Hop On Hop Off Dublin - Bus Tours

Dublin's main sights are spread across a city that's compact enough to walk but large enough for getting between attractions to take time. A Dublin city bus tour route makes it easier to connect different parts of the city without having to plan every journey around public transport.

The main sightseeing routes run throughout the day, with full loops taking between approximately 1 hour 45 minutes and 2 hours 20 minutes, depending on the route. Buses generally run every 20–30 minutes on the main routes, although the Docklands route operates approximately once an hour.

The main daytime sightseeing options include:

Red Route: operates approximately from 09:00 or 09:15 until 17:00, depending on the ticket, with a full loop taking up to 2 hours 20 minutes.

Original City Route: operates from around 09:00 to 18:00, with a full loop of approximately 1 hour 45 minutes and buses every 20–30 minutes.

Docklands Route: operates from around 09:05 to 18:05, with a 45-minute loop and buses approximately every hour.

Some major attractions covered by the Dublin double-decker bus tours:

• Irish Whiskey Museum
• Christchurch Cathedral
• Dublin Castle
• The Dublin Liberties Distillery
• Kilmainham Gaol
• Phoenix Park
• Writers Museum
• Irish Museum of Modern Art
• National Museum of Ireland
• Teelings Distillery
• Temple Bar

Some tickets also include additional sightseeing experiences. Depending on the option you choose, you can add an evening tour, a guided walking tour, a coastal trip to Howth or a longer excursion to the Wicklow Mountains.

If you have only one day in Dublin, consider staying on for a complete circuit before deciding where to hop off. If you have two or three days, you can choose 48- or 72-hour tickets and spend longer at the places that interest you most.

How To Make The Most Of Dublin Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tours

Don't Spend Your Whole Trip Chasing Landmarks: Dublin is more than its most recognisable landmarks. Leave some time to walk around the city, stop for lunch or spend longer in an area that catches your attention. The value of a Dublin hop on hop off bus is that you don't have to turn every sightseeing stop into a rushed visit.

Consider an Evening Experience: If you want to continue your city sightseeing after the main daytime routes finish, selected tickets include evening options. These can be a useful addition when you want to see Dublin after dark without giving up your open top bus tour Dublin during the daytime.

Look Beyond Central Dublin: Some options go beyond the standard city sightseeing circuit. A Howth Coastal Tour or Wicklow Mountains excursion can be worth considering if you're staying long enough to see more of the area around Dublin.

Choose the Right Bus Tour: Compare different providers like Do Dublin, City Sightseeing, and Big Bus offering different bus routes and add-ons and choose one, that fits your Dublin itinerary. Check which routes loop around which part of the city, and which buses feature live guides versus multilingual pre-recorded audio guides before making the purchase.

Things to Know

Dublin is compact, but it has plenty of stories tucked into its streets. The River Liffey divides the city into north and south, while the historic centre brings together Georgian squares, mediaeva streets, lively pubs and grand landmarks. 

One of Dublin's most surprising features is Phoenix Park, one of the largest enclosed public parks in any European capital. It is home to wild fallow deer, which have roamed the park for centuries.

Literature is another part of the city's identity. Dublin was home to writers including James Joyce, Oscar Wilde and Bram Stoker, and the city's literary heritage is recognised by UNESCO.

With historic buildings, green spaces, literary connections and lively neighbourhoods packed into a relatively small area, Dublin rewards travellers who give themselves time to see more than its most famous landmarks.

Why Book With Us

Compare your options before you book – Choosing between different Dublin bus tour tickets is easier when the important information is together. Compare ticket validity, route details, operating hours and included experiences before choosing the option that matches your plans.

See Dublin without rushing – You don't have to decide exactly how long you'll spend at every attraction before you travel. Hop off when you want to explore, then continue your sightseeing when you're ready. Longer ticket options give you even more freedom to slow down.

Book before you arrive – Buying your sightseeing ticket online means you can organise this part of your trip before you reach Dublin. With your booking ready, you can spend less time figuring out ticket options once you're in the city.

Choose a ticket that fits your stay – A short city break doesn't need the same ticket as a three-day Dublin visit. Choose 24, 48 or 72 hours according to how much sightseeing you want to fit into your itinerary.

Add more to your sightseeing day – Selected tickets include additional experiences such as evening tours, walking tours and trips outside the city centre. If you want more than a standard daytime route, these options can help you get more from your sightseeing ticket.

Get help when you need it – If you're unsure which ticket suits your plans or have questions before booking, customer support is available to help with your booking and practical queries.