The easiest way to see the Wicklow Mountains from Dublin is a full-day coach tour: from about €40 to €65, usually covering Glendalough, the Sally Gap, Lough Tay (the “Guinness Lake”) and often Powerscourt. If you just want one place, the St Kevin’s Bus to Glendalough (€23 return) or the drive to Powerscourt Gardens (adult €10.50) are cheaper.
The mountains start at the southern edge of Dublin, and the best scenery is less than an hour from the city centre. Here’s how the options compare. Prices were checked on 14 November 2026.
What you’ll see
- Glendalough: the 6th-century monastic site and two glacial lakes. The highlight of almost every tour. Full guide: Glendalough day trip.
- The Sally Gap and the Military Road: a high, empty pass across blanket bog, built by the British army after the 1798 rebellion.
- Lough Tay: a dark lake below the Luggala estate, owned for many years by the Guinness family, which is why everyone calls it the Guinness Lake. It’s seen from a viewpoint on the road above.
- Powerscourt: formal gardens near Enniskerry, plus a separate waterfall a few kilometres away, the highest in Ireland.
- Avoca: the Avoca Handweavers shop and café at Kilmacanogue, a regular coffee stop.
The tours compared
| Tour | Adult price | Length | Main stops |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wild Wicklow Tours (the Original Wild Wicklow Tour) | €55 list price, often less through resellers | About 8½ hours | Killiney Hill, Avoca, Sally Gap, Lough Tay, pub lunch stop, guided Glendalough plus an hour’s free time, whiskey tasting |
| Hilltoptreks: Wicklow, Glendalough and Powerscourt | €65 (child, student, senior €62) | About 7 hours | Glendalough, the national park, Powerscourt Gardens (entry not included). Options with a guided walk (€75) or horse riding (€125). |
| Paddywagon: Glendalough and Wicklow Mountains half-day | €33 (student/senior €30, child €25) | About 5 hours | Wicklow Mountains drive and Glendalough. Morning or afternoon. |
| Big Bus: Wicklow Mountains and Dublin Highlights | From €39 online (full price €45) | Full day | Guided Glendalough, Lough Tay, a pub stop |
| Kilkenny and Wicklow tours (Paddywagon, Collins, Wild Rover) | From about €40 | About 10 hours | Wicklow Mountains, Glendalough, Kilkenny |
How to choose
- Best all-round Wicklow day: Wild Wicklow. It’s the one that spends the whole day in the mountains rather than rushing on to Kilkenny.
- Gardens fans: Hilltoptreks, which stops at Powerscourt. Budget for the garden ticket on top.
- Short on time: Paddywagon’s half-day tour.
- Want two counties in one day: a Kilkenny and Wicklow tour. Long, but good value.
Pickups are at set points in Dublin city centre. Wild Wicklow picks up at 8.45am at St Stephen’s Green (bus stop 791), 9am at Cathal Brugha Street and 9.15am opposite the Grand Canal Hotel, and can pick up at a few south county hotels on request. Most operators offer free cancellation up to 24 or 48 hours before.
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Powerscourt Gardens and Waterfall
Powerscourt Estate in Enniskerry has 47 acres of gardens with terraces, a Japanese garden, a walled garden and views to the Sugar Loaf. The waterfall is a separate attraction about 6km away, with its own ticket.
| Ticket | Gardens | Waterfall |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | €10.50 | €7.50 |
| Senior | €9.50 | €6.50 |
| Student | €9 | €6 |
| Child (under 16) | €5 | €3.50 |
| Family | €25 | €19 |
Under-5s are free in the gardens (under-2s at the waterfall). Waterfall tickets are paid on arrival. The shops and the Avoca café in Powerscourt House are free to visit. Check opening times on the Powerscourt website.
Without a tour
- Glendalough: the St Kevin’s Bus leaves St Stephen’s Green at 11am daily, €23 return. See our Glendalough guide.
- Powerscourt and Enniskerry: Enniskerry is about 40 minutes south of the city. Check Transport for Ireland for the current bus route, then it’s a short uphill walk from the village to the estate gates. The waterfall is too far to walk to from the gardens for most people.
- The Wicklow Way: Ireland’s oldest waymarked trail starts at Marlay Park in south Dublin. A day on the first section through the Dublin Mountains is a great free day out.
- Sally Gap and Lough Tay: there’s no public transport, so you need a car or a tour.
Driving the Wicklow Mountains
A classic loop from Dublin: Enniskerry and Powerscourt, over the Sally Gap to the Lough Tay viewpoint, down through Roundwood to Glendalough, and back via the Wicklow Gap or the N11. Allow a full day. The roads over the Sally Gap are narrow, exposed and can close in snow or ice, and parking at the Lough Tay viewpoint is limited. At Glendalough, the car parks are paid and fill early on summer weekends.
Want a private tour instead?
Travelling as a family or a group, or want to go at your own pace? A private driver-guide can pick you up at your hotel and plan the day around you. Tell us what you have in mind and we'll pass it to a local private tour operator, who will reply with a quote. It's free and there's no obligation.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the best Wicklow Mountains tour from Dublin?
For a full day in the mountains, Wild Wicklow Tours is the most complete: the Sally Gap, Lough Tay, Glendalough with a guided tour and free time, about 8½ hours, €55 list price. Hilltoptreks is the pick if you want Powerscourt Gardens included in the route.
How much does a Wicklow tour from Dublin cost?
Half-day tours start at €33. Full-day tours are about €40 to €65 per adult (prices checked November 2026). Garden entry at Powerscourt is usually extra.
Can you get to the Wicklow Mountains by public transport?
Partly. The St Kevin’s Bus goes to Glendalough, and buses reach Enniskerry for Powerscourt. The Sally Gap and Lough Tay have no public transport.
Why is Lough Tay called the Guinness Lake?
It sits on the Luggala estate, long owned by the Guinness family. Its dark water and pale sandy beach also look a bit like a pint.
How much is Powerscourt Gardens?
€10.50 for an adult, €9 for a student, €5 for a child and €25 for a family. The waterfall is separate: €7.50 for an adult.