Do you want to escape the buzz and bustle of Dublin’s dynamic city life? Look no further than a day excursion to Cliffs of Moher
The Cliffs of Moher represent a natural marvel situated along the rugged coastline of County Clare, attracting visitors from all over the world to witness its awe-inspiring majesty.
We’ll take you to a spectacular location and provide ideas and insights to help you make the most of your Cliffs of Moher day trip from Dublin.
Related Read:
- Beautiful Cliffs In Ireland That You Should Visit
- The Cliffs of Moher Guide; Travel Tips For First Time Visitors
Things you'll find in this article
Best Time To Visit The Cliffs Of Moher
The Cliffs and the weather are beautiful since they may be shrouded in fog one minute and then glowing in the sun the next. The weather is quite volatile.
When visiting, bring a decent rain jacket along with a pair of walking boots to be ready for any weather. Visit the national weather service on the day you intend to visit for exact weather conditions.
How to Get There
The famous Cliffs of Moher are approximately 267 kilometers from Dublin. The best method to go from one to the other is via automobile, either self-driving or through a private transfer.
There is also public transit. You may take the regional bus, which links once in Galway and goes around six hours. You may also take the train and the bus together. This route is slightly less convenient because it requires two transfers, reducing your journey duration to around four hours.
By Train
Train Cost: $28.00
Duration: 4 Hours
If you choose public transportation, combining the train and the regional bus is the quickest method to get there. The train leaves from Dublin’s Heuston station, links in Galway, and stops in Ennis around three hours afterward.
Ennis is County Clare’s capital and transportation center, so you can easily get a bus to the Cliffs of Moher. Bus Éireann, Ireland’s regional bus service, operates these routes, which take just under an hour.
By Car
Estimated Fuel Cost: $62.00
Duration: 3 Hours
The most efficient and easiest method to go to the Cliffs of Moher from Dublin is via private transport. The road travels straight across the Midlands Region before arriving at the picturesque county of Galway.
The journey isn’t very scenic because you’ll be sticking to motorways; but, on a sunny day, you may catch views of the Wicklow Mountains as you depart Dublin, as well as lots of rolling green hills along the route.
By Bus
Cost: $36.00
Duration: 6 Hours
The bus journey is slightly longer, but you only have to transfer once in Galway. The first section of the route follows the roads across the Midlands region.
Once in Galway, you’ll have access to another road that follows the picturesque coastline of Galway Bay. Seats on the bus’s right side provide the greatest views of the Atlantic Ocean.
7 Best Things to Do at the Cliffs of Moher
The Cliffs of Moher have a free app and audio tour available on Google Play as well as the App Store. It’s a terrific opportunity to learn more about this attraction while experiencing it firsthand.
The audio tour is divided into 13 segments that last around 4 minutes each and include topics like the UNESCO Global Geopark, the Cliffs of Moher display, music traditions at the cliffs, and more.
1. O’Brien’s Tower
The cliffs reach their apex at O’Brien’s Tower. A walk along the paved walkways near the cliffs’ edge is highly recommended.
The highest point on the Cliffs of Moher is O’Brien’s Tower. O’Brien erected O’Brien’s Tower near the Cliffs’ highest point as a viewing platform for 19th-century tourists.
He also constructed a wall along the Cliffs out of Liscannor flagstone, the remains of which may be found on the visitor center grounds. The visit to the tower costs an additional €2.
2. Cliffs of Moher Cruise
The Cliffs of Moher are best seen by boat. A full-day scenic journey to the Cliffs of Moher from Dublin might include a drive down the rough Atlantic Coast from Dublin to view some of Europe’s tallest cliffs and the gorgeous Galway City.
Or, from Galway, you may join a trip to view the world-famous Cliffs of Moher, wander through the strange Burren panoramas, and marvel at the grandeur of Connemara and the Cliffs of Moher. Spend overnight in beautiful Galway, Ireland’s west coast, and explore this renowned city.
3. Visitor Center
Its unusual cave-like structure, nestled into the hillside, has a full range of subterranean services and activities.
The eco-friendly design has little visible influence on the surrounding area and complements the natural beauty of the Cliffs.
After taking in the breathtaking scenery of the Cliffs of Moher, one of the best ways to make new and lasting travel memories is to immerse yourself in a sensory instructive experience at the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Center.
The Cliffs Exhibition is located here, and it is situated in a large domed cave in the center of the structure.
It includes a plethora of useful information and vividly depicts many features of the Cliffs of Moher in four thematic sections. The Visitor Center also has several VR activities and films.
4. Doolin Cave
The biggest Stalactite in Europe as well as the third largest in the world, descending over 7200 feet, is a must-see. More amazing than its magnitude is the fact that the Great Stalactite was produced from just one drop of water for thousands of years.
Doolin Cave, one of the most intriguing geological Clare tourist sites, allows you to visit the deepest point of the Burren underground.
5. Burren National Park
This park is proud of its one-of-a-kind landscape. Burren National Park feels like it’s on another rocky planet since its name is derived from Boireann, an Irish term that means “rocky place.”
The limestone rock scenery of Burren is one of the magnificent sites not to be missed, and nothing compares to Ireland’s rolling green hills. It also has spectacular terrain and is well worth a visit during your Cliffs of Moher trip, especially if you are interested in botany and history.
6. Hag’s Head
This is a fantastic trek and one of the greatest things to do in the area surrounding the Cliffs of Moher. Hag’s Head is about an hour’s leisurely walk from the Cliffs’ tourist center.
According to legend, the ancient Hag Mal of Malby fell in love with the famous Irish hero Chulainn and pursued him across Ireland. C Chulainn fled by hopping across the sea stacks, but the Hag, who was less sure-footed, lost her footing and died on the rocks.
