Who Takes This Route?
Tallaght is the main town of south-west Dublin (Dublin 24), and the airport sits on the opposite side of the M50 ring, so this trip crosses most of the northern and western arc of the motorway. The typical passengers have a fixed destination in mind.
Hotel guests. The Maldron Hotel Tallaght is on Whitestown Way (D24 XC9W), and its own location page puts the Tallaght Luas stop a 3-minute walk from the front door. The Plaza Hotel and The Square shopping centre are also on the N81 approach into town.
Hospital visitors and patients. Tallaght University Hospital gives its car directions as: leave the M50 at junction 11, follow signs for Tallaght onto the N81, continue for about 1 km, pass the Plaza Hotel and The Square on the right, then take the second right for the hospital. A taxi follows that same road, so it drops you at the hospital without a Luas change.
Students and staff at TU Dublin Tallaght. The campus is on Blessington Road (D24 FKT9). The university says its car parking is permit-only for staff, so visitors and new students arriving by air are better off with a drop-off at the door.
Business travellers to Citywest. The Citywest Convention Centre and Citywest Business Campus are in Saggart, at the end of the Red Line's Saggart branch. Saggart is about 27 km away by the M50, close to the Tallaght figure, but the exact address changes the fare, so check it in the fare calculator.
Fare Breakdown by Tariff
| Tariff | When | Estimated Fare |
|---|---|---|
| Standard (1) | Mon–Sat, 8am–8pm | €44 – €50 |
| Premium (2) | Mon–Sat 8pm–8am, Sundays | €58 – €65 |
| Special (3) | Fri/Sat midnight–4am, Christmas, NYE | €65 – €73 |
The top of each range allows for slow traffic on the metered formula. A €3 booking fee applies when pre-booked. €1 per extra adult after the first. No luggage charge. The M50 toll is not in these figures (see below). 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 and the M50 Toll
Every sensible route from the airport to Tallaght uses the M50. There are three, with the same start and a different finish:
M50 to junction 11, then the N81 (the usual choice)
About 27 km to the town. Expect 29 minutes in free-flowing traffic, 31 minutes on a weekday at 11:00 and about 43 minutes on a weekday at 17:30. Junction 11 is the exit for Tallaght, and it is the one the Maldron and the hospital both name in their own directions.
M50 and the Tallaght bypass (N81)
A longer line of about 30 km with the same 29-minute free-flow time, rising to around 45 minutes at 17:30.
M50 and the Naas Road (N7)
About 28 km, 30 minutes with light traffic and up to 48 minutes at 17:30. It is the slowest of the three at 17:30.
All Transport Options Compared
| Option | Service | Changes | Bags | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taxi (CaminoCabs) | Door to door via M50 and N81 | None | Yes, no luggage charge | Late arrivals, hospital visits, groups, early flights |
| Dublin Express 782 + Luas Red Line | Coach to Heuston Station, then tram towards Tallaght | 1 (Heuston) | Dublin Express includes 2 x 20kg bags; carry your own on the tram | One traveller, light bags, staying near the Luas stop |
| Direct bus or train | None listed by Dublin Airport for Tallaght | n/a | n/a | Not available |
The airport's bus destinations page shows no service to Tallaght, only city centre coaches and buses. The practical public transport option is therefore two legs. Dublin Express route 782 stops at Heuston Station (stop 4425), with fares from €9 one way online and two 20kg bags included. From Heuston you take the Luas Red Line towards Tallaght. Trams run every 3 to 4 minutes at weekday peaks and every 10 to 15 minutes otherwise. Luas hours are Monday to Friday 5:30am to 12:30am, Saturday 6:30am to 12:30am, and Sunday and public holidays 7:00am to 11:00pm. Tickets or a Leap Card must be validated before boarding, as tickets are not sold on trams.
