It's customary to say that the way to get to know Dublin is to walk. It's true that the city's size makes this a practical possibility, but equally true that walking the city streets can quickly become a tiring slog. Luckily there's an extensive and reasonably priced local bus network that makes it easy to hop on a bus whenever you want. However the bus service is barely on time, you can expect lots of delays because of the terrible traffic situation. In short buses driving out from the garage and making their first route are usually on time. Therefore you can expect more delays during the day when all buses are en route.

Buses start running between 6am and 6.30am, and the last city-centre buses leave town around 11.30pm. After midnight a limited night-bus service takes over and runs every hour. Maximum fare on the daytime bus system is €1.90 and since all buses are exact fare only it's worth carrying a lot of change (the driver will issue you with a ticket in lieu of change, which can only be redeemed at Dublin Bus headquaters on 59 Upper O'Connell St.). If you don't know which stop to go to in the first place, either ask a bus inspector - there usually seems to be one around, dispensing directions - or invest in a bus timetable, which includes a Dublin bus map , €1.90 from Dublin Bus, 59 Upper O'Connell St (Mon-Fri 9am-5.15pm, Sat 9am-1pm).

Fares on Dublin Bus are charged according to the number of stages travelled. The number of stages travelled is calculated by deducting the boarding stage number from the alighting stage number. Passengers boarding between stage points pay the appropriate fare from the preceding stage point. Passengers alighting between stage points pay the appropriate fare to the next stage point. All route stages are listed under the timetables.

Fares ( tickets on the bus )

Stages Travelled     Cash Fare       
1 - 3                        €0.95       
4 - 7                        €1.35       
8 - 13                      €1.55       
14 - 23                    €1.80       
Over 23                   €1.90
Outer Suburban Fares are €2.10, €3.10 and €4.10

Ramblers

Unlimited Travel for one, three, five or seven consecutive days for one adult on all Dublin Bus services including the Airlink service but excluding Nitelink, Ferry services & Tours.

Ticket type                Price
One Day Ticket         €10.50
Three Day Ticket       €10.50
Five Day Ticket         €16.50

Travel 90 Handy Pack

Unlimited travel within 90 mins of first journey on all Dublin Bus services except Airlink, Nitelink, Tours and Ferryport Buses. This Handy Pack contains 10 individual travel 90 tickets. The tickets are valid for six months from the day of purchase. It costs €16.50.

Tickets are available from most newsagents. Finding your way around the bus system may prove more of a problem, although most stops now have timetables and routes for the buses that stop there.

Dublin Bus A-Z route finder
Dublin Bus Timetables