7. St Brigid’s Well
St. Brigid’s Well in Liscannor is revered as a healing location; the spring at the popular site is housed in a short man-made cave filled with photographs, sculptures, rosary beads, and badges left by visitors over the years.
Locals, tourists, and passers-by frequent the location, which also features a monument of St. Brigid in a glass case and is situated on the Wild Atlantic Way, 1.5km from the Cliffs of Moher Experience. Many pilgrims travel in huge numbers, notably on St. Brigid’s Day, but also on Assumption Day in August.
Best Group Tours to Join
These magnificent cliffs provide spectacular vistas that have captivated tourists for decades, standing tall against the merciless waves of the Atlantic Ocean.
Joining a group trip might be a terrific way to make the most of your stay and immerse yourself in the breathtaking environment.
Kilmacduagh Abbey & Galway Day Tour
Meeting Place: Charlemont House, Parnell Square N, Rotunda, Dublin
Price: $79.99 per person
Explore the renowned Cliffs of Moher by bus on a guided day tour. Visit Galway and its gorgeous surrounding countryside, as well as iconic landmarks such as Kilmacduagh Abbey.
Enjoy the breathtaking vistas along the Wild Atlantic Way, featuring views of the Aran Islands as well as Galway Bay, in addition to stops at the Cliffs of Moher and other amazing locations.
Essential Tips:
- This will be a lengthy day journey. It is possible to travel for up to two hours between stops.
- It is advised that you bring a packed lunch. This trip does not make any stops for lunch. Rest spots sell pre-packaged sandwiches and snacks.
- Depending on traffic and weather, the locations may be visited in a different sequence.
To book this tour click here.
Galway Bay and Burren Coastal Drive
Pickup Points: Outside the Hotel Riu Plaza The Gresham Dublin, 23 Upper O’Connell Street, or at Ulster Bank Bus Stop, 33 College Green / Dame Street, Dublin 2
Price: $89.00 per person
A magnificent full-day journey through the counties of Kildare, Limerick, and Clare, via the 15th-century Bunratty Castle and the outstanding golf and surf resort of Lahinch, allows you to escape the rush and bustle of Dublin.
Your ultimate destination will be the magnificent Cliffs of Moher, where you are given 2 hours of free time to explore as well as VIP admission to the new Atlantic Edge, an interpretative visitor experience that provides a virtual reality birds’ eye perspective on cliff edge life both above and below sea level.
Then you can opt to go along the cliff edge and witness nature’s power at work. Feel the cool sea breeze and the tremendous height of the cliffs overlooking the Atlantic.
Day Tour Highlights:
- Drive across Ireland’s picturesque counties of Clare, Kildare, and Limerick.
- Spend 2 hours exploring and admiring the views at the Cliffs of Moher.
- Get exclusive access to the Cliffs of Moher’s new Atlantic Edge tourist center.To book this tour click here.
Aran Islands Day Trip & Cliffs of Moher Cruise
Meeting Place: Merchants Rd, Eyre Square, Galway, H91 F2KT, Ireland
Price: $80.00 per person
Discover the historic churches and castles of Inis Oirr, the smallest of the Aran Islands, on a day excursion from Galway. Admire the seaside panorama at the Cliffs of Moher.
Drive south through the Wild Atlantic Way and the lunar-like Burren area from the meeting point in Galway. From there, take the boat to Inisheer from the lovely fishing resort of Doolin.
Enjoy the island’s churches, lighthouses, shipwrecks, cafés, and bars after you arrive. Explore one of Ireland’s most stunning beaches and, if desired, take a pony and carriage ride, rent a bicycle, or explore the country roads.
Day Tour Highlights:
- Visit the extraordinary beauty of Inis Oirr, the smallest and least developed of the Aran Islands.
- Take in the natural splendor of the Cliffs of Moher from below and above.
- Lunch can be had in one of the typical pubs/restaurants.To book this tour click here.
Practical Tips for the Cliffs of Moher Day Trip from Dublin
A Cliffs of Moher day excursion from Dublin is an excellent way to enjoy this natural treasure. Here are some practical things to consider before starting your adventure to make the most of it.
Expect High Winds
The Cliffs of Moher occasionally experience severe winds or other hazardous weather conditions, which is why we adhere to Met Eireann weather warning regulations.
If you visit us during severe wind conditions, please be careful of the warning notices posted on our website and social media channels, as well as at the entrance to the parking and coach park.
Spend a Minimum of Two Days
It is recommended to spend at least two days to appreciate everything the gorgeous county of Clare on Ireland’s West Coast has to offer.
Allow at least two hours for your visit to the Cliffs of Moher, though many people stay a bit longer.
Buy Your Cliffs of Moher Ticket Online
If you prefer greater flexibility in your schedule and the freedom to stop and see places at your leisure, renting a vehicle and traveling at your own pace is a better option for you, and you probably weren’t contemplating a bus trip anyway.
If you do this, be sure you purchase your Cliffs of Moher ticket online ahead of time to save time when you arrive. You are not required to pay to see the cliffs, but you must pay for parking, and because the ticket covers parking and admission to the visitor center, it’s a good idea to purchase it if you’re driving.
[adinserter name=”Block 1″]Hi, I’m Christine – a full-time traveler and career woman. Although I’m from the Philippines, my location independent career took me to over 60 countries for the past 12 years. I also lived in 4 continents – from the Caribbean, South East Asia, Africa and now in Europe. But despite living in several countries, my love for Ireland remains the same. A country that had been a part of my life since I was 14 because of my love for Irish music and bands. Ireland Travel Guides was born because of this passion and hopefully, in some little ways, this website will be able to help you on your next trip to Ireland.