Dublin Pass
Exploring Dublin's attractions without breaking the bank is possible with the Dublin Pass - here's how to get it, how much it costs and whether or not it's worth it.
Walk the streets of Dublin | ©William Murphy
Ireland's capital is a city full of museums, monuments and places to visit. When we travel we want to make the most of our time, save costs and, above all, not leave anything behind. That's why we have the Dublin Pass; the Dublin sightseeing card.
1. How to get your Dublin Pass
The best option to purchase the Dublin Pass including bus tour is to buy it online for £63 and receive it in your mailbox with the guarantee of being able to cancel the purchase if any unforeseen circumstances arise.
2. Top Attractions and Experiences included in the Dublin Pass
Guinness Brewery Tour
This museum-like brewery has seven floors, a panoramic view bar and includes a beer tasting. It is one of the most popular experiences in Dublin because it not only provides information about the brewing process but also cultural facts that give a better understanding of the Irish idiosyncrasy and the importance of this drink in the country. I'll tell you more about it here: Guinness Storehouse Tickets and Tours in Dublin: how to buy and prices.
The 24-hour sightseeing bus
With the purchase of the Dublin Pass you will have access to a 24 hour pass for the city's sightseeing bus. You can hop on and off the bus as many times and at as many stops as you like. During the tour you will enjoy panoramic views and audio commentary. You can also read all the information about the sightseeing bus in my article Dublin Hop on Hop off Bus Tours.
Dublinia Museum
This is a great place to visit with the family. It tells the story of Ireland's medieval history with life-size exhibits about Viking Dublin and medieval Dublin.
Jeanie Johnston Ship Museum
This mythical ship-turned-museum focuses on the period of the Great Famine that ravaged Ireland. This ship is not the real Jeanie Johnston, but a life-size replica.
Irish Emigration Museum
This museum is made up of different themed galleries with interactive activities. Here you can discover the history of Irish emigration and its connection to Ireland today.
Small Museum of Dublin
One of the most comprehensive and popular museums in Dublin. The objects inside have been donated by private individuals and trace the history of the Irish capital.
Jameson Distillery
If beer is Ireland's main drink, whiskey is not far behind. That's why this museum is one of the most visited places in the city. It offers a totally immersive experience.
National Wax Museum
Every major city has a wax museum and, although it may not seem like it at first glance, it's one of the most fun family visits you can make. The one in Dublin is not to be missed.
Dublin Castle
Right in the centre of Dublin you'll find this castle which is currently used for conventions and state meetings. With the Dublin Pass, entry is free.
Malahide Castle
This castle is located in the north of Dublin and is worth a visit for its architecture, gardens and interiors.
St. Patrick's Cathedral
This cathedral dedicated to the patron saint of Ireland is a must-see. The architectural style is Gothic and the ornate interior will pleasantly surprise you.
Dublin Zoo
If you are travelling with children this is a highly recommended visit, especially if you are spending several days in the city. With the Dublin Pass the entrance fee is well worth it as it is one of the most expensive of the different attractions in the city.
3. Advantages of the Dublin Pass
Before describing the benefits of the Dublin Pass it is important to know what a Dublin Pass is. It is a pass that you can buy for one or several days and with it you will have free access to the main attractions and tourist experiences in the city. It saves you money and is a good idea to buy it when you are going to concentrate a lot of visits to museums and monuments in a short period of time.
- Free access to more than 30 museums and monuments in the city.
- Free use of the tourist bus for one day with free stops.
- Discounts and offers in selected shops and restaurants
- A Dublin Travel Guide
- Queue-free and queue-free access to the city's main points of interest
4. How the Dublin Sightseeing Pass works
The Dublin Pass is designed for all types of travel; from a quick getaway to an in-depth visit. You have different options: you can buy this tourist card for 1, 2, 3 or 5 days. My recommendation in the case of Dublin is to choose between the two-day or three-day pass; with less time you'll still have a lot to see and you won't need much more time to visit the main sights of the city.
5. What you need to know about the Dublin Pass
- It works for consecutive calendar days, so always activate it first thing in the morning.
- Children under 5 years of age do not need a card if they travel with an adult who has one.
- There is a reduced price for children aged 5 to 12.
- You cannot visit the same attraction or monument several times; the card is only valid for one visit.
- You don't need a physical card as you can load the Dublin Pass directly onto your mobile phone and organise your visits around the city through the official Mobile Dublin Pass app.
- You can activate the Dublin Pass at any time after your purchase; from the first use, the validity time of your card will start to count down.
6. When to buy the Dublin Pass
Let's not kid ourselves: buying the Dublin Pass is a major investment, so it makes sense to ask yourself whether or not it will pay off. The answer will depend on your travel plans; the most practical way to find out whether or not the Dublin Pass is right for you is to add up the prices of the different points of interest you plan to visit during your trip and compare the result with the price of the card.
However, don't forget that the Dublin Pass is not just about free entry; it's also about discounts and experiences. For example, if you want to use the city's sightseeing bus for a day, the Dublin Pass is probably worth it.
It is also important to consider how long you are going to spend in Dublin and the pace of travel you want to do. If you are in the Irish capital for a long weekend and in two days you are willing to make several visits to museums and monuments, the Dublin Pass is probably the right pass for you. If, on the other hand, you are spending two weeks in Dublin it is not worth concentrating all your visits in one or two days and therefore you will not need the Dublin Pass.
Whatever you decide, my advice is to fully explore the benefits of the Dublin Pass including the restaurants or shops where you would get a discount. If you organise yourself well you could save a considerable amount on your trip without depriving yourself.
7. The sightseeing bus included in the Dublin Pass
The Dublin Pass includes a 24 hour Dublin Sightseeing Bus Pass. As much as this service may seem like an option reserved for the "geeks" it is one of the most enjoyable benefits.
Why? Because the Dublin sightseeing bus is a comfortable way to get around the city in the rain, because it has panoramic views, because it includes audio commentary on the city's sights and because it saves considerable time travelling between Dublin's main s ights.
If you are interested in seeing Dublin from the sightseeing bus, you can also purchase a single or multi-day pass without having to buy a Dublin sightseeing card. An important fact you may be interested to know is that the Dublin Sightseeing Bus Pass gives you access to a number of free guided walking tours of the city centre. In this article on Dublin Hop on Hop off Bus Tours how to get it.
8. Other interesting activities in Dublin
If you want to tour the city and make sure you don't miss a corner, there's nothing better than taking a guided tour to understand Dublin's history and secret legends. And if you have enough time to dedicate a morning or a whole day to visit other areas of the country, I recommend you read my article on Best Tours and Day Trips from Dublin to organise your trip.