IT | EN

Dublin vs London

Detailed comparison Dublin vs London: prices in €, travel times in minutes, destinations like the Guinness Storehouse and the Tower of London. Discover which to choose based on budget, transport, food and practical itineraries, with concrete numbers to plan each day.

Choose Dublin for historic pubs, the Guinness Storehouse and the cliffs of Howth; London for the British Museum, the West End and shopping on Oxford Street.

Panoramic view of the River Liffey and bridge in Dublin with historic and modern buildings in the background.
Dublin
Aerial view of Tower Bridge in London with the River Thames and cityscape in the background.
London
Many travelers compare Dublin and London because both combine history, music and pubs, yet with different identities: the former is compact and convivial, the latter a multifaceted metropolis.Flights of 1h15, a common language (English) and fast links like the Heathrow Express make it easy to hop between them on a long weekend.The key differences are in costs, size and the museum offering.Dublin can be explored on foot in 2–3 days with a focus on whiskey and literature; London needs at least 4–5 days for free museums, neighborhoods like Soho and West End theaters.The climate also differs: summer highs of 19°C in Dublin, 23°C in London, with more frequent rain in Ireland.In this guide you’ll find comparisons with prices in €, real times and distances: hotels from €120–170, tickets like €26 for the Guinness Storehouse, €39 for the Tower of London, transport at €2 (Dublin) and daily caps of €9.60 (London).With tips on the best times to visit, itineraries and how to combine both cities in 6–7 days.

