Dublin is wonderful for families — Viking museums, Phoenix Park, the seaside villages. The airport transfer just needs some planning, especially given Dublin's traffic.
Aircoach with kids
The Aircoach costs 7-8 EUR per adult (kids under 3 free, 3-15 roughly half price). The coaches are comfortable with luggage space underneath. For a family with older kids and a few suitcases, it works well.
With a baby or toddler in a stroller: it's doable but not relaxing. You need to fold the stroller, manage luggage, and keep the little one contained on a 30-40 minute ride. Some parents handle it fine; others find it stressful.
Taxi with kids
Dublin taxis are exempt from child seat requirements by law. This means drivers don't carry child seats and aren't required to. Some parents are okay with this for a short ride; others aren't.
The taxis (mostly saloons) fit 2 adults + 2 kids comfortably. With a third child, you need a people carrier taxi — ask the taxi marshal at the rank. The ride to the city costs 30-45 EUR.
Private transfer with kids (recommended)
The best option for families with young children:
| Family setup | Vehicle | Child seats | Price to city | |---|---|---|---| | 2 adults + 1 child | Sedan + child seat | 1 | 35-50 EUR | | 2 adults + 2 children | Minivan + child seats | 2 | 55-75 EUR | | 2 adults + 3+ children | People carrier | As needed | 65-85 EUR |
Why it works for families:
- Child seats provided — specify infant, toddler, or booster when booking
- Minivan/people carrier — actual space for strollers, car seats, luggage, and children
- Fixed price — critical in Dublin, where rush hour traffic can add 15-20 EUR to a metered taxi
- Driver handles everything — meets you at arrivals, carries bags, gets you to the door
Dublin Airport tips for families
- Terminal 1 has a small play area for kids
- Terminal 2 is newer and more spacious — Aer Lingus flights
- Immigration queues can be long (especially for US arrivals) — bring snacks and entertainment for the kids
- Stroller collection varies — sometimes gate-side, sometimes at the belt. Check with your airline
The traffic warning
If your flight arrives during morning rush (7-9:30 AM) or evening rush (4-7 PM), the ride to the city could take 45-60 minutes. Tired, hungry children in slow traffic is nobody's idea of fun.
Options to avoid this:
- Take the Aircoach, which uses bus lanes in some sections
- Book accommodation near the airport for the first night
- Accept it and bring snacks, tablets, and patience
Where to stay with kids in Dublin
Your transfer destination affects the cost:
- Temple Bar / City Center — walkable but touristy and noisy at night. Transfer: 35-50 EUR
- Docklands — modern hotels, quieter, near the LUAS tram. Transfer: 38-52 EUR
- Howth — beautiful seaside village, great for kids. Transfer: 38-52 EUR
- Dun Laoghaire — another seaside option with pier walks. Transfer: 45-60 EUR
Our advice
For families with young children: book a minivan transfer with child seats. Dublin traffic makes taxi fares unpredictable, and the fixed price (55-75 EUR for a minivan) gives peace of mind. For families with older kids who don't need car seats, the Aircoach is a great budget option — comfortable, frequent, and 24/7.