This site is called Tourist Information Dublin, so here’s some.
These are the practical bits worth knowing before you arrive, or at least before your first coffee.
The official tourist offices
Several shops in Dublin call themselves “tourist information” and are really selling tours. The official, impartial advice comes from Fáilte Ireland’s Discover Ireland tourist offices. There are two in the city centre:
- O’Connell Street: 14 Upper O’Connell Street, Dublin 1 (D01 WP59), a couple of minutes north of the GPO.
- Barnardo Square: 3 Palace Street, Dublin 2 (D02 T277), beside City Hall at the western end of Temple Bar, near Dublin Castle.
They’ll give you free maps and advice, for Dublin and the rest of Ireland. Check opening times before you go. The official tourism website is visitdublin.com.
Money
- Currency: the euro. (Northern Ireland, including Belfast and the Giant’s Causeway, uses pounds sterling.)
- Cards: accepted almost everywhere, including contactless and phone payments, in pubs, taxis, shops and most market stalls. Carry a little cash for the odd small café and for bus fares if you don’t have a Leap card.
- ATMs are everywhere. Use bank machines rather than the standalone ones in shops, which can charge more.
- When paying by card abroad, choose to pay in euro rather than your home currency. The “convenient” conversion is usually the expensive one.
Tipping
Around 10% in restaurants for good table service is normal; check the bill first, as some add a service charge, especially for groups. Tipping isn’t expected for drinks at the bar. Rounding up a taxi fare is appreciated. Tour guides, for the record, appreciate it very much.
Weather and what to pack
Dublin is mild: rarely very hot, rarely very cold, and frequently damp. It can rain at any time of year, often for ten minutes, then stop, then start again just as you’ve put your umbrella away. The wind is the bigger problem. Umbrellas don’t survive it.
- A waterproof jacket with a hood, whatever the month.
- Layers. You’ll be hot in the museum, cold on the quays, and both on the DART.
- Comfortable, waterproof shoes. You’ll walk more than you think.
For a month-by-month feel, read what Dublin is actually like in October.
Phones, data and eSIMs
- Visitors from the EU can use their phone plan in Ireland as they would at home, under EU roaming rules.
- Visitors from elsewhere, including the UK, US and Canada, should check their roaming charges before landing. A local SIM or a travel eSIM is often much cheaper.
- Wi-Fi is free in most cafés, pubs, hotels and museums.
Plugs and power
Ireland uses the same three-pin plugs as the UK (Type G), at 230V. Bring an adapter if you’re coming from mainland Europe, North America or elsewhere.
Safety
Dublin is generally a safe city for visitors, but it’s a city. Use the same sense you would at home:
- Watch your phone and bag in crowded places, especially Temple Bar, O’Connell Street, Grafton Street and on busy buses.
- Late at night, stick to busy, well-lit streets and take a licensed taxi.
- Watch the traffic. It comes from the right. There’s a whole post on crossing O’Connell Street.
Emergency numbers
Dial 112 or 999 for the Gardaí (police), ambulance, fire or coast guard. Both numbers work from any phone, free of charge.
Other useful things
- Tap water is safe to drink.
- Smoking is banned indoors in pubs, restaurants and workplaces. You’ll find the smokers in the beer gardens.
- Public toilets are not Dublin’s strong point. There’s a whole post on where to pee in Dublin.
- Saying hello: it’s complicated. See why Dubliners don’t say hello.
Getting here and getting around
- Dublin Airport to the city centre
- Getting around Dublin: Luas, DART, buses and Leap cards
- Where to stay in Dublin
And then the fun part: our guide to things to do in Dublin.