian settlement was founded in the 6th century, and your guide will walk you through the church ruins and ancient graveyards while recounting folklore tales.
The mystical energy in this place makes it a truly special environment to explore.
This 10-hour day trip is one of the best Ireland bus tours from Dublin for anyone interested in delving into Ireland’s mystical history while also soaking up some of the country’s best natural wonders.
⭐ Click here to book this tour! ⭐
Small-Group Wicklow, Powerscourt, and Glendalough Day Tour from Dublin
⭐️ RATING: 4.5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 8 hours | ✅ Book it!
One of the downsides to bus tours is that traveling in a large group can come with downsides.
Larger queues for attractions, not being able to ask your guide all your questions, and people getting in the way of your pictures – these are all things that sometimes happen in a large group.
This Ireland bus tour from Dublin is the perfect trip if you’re worried about these problems. With a guaranteed maximum of 16 people, this is a great way of experiencing all the perks of bus tour travel without any of the downsides.
You’ll have plenty of exploration time at each spot, making it the perfect tour for the more independent traveler.
This 8-hour trip starts and ends in Dublin and makes seven stops. Your first stop is the Molly Malone statue, and then you’ll drive to Powerscourt House and Gardens. These gardens are voted 3rd best gardens in the world by National Geographic!
Next, you’ll head to the charming Enniskerry Village Square. Traveling as part of a small group means you get to visit more local attractions, and Enniskerry Village Square is somewhere that larger group tours don’t tend to visit.
Next, you’ll spend an hour driving through the Wicklow Mountains National Park, stopping at all the noteworthy points along the way, such as the Guinness estate and Sally Gap.
You’ll visit the bridge used for filming in P.S. I Love You before heading to the beautiful Lough Tay, also known as Guinness Lake. Guinness Lake is where the series ‘Vikings’ was created, and the view over the lake is one of Ireland’s most spectacular.
Finally, you’ll head to the Glendalough Monastic Settlement, where you’ll have time to explore the beautiful valley and all its ruins.
This is an excellent Ireland bus tour from Dublin as you get to escape the city for a few hours and explore rural Ireland without having to spend too much time on the road – all of the stops are relatively close to one another.
⭐ Click here to book this tour! ⭐
Titanic Belfast Experience, Giant’s Causeway, Dunluce Castle Day Trip from Dublin
⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 13 hours | ✅ Book it!
Game of Thrones fans won’t want to miss this Northern Ireland bus tour. You’ll board the bus in Dublin for a 2-hour drive up to Belfast, where you’ll head straight to the Titanic Belfast Experience.
This world-class attraction delves into Belfast’s role in the Titanic’s history and features nine interactive galleries, where visitors will be immersed in the sights and smells of the ship.
Here, you’ll hear stories of life aboard the Titanic and learn about the people who made her – in the very place you stand.
Following this, you’ll head to the 500-year-old Dun Luce Castle. This iconic castle is located on a cliff edge, towering high above the wild Atlantic Ocean – making it one of the most dramatic views in the country.
It was used as a filming location in Game of Thrones, and fans of the show will recognize it instantly.
Your final stop will be at the Giant’s Causeway, one of Ireland’s most famous landmarks. You’ll have 2 hours to explore this magical site before returning to Dublin.
All entry admissions are included in this bus tour, making it a very convenient day out. The day trip is 13 hours long and suitable for all age groups.
⭐ Click here to book this tour! ⭐
Celtic Boyne Valley Day Trip from Dublin
⭐️ RATING: 4.5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 10 hours | ✅ Book it!
This is one of the best bus tours in Ireland for history lovers. Ireland has a rich history, and on this trip, you’ll travel more than 5000 years back in time as you explore some of the country’s most significant historical sites.
The 10-hour-long tour will start and end in Dublin. Your first stop is the famous Hill of Tara, the most sacred ancient site in Ireland. You’ll have an hour to explore this giant mound, which is where the high kings of Ireland watched and ruled over the country.
A quarter of the country can be viewed atop this hill on a clear day – it’s a pretty special place.
Next up is Trim, an Anglo-Norman castle that is the largest of its type in Ireland. Admission here is included, and your guide will teach you all about the history and significance of the castle.
It has been remarkably well preserved and is surrounded by stunning scenery, and you’ll spend an hour taking it in in all its glory.
Following this, you’ll go to Loughcrew Cairns, a passage of 5000 Neolithic burial tombs which are filled with ancient rock art.
The next stop is the nearby Fore Abbey, a fascinating area home to 7 wonders – the monastery in the bog, the mill without a race, the water that flows uphill, the tree that has three branches/the tree that won’t burn, the water that won’t boil, the anchorite in a stone and the stone raised by St Fechin’s prayers. Pretty impressive!
This is a fantastic day out, offering the chance to delve into ancient Ireland without spending the night away from the city.
⭐ Click here to book this tour! ⭐
Afternoon Tea Bus Tour in Dublin
⭐️ RATING: 4.5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 1.5 hours | ✅ Book it!
Vintage Tea Trips offer a bus tour with a twist. This hour-and-a-half-long journey is a unique way to see Dublin while sitting in the comfort of a cozy vintage bus, listening to the sounds of smooth jazz and nibbling on divine freshly baked goods.
There is no structured commentary on the bus, but the friendly tour escorts create a warm and sociable atmosphere among the passengers. You’ll pass all the best sites in downtown Dublin and listen to the team as they share their favorite Dublin stories.
This trip is a great way to spend an afternoon and is a fun way to experience this quirky city.
⭐ Click here to book this tour! ⭐
Blarney Castle Day Tour from Dublin Including Rock of Cashel & Cork City
⭐️ RATING: 4.5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 12 hours | ✅ Book it!
