Dublin Pass
Sometimes overlooked in favor of a broader journey through Ireland, Dublin is a fascinating city that deserves an in-depth visit.
Impressive cathedrals, ancient castles, the legendary Temple Bar, Oscar Wilde's university, the not-to-be-missed Guinness factory, the Jameson distillery: despite a rather restrained historic center, Ireland's capital city holds several important sights.
And to save money on admissions and tours, take advantage of the Dublin Pass.
By choosing the right formula for your trip, you can visit a variety of attractions in and around Dublin and participate in guided excursions and tours, saving time and money.
But what tourist cards or passes are there? How do they work and, most importantly, is the Dublin Pass really worth it for a city break?
As we continue reading, we delve deeper into the topic, considering together whether and which pass to buy, the pros and cons, with all the useful info and tips.
INDEX
Dublin pass: is it worth it?
As with many other cities, there is no single answer to the question of whether or not the Dublin Pass is worthwhile.
Different needs, interests, and travel styles, as well as the length of one's stay, greatly affect whether or not it is worthwhile to purchase a tourist card for Dublin.
In any case, there are multiple solutions, which make the pass more or less always worthwhile if you intend to visit some of the wonders the Irish Capital has to offer. You just have to choose the right one.
In fact, it should be pointed out that although we often hear about "Dublin Pass," as of today there are 2 passes for Dublin.
The most classic formula is the All Inclusive / All inclusive Dublin Pass, which is a list of attractions that can all be visited in a limited number of days. This is ideal for those who stay a while in the city and want to visit in depth what is best to do and see in Dublin.
Purchase the all-inclusive Dublin PassThen there is the Dublin Pass Explorer, a more innovative formula that allows you to choose a limited number of attractions, at a pre-determined fixed price.
In this case, the convenience is easy to calculate: we sketch out an itinerary, add up the cost of the tickets for the individual attractions we would like to do, and compare with the price of the pass.
Usually the Explorer Pass is chosen by those who already have fairly clear ideas, and are sure to visit only a few selected things.
Purchase the Dublin Pass ExplorerIf you are staying in Dublin for a short time, or otherwise prefer to enjoy the city by walking through neighborhoods, visiting parks and free attractions, clearly in this case you will not find it useful to purchase a pass.
The city center is perfect for getting around on foot or by bike; be aware, however, that the area is very rainy, especially from fall until spring. Best to alternate with some indoor places, after all, there are some Dublin attractions that really deserve it!
Public transportation is not included in Dublin passes. For unlimited use of buses and streetcars, you can purchase the Leap Visitor Card directly on site.
Dublin Pass All Inclusive
The All Inclusive Dublin Pass is, as the name already implies, the classic All Inclusive tourist pass.
It basically includes a list of more than 35 attractions, museums and tours of Dublin, which can be visited in 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 consecutive days.
Great solution for a real tourist vacation, culturally rich, visiting as much of Dublin as possible.
In fact, it allows you to have access to the main things to do and see in the Irish capital, while also saving a lot of money if you have a good travel pace.
The pass is from the company Go City, which has been offering similar passes to other cities around the world for several years.
Buy the Dublin All-Inclusive Pass
What it includes
The Dublin Pass All Inclusive allows free admission to more than 35 attractions in the capital.
All of Dublin's major tourist destinations are included, plus some tours, museums and other attractions, even a few on the outskirts of the city.
The main ones, which I recommend you include in your city travel itinerary, include:
- St. Patrick's Cathedral
- Guinness Storehouse (the Guinness factory)
- Visit to the Jameson whiskey distillery
- Christ Church Cathedral - Christ Cathedral
- Hop-on hop-off bus tours
- Dublin Castle
Even just adding these 6 attractions together we come to €115, which exceeds the price of the Dublin Pass for 4 days!
Don't miss the tour of the Guinness Storehouse, the brewery of the iconic Irish stout
But you can visit many other things with the pass, such as EPIC-the Museum of Irish Emigration, Dublinia-the Medieval-Viking Museum, the museum on the history of Irish Rock 'n Roll , the Dublin Zoo, the Teeling Distillery, etc.
Also included in the pass are guided food tours, discovering local delicacies or sampling beers, whiskey and cider in authentic pubs.
You can rent bikes and even explore out-of-town attractions, such as the Game of Thrones studios, or the nearby Irish coast with a bus tour.
At some of Dublin's most popular attractions that are always free for all, such as the National Museum of Ireland, the National Gallery or the Chester Beatty Library, you will receive a free gift or even have access to temporary exhibitions for a fee.
Find the complete and updated list of attractions included in the Dublin Pass All Inclusive on the official website.
Always check access arrangements and hours, which can vary greatly between summer and winter.
Definitely a very rich offer to take full advantage of to experience a great vacation in Dublin!
As already mentioned, public transportation is not included, only the hop-on hop-off tour bus.
