Who Takes This Route?
Drogheda sits on the Boyne about 42 km north of the airport, straight up the M1. It is the main town on the Louth and Meath border and a regular airport destination for residents, hospital visitors and people starting a Boyne Valley trip.
Typical passengers include patients and visitors for Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital on Windmill Road (45 km from the airport, 36 minutes in free-flowing traffic), guests of the Westcourt Hotel on West Street in the town centre or the Boyne Valley Hotel at Stameen (37 km, 31 minutes without traffic), and visitors for Millmount, where the museum occupies a Napoleonic-era Martello tower. Locals returning from a flight are the biggest group, particularly after the bus timetable has thinned out at night.
Drogheda is also a base for the coast and the monastic sites. Bettystown is 38.8 km from the airport, Mellifont Abbey 47 km and Monasterboice 50 km, all measured by the M1. Heading for Newgrange? Its Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre is nearer the airport than Drogheda in driving time, so a direct taxi does not need to pass through the town.
Fare Breakdown by Tariff
| Tariff | When | Estimated Fare |
|---|---|---|
| Standard (1) | Mon–Sat, 8am–8pm | €69 – €84 |
| Premium (2) | Mon–Sat 8pm–8am, Sundays | €90 – €109 |
| Special (3) | Fri/Sat midnight–4am, Christmas, NYE | €97 – €117 |
A €3 booking fee applies when pre-booked. €1 per extra adult after the first. No luggage charge. Under the NTA fare rules, the M1 toll is added to the metered fare. For a precise estimate, use the fare calculator.
Travelling as a group or with lots of luggage? Book a 7 or 8 seater taxi: same regulated meter, room for up to 8 passengers.
The Route: One Motorway
Via the M1 (the standard route)
The airport is on the M1 corridor, so this is the simplest long transfer on the site: 41.8 km, 34 minutes when the road is clear, 35 late on a weekday morning and 43 in the 17:30 peak.
Alternatives
There is also the M1 with the R132 (45 km, 34 to 44 minutes) and a route along the Swords Road and R132 that is the shortest at 39 km but the slowest at peak: 37 minutes when clear, yet 51 in the 17:30 peak. The M1 is the better choice in the evening.
Toll
Tolling on the M1 covers the section between Junction 7 (Julianstown) and Junction 10 (Drogheda North). For 2026 the TII car rate on the Gormanston to Monasterboice stretch is €2.30. Expect it on your fare, and again on the way back to the airport. Ask for the final toll figure when you book.
All Transport Options Compared
| Option | Time | Operator | Notes | Door-to-Door? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taxi (CaminoCabs) | 34 – 43 min | CaminoCabs | Meets you at Arrivals | Yes |
| Bus 101 | About 1 hr 20 min | Bus Éireann | Dublin, Airport, Swords, Balbriggan, Drogheda | No |
| Train via Connolly | Varies | Irish Rail | Not at the airport, so you need a city transfer | No |
Bus 101 from the airport
Bus Éireann route 101 runs Dublin Busáras, Drumcondra Station, Dublin Airport, Swords, Balbriggan and Drogheda, ending at Drogheda MacBride station. Timetable data lists airport departures from 12:50am to 11:58pm, at roughly 30 to 60 minute intervals in the day, which includes some night-time hours. The scheduled airport to Drogheda time is around 1 hour 24 minutes. Check times on Transport for Ireland before you travel.
Train via Connolly
Drogheda MacBride station is on Irish Rail's Dublin to Belfast line, but there is no rail at Dublin Airport. You would first go to Connolly Station by bus, then take the train north. That is two stages with luggage, and it makes sense for a light traveller who is already heading into the city anyway. See Irish Rail for the timetable.
Bus or taxi?
The 101 is the public option from the airport that needs no change of vehicle. A taxi saves roughly 40 minutes of journey time against the bus and goes to the door, which counts after a long flight, for a late arrival, or when you have bags and a hospital appointment or hotel check-in waiting.
Splitting the Fare
Take a mid-range daytime fare of €77, before the booking fee and toll, and add €1 for every adult after the first:
| Passengers | Total Fare (est.) | Per Person |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | €77 | €77 |
| 2 people | €78 | €39 |
| 3 people | €79 | €26.33 |
| 4 people | €80 | €20 |
Five to eight people can travel in one seven-seater taxi. If you are travelling with children, bring your own child seat and see the child seat page.
Drop-off Points in Town
For the town centre, the Westcourt Hotel on West Street, Millmount and the nearby sights are straightforward drop-offs. St Laurence's Gate and the shrine of Saint Oliver Plunkett in St Peter's Church are both in the historic centre. For the hospital, give the ward or department so the driver can find the right entrance. For a house in the countryside or on the coast, include the Eircode in your booking message.
Onward Trips Along the Same Corridor
Many passengers do not stop in Drogheda itself, and the M1 gives several short continuations. These destinations are at the following distances from the terminals:
| Destination | Distance | Time in clear traffic |
|---|---|---|
| Bettystown | 38.8 km | 33 min |
| Drogheda (Millmount) | 40.5 km | 33 min |
| Mellifont Abbey | 47.3 km | 34 min |
| Monasterboice | 50.3 km | 37 min |
| Dundalk | 75.6 km | 52 min |
The fare grows with distance, so a stop beyond Drogheda costs more than the range at the top of this page. For a quote on Dundalk or a multi-stop day out, see the long-distance taxi page or message us with the route you have in mind.
Getting Back for Your Flight
The meter fare is much the same in reverse. At 17:30 the drive is 43 minutes rather than 34. For a morning flight, book the pickup the day before and add a buffer on top of the drive, then check your airline's advice on how long before departure to be at the terminal.
Route 101 also runs towards the airport from Drogheda Bus Station, with timetable data showing departures from about midnight to 11pm.
Pre-Book Your Airport Taxi to Drogheda
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a taxi from Dublin Airport to Drogheda?
€69–€84 during the day (Standard Rate), €90–€109 at night (Premium Rate), and €97–€117 on the Special Rate. A €3 booking fee applies for pre-booked taxis, and the M1 toll is added to the fare.
How long is the drive from the airport to Drogheda?
The M1 route is about 42 km. Expect 34 minutes when the road is clear, 35 minutes in late morning and 43 minutes in the 17:30 peak.
Does the M1 to Drogheda have a toll?
Yes. The M1 is tolled between Junction 7 (Julianstown) and Junction 10 (Drogheda North), and the 2026 car rate on the Gormanston to Monasterboice stretch is €2.30. It goes on top of the metered fare.
Which bus goes from the airport to Drogheda?
Yes. Bus Éireann's 101 goes from the airport through Swords and Balbriggan to Drogheda MacBride station. Timetable data gives about 1 hour 24 minutes, with departures across the day and night.
Can I get a train from the airport to Drogheda?
Not directly, because the airport has no station. You would take a bus to Connolly Station, then an Irish Rail train towards Drogheda, which is on the Dublin to Belfast line.
Is Newgrange nearer to the airport than Drogheda?
Slightly, in driving time. The Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre is 32 to 39 minutes from the terminals, against 33 to 41 minutes for Millmount in Drogheda. If the visitor centre is your destination, give it as the drop-off.
Can a family of six share one taxi to Drogheda?
Yes. Use a 7 or 8 seater, which is charged on the metered fare plus €1 for each extra adult. Child seats are not provided, so bring your own.
Need a Drogheda taxi to the airport? Call +353 85 712 7547 (24/7) or book on WhatsApp for a fare from €69 by day.
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