DART (which stands for Dublin Area Rapid Transit) is one of the most convenient forms of public transport in Dublin if you plan to travel north to south (or vice versa) along the coast of Dublin Bay. Light rail primarily serves the suburbs and is a much quicker commute compared to traveling by bus. While DART might not be as helpful if you never plan to leave central Dublin, the local train system presents a great way to get to some of the most interesting tourist spots on the outskirts of the city.
It is also ideal if you are staying in cities outside of Dublin and want to come to the city (although be prepared to join the crowds of travelers who have the same idea at rush hour). DART trains connect to the LUAS (Dublin City Tram) at Connolly station and also to suburban and intercity services at other stations.
Here’s a guide on how to get the most out of DART in Dublin.
How to buy DART tickets
Tickets for the DART must be purchased prior to boarding the train. Tickets for single, return and multiple trips can be purchased from ticket vending machines at all stations or online before the trip. Manned ticket counters are only available at some of the main stations.
The price of an individual ticket depends on the distance between the start and end station. A single adult ticket from Connolly in central Dublin to the end of the line in Howth costs € 3.30 one way or € 6.25 for a return trip the same day.
An all-day adult ticket can be purchased for € 12, or if you are traveling as a family, you can purchase an all-day ticket for € 20 to navigate the rails. Monthly tickets cost € 154 and make the most sense for regular travelers. For shorter tourism-related trips, there are three-day passes (€ 17.50) and seven-day passes (€ 29.50).
The LEAP pass is an integrated pass that offers discounts on all forms of public transport in Rome, making each trip a little cheaper.
Navigating the DART
DART serves central Dublin and the coastal suburbs to the north and south of the Irish capital, from Howth to Greystones in Co Wicklow. Trains run every fifteen minutes during the day, and schedules can be found online or posted at each station.
The line runs from north to south and splits into a single station (Howth Junction), so there is no need to worry about overly complicated transfers, just make sure you pay attention to the final destination of the train to make sure it goes in the direction correct
Make sure you have a valid ticket before boarding the train as they are not for sale on board.
DART stations to know for your trip
If you plan to explore central Dublin, the best DART stops are Pearse, Tara or Connolly stations. Each stop (not just these central stations) also has bus connections to help you navigate the capital.
Do you want to take a little city break or a day trip? Here are some of the best DART stations to check out:
- Head to Malahide DART Station to visit Malahide Castle (one of Ireland’s finest castles) and the Botanical Gardens.
- Disembark at Portmarnock for an Irish beach day. The DART stops near the Velvet Strand, the area’s most popular beach.
- Take the DART to Dun Laoghaire for a stroll along the pier and visit the James Joyce Museum.
- For the best view of Dublin Bay, plan to stop at Killiney (or at least have your camera ready when approaching the station from the north)
- To get a taste of the Irish coast, take the DART to the end of the line at Howth (change trains at Howth Junction). The seaside town is a perfect day trip where you can enjoy lunch by the sea or walk through the ruins of the Abadía de Santa María
Do you want the full DART experience? A map is available from Irish Rail. The 31 DART stations are as follows:
DART Route North from Connolly Station:
Connolly Station (interchange with LUAS, suburban and interurban rail)
· Clontarf Road
Killester
· Harmonstown
· Raheny
· Kilbarrack
Howth Junction (interchange with Suburban Rail)
Note that the northbound DART route splits at Howth Junction (that’s why it’s called a junction, after all) and continues as follows …
DART route north from Howth Junction to Malahide:
· Howth Junction (intercambio con Suburban Rail)
Clongriffen (interchange with Suburban Rail)
Portmarnock (interchange with Suburban Rail)
Malahide (interchange with suburban railway)
Northbound DART Route from Howth Junction to Howth:
· Howth Junction (intercambio con Suburban Rail)
· Bayside
· Sutton
· Howth
And the journey to the south …
Southbound DART Route from Connolly Station:
Connolly Station (interchange with LUAS, suburban and interurban rail)
Tara Street (interchange with Suburban Rail)
Pearse Station (interchange with suburban railway)
· Grand Canal Dock
· Lansdowne Road (Estadio Aviva)
· Sandymount
· Sydney Parade
· Booterstown
Black Rock
· Seapoint
· Salthill y Monkstown
Dun Laoghaire (interchange with Suburban Rail and ferry service)
Sandycove and Glasthule
· Glenageary
· Dalkey
· Killiney
· Shankill
Bray (interchange with suburban rail)
Greystones (interchange with Suburban Rail)
