Getting to Howth
Just 30 minutes from Dublin city centre by DART train, making it one of the easiest day trips from Dublin.
DART Train
The easiest way to reach Howth from Dublin. Howth is the northern terminus of one DART line, so you can't miss your stop. Trains run from Dublin Connolly, Tara Street, and Pearse stations.
- From
- Dublin Connolly Station
- Duration
- 28-35 minutes
- Frequency
- Every 10-20 minutes (peak), every 20-30 minutes (off-peak)
- Fare
- Adult single ~€3.55 (Leap Card), ~€6.00 (cash ticket)
- First Train
- ~05:30 from Connolly (check timetable for exact times)
- Last Train
- ~23:30 from Connolly (Fri/Sat later services)
Tips
- •Buy a Leap Card before your trip. It's cheaper than single tickets and works on DART, buses, and Luas.
- •Sit on the left side of the train heading to Howth for sea views along the coast from Clontarf onwards.
- •Howth is the last stop, so you can relax and not worry about missing it.
🚂 DART from Howth
All trains towards Dublin
Howth is a DART terminus. Updates every minute
Bus
Dublin Bus route H3 runs from Lower Abbey Street through Fairview and Raheny to Howth Summit. It replaced the old Route 31 as part of BusConnects. Slower than the DART but useful if you're coming from areas not on the DART line.
- From
- Lower Abbey Street, Dublin
- Duration
- About 60 minutes (depending on traffic)
- Route
- Route H3 (part of the H-Spine, BusConnects)
- Fare
- Adult single ~€2.00 (Leap Card)
Tips
- •The bus can be slow in rush hour traffic. The DART is faster and more reliable.
- •Leap Card fares are significantly cheaper than cash on Dublin Bus.
- •The H3 runs all the way to Howth Summit, handy if you want to start the cliff walk from the top.
- •The H1 and H2 routes serve Baldoyle and Sutton if you need those areas.
Taxi
A taxi from Dublin city centre to Howth costs roughly €25-35. From Dublin Airport it's around €30-40. Book via an app for a fixed fare estimate, or hail one at the many taxi ranks in the city.
- From City
- ~€25-35 from Dublin city centre
- From Airport
- ~€30-40 from Dublin Airport
- Tip
- Airport taxis have fixed fare zones. Confirm the price before you get in.
Tips
- •FreeNow and Lynk are the two main taxi apps in Dublin. Both show fare estimates upfront.
- •There's no permanent taxi rank in Howth. Book via app or call for return trips.
- •Uber operates in Dublin but uses licensed taxi drivers, same as FreeNow.
Useful Links
Driving
Howth is about 30 minutes from Dublin city centre and 20 minutes from Dublin Airport via the M1/M50. Parking is free but limited on sunny weekends.
- From City
- ~30 minutes from Dublin city centre (via Clontarf Road or M1)
- From Airport
- ~20 minutes from Dublin Airport (M1 south, exit at Howth)
- Parking
- Free parking near the harbour, DART station, and village streets
Tips
- •Arrive before 10am on summer weekends. Harbour parking fills fast.
- •The DART station car park has spaces, but it's mainly for commuters on weekdays.
- •If harbour parking is full, try the residential streets south of the village.
Useful Links
Cycling
There's a pleasant cycle route from Dublin city centre along the coast road through Clontarf and Sutton to Howth. It's mostly flat until the final approach. About 16km from O'Connell Bridge.
- Distance
- ~16km from Dublin city centre
- Duration
- 45-60 minutes cycling
- Route
- Coastal route via Clontarf, Bull Island, Sutton
- Terrain
- Mostly flat, slight climb into Howth village
Tips
- •The Clontarf to Sutton coastal road is one of the best urban cycle routes in Dublin.
- •Dublin Bikes stations don't extend to Howth, but Bleeper e-bikes sometimes do.
- •Bring a lock. There are bike racks near the DART station and harbour.
Useful Links
Leap Card
The Leap Card is Dublin's reusable transport card. It works on DART, Dublin Bus, Luas (tram), and commuter rail. Fares are 20-30% cheaper than cash tickets, and you can buy one at any Spar, Centra, or Londis shop.
- Cost
- €5 for the card + credit top-up
- Savings
- 20-30% cheaper than single cash tickets
- Where To Get
- Spar, Centra, Londis, DART stations, or online
- Visitor Option
- Leap Visitor Card: €8 (24hr) / €16 (72hr) unlimited travel
Parking
Free parking is available near the harbour and throughout Howthvillage. Spaces can fill up quickly on sunny weekends, so arriving early or taking the DART is recommended during peak times.
Harbour Parking
Free parking along the harbour front and West Pier. Best for restaurants and boat trips.
Village Parking
Free on-street parking in the village. Best for cliff walk starting points and the castle.
Top Tip
The DART is the best way to get to Howth. You arrive right in the village, there’s no parking hassle, and you can enjoy a pint at the end of the day without worrying about driving home.