Who Takes This Route?
Howth is Dublin's most popular coastal village — a fishing harbour with cliff walks, fresh seafood, weekend markets, and views across Dublin Bay. It's just 30 minutes north-east of the airport, on the same side of the city, which makes it one of the more logical airport taxi routes.
People who take this route include tourists heading straight to Howth accommodation (B&Bs, hotels, and Airbnbs are plentiful), visitors doing a Howth day trip before checking into city centre hotels (store luggage, do the cliff walk, eat seafood, then DART into Dublin), and locals returning home to Howth, Sutton, or Baldoyle from a flight.
Fare Breakdown by Tariff
| Tariff | When | Estimated Fare |
|---|---|---|
| Standard (1) | Mon–Sat, 8am–8pm | €30 – €40 |
| Premium (2) | Mon–Sat 8pm–8am, Sundays | €38 – €48 |
| Special (3) | Fri/Sat midnight–4am, Christmas, NYE | €42 – €54 |
A €3 booking fee applies when pre-booked. €1 per extra adult. No luggage charge. The route doesn't use the M50, so there's no motorway toll. 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 — Quick and Straightforward
Via R139 & Howth Road (direct)
The standard route goes south-east from the airport via the R139 and then the Howth Road through Raheny and Sutton to Howth village. Journey time is 25–35 minutes off-peak. The route stays north of the city centre entirely — no tunnels, no tolls, no city traffic. It's one of the most straightforward airport taxi routes in Dublin.
Via M1 & Coast Road (alternative)
Some drivers take the M1 south and then cut east via the coast. This is slightly longer in distance but can be faster if Howth Road is busy. Journey time is similar — 25–40 minutes.
All Transport Options Compared
| Option | Price | Time | Transfers | Luggage? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taxi (CaminoCabs) | €30 – €40 | 25 – 40 min | None | Yes |
| Dublin Bus 41 + DART | Around €4 (Leap) | 70 – 90 min | 1 transfer (city centre) | Difficult |
| Dublin Express + DART | Around €12 | 55 – 75 min | 1 transfer (Connolly) | Difficult |
| Dublin Bus 41 + Bus 31 | Around €4 (Leap) | 80 – 100 min | 1 transfer | Difficult |
Why There's No Good Bus Alternative
Unlike routes to the city centre or south Dublin, there's no direct express bus from Dublin Airport to Howth. The Aircoach and Dublin Express services all go south towards the city centre — the opposite direction.
The cheapest option is the Dublin Bus 41 to the city centre (around €2 with Leap Card, 45 min) and then the DART from Connolly to Howth (around €2, 25 min). Total: about €4 and 70–90 minutes with one transfer. It works fine if you're travelling light, but with suitcases it's a hassle — especially transferring at Connolly Station.
For this route, a taxi is genuinely the practical choice for anyone with luggage or in a group. The fare is moderate (€30–€40), the journey is quick (25–40 min), and there are no tolls.
Splitting the Fare
| Passengers | Total Fare (est.) | Per Person | vs Bus + DART (~€4) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | €35 | €35 | €31 more — but 50 min faster |
| 2 people | €36 | €18 | €14 more |
| 3 people | €37 | €12.33 | €8 more — door-to-door |
| 4 people | €38 | €9.50 | €5.50 more — no transfers |
For 3–4 people, the taxi costs just €8–€10 more per person than public transport — but saves you an hour, a bus transfer, and the struggle of dragging suitcases through Connolly Station.
What to Do in Howth
If you're heading straight to Howth from the airport to explore before continuing into Dublin, here's what's waiting for you:
The Cliff Walk. Several routes from 2 km to the full 6 km loop, with views of Ireland's Eye, the Baily Lighthouse, and Dublin Bay. The shorter red trail takes about an hour.
Howth Harbour & Pier. Stroll along the piers, watch the fishing boats, and spot the resident seals. The lighthouse at the end of the East Pier is a great photo spot.
Seafood. Howth is Dublin's seafood capital. Beshoff Bros for fish and chips on the harbour wall, The Oar House or Aqua for a sit-down meal.
Howth Market. Open weekends — food stalls, artisan produce, crafts.
For a complete guide, read: Best Day Trips From Dublin by DART.
Getting From Howth to Dublin City
Once you've explored Howth, the DART from Howth station takes just 25–30 minutes to Connolly or Tara Street in the city centre. Trains run every 10–15 minutes. Use the CaminoCabs transport tracker to check departure times, or book a taxi from Howth to your next destination.
The Return — Howth to Dublin Airport
Heading back to the airport from Howth? Same fare — €30–€40 by day. Pre-book through CaminoCabs for early morning flights. The road from Howth to the airport is quick and toll-free, so even during rush hour it's predictable.
Airport Taxi to Howth
Skip the city. Go straight to the coast. Door-to-door, no surge pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a taxi from Dublin Airport to Howth?
€30–€40 during the day (Standard Rate) and €38–€48 at night. A €3 booking fee applies for pre-booked taxis. No toll charges on this route.
How long does it take from Dublin Airport to Howth?
25–40 minutes by taxi depending on traffic. The route stays north of the city centre, so it's quick and predictable.
Is there a direct bus from Dublin Airport to Howth?
No. There's no direct bus or coach service from Dublin Airport to Howth. The cheapest option is Dublin Bus 41 to the city centre, then DART to Howth — about €4 total but 70–90 minutes with a transfer.
Can I take the DART from Dublin Airport to Howth?
Not directly — there's no train to Dublin Airport. You'd need to take a bus to Connolly Station first, then catch the DART to Howth (25 min). A taxi from the airport is much faster and avoids the transfer.
What is Howth, and is it worth visiting straight from the airport?
Yes — Howth is only 25–40 minutes from the airport by taxi and there's plenty to do: cliff walks, seafood, harbour, and markets. You can explore Howth, then take the DART into Dublin city centre later.
Are there tolls on the airport to Howth route?
No. The route from Dublin Airport to Howth doesn't use the M50 or Port Tunnel. No toll charges on top of the meter fare.
Need a Howth taxi service to the airport? Call +353 85 712 7547 (24/7) or book on WhatsApp — door-to-door from €30 by day.
More: All Dublin Taxi Routes · Dublin Airport Taxi · DART Day Trips · Transport Guide for Visitors · Dublin Taxi Fares Explained