Are you visiting Dublin for a couple of days and want to see everything the city has to offer? Perhaps you want to see Dublin from a different perspective? An open-top bus tour is a great way to experience the city’s attractions.
In Dublin, Ireland, hop-on hop-off tours are top-rated amongst local and international tourists. These tours are fantastic because they allow you to jump off at any of the many stops and explore the city at your leisure.
Perhaps you want to visit the Irish Museum of Modern Art or stroll through St Patrick’s Cathedral. After experiencing Dublin through the open-top bus, you will agree that it is one of Ireland’s most fascinating cities.
Whether you are traveling with a group, your family, or as a couple, the big bus in Dublin will promise tons of fun.
Highlights
- Learn more about Dublin’s famous landmarks
- Experience breathtaking views of the River Liffey and Phoenix Park
- Kids between 4 and 12 ride for free with an adult
Know before you book:
- The tours are wheelchair accessible
- An adult must accompany children
- You should carry your passport or ID card
The bus tours of Dublin are a delightful way to experience all the city has to offer while also enjoying the fresh air from the open-top bus. Getting a Dublin hop-on hop-off pass allows you the freedom to explore the city while also learning more about the area.
During the tours, a knowledgeable local guide provides exciting anecdotes and historical points of interest about the sites you pass. The guides ensure the tours are humorous, fun, and welcoming, making visitors feel at home.
Must-haves for Dublin Bus Tours:
- Comfortable shoes
- Snacks and drinks
- Your passport or ID card
- An umbrella or raincoat
The city takes on a different form with the hop-on hop-off in Dublin, Ireland. The buses run throughout the day, and you can simply jump on and off wherever you want. For most tours you can purchase a one- or two-day pass, so you can explore the city at your pace.
These tours afford you the ability to be flexible with your time. If it’s a sunny day out, you can choose to jump off near the Memorial Gardens and have a stroll through the rose bushes. Or, if you are traveling with your family, a stop at the Dublin Zoo might be just what you need.
Dublin is a city rich in culture and history. It is almost impossible to experience it all in a few days, but the hop-on hop-off bus tour of Dublin is the closest you will get to delving deeper into the city’s heritage. On a Dublin open-top bus tour, you are guaranteed to have fun.
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Hop-On Hop-Off Dublin Tour Prices 2024
The prices for Dublin’s hop-on hop-off tours range from €23 EURO ($25 USD) to €45 EUR ($48 USD), depending on the type of bus tour you want. Compare prices from the different ticket providers below.
Opening and Closing Times
Most Dublin bus tours run year-round as Dublin has a mild climate, although rain can occur. Starting times depend on specific tours and run throughout the day. Each tour allows you to purchase a 24, 48, or 72-hour pass so you can hop on and off at any tour stop.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Dublin is between March and May or September and November. Although Dublin is always crowded, it is less busy during these months. It is also not too cold, and you would likely only need a light jacket.
Here are some more seasonal details to help you decide when to go:
- Time of year- The best time to visit is spring and fall. These months aren’t too rainy, and you can see Dublin’s landmarks comfortably from the bus.
- Time of week- Early to mid-week for smaller crowds, but Fridays are fantastic if you want to also stop at a few pubs.
- Time of day- The tours run throughout the day and last one and a half hours. If you want to get the most out of Dublin, we recommend going before lunch.
Top Dublin Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour Options
There are different options for bus tours in Dublin. Some offer 24, 48 or 72-hour passes where you can hop on and off at any of the stops. Most tours provide live commentary in English about Dublin’s famous attractions and multilingual audio commentary.
We’ve listed two of the best Dublin hop-on hop-off experiences. These tours are the perfect way to explore Dublin at your own pace.
Dublin: City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-off Bus Tour
This tour offers unlimited hop-on hop-off opportunities with a 24-hour or 48-hour ticket. An audio commentary details the history and heritage of Dublin city, and, in the summer, live English commentary is provided by an expert guide.
If you don’t wish to hop off at any stop, you can choose to stay on the bus for a complete loop, which is one and a half hours long. The tour has more than 25 stops, including Dublin’s famous Guinness Storehouse. Another stop is the Writer’s Museum, devoted to famous Dublin wordsmiths like James Joyce and W.B. Yeats.
You have a good vantage point from the top of the bus to see the River Liffey. The river runs through central Dublin and is a fantastic sight, especially when the sun is out. You can experience the city from a different perspective with this open-top deck.
This tour is a good option if you want to get around Dublin quickly, and since it’s hop-on and hop-off, you can choose which sites you want to visit. Places like St Patrick’s Cathedral, Phoenix Park and O’Connell Street are highlights of this tour.
What we liked: The views from the top of the bus.
- An unlimited hop-on hop-off bus tour for 1 or 2 days
- Live commentary in English or multilingual audio commentary
- Discounts on some local tours and attractions
- Tips
- Food and drinks
- Entry fees to attractions
Big Bus Dublin Open-top, Hop-on Hop-off Live Guided Sightseeing Tour
If you want city sightseeing in Dublin, this tour is the best option. The tour has 25 stops and 40 points of interest, including the Dublin Zoo and the iconic Trinity College. You have the option to purchase a 24-, 48-, or 72-hour ticket, which allows you unlimited hop-on and hop-off.
Explore Dublin’s Memorial Gardens, which boasts a sunken rose garden and visually appealing Irish architecture. Or perhaps take a picture with the famous Oscar Wilde monument in Merrion Square. If historical architecture is more appealing to you, jump off at O’Connell Street.
If you take the red route, your Dublin bus tour will be hosted by a local guide. The tour takes you around Dublin and gives you information on places of historical significance. Of note is Dublin Castle, a major government complex, and Jameson Distillery on Bow Street.
This hop-on hop-off bus in Dublin is a great way to get your bearings around the city and learn a little bit more about its deep history. If you prefer to see Dublin in its nocturnal glory, the bus runs late so you can have an exciting night tour. Night tours over the weekend are particularly exciting as you get to see Dubliners out and join in their festivities.
What we liked: The knowledgeable and humorous guide.
- Live on-board commentary (on the Red Route)
- A free guided walking tour
- One child rides free with every adult
- Pick up and drop off to and from your hotel
- Food and drinks
These bus tours are a great way to see the highlights of Dublin in one day. You will see the city from a different perspective and learn a little more about its rich history. We love the knowledgeable guides and their hilarious anecdotes. Dublin bus tours are superb if you want to be more flexible with your time in the city. - Wheelchair accessible
- Kids often ride for free
- Live or audio commentary provided
- It doesn’t include entrance fees to attractions
- Food and drinks not provided
- No hotel pick up and drop off
Specification: Dublin Open Top Bus Tour | Best of Hop-on, Hop-off Dublin
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Kelly_G –
We could not find the actual bus stops, although we walked to plenty of places where they should have been. No service. Skip this “tour.”. It is a to ripoff. Take the red bus instead.
Kelly_G –
We could not find the actual bus stops, although we walked to plenty of places where they should have been. No service. Skip this “tour.”. It is a to ripoff. Take the red bus instead.
Kelly_G –
We could not find the actual bus stops, although we walked to plenty of places where they should have been. No service. Skip this “tour.”. It is a to ripoff. Take the red bus instead.
Kelly_G –
We could not find the actual bus stops, although we walked to plenty of places where they should have been. No service. Skip this “tour.”. It is a to ripoff. Take the red bus instead.