That works for one person with a cabin bag going to the Maldron, TU Dublin or The Square, all close to the Tallaght terminus. It is harder if you land after the last tram, are heading to the Citywest side with a big case, or are travelling with children and luggage. Live times for the day are on the TFI website: transportforireland.ie.
Where Your Driver Will Drop You
Give the driver the full name of the place rather than just "Tallaght", because the town is large. The most requested stops are the Maldron Hotel on Whitestown Way, the main entrance of Tallaght University Hospital, The Square on Belgard Square East, and the TU Dublin campus on Blessington Road. The hospital is about 25 km from the airport, the TU Dublin campus about 24 km and the Maldron about 27 km, so the fare changes a little with the exact drop-off.
A pre-booked driver waits for you in the Arrivals hall of either terminal. If you would rather queue, the rank is described in our airport taxi rank guide.
Splitting the Fare
The fare is for the car, with €1 added per extra adult, so on a trip of this length each head costs far less in a group:
| Group size | Mid-range fare before toll | Each |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | €47 | €47 |
| 2 people | €48 | €24 |
| 3 people | €49 | €16.33 |
| 4 people | €50 | €12.50 |
Add the toll once, not per person. For five to eight people, a 7 or 8 seater keeps the same meter. We do not provide child seats, so bring your own and see our child seat guidance.
Tallaght to Dublin Airport: the Return Trip
The return uses the same M50 section, with the toll again. The drive takes 28 to 33 minutes in light traffic but around 43 to 47 minutes on a weekday at 17:30, so a late-afternoon pick-up needs more margin than a mid-morning one. For an early flight, a taxi is the realistic choice because the first trams do not run until 5:30am on weekdays, 6:30am on Saturdays and 7:00am on Sundays. Give your flight time when booking, work back from your airline's bag-drop deadline, and choose a pick-up that leaves a cushion. A pre-booked car is outside the Maldron, the hospital or your door when you ask.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a taxi from Dublin Airport to Tallaght?
€44–€50 during the day (Standard Rate), €58–€65 at night (Premium Rate) and €65–€73 on the Special Rate. A €3 booking fee applies for pre-booked taxis, and the M50 toll is added to the metered fare.
Is the M50 toll included in the fare to Tallaght?
No. The toll point sits between junction 6 and junction 7 of the M50, and the trip to Tallaght crosses it. TII's 2026 car rates are €2.60 with a tag, €3.20 with a video account and €3.80 unregistered, and the toll is added on top of the metered fare.
How long does it take from Dublin Airport to Tallaght?
30–45 minutes via the M50. Expect about 29 minutes in free-flowing traffic and about 43 to 47 minutes on a weekday at 17:30.
Can I get the Luas from Dublin Airport to Tallaght?
Not directly. The Luas does not serve the airport. You can take Dublin Express route 782 to Heuston Station and change to the Luas Red Line towards Tallaght, or take a taxi, which is direct.
Which M50 exit is Tallaght University Hospital and the Maldron Hotel Tallaght?
Both use junction 11, then the N81 into Tallaght. The hospital is about 1 km along the N81, past the Plaza Hotel and The Square, then the second right. The Maldron is on Whitestown Way, a 3-minute walk from the Tallaght Luas stop.
Can I get a taxi from Tallaght to Dublin Airport for an early flight?
Yes. Pre-book it. The Luas Red Line does not start until 5:30am Monday to Friday, 6:30am on Saturday and 7:00am on Sunday, so a taxi is the practical choice for early departures.
Do you go to Citywest and Saggart as well as Tallaght?
Yes. Citywest and Saggart are at the western end of the Red Line, about 27 km from the airport via the M50. The fare depends on the exact address, so check it in the fare calculator before booking.
Pre-Book Your Airport Taxi to Tallaght
Fare estimate upfront. Licensed driver. No surge pricing.
Need a Tallaght taxi service to the airport? Call +353 85 712 7547 (24/7) or book on WhatsApp — door-to-door from €45 by day.
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