Other famous Dublin attractions missing from the list are Trinity College Library and the former Kilmainham Gaol. For these you will have to purchase a single ticket.
How it works
The All-Inclusive Dublin Pass is purchased online, choosing from 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 days. Within this validity period, you can visit all included attractions or participate in guided tours.
Actually, not really all-all, there are maximum values for each cut of the pass. That is, you can do as many attractions as you want up to a maximum amount that is obtained by adding up the "normal" admission prices.
To give a practical example, with the 3-day pass you can visit as many as you want up to a maximum of €370 per adult.
These are high amounts that you are unlikely to exceed, but it is important to know. Find all the maximum amounts on this page on the official website.
Otherwise, the operation of the Dublin Pass All Inclusive is simple.
The Pass is digital, it is a QR Code that comes to you via email or that you can download via the official app.
At the entrance of the various attractions you will simply present this QR Code, either directly from your smartphone or printed on paper (as you prefer), avoiding the queues at the ticket office.
Pay attention that in some cases advance reservations are required, or strongly recommended. This is the case, for example, with guided tours or a visit to the Guinness Factory.
The official website has afull list of attractions for which reservations are required.
Prices
Below are the prices of the all-inclusive Dublin Pass, listed and with the discount to date applied by purchasing online.
Consider that discounts are frequently updated. Therefore, always check the prices on the official website.
Use the promotional discount code AFFGOALL to apply an additional discount at checkout.
| Validity | Adult price | Children's price (5-15 years old) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | € 69 |
€ 44 |
| 2 days | € 94 |
€ 54 |
| 3 days | € 104 |
€ 59 |
| 4 days | € 114 |
€ 64 |
| 5 days | € 124 |
€ 69 |
When does it pay off?
The all-inclusive Dublin Pass pays off in my opinion when you have at least 3 to 4 days to spare and plan to keep a good itinerary pace, visiting as much of Dublin and its environs as possible.
So it is ideal for a real tourist vacation, rich in experiences and from a cultural point of view.
As anticipated above, even just visiting 6 of Dublin's major attractions will have paid off the 4-day pass. Everything else you visit is virtually free.
And clearly the more attractions or tours you do, the greater the savings and affordability.
Also not to be underestimated is the convenience and comfort of having purchased an all-inclusive pass. You start with an already defined budget, you don't have to shell out more money for attractions, and you can decide to even take a quick look at a few attractions in the spirit of "it's free anyway."
In Dublin you simply present your pass in the form of a QR code, without standing in line at the ticket office. Beware only of booking tours and other attractions where it is recommended/mandatory.
Where to buy it
The Dublin All Inclusive Pass is purchased online, on the official website of Go City, the company that developed this type of pass.
Buy the Dublin All-Inclusive PassSelect the number of days you are interested in, enter your information, and proceed to payment.
The pass comes to you immediately via email, and you can use it directly from your smartphone or print a copy for security.
Validity and refunds
The all-inclusive Dublin Pass is valid for 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 consecutive days depending on the option purchased, and is activated only with the visit of the first attraction.
Calendar days are meant, not 24-hour periods. Therefore, avoid activating it in the evening or late afternoon if possible: you would waste 1 day's validity by the time of 1 attraction or so.
Rather, if perhaps you do not arrive in Dublin in the morning, buy the pass for fewer days and visit something free in the first half day.
You have 2 years to use it (I recommend that you also purchase it well in advance, perhaps taking advantage of some special discounts).
If not used, you can ask for a full refund within 90 days.
Dubin Pass Explorer
The Dublin Pass Explorer is a more flexible formula and allows you to choose a set number of attractions (3, 4, 5 or 7) from a long list of museums, tours, activities and attractions in and around the city.
It is a pass that is best suited to those who already know that they will visit at most a few well-chosen and defined things.
Purchase the Dublin Pass ExplorerThe Dublin Explorer Pass is also offered by Go City. In fact, the list of included attractions from which to choose is almost identical.
What it includes
The Dublin Explorer Pass includes the same attractions as the Dublin All Inclusive Pass (which I outlined above), with a few minor differences.
There are all the city's top attractions, such as St. Patrick's and Christ Cathedrals, the Castle, a visit to the Guinness factory and Jameson distillery, and a hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus tour.
We find tasting tours, admissions to various museums in the capital, and out-of-town visits to the studios of the TV series The Iron Throne and to the enchanting Irish coast.
Unlike the all-inclusive pass, with the Explorer you cannot rent bikes, but a fascinating night tour with Big Bus is added. Just a few small variations then.
Always refer to the official website for the complete and updated list of attractions included in the Dublin Pass Explorer.
From the long list, you can choose only 3, 4, 5 or 7 attractions, depending on the option purchased
Buy the Dublin Explorer PassTransportation is also not included in the Dublin Explorer Pass.
How it works
The Dublin Pass Explorer is a flexible solution that has already been successfully applied in many other cities.
