Dublin Airport Coaches: Key Links and the Need for a Metro

9/10/2024

Wed 09 October 2024 - Adam Ross - Transport Planner at Metro Dublin

Dublin Airport, Ireland's Gateway to the World, handles tens of millions of passengers annually. Several coach services, like Aircoach and Dublin Express, provide fast links to the city center, while Bus Éireann and Citylink connect to destinations like Galway, Cork, and Belfast. However, heavy traffic and overcrowding often hampers these services, highlighting the need for rail and metro links. As the only major capital city airport in Europe without a rail connection, Dublin Airport will massively benefit from Metro Dublin, offering a much needed short to medium-term solution to ease congestion and improve access.

Dublin Airport Express Coach

Dublin Airport T2

These coach services are vital to Ireland's transport infrastructure. They offer affordable and direct travel options for both tourists and locals, easing the burden on taxis and personal car usage. For passengers with early flights, the 24-hour services by some coach operators ensure they can reach the airport no matter the time. Furthermore, these services are crucial for counties outside Dublin, offering easy airport access for people living in more rural areas.

However, despite these advantages, Dublin's growing population and the increasing number of airport users highlight a major gap: the lack of a dedicated metro system. As the city and airport expand, congestion on roads is becoming a significant issue, particularly at peak times when coach services can experience delays. A metro would offer a fast, reliable, and eco-friendly alternative, bypassing road traffic and ensuring that passengers can get to the airport in a fraction of the time.

While the existing coach network is essential, the long-discussed Metrolink project as well as the transformational Metro Dublin project will greatly enhance Dublin’s transport capacity, making airport access faster and reducing traffic pressure on already crowded routes.

Old 747 Airport Link
Dublin’s old 747 Airport Bus Link, once a staple for travellers heading to and from the airport to and from Heuston train station, is no longer in operation as of 2020, leaving many disappointed by the loss of such a convenient and high-capacity service, making the need for Metro Dublin more evident than ever. The double-decker buses that ran the 747 route were not only frequent but also able to accommodate far more passengers than the single-decker coaches that have replaced them. With the ability for passengers to stand, these buses could carry a higher volume during busy times, ensuring fewer people were left waiting. In contrast, the coaches now serving the airport have strict seating limits, forcing passengers to find alternate means if a bus is full. This loss is particularly felt given the increasing demand for public transport, making it a significant setback for the city’s transport network.

Dublin Express Route 783
The newest Dublin Express Route 783 connects Dublin Airport to Terenure and Rathgar via the city center, offering an affordable, direct service. However, it faces delays due to traffic and the time-consuming boarding process at multiple stops, leading to a total journey time of around 1 hour and 40 minutes; so long that Google Maps barely even suggests it as a travel option from Rathgar or Terenure to Dublin Airport. In contrast, Metro Dublin would provide a faster, traffic-free alternative with shorter travel times, greater reliability, and a cheaper fare of €2 by leap card as opposed to €11 by cash, making it a far more efficient option for airport passengers.