Dublin vs London

FeatureDublinLondon
💰 Daily budget In Dublin a central hostel like Generator costs €25–45 per night; a 3-star (e.g., Drury Court) €120–170; a 5-star (The Shelbourne) €280–400.Meals: pubs such as The Brazen Head with Irish stew at €16–20, fish & chips from €10–12 (Leo Burdock).Transport: integrated TFI 90-Min fare at €2.00, 2–3 rides/day €4–6.Pint of beer €6.50–7.80, cocktails €11–13.Daily budget: €60–90 (low), €150–210 (mid), €320–480 (luxury).In London a hostel like YHA Oxford St costs €25–50; a 3-star (Premier Inn) €130–200; 5-star (The Langham) €350–600.Meals: Dishoom curry €14–21, fish & chips at Poppies €17–20, afternoon tea at the Ritz €87.Transport: Zone 1–2 daily cap €9.60, single €3.25 (contactless).Pint €7–8.50, cocktails €12–15.Daily budget: €70–110 (low), €180–260 (mid), €360–520 (luxury).
🏛️ Top attractions The Guinness Storehouse costs €26–32 online (1.5–2h) with a pint at the Gravity Bar.The Book of Kells at Trinity College €21–25 (60 min) includes the Long Room.Kilmainham Gaol €8 (75–90 min tour) must be booked.EPIC Museum €21 (90 min) is interactive.Dublin Castle €8–12 (60 min) covers the State Apartments.Distances: 2 km between Trinity and Guinness; bus 15–20 min.In London the British Museum is free (2–3h); the Tower of London costs €39 (2–3h) with the Jewels; the London Eye €38–42 (30 min + queue).Westminster Abbey €34 (90 min), St Paul’s €29 (75–90 min).Book evening tickets to save €3–5.Getting around: Zone 1 in 10–20 min by Tube between Westminster and the City (~4 km).✓ Better
🍽️ Food and restaurants Typical dishes: Irish stew, seafood chowder, boxty.The Brazen Head (1198) serves stew at €18–20; Leo Burdock fish & chips €10–12; The Church mains €18–25.Whiskey tour at Jameson Bow St. €28–35 (45–60 min).Markets: Temple Bar Food Market (Saturday) snacks €6–10.Irish breakfast at Bewley’s Grafton €12–15.Pint €6.50–7.80.Book tables for weekends between 19:00–21:00.Classics: fish & chips, Sunday roast, curry on Brick Lane.Borough Market street food €7–15; Dishoom mains €14–21; Poppies fish & chips €17–20.Afternoon tea at the Ritz €87.Pub roast €18–25.Markets like Camden Market with over 1,000 stalls.Book top restaurants at 18:00 for pre-theatre menus €25–35 (2 courses).Pint €7–8.50.✓ Better
☀️ Climate and best time to visit Dublin averages 5°C in January, 16–19°C in July; rain on 11–13 days/month.Hours of daylight: 16+ in June.Frequent Atlantic wind 20–30 km/h.Sea at 15–16°C in August.Best time: May–September for events like Bloomsday (16 June) and St.Patrick’s Festival (March).Bring a rain jacket and shoes with anti-slip soles for sudden showers.London records 5°C in January, 22–24°C in July; rain on 7–9 days/month.Possible heatwaves of 30–34°C in July–August.Hours of daylight: 16 in June.Best time: April–June and September for more stable skies and shorter queues.Moderate smog on hot days; plan air-conditioned museums like the V&A or Tate Modern.Bring light layers and a 200 g folding umbrella.✓ Better
🚌 Transport and how to get there Airport DUB 10 km from the center: Aircoach 700 €8.50–9.50 (25–35 min), Dublin Express 782 €7–8.Taxi €25–35 (20–30 min).In the city: Luas + buses with TFI 90-Min at €2.00.No metro; DART for the coast (€3–4).From Heuston for day trips to Kilkenny (1h40).Use the TFI Live app for real-time schedules.Heathrow: Heathrow Express €29 (15 min), Piccadilly Line €7–8 (50 min).Gatwick Express €27 (30 min), Thameslink €14–18 (35–45 min).Stansted Express €25 (47 min).Tube daily cap €9.60 (Zones 1–2).Taxi Heathrow–center €70–100 (45–70 min).Citymapper and Oyster/contactless to pay.Fast trains from St Pancras to Brighton in 60 min.✓ Better
🌙 Nightlife Areas: Temple Bar, Camden Street, Wexford St.Live music at Whelan’s (€12–20), trad sessions at The Cobblestone (entry €5).Pubs close 23:30–00:30, clubs until 02:30.Pint €6.50–7.80, cocktails €11–13.Night taxis €10–18 for 3–6 km.Avoid queues by arriving at 21:00.Events: Vicar Street concerts from €25.Neighborhoods: Soho, Shoreditch, Camden.Clubs like Fabric open until 06:00 (entry €20–25); cocktail bars in Soho €12–15.Pint €7–8.50.Night Tube (Fri–Sat) on Victoria/Central/Piccadilly/Jubilee/Northern; night buses N every 10–20 min.West End theaters €25–90.Book tables after 21:30 to avoid double covers.✓ Better
👨‍👩‍👧 For families with children Dublin Zoo in Phoenix Park: adults €22, children €17, 3 km from the center; stroller-friendly routes >5 km.EPIC Museum interactive €21 (90 min).Viking Splash €28 adults, €12 children (75 min).St Stephen’s Green park 1 km from Grafton.Restaurants with highchairs: Milano (Dawson St).Transport: children free under 5 on bus/TOD with an adult.Natural History Museum and Science Museum are free (2–3h); London Transport Museum €27 adults (valid 1 year), children free.London Zoo €36–40 (2–3h).Battersea Park children’s zoo €14.Stroller travel: lifts on the Tube marked with the step-free symbol.Playgrounds in Hyde Park (Diana Memorial).Distances: 2–4 km among South Kensington museums; use buses €1.90 (daily bus cap €5.70).✓ Better
🏖️ Beaches and nature The coast is close: Howth at 14 km (DART 30 min, €3.60) with a cliff walk of 6–10 km.Sandymount Strand 4.5 km from the center (bus 15 min).Dollymount/Bull Island 8.5 km for kite-surfing.Phoenix Park 707 ha, 10 min by bus.Bray at 22 km (DART 45 min) with promenade.Bring a 200 g windproof jacket and ~300 g trail shoes.✓ BetterHuge urban parks: Hyde Park 142 ha, Richmond Park 955 ha 10 km from the center with deer.Hampstead Heath 320 ha 6 km from Camden.Kew Gardens €22 (2–3h).Beaches: Brighton at 86 km (train 60 min, €20–35 return), Whitstable 97 km (1h20, €25–40).Rent Santander bikes €2 for 30 min for the parks.
🛍️ Shopping Streets: Grafton Street, Henry Street.Brown Thomas for brands; George’s Street Arcade vintage.Aran sweaters €80–120 (Aran Sweater Market).Celtic Whiskey Shop bottles €30–70.Hours: shops 10:00–19:00, Thursday until 21:00.Alternative souvenirs at Design House (€25–60).Average shopping spend: €50–150/day.In London: Oxford Street (1.9 km), Regent Street, Covent Garden, Harrods.Markets: Portobello Road (Saturday), Camden Market (>1,000 stands).Limited sneakers €120–200 (Size?, Offspring), vinyl €20–35.No VAT refund for tourists (abolished 2021).Suggested shopping budget: €80–200/day.Extended hours: Westfield until 21:00.✓ Better
🛡️ Safety and practical tips Crowded areas like Temple Bar and O’Connell St: beware of pickpockets.Avoid alleys on Gardiner St late at night.Emergencies 112/999.Official taxis with meter, base fare ~€4.20.Contactless payments widespread.Tap water is drinkable.Keep documents in the hotel safe and use photocopies.Report theft to the Garda (station on Store St).Tourist areas like Oxford Street, Westminster, Leicester Square: frequent pickpocketing; avoid unauthorized minicabs.Emergencies 999/112.Black cabs with minimum fare €4.50, 3 km ~€10–14.Use contactless and keep backpacks closed.Scams: “free” bracelets (€0) then asking for €10–20.Drinking water available.Met Police visible in Zone 1.Travel insurance €20–40/week recommended.
📅 How many days you need Dublin requires a minimum of 2 days: day 1 Trinity, Grafton, Guinness (2h); day 2 Kilmainham Gaol (90 min), EPIC (90 min).Ideal is 3–4 days adding Howth (half day) and Phoenix Park (2–3h).Compact distances: 2–4 km between main sights, walkable in 20–40 min.London minimum 3 days: day 1 Westminster and South Bank, day 2 British Museum and Covent Garden, day 3 Tower and the City.Ideal 5–7 days including Greenwich, Notting Hill and a trip to Windsor (train 30 min).Intra-center transfers 10–20 min by Tube for 4–6 km.
🔗 How to combine the two cities Flight Dublin–London 1h15 with Aer Lingus/Ryanair; fares €30–120 return if booked 4–8 weeks ahead.DUB airport 10 km away, bus €7–9.Alternative SailRail: ferry Dublin–Holyhead 3h15 + train 3h30 to London Euston, total 6h30–7h at €60–90.Suggested order: start in London, finish in Dublin for a slower pace.From London to Dublin: flights every 30–60 min from Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted.Prices €40–120 one-way including 10 kg baggage.Airport transfers: €7–29 each way (Tube/Express).SailRail via Holyhead with Irish Ferries/Stena connected to Euston.Recommended season: May or September for weather 15–20°C and shorter queues.

