Getting to Dalkey
How to reach Dalkey by DART, bus, or car.
DART
Dalkey is on the DART, the Dublin Area Rapid Transit electric line, between Glenageary to the north and Killiney to the south. Dalkey station is on Railway Road, a two-minute walk from Castle Street and the village. Trains run roughly every 10-20 minutes through the day and the trip from the city centre takes a little over half an hour. The DART is by far the easiest way to reach Dalkey; parking in the village is tight.
- From
- Dublin Connolly Station
- Duration
- About 35 minutes
- Frequency
- Every 10-20 minutes Mon-Sat; roughly every 30 minutes Sun
- Fare
- Adult single around €3.30 cash, €2.30 Leap Card; Leap daily cap applies
- Station
- Dalkey Station, Railway Road, Dalkey
- Note
- The southbound run from Dalkey to Killiney and on to Bray hugs the cliffs above Killiney Bay and is one of the best stretches of the whole line.
Tips
- •Leap Card is cheaper than cash and works on every DART, bus and Luas in Dublin.
- •Sit on the left southbound out of Dalkey for the Killiney Bay views.
- •Dalkey station is a two-minute walk uphill to Castle Street and the Heritage Centre.
- •Live departures: irishrail.ie or the DART app.
🚂 DART from Dalkey
All trains towards Dublin
Dalkey station. Updates every minute
Bus
Dublin Bus serves Dalkey, though the DART is usually faster from the city. Route 7 and 7a run along the coast from the city centre through Dún Laoghaire to Dalkey, and the 59 links Dalkey with Killiney and Dún Laoghaire. Services are less frequent than the DART, especially in the evenings.
- From Dublin
- Dublin Bus 7 or 7a from the city centre along the coast (around 70-80 minutes)
- City Services
- Routes 7, 7a serve Dalkey; the 59 connects Dalkey, Killiney and Dún Laoghaire
- City Fare
- Adult single €2.00 Leap Card; €2.60 cash
Tips
- •Leap Card works on every Dublin Bus route and is cheaper than cash.
- •The DART is faster than the bus from the city centre.
- •The 59 is useful for hopping between Dalkey, Killiney and Dún Laoghaire without driving.
Useful Links
Driving
Dalkey is about 15 km southeast of Dublin city centre, reached via the N11 and the coast roads through Blackrock and Dún Laoghaire, or over Dalkey Avenue from the N11 side. Driving takes 30-40 minutes off-peak. Parking in the village is limited and largely pay-and-display, and it gets very tight at weekends and during festivals, so the DART is the easier option.
- From Dublin
- ~30-40 minutes off-peak via the N11 and the coast road
- From Airport
- ~45-55 minutes via the M50 and N11
- From Dun Laoghaire
- ~10 minutes along the coast road
- Parking
- Pay-and-display on Castle Street and side streets; limited free parking near Coliemore and Sorrento Park
Tips
- •Parking in the village core is tight; arrive early or take the DART.
- •On-street spaces are pay-and-display during the day.
- •Free coastal parking near Coliemore and Sorrento fills early on fine days.
Useful Links
From the Airport
Live options for reaching the village from the nearest airports. Times and fares are a guide and can change with traffic or operator schedules.
Dublin AirportDUB
25 km away- Duration
- ~75-90 minutes
- Cost
- Airlink/city bus fare + €2.30 DART (Leap)
Bus from the airport to Connolly Station, then the southbound DART all the way to Dalkey (about 40 minutes on the DART leg).
Operator: Dublin Bus + Iarnród Éireann
- Duration
- ~45-55 minutes
- Cost
- €50-€70 depending on time
Fixed-fare options at the airport rank; FreeNow operates across Dublin including the airport.
Operator: Dublin Airport taxi rank or FreeNow app
- Duration
- ~45-55 minutes
- Cost
- Car hire from ~€35/day plus M50 toll €3.50
M50 south then N11 and the coast roads to Dalkey. The M50 has a barrier-free eFlow toll (€3.50); pay online by 20:00 the next day. Parking in the village is limited.
Operator: Car hire desks in airport arrivals
EV & Essentials
Practical infrastructure on the ground: charging, water, and accessibility facilities worth knowing about before you arrive.
Accessibility Facilities
Dillon's Park
Coliemore Road, Dalkey
Level park with sea views over Coliemore Harbour and Dalkey Island, with public toilets. The easiest coastal viewpoint in the village to reach.
Leap Card
Ireland's national reusable transport card. Works on the DART, Dublin Bus, Luas and the commuter rail network. Cheaper than cash on every Dublin journey and the only practical way to use the 90-minute multi-mode fare cap.
- Cost
- €5 for the card plus credit top-up
- Savings
- Adult DART single around €2.30 Leap vs €3.30 cash; Dublin Bus €2.00 vs €2.60 cash
- Purchase
- Newsagents across Dublin; online at leapcard.ie; SuperValu in Dalkey for top-ups
Parking
Parking options in and around Dalkey. On busy weekends, arriving early or taking the DART is recommended.
Castle Street on-street parking
Pay-and-display during the day. On-street pay-and-display along Castle Street and the side streets in the village core. Spaces are tight at weekends and during the Book Festival; arriving by DART is easier.
Coliemore and Sorrento Park
Limited free on-street parking near Coliemore Harbour and Sorrento Park for the coastal walks. Fills early on fine summer days.
Planning the wider trip?
Our country-level primer covers national rail, intercity buses, airports, the Leap Card, and whether you actually need a hire car for your trip around Ireland.
Getting Around Ireland →Top Tip
The DART is the best way to get to Dalkey. You arrive right in the heart of Dalkey, there’s no parking hassle, and you can enjoy a meal and a drink without worrying about driving home.