Dublin is the capital of the Republic of Ireland and a popular destination for tourists, located around 750km from Amsterdam.
Let’s look at the options for travel between Amsterdam and Dublin by air plus combinations of ferry and train or bus.
1. Amsterdam-Dublin by Air
Flying is by far the easiest and quickest way to travel between the 2 cities. Scheduled flight time between Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) and Dublin Airport (DUB) is around 1 hour 40 minutes.
Aer Lingus flies up to 4x daily between Amsterdam Schiphol airport (AMS) and Dublin airport (DUB) using Airbus A320s. Return fares start at around €80 not including checked luggage.
Dutch airline KLM (Skyteam) flies 5-6x daily using KLM Cityhopper-branded Embraer 190s. The cheapest return flights start at around €130 – these are base fares and do not include optional extras such as checked luggage.
Ryanair flies 4x daily between Amsterdam and Dublin using Boeing 737 aircraft. Base fares can be cheap (€25 one-way) but add-ons (checked luggage, seat selection, flexi fare) can increase the price.
2. Amsterdam-Dublin by Train/Ferry
It is possible to travel from Amsterdam to Dublin by a combination of rail and ferry with the journey split into 2 parts via London.
[1] The first is to travel from Amsterdam to London by train – there is a direct Eurostar train 4x daily. This trip can be done in under 4 hours.
Amsterdam-London Eurostar tickets are available from £39/€46 (Standard) or £89/€99.50 (Standard Premier) each way and can be booked at the NS International site.
If you also prefer travel by ship between the Netherlands and the UK then there is also the possibility of the Stena Line service from Hoek van Holland to Harwich. Both ports are accessible from Amsterdam and London respectively by rail. You can book the Stena Line ferry here
It is recommended to overnight in London before taking the next part of the trip.
At Holyhead you can take an afternoon ferry (choice of Irish Ferries or Stena Line, takes 3 hours 15 minutes) across to Dublin Ferryport, arriving in the early evening.
A bus or taxi can take you from Ferryport to Dublin city centre.
Coming back the other way, there are 2 morning sailings from Dublin Ferryport which arrive in Holyhead between 1130 and 1200. Then take a lunchtime train to London Euston which arrive in the early evening.
Sail Rail tickets can be purchased in advance for a bargain £46 from London, €60 from Dublin. It’s possible to buy Sail Rail tickets between any station in the UK and any station in Ireland. On-the-day fares are available for a slightly higher price.
London-Dublin or London-Holyhead train tickets are bookable at TheTrainline site
You can also book Holyhead-Dublin ferry tickets here
3. Amsterdam-Dublin by Coach
It is possible to travel Amsterdam-London and London-Dublin by coach, although it is a very long trip and not really recommended.
Flixbus and BlaBlaCar Bus normally operate a 1-2x daily coach service between Amsterdam Sloterdijk and London Victoria with fares from €30 one-way. The journey takes about 12 hours.
National Express runs a 2x weekly overnight coach service between London and Dublin (via Holyhead) including the ferry crossing. The trip takes 12 hours 30 minutes.
Amsterdam Resources
Looking for a convenient hotel near Amsterdam Central station? Check out the stylish Kimpton-De Witt which is a short walk from the station. For those on a budget the Ibis Amsterdam Centre is literally on top of the western edge of the station platforms.
The Iamsterdam City Card (1-5 days) offers free entry and discounts to numerous Amsterdam museums and attractions. It also includes a free public transport pass, a canal cruise and bike rental as well. You can order your Iamsterdam City Card online here
Dublin Resources
In Dublin you can book your hotel with Booking.com here.
The Go City: Dublin All Inclusive Pass is a 2, 3, 4 or 5 day pass which offers free entry to around 40 attractions/tours in and around Dublin.
This article was originally published in 2013 and has continuously been updated. Last update 16 March 2023.
