Getting to Malahide
Just 30 minutes from Dublin city centre by DART train, making it one of the easiest day trips from Dublin.
DART Train
Malahide is on the DART Northern Line, about 25 minutes from Dublin Connolly Station. Trains run frequently throughout the day. The station is a 15-minute walk from the castle and right in the village centre.
- From
- Dublin Connolly Station
- Duration
- 22-28 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
- ~05:40 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. Cheaper than single tickets and works on DART, buses, and Luas.
- •Malahide is NOT the last stop (the line continues). Listen for the station announcement.
- •On concert days at the castle, extra DART services usually run. Check Irish Rail for special timetables.
🚂 DART from Howth
All trains towards Dublin
Howth is a DART terminus. Updates every minute
Bus
Dublin Bus route 42 runs from Talbot Street in the city centre to Malahide via Fairview and Artane. The journey takes about 40-50 minutes depending on traffic. The bus stops on the Main Street, right in the village.
- From
- Talbot Street, Dublin
- Duration
- 40-50 minutes (traffic dependent)
- Route
- Route 42 (Dublin Bus)
- Fare
- Adult single ~€2.00 (Leap Card)
Tips
- •The DART is faster and more reliable than the bus.
- •The 42 route is useful if you are coming from areas near Fairview or Artane.
- •Leap Card fares are significantly cheaper than cash on Dublin Bus.
Useful Links
Taxi
A taxi from Dublin city centre to Malahide costs roughly €20-30. From Dublin Airport it is around €15-25. Use FreeNow or Lynk apps for upfront pricing.
- From City
- ~€20-30 from Dublin city centre
- From Airport
- ~€15-25 from Dublin Airport
- Tip
- Closer to the airport than most Dublin suburbs, so fares are reasonable.
Tips
- •FreeNow and Lynk show fare estimates upfront.
- •No permanent taxi rank in Malahide village. Book via app for return trips.
- •After castle concerts, expect surge pricing and long waits. The DART is a better bet.
Useful Links
Driving
Malahide is about 20 minutes from Dublin city centre via the M1 and R107, and 10 minutes from Dublin Airport. Parking is available at the castle car park and in the village, but both fill up on busy summer days and especially on concert nights.
- From City
- ~20 minutes from Dublin city centre (via M1/R107)
- From Airport
- ~10 minutes from Dublin Airport
- Parking
- Castle car park (€3/hour), village street parking (limited)
Tips
- •On concert days, parking near the castle is extremely limited. Take the DART.
- •The castle car park has about 400 spaces but fills by mid-morning on summer weekends.
- •There is some free parking at the marina, but it is a 15-minute walk to the village.
Useful Links
Cycling
Malahide is reachable by bike from Dublin city centre via the coastal route through Clontarf and Sutton, or via the Royal Canal Greenway and then north. About 15km from the city centre on relatively flat roads.
- Distance
- ~15km from Dublin city centre
- Duration
- 40-55 minutes cycling
- Route
- Coastal via Clontarf, or Royal Canal Greenway then north
- Terrain
- Mostly flat
Tips
- •Dublin Bikes stations do not extend to Malahide, but Bleeper e-bikes may be available.
- •Bike parking is available at the DART station and near the castle entrance.
- •The coastal road from Clontarf through Sutton is one of Dublin's best cycling routes.
Useful Links
Leap Card
The Leap Card is Dublin's reusable transport card, working on DART, Dublin Bus, Luas (tram), and commuter rail. Fares are 20-30% cheaper than cash tickets. Buy one at any Spar, Centra, or Londis shop, or at DART stations.
- 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 Malahidevillage. 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 Malahide. 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.