We are flying into Dublin from the US and arriving Wednesday morning around 9:00 am. We only have 2 full days and we are booked with things to do on Thursday. We have tickets to see Kilmainham Goal at 13:45 (1:45) but we also want to visit the Book of Kells. Question: if we booked the Book of Kells for 11:30 would we have enough time to get there from the airport to make our appointment? Our hotel is about 30 minutes from the airport and from the airport to Book of Kells is 15 minutes by tram or 14 min by taxi. It is a 90 minute tour and we need to be at the jail by 13:30. (1:30). Just not sure if we can make it with the time we allowed
Thank you so much
Posted by
913 posts
Of course nobody can tell you with any certainty if it's enough time; as you have no idea if your plane will arrive on time or how long it will take to get through immigration; and then get through the city. Are you then dropping off luggage at the hotel; then on to Book of Kells? It all seems tight and rushed, perhaps possible; but one must do what one must do to squeeze everything in within a short couple of days. I mean I'd look at it as you're placing a bet; so you could book your tickets to Book of Kells at 11:30am and buy back up tickets for later in the day as well, to hedge your bet. Depends on if it's worth being willing to lose some money; or lose out on something you really want to see; or taking your longshot that it'll all go as you hope. (I'm not a gambler so who knows if I'm using the right terminology, but you probably can guess what I mean!) There's a way to make it to the Book of Kells either way, you just have to decide if the additional cost is worth it.
Posted by
Chicago
8163 posts
Everyone has gambled and lost. As soon as you know that your flight is leaving and arriving on time to Dublin book your ticket to the Book of Kelis on your phone and try to make it, if you feel like you can afford the cost to not make it.
Posted by
Freedonia
16270 posts
If the stars are aligned, you shouldn't have a problem with the timing for the Kilmainham Goal.
As for anything earlier.....it's risky. Especially since you are expecting everything to be running to schedule....the tram to be waiting for you, a cab to be waiting for you, no traffic, the hotel check in to take no time, etc.
No one can tell how long it will take to get through immigration and customs on arrival. I've arrived at Dublin at the furthest gate and it was a 15-20 minute walk just to immigration. Then there was a line.
Will you have checked luggage? That will take extra time.
Posted by
West Michigan
136 posts
One datapoint: 2 months ago, our plane reached the gate at Dublin at 5:00 AM. We retrieved our checked backpacks, got through customs, walked to the departures area, and were on a bus to Killarney at 5:45 AM. I suppose for later flights it might be busier.