You basically have a list of attractions, museums and tours, from which you can choose to visit a maximum of 3, 4, 5 or 7.
At the time of purchase you only decide on the number of attractions; you do not have to choose which ones. Once you arrive in Dublin, choose what to see as you go.
Use the pass directly at the entrance of the attraction of your choice by having the QR code scanned and emailed to you. On your first visit the pass will be activated, and 1 attraction will be scaled down from your total.
Be aware that for guided tours and a few other popular attractions, online reservations are required(more details on the official website).
Further detail on how it works: the price of the attractions you visit cannot exceed predefined "maximum values" overall, as explained here. This is a mechanism that is not immediate to understand, but which it is not essential for you to know.
In fact, the limits set are wide and practically impossible to reach.
Prices
In the table you will find the prices of the Dublin Pass Explorer, for adults and children.
The list price is practically always discounted on the official website and may change throughout the year.
Therefore, the amounts I have included below may not be up to date. Always refer to the official website.
A helpful hint: use the discount code AFFGOALL to get an additional discount.
| Validity | Adult price | Children's price (5-15 years old) |
|---|---|---|
| 3 attractions | € 59 |
€ 34 |
| 4 attractions | € 79 |
€ 44 |
| 5 attractions | € 89 |
€ 49 |
| 7 attractions | € 109 |
€ 59 |
When does it pay off?
Having already an idea of what you would like to do or see in Dublin, the affordability of the Explorer Pass is easy to calculate.
Add up the cost of individual tickets and compare the resulting total with the price of the pass for that number of attractions.
Clearly, by choosing the most expensive things, the savings are tangible.
Taking a practical example, visiting the Guinness Factory and the Jameson Distillery costs you €58. For only €1 more, the 3-option Dublin Explorer Pass allows you to visit something else, practically for free!
If you instead go to visit what costs less, the convenience is lost and you pay more than the individual attractions. Note that in this case you can ask Go City to refund the difference!
Considering the number of options included, the Dublin Explorer Pass is suitable for vacations with a more relaxed pace, or for a weekend touch-and-go.
Afew well-selected attractions from the best of what Ireland's capital city has to offer.
At your leisure, you can combine the pass with a few other tours or sightseeing points, purchased individually.
The Dublin Pass Explorer is also an attractive option for those taking a touring trip of Ireland, spending a few days in Dublin at the beginning and end of their vacation. The all-inclusive pass is not suitable, as you can only use it for a few consecutive days, while the Explorer remains valid for 60 days and you can split your visits into two times.
Where to buy it
The Dublin Pass Explorer is purchased online, I recommend on the official website of Go City, the company that owns the pass.
Buy the Explorer PassBe careful because this is the same site where you can also purchase the All-Inclusive Pass, and you might get confused.
Choose the cut you are interested in, from 3, 4, 5 or 7 options and proceed to purchase.
Double check the email you enter. For it is to this address that the passes, which look like QR codes, will be sent.
Save them on your smartphone ahead of the vacation, and you feel more confident you can also bring a hard copy.
Validity and refunds
The Dublin Pass Explorer is activated when it is first used for admission to one of the included attractions. From this moment it is valid for the next 60 days.
If unused, you can request a full refund within 90 days from the date of purchase.
For those who miscalculated, and although they completed the planned number of attractions, they did not get any financial savings but rather paid more, there is a "money back" guarantee and they will refund the difference.
In any case, after 2 years after purchase, you will no longer be able to use the pass.
Dublin card transportation
Dublin is a city that is easy to get around on foot. The center is quite small, so there is no need to rely heavily on public transportation.
Included in the Dublin pass then you have a day hop-on hop-off bus, which stops at all the tourist spots. In addition, you can rent a bicycle for free to explore the city.
In any case, if your need is to travel frequently by transportation, perhaps because you are staying far from the center, the transportation card for Dubino to purchase is the Leap Visitor Card.
Leap Visitor Card: how does it work?
The Leap Visitor Card is a public transportation pass that allowsunlimited use of Dublin transportation for 1, 3 or 7 days.
Included are:
- Bus (both Dublin Bus and Go-Ahead Ireland)
- Streetcars (the 2 lines of the Luas network)
- DART trains, connecting Dublin with the coast
- Commuter Rail trains, connecting Connolly Station with Kilcock and Heuston Station with Sallins
The card is valid for travel to and from the airport, although in this case it may be more convenient to opt for a shuttle transfer.
The prices of the card are as follows:
- 24 hours (1 day) - €8.00
- 72 hours (3 days) - €16.00
- 168 hours (7 days) - €32.00
These are actual hours of use, so if you activate it in the afternoon it will be valid until the next day.
The Leap Visitor Card can be ordered online to be delivered directly to your home, but it is best to avoid relying on postal services. Purchase it directly in Dublin as soon as you arrive at the airport, or at one of the sales outlets downtown.
Find all the detailed info on the official Dublin transport website.
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