What to Do in Dublin When You Land Early In the Morning
What To Do in Dublin When You Land Early
"My flight lands in Dublin at 5am but I can't check in to my hotel until 3pm, what should I do?"
I've flown from the US to Ireland myself more than 100 times so I know exactly what it's like to land in Dublin early in the morning.
And I do a Dublin Jet Lag walking tour every day with folks who have just landed and I see what they like and don't like.
From all that experience, here's your first day in Dublin itinerary that is paced just right to keep you going without overdoing it after a long flight.
Don't Rent a Car at Dublin Airport
You don't need a rental car in Dublin. You'll just be paying to park it. Instead, and this is a big local tip, rent your car from Kilmainham when you're leaving Dublin.
Kilmainham is just a mile past the Guinness Brewery, very close to the city but on the road out. You'll save money & stress.
📖 Why you should rent your car in Kilmainham, not the airport
Getting from Dublin Airport to the City Centre
- The airport bus takes 30 minutes and costs about €10
- A taxi cost €30-40 to most city centre hotels.
- Book a private airport transfer. Costs about 50% more than a taxi but the driver is waiting for you in the terminal, rather you waiting in a cold taxi line.
Your Hotel and Luggage
Rush hour for transatlantic arrivals in Dublin Airport is 5am. If you land then, book a hotel room for the night before. It's just too early to kill time.
You can have a quick nap & be ready to explore Dublin by mid-morning. You’ll feel the benefit over your whole vacation so it's well worth the cost.
The Chancery Hotel is on a quiet street and good for early arrivals. Here's my guide on the best area to stay in Dublin if you haven't booked your hotel yet.
Landing later? Drop your bags off at your hotel or at a luggage storage place and power through the day with my plan below.
Early Check-In
Dublin hotels are well used to early arrivals and will do their best to let you check-in early, but it's usually after noon before they can get you in from my experience.
Best Early Morning Coffee Spots in Dublin
Here are some coffee shops that are open early. Or just ask at your hotel for the closest place since you don't know the city well enough yet.
- Keogh's Cafe - Central and one of my favourite cafes.
- Shoe Lane - Close to Trinity College. If you're into your coffee, you'll love it.
- Stage Door - In Temple Bar if you are staying near there.
Do a Tour of Dublin First
When you're tired, you want something that doesn't need much thinking. The lack of sleep hurts your brain. You don't want to navigate Dublin's confusing streets.
Go on a tour and let someone else show you the way and tell you about Dublin. Here's the three best options:
- Dublin Hop-on Hop-off bus
- Do the full loop, don't even get off it. Bring a coffee on board, enjoy the sights and the commentary. Sit on the open upper deck to keep you awake.
- My Dublin Jet Lag walk
- I'll show you around Dublin on a private tour designed specifically for the jet lagged. It's customized to your arrival time & we meet at your hotel. Flight delay? No problem, we'll start the tour later.
- Dublin Group Walking Tour
- This company has multiple group tours throughout the day to match your arrival time.
Where to Get a Quick Lunch
After a night of airplane food, you'll be hungry. Hungry & tired are a bad combination.
I love Exchequer Street for a variety of quick lunch options like Fallon & Byrne, Sprout & Cornucopia but I wouldn't overthink it, just go somewhere close to where you are. Rents are too high for the bad cafes to survive long here.
My where to eat in Dublin page will give you more options.
Check In To Your Hotel
By now, you'll be able to check into your hotel. Go there, freshen up but then get back out on the streets. Don't be tempted to nap!
Afternoon Plan: The Guinness Storehouse
4pm is when your tiredness really kicks in and that's why Guinness is the ideal thing to do next.
The sensory overload actually keeps you awake. It is energetic & buzzy. There's music, dancers and lots of people. And a delicious pint of Guinness at the end of the tour. The view from the Gravity Bar will help you get your bearings in Dublin too.
Book it now, it's the most popular attraction in Ireland & has dynamic pricing.
🎟️ Get Your Guinness Storehouse Tickets
Dinner
You're exhausted by now and want food, not an elaborate meal, so I'd recommend eating in a pub. Our pub grub is very good, service is quick and they have the classics like fish & chips. You'll find one near any City Centre hotel.
My favourites are Lincoln's Inn, The Oval, O'Neills, The Old Stand, The Duke.
Bed Time
Finally, it's 9pm. You've done it. Time for bed. You'll probably wake up early because of the jet lag, but it's ok. You're in Dublin and now you know enough to go explore on your own.
My Dublin Hub page will give more ideas of what to do in Dublin.
What NOT To Do After You Land
- Anything that involves decisions. Prebook and have your first day organized.
- Any tour that needs you to think. You'll just be thinking about bed.
- Museums? You'll doze off reading about 1000 year old things.
