Taking the Glendalough bus from Dublin
The Glendalough bus, route 181, runs from St. Stephen’s Green North in Dublin to Glendalough Visitor Centre, via Bray, Roundwood, Annamoe and Laragh. This is a scheduled service for an independent visit. A guided excursion is a different choice, with its own Dublin departure arrangements and sightseeing programme. Decide which suits your day before comparing the tickets.
The published winter timetable covers 1 November to 28 February. Daily outward departures from Dublin are 11:00, arriving at 12:20, and 18:00, arriving at 19:25. For a same-day sightseeing visit, the earlier departure is the useful starting point. The late service makes more sense when you have arranged somewhere to stay and have considered the final journey from the stop.
In winter, the afternoon return leaves Glendalough at 16:30 and reaches Dublin at 18:00. Morning returns are 07:15 to 08:50 on weekdays and 09:15 to 10:30 on Saturdays, Sundays and statutory days off. These are scheduled times, so leave room for traffic when arranging an onward connection. The separate summer timetable covers 1 March to 30 October; use that seasonal table rather than carrying winter times into a summer plan.
The bus operator’s undated fare page lists Dublin adult tickets at 14 EUR one way or 23 EUR return. Children under 14 pay 8 EUR one way or 14 EUR return. Tickets are sold on the bus and return tickets remain valid for 30 days. Cash, most credit and debit cards, and Leap are accepted, but Leap Visitor and Young Adult are excluded. The service runs throughout the year except Christmas Day. Check the current seasonal timetable before travelling, particularly for a return that connects with a flight.
Our pick: guided travel from Dublin
The coach excursion is a guided alternative for reaching Glendalough from Dublin.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
A guided half-day journey from Dublin
Travel to Glendalough and Wicklow by air-conditioned coach with a local guide. This Dublin excursion is separate from route 181 and airport transfers.
Local connections on routes 183 and 895
TFI introduced the expanded network on 4 December 2025. Route 183 links Arklow, Avoca, Rathdrum, Wicklow, Roundwood, Laragh and Glendalough. Route 895 connects Sallins, Blessington and Glendalough. These daily connections are useful when approaching from elsewhere in the region. Choose the route by the places it serves, then read the timetable in the direction you need.
The November 2025 timetable lists daily departures from Glendalough to Sallins on route 895 at 08:50, 13:00, 15:40 and 18:20. Allow separately for any connecting journey. If you are staying outside the village, compare the exact bus stop with your accommodation address; a place name in a timetable is not a door-to-door transfer. Our guide to accommodation areas explains the location choices.
Taxi and transfer from Dublin Airport (DUB)
For an arrival at Dublin Airport, plan the airport leg separately from the city bus. Regional tourism information lists taxi and transfer services between the airport and the Wicklow Way region. Arrange the destination as an exact address, especially when staying outside Laragh, and agree the fare and return arrangements for your journey.
County tourism gives about 1 hour 20 minutes as an indicative drive from Dublin Airport to Glendalough. Treat this as a road-travel guide rather than an arrival promise: traffic, vehicle collection and parking need their own allowance. For a late arrival, reaching your accommodation can be a more practical first objective than fitting in a lake walk.
Car hire and parking
If collecting a hire car at DUB, plan the onward drive and the parking location together. From Dublin, the road approach follows the M11/N11 south, turning at Kilmacanogue onto the R755 through Roundwood and Annamoe. Continue through Laragh onto the R756/R757 for Glendalough. A car can suit an independent walking day, but the car park you choose changes how much walking comes before the main route.
There are three distinct parking locations. The free Council car park in Laragh opens from 08:00 to 20:00; NPWS’s notice of 29 May 2026 places it about 3 km on foot from Upper Lake and the Information Office. The OPW Visitor Centre Car Park, managed by APCOA, also opens from 08:00 to 20:00 and takes coins or cards at the machines. The Council Upper Lake Car Park is at the end of the valley road and has paid entry. Read the displayed charges and closing information at your chosen entrance.
Sunny weekends can bring parking pressure. Keep the road to Upper Lake clear, including the double yellow lines used to protect emergency access. From the OPW car park, NPWS gives about 20 minutes on foot to Upper Lake via Green Road or the Lower Lake Boardwalk in its May 2026 notice. Use the lakes guide to decide where to begin, and read the walking routes and closure notes before committing to a longer outing.
Compare car rental at Dublin Airport (DUB) on Economybookings.
Questions about reaching Glendalough
Where does the Dublin bus leave?
Route 181 leaves St. Stephen’s Green North and serves Glendalough Visitor Centre. Select the winter or summer timetable for your date and plan the return as carefully as the outward trip.
Is the guided excursion an airport transfer?
The excursion is a five-hour Dublin sightseeing trip with a local guide, coach and transport. It is neither an airport transfer nor a ticket for the scheduled bus. See Glendalough excursions for the sightseeing choices.
Which car park is free?
The Council car park in Laragh is free, with a walk to the main valley attractions. The Visitor Centre and Upper Lake parking locations have their own arrangements, so choose by both the walking distance and the displayed terms.