This is a great bus tour from Dublin that explores the highlights of County Cork and County Tipperary.
The first stop is the Rock of Cashel, famous as one of Ireland’s most important historical sites. This cluster of medieval buildings is home to a vast collection of Celtic artwork, and its medieval architecture is renowned as some of the best in Europe.
The buildings perch atop a hill and overlook quintessentially Irish rolling green hills. You’ll have an hour to spend here, and admission is included in the ticket.
Next, you’ll have an hour and a half to explore the city of Cork. There is no guided tour here, so you can spend your time as you please, and you certainly won’t struggle to find things to do in Cork!
The buzzing city contains a truly vibrant Irish atmosphere and is a foodie’s paradise.
After your time in Cork, the next stop is the famous Blarney Castle. This beautiful castle is famous in Irish legend – the Irish have been kissing the Blarney Stone for centuries, and it’s believed that by kissing the stone, you’ll receive the ‘gift of the gab’… otherwise known as seven years of eloquent speech. Maybe there’s some truth in it – the Irish are great storytellers!
This 12-hour tour is a must for history lovers, as it journeys around some of Ireland’s most impressive historical landmarks.
⭐ Click here to book this tour! ⭐
Dublin: Cliffs of Moher, Kilmacduagh Abbey, Wild Atlantic Way, and Galway
⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 12.5 hours | ✅ Book it!
This West Ireland tour covers the same stops as the above Cliffs of Moher tour, but it also includes an additional stop that is exclusive to this tour operator. Kilmacduagh monastery is a 1000-year-old ruin and graveyard and is one of Ireland’s best collections of monastic buildings.
During your visit, you’ll spend time exploring the 12th-century round tower as well as the ruins and graveyard. The area is surrounded by Ireland’s famous verdant green hills and here you’ll spot more cows than you will people!
The tour is 12 and a half hours long and includes all admission fees, as well as fantastic live commentary, which will teach you everything there is to know about Ireland’s wild and enchanting west.
⭐ Click here to book this tour! ⭐
Dublin Mountain Pub Tour
⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 5 hours | ✅ Book it!
Ireland is famous for its pubs, and for good reason – you’d be hard-pressed to find a country with more charming and atmospheric watering holes.
The best way to experience Ireland’s pubs is by visiting with a local. This Ireland bus tour from Dublin is hosted by a local guide, meaning you can do just that!
You’ll venture into the mountains of Dublin and tour three different pubs, and your guide will share his knowledge and stories with you at each spot. The tour is 5 hours long, so you’ll have ample drinking time in each.
The best part is that you don’t have to worry about being the designated driver as you’re on a bus tour! This trip is a fantastic way to experience Dublin’s pubs.
The places you’ll visit are real local pubs, rather than the touristy ones you’re likely to find in the city center. Each pub is located in a scenic mountain setting, and you can expect to find live traditional music at each spot.
The Irish are an incredibly friendly and welcoming bunch, so expect to meet some fantastic people and enjoy brilliant conversation along the way.
⭐ Click here to book this tour! ⭐
Dublin Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
⭐️ RATING: 4.5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 1 hour 45 minutes | ✅ Book it!
If you’re a seasoned city-hopper, you’ll be no stranger to seeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tours. These cheery red double-decker buses can be found in most cities around the world, and they’re an excellent way to see all the sights and learn along the way.
Dublin has multiple tour providers offering Hop-On and Hop-Off tickets, each of which allows you to explore the city at your own pace.
On board, you’ll receive an audio guide with an informative commentary of each sight you pass, along with interesting facts about the city.
These buses all follow a similar route around Dublin’s most popular attractions, including everything from the iconic National Gallery to the world-renowned Temple Bar.
Your ticket is usually valid for 24 hours and allows you to get off at each site you want to explore and skip the ones you aren’t interested in.
Many of the tour providers (such as Big Bus Dublin) also include a free walking tour within the ticket, led by a local historian who takes you to some of the lesser-known sites in areas the bus can’t reach.
This bus tour is the perfect way to get the most out of the city without the additional expense and stress of navigating transport yourself.
⭐ Click here to book this tour! ⭐
Game of Thrones – Winterfell Trek from Dublin
⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 11 hours | ✅ Book it!
Thanks to its stunning scenery and out-of-this-world nature, Ireland has been used in countless film and television productions over the years.
Some Ireland tour packages offer trips that bring these cinematic worlds to life, and this Winterfell Trek is an absolute must-do for fans of Game of Thrones.
The tour starts when you board the bus in Dublin, where you’ll be given a cloak to wear for the tour – you’ll be feeling like a member of House Stark in no time!
Along the way to visit filming locations from the series, you’ll stop at some of Northern Ireland’s most scenic locations, like Tollymore Forest Park and Strangford Lough.
Then, you’ll arrive at Old Castle Ward, which was the location of Winterfell in series 1. The tour is led by guides who were extras in the series, and they’ll lead you on a walking tour of areas like Walder Frey’s Twins and Robb Stark’s camp in the Riverlands.
The guides will share tales of their experience during filming, and you’ll even get to watch special behind-the-scenes footage on tablets. The final stop is Inch Abbey, the 12th-century ruins where Robb Stark became king in the North.
This trip is an incredible experience for fans of the series, and when surrounded by the ethereal forests and medieval ruins of Ireland, it’s impossible not to feel like you’re in Winterfell.
⭐ Click here to book this tour! ⭐
Final Thoughts: Ireland Bus Tours from Dublin
As you can see, there are multiple incredible Ireland bus tours from Dublin. Traveling in this way enables you to maximize your time in the Emerald Isle and discover all the best sites without the headache of organizing your own tour.
The only problem with bus tours in Ireland is… which one to choose?!
