Dublin to the Cliffs of Moher – A Complete Locals 1 day Guide

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The Cliffs of Moher are often at the top of everyone’s Irish bucket list and for good reason.

We have visited the Cliffs of Moher several times and always leave wanting to come back and experience it from a different perspective.

The great thing is that you can experience the cliffs in several different ways by seeing them from the sea; taking a walking tour; a guided bus tour or taking a self guided approach.

Going from Dublin to the Cliffs of Moher is fairly straightforward but you can take a range of approaches to getting there. Ideally, we would suggest driving or taking a guided tour but there are some public transport options available as well.

If you are visiting Ireland for the first time or don’t feel comfortable driving, we would suggest taking a guided tour to remove any stress involved.

The other consideration to plan around is whether you want to travel back to Dublin the same day or book accommodation nearby. We would always recommend booking a stay on the Wild Atlantic Way, as there is so much to see and do in the area that simply going to the Cliffs and back won’t allow you to experience.

What are the Cliffs of Moher

The Cliffs of Moher are a stunning cliff range stretching over 14km and sit over 700 feet above sea level.

The cliffs are home to a wide range of birds and protected species. The cliffs are the predominant symbol of Ireland’s rugged coastline and give a snapshot of the natural beauty you will find dotted all over the country.

Where are the Cliffs of Moher

The cliffs are in County Clare in the heart of Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way, a stunning coastal route stretching from Kinsale in County Cork to Mizen Head in County Donegal.

If you plan to visit the Cliffs of Moher we would also recommend checking out some of the other great things to do along the Wild Atlantic Way while you are in the area.

That being said, you would need at least 7 days to fully explore the whole coastline properly.

How to get to the Cliffs of Moher from Dublin

Driving

The ‘easiest’ and most direct way to get to the Cliffs of Moher from Dublin is to drive. If you need to rent a car we would recommend using DiscoverCars to get a comparison rate and ensure you get the best deal.

The most direct route is to take the M4 motorway via Athlone but as you are going in that direction we would recommend leaving early and spending the morning in Galway city before making your way to the cliffs later in the afternoon.

Alternatively you could drive past the cliffs to the colourful village of Doolin, about 15 minutes south of the cliffs, spend some time exploring the village, and take this walking tour from Doolin to the cliffs before spending the night in Galway or returning back to Dublin the same day.

The drive from Dublin to the Cliffs of Moher is around 3 to 3 and a half hours each way depending on traffic so we would generally recommend booking somewhere to stay for the night where possible to allow sufficient time to enjoy the area.

Public Transport

To get to the cliffs by public transport is possible but we wouldn’t advise it. There is no direct bus or train to take you to the Cliffs of Moher, meaning you would have to go via Galway.

Taking that approach would take significantly longer than the alternatives so we wouldn’t advise it unless you really had no alternative.

Best guided tours of the Cliffs of Moher

If you are visiting from abroad or are just not comfortable with driving roads (understandable), we would really recommend

The other advantage of taking a guided tour to the Cliffs of Moher, is that it will also take in some additional locations along the way, that you otherwise might have missed.

Even though we are from Ireland, we still often take guided tours to get a different perspective, local insight and to take the stress away from travelling around to each location.

This tour in particular is one that we really like because while we did it, we were able to cover not only the Cliffs of Moher but also spend time in possibly our favourite city in Ireland, Galway, as well as visiting somewhere we had never previously been, the Burren.

Quite often, visitors will go to the Cliffs of Moher without realising that there are so many other great things to do within a short distance.

To us, the real beauty of Ireland is not in its cities necessarily, but in its small towns and villages, where you really get to experience the character, culture and warmth that Ireland is renowned for globally.

On this tour, you get to spend some time in some of our favourites, including Lahinch, which is a cool place to visit in itself, particularly if you are into surfing. If not, are sure to grab a pastry at Hugo’s bakery to fuel the rest of your day exploring.

Cliffs of Moher tour from Galway

if you are visiting the Cliffs of Moher from Galway rather than Dublin, we would strongly recommend you take this tour of the cliffs from sea rather than land.

From our experience, this is the best way to see the Cliffs of Moher, offering a completely different perspective and allowing you to take in the sheer scale of the cliffs.

The thing we loved about this tour was being able to visit the Aran Islands, which we had never been to previously and we were able to visit the site of the Plassey Shipwreck.

The unique thing about the Aran Islands is that the Irish language is still largely spoken here so you will get a chance to experience an authentic version of native living.

Cliffs of Moher tour from Cork

Similarly, you can also take this tour from Cork which goes via Limerick and and also has stops at the Burren along the way.

You also get to stop at Bunratty Castle by taking this tour, which we would recommend doing as a standalone activity as well.

Tips for visiting the Cliffs of Moher

Getting tickets

Tickets for the Cliffs of Moher can be purchased from the official website, costing 8 Euro for adults and children under the age of 12 can visit for free when attending with an adult.

What to wear

The Cliffs of Moher are set along the Wild Atlantic Way (it gets its name for good reason) and it is the entry point to the Atlantic Ocean.

With that in mind, make sure to prepare for wind and lots of it. We have visited the Cliffs of Moher on clear blue sky days and still been blown away by the wind.

Generally speaking in Ireland, and particularly in the West, the best advice is to prepare for all 4 seasons to make an appearance every day. Numerous days go from blue skies to heavy rain to rainbows and so on, it is unpredictable at the best of times.

Our suggestion is to make sure you pack layers that are easily interchangeable and a good pair of walking shoes.

Safety

The cliffs are quite exposed and there have been some fatalities there in recent years. While additional safety measures have been put in place to prevent harm, you have to respect the danger that the natural environment here presents.

The ground under foot can be loose in places, there is loose rock and there can be high winds. Everyone wants to get a great photo but it is naive to get too close to the edge of an exposed range of cliffs so do give yourself plenty of room to ensure your safety.

Where to stay near the Cliffs of Moher

The other thing we would suggest if you are going from Dublin to the Cliffs of Moher is to arrange accommodation for the night before making your way back to Dublin the following day.

If you do plan to stay, we would recommend staying in either Clare of Galway to minimise your travelling time.

Recommended hotels in Clare

Dromoland Castle – If you want the ultimate luxury castle experience in Ireland then it has to be Dromoland Castle. Set just a short drive from Bunratty Castle, this place has everything from tennis courts, swimming pools and incredible gardens to fine dining restauarants. Dromoland Castle is possibly the best place to stay in Ireland.

The Armada – This beautiful hotel is set right on the beach at Spanish Point, around 25 minutes South of Doolin and has amazing views looking out over the Atlantic Ocean.

Fiddle & Bow Collection – This stylish collection of cottages set beside the ocean are perfect for anyone looking for a home from home feel to their stay. Particularly if you haven’t visited Ireland previously, the cottages will really make you feel like you’re staying in an Irish home.

Recommended hotels in Galway

Glenlo Abbey – This is the best luxury hotel in Galway, set on a large estate overlooking Lough Corrib. The hotel offers Michelin star dining experiences, huge cycling trails that you can explore on complimentary bikes and a renowned golf course and driving range.

The G Hotel – If you’re looking for a spa break style hotel in Galway we would recommend the G Hotel, a luxury 5* hotel just outside the city centre.

The Dean – For a hotel in the heart of Galway city centre, we would recommend the Dean. The hotel is walking distance to the main bars and restaurants in the city and has a great swimming pool on site as well.

We have lots of great guides on how to explore the Wild Atlantic Way so make sure to check them out to help you plan the perfect itinerary for this stunning coastal route – have a great time!