The Ultimate Dublin Solo Travel Guide

Planning a solo trip to Dublin? Here’s everything you need to know for your visit:

QUICK FACTS

Founded in 841 by Vikings, Dublin is the capital of Ireland (population: 1.5 million).
Has 2 names: Baile Átha Cliath (“town of the hurled ford”) and Dubhlinn (black pool).
Home of many famous artists, musicians, actors, and writers (including George Bernard Shaw, James Joyce, Bram Stoker, and Oscar Wilde).
Nicknames: The Dubs, The Liffeysiders, The Jackeens, The Jacks, The Metropolitans, The Pale, The Big Schmoke (referring to the city’s smog problems up to the 1980s).

Currency: Euro (EUR).
Spoken languages: official languages are Irish and Gaelic, but almost everyone speaks English.
Best time to visit: July to August (when temperatures range from 15° to 20° Celsius).
Arriving from the airport: 3 types of bus transport: Aircoach (€7), Dublin Bus express AirLink service (€6), and other local routes (€2.65, with more frequent stops). Taxi fare is €20 to €30.

Best hostel for solo travelers in Dublin: Jacobs Inn. Located right by the bus station (and close to the city centre) in a safe area, this is a cozy establishment with clean beds and friendly staff. Cool “sleeping pod” bed design. Book in advance, as room prices in Dublin are notoriously high for any kind of accommodation.
The cheapest accommodations are found near Dublin’s main bus station, Busaras.
The areas south of the river are more expensive.

Light rail (LUAS) runs from 5.30 AM to 12.30 AM, every 15 minutes (every 5 minutes during peak times). Fares range from €1.70 to €2.60, depending on travel zones used.
Dublin’s train services (Dublin Area Rapid Transit or DART), run from 6.30 AM to midnight with departures every 10 to 20 minutes. A one-way ticket starts from €2.10. A return day trip to Belfast will run you €8.00.
You can easily rent a bicycle from one of the many bikeshare stations. Free for the first 30 minutes, and an additional €0.50 for every half hour after. Subscribe online and buy either the 1-day or 3-day ticket (dublinbikes official site).
Taxis can be found on every corner (there are over 25,000 registered cabs in Dublin). Call City Cabs (872 7272) or National Radio Cabs (677 2222).

Drinking age is 18 (not enforced, under 18s are allowed in bars until 8 PM and after with an adult). Last call is midnight, but you can find bars and clubs open until 2.30 AM.
Hip scene: the famous Temple Bar has a well-established nightlife scene, and is the mecca for bars and clubs in Dublin.
For a real local pub experience, go to the Merrion Row and Baggot Street areas.
Opened in 1198, The Brazen Head is allegedly the oldest pub in Ireland. Very touristy, but a good stop nonetheless.
Great pubs/bars for solo travelers: Fibber Magees (rock/metal), Cassidys (classic), Bruxelles (fancier), Thomas House (beer hall), Token (arcade games), Anseo, and P. Mac’s (gastropub).

Trinity College. Be sure to check out the Book of Kells (in the Long Room Library), a sacred manuscript authored by Celtic Monks in 800 AD. It is an illustrated representation of the four gospels of the New Testament.
Christ Church Cathedral – the oldest building in Dublin, dating back to the 11^th century. Entry fee of €6 (€4 for students).
Must-sees: The National Museum, National Gallery and National Library. Admission is free to all three.
The Dublin Writers Museum is dedicated to James Joyce, George Bernard Shaw, and many others. The tour is €7.25.
Stop by the Guinness Storehouse and Old Jameson Distillery – be sure to raise your hand when they are picking volunteers for a tasting!
Founded in 1204 for defence purposes, the Dublin Castle is now an Irish government complex. The tour is €4.50 (€3.50 for students).

Go on an evening gravedigger and ghost bus tour. Perfect as an introduction to the city’s infamous plague epidemic.
Walk around the Oscar Wilde house and statue, found at the corner of Merrion Square (across from Merrion Park).
Day trip out of Dublin: take a bus out to the Wicklow mountains and Ireland’s Valley of the Kings. Discover the beautiful countryside, where a historic and mystical area awaits. Visit Giant’s Causeway, with its incredible geometric rock formations. Be sure to check out the famous rope bridge at Carrick-a-Rede.

Irish people are known for their humour, and you will notice that they never seem to be in a hurry.
You can test your Gaelic Football & Hurling skills at the Croke Park Experience.
Great restaurants to try: Terra Madre (cozy Italian), Grano (Italian), Etto ($$ – European), Variety Jones (Irish), allta restaurant, Camden Kitchen, F.X. Buckley Steakhouse ($$$ – multiple locations),
Where to find good cheap eats: Indian restaurants around South William Street area serve three course meals for cheap. Parnell Street has a dense concentration of Chinese and Asian restaurants. Affordable (yet delicious) places: Takara Ramen & Deli Sushi Bar, Sano Pizza, and Xian Street Food Dublin, Forno 500 (pizza), and Suesey Street ($$$).
Dangerous areas: Ireland has a low crime rate, and the murder rate is lower than any other EU state. Avoid the Temple Bar area at night (gets rowdy).
Call 999 or 112 for police, fire or ambulance.

Recommended trip duration: 2-3 days