Getting to Malahide
How to reach Malahide by DART, bus, taxi, car, or bicycle.
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 €2 (Leap Card, TFI 90-minute fare since 28 April 2025); cash tickets are higher and being phased out
- 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 the last northbound stop on the DART line. You cannot miss it.
- •On concert days at the castle, extra DART services usually run. Check Irish Rail for special timetables.
🚂 DART from Malahide
All trains towards Dublin
Malahide 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
From the Airport
Live options for reaching the village from the nearest airports. Times and fares are a guide and can change with traffic or operator schedules.
Dublin AirportDUB
8 km away- Duration
- 10-15 minutes
- Cost
- €15-25
Malahide is one of the closest villages to Dublin Airport. Book via FreeNow for an upfront fare estimate.
- Duration
- 10-15 minutes
- Cost
- Car hire from ~€35/day
Take the M1 south, exit 1 for Malahide via the R139. Parking at the castle (€3/hour) or limited free spaces at the marina.
Operator: Car hire desks in airport arrivals
- Duration
- 30-40 minutes
- Cost
- ~€2.30 with Leap Card
Route 102 runs Dublin Airport to Sutton via Swords and Malahide. Drops in the village centre on Main Street.
Operator: Go-Ahead Ireland
EV & Essentials
Practical infrastructure on the ground: charging, water, and accessibility facilities worth knowing about before you arrive.
EV Charging
ESB ecars at Malahide DART Station
ESB ecars · Fast (22 kW AC three-phase) · 2 stalls · €0.27/kWh PAYG, €0.23/kWh with ESB ecars membership
Railway Avenue, Malahide, Co. Dublin, K36 A257. Two AC charge points in the DART station car park. Parking charges may apply during station hours. Verified 2026-04-28 against esb.ie/ecars charge-point map.. Type 2
ESB ecars at James's Terrace
ESB ecars · Fast (22 kW AC three-phase) · 2 stalls · €0.27/kWh PAYG, €0.23/kWh with ESB ecars membership
2 James's Terrace, Malahide, Co. Dublin, K36 NH50. Street-level charge points in the village core, a couple of minutes from the marina and the Green. Verified 2026-04-28 against esb.ie/ecars charge-point map.. Type 2
Water Refill
Ecofil bottle filling station at Malahide DART Station
Malahide DART Station, Station Road · outdoor
Contactless Iconic-V outdoor bottle filling station. First location under the 2025 Iarnrod Eireann agreement; live since June 2025. Verified 2026-04-28.
Accessibility Facilities
Malahide DART Station
Ramp access · DART Station, Station Road, Malahide
Step-free access to both platforms via lifts installed in the station upgrade. All DART trains have wheelchair spaces; staff can assist with boarding if requested in advance via Iarnrod Eireann.
Malahide Castle Accessible Entrance
Accessible toilet · Malahide Castle, Dublin Road
Castle visitor centre has accessible toilets and a ground-floor cafe. Castle tour includes some steps; staff advise in advance which rooms are wheelchair-accessible. The surrounding 260-acre parkland has paved paths throughout.
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
Parking options in and around Malahide. On busy weekends, arriving early or taking the DART is recommended.
Malahide Castle Car Park
€3/hour. Large car park at the castle entrance. Fills on summer weekends and concert days.
Village Street Parking
Limited on-street parking in the village. 2-hour max during the day.
Marina Car Park
Small car park near the marina. Often full on sunny days.
Planning the wider trip?
Our country-level primer covers national rail, intercity buses, airports, the Leap Card, and whether you actually need a hire car for your trip around Ireland.
Getting Around Ireland →Top Tip
The DART is the best way to get to Malahide. You arrive right in the village centre, there’s no parking hassle, and you can enjoy a meal and a drink without worrying about driving home.