Make the most of your city break in Dublin and get one of four bus tours operated by Dublin Bus. This really is a great way to get around, you don’t have to worry about finding your way to attractions, simply sit back and the bus will take you there!
· City Tour
The Dublin City Tour takes in the main attractions like Trinity College, Temple Bar, Dublin Castle, Christchurch, the Guinness Storehouse, the Museum of Modern Art, Kilmainham Gaol, Dublin Zoo, Old Jameson Distillery and the Writer’s Museum to name a few.
In all, the sightseeing tour has 23 stops at different attractions, so you can jump off at the attractions that interest you and just get a glimpse of those that don’t.
The first bus leaves at 9.30 every morning. Between 9.30am and 3pm, buses leave every 10 minutes, and between 3pm and 5pm, they leave every 15 minutes with the last bus leaving at 5pm.
To help you choose what attractions to get off at, you’ll be provided with a very handy map of Dublin, showing the bus route, the stops and information on each attraction. Once on the bus you’ll have an entertaining tour guide.
Tickes for the city tour cost adults €14 and children €6 and it lasts for 24 hour only. Ticket holders will also receive some discounts at cetain attractions.
· North Coast & Castle
If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city for a day, then hop on the North Coast & Castle tour. On this tour, you’ll enjoy amazing coastal views from the comfort of the double decker sightseeing bus. This route (which takes approx 3 hours if you stay on the bus) takes in attractions like Casino Marino, Malahide Castle, Malahide Marina and Village, Portmarnock, Howth, Clontarf and North Bull Island.
Adult tickets cost €22 and children tickets cost €12. The tour leaves twice daily, 10am and 2pm. The best bit about this tour is that the entrance fee to Malahide Castle is included in the bill!
· South Coast & Gardens
Dublin Bay, yacht filled harbours, picturesque coastal towns and the Wicklow mountains provided breathtaking views on this tour.
If you’d like to visit Dun Laoghaire, Sandycove, Dalkey, Enniskerry, Powerscourt and Bray then this tour is for you. The highlight of this tour is a visit to Powercourt House & Gardens which was the scene for Mel Gibson’s ‘Braveheart’ and entry to Powerscourt Garden is included in the tour price.
The tour leaves daily at 1pm and costs €25. (adult), €12. (child). The route takes about 4.30 hours if you don’t get off the bus.
· Ghost Bus
For something a bit different, why not take the Ghost Bus tour - an enchanting and spellbinding tour of the city. This tour takes place in the dark of the evening and the bus itself is a unique attraction with its spooky atmosphere, haunting music and dimmed lights.
The tour guide tells scary stories between stops which include St. Kevin’s Park and Graveyard, St Audoen’s, the Forty Steps and the College of Physician’s. You’ll also learn more about Dublin born Bram Stoker - the creator of Dracula.
The tour takes just over 2 hours and starts from Monday to Thursday at 8pm. Fridays at 8pm and 8.30pm and at 7pm and 9.30pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
The Ghost Bus tour costs €25 per adult and is not suitable for children under 14 years.
All the tours start at number 59 on Upper O’Connell Street, which is the main street in the heart of the city. The City Tour bus can be joined at any stop.
So avoid the hassle of traffic jams and parking - just hop on the Dublin Bus sightseeing tour. For tickets and more information, log onto the Dublin Sightseeing website.
Have you been on any of these tours? How was your sightseeing experience on the tour? We’d love to hear what you have to say.