The Verdict

Choose Dublin

Choose Dublin if you want a 3–4 day city break among pubs, live music and windswept coasts.Ideal period: May–September (max 19°C).Budget: €150–210/day with 3-star hotel €120–170, meals €25–40 and transport €4–6.Fast itinerary: day 1 Trinity + Book of Kells (60 min) and Grafton Street; day 2 Guinness Storehouse (2h) + Kilmainham Gaol (90 min); day 3 Howth (DART 30 min, €3.60) for a cliff walk and seafood; evening in the pubs of Temple Bar (pint €6.50–7.80).

Choose London

Choose London if you’re after free museums, theaters and iconic neighborhoods in 5 days.Recommended period: April–June or September (max 22–24°C).Budget: €180–260/day with 3-star hotel €130–200, meals €30–50, transport cap €9.60.Quick itinerary: day 1 Westminster and South Bank; day 2 British Museum, Covent Garden; day 3 Tower of London (2–3h) and the City; day 4 Greenwich; day 5 shopping on Oxford Street and a musical in the West End (€30–90).

Can You Visit Both?

To see both, plan 6–7 days.Suggested order: London (4–5) + Dublin (2–3).Transfer: flight 1h15 with fares €40–120 and 10 kg baggage; airport transfers €7–29.Scenic alternative: SailRail via Holyhead, total 6h30–7h at €60–90.Season: May or September (weather 15–20°C).Extra day for Howth (DART 30 min) or Brighton (train 60 min, €20–35).Book timed museums to cut queues by 20–30 min.
Discover Dublin Discover London

Frequently Asked Questions

Dublin or London: which is cheaper for a weekend?

Comparing €, a 3-day weekend in Dublin costs on average €450–630 (3-star hotel €120–170/night, meals €25–40/day, transport €4–6/day). In London you need €540–780 (3-star hotel €130–200/night, meals €30–50/day, Tube cap €9.60/day). However, in London many museums are free (British, Tate), while in Dublin key attractions cost €8–32. If you choose a hostel (€25–50) and street food (€8–12), Dublin stays at €90–140 per day; London €100–160.

What is the best time to visit Dublin vs London?

For Dublin choose May–September: highs of 16–19°C, rain on 11–13 days/month, light until 22:00 in June. For London aim for April–June or September, with highs of 18–24°C and rain 7–9 days/month. Avoid August in London if you fear 30–34°C heatwaves. In winter, both average 5°C with days of 8–9 hours. For low costs, look for flights at €30–80 in March or November.

How to get around on a budget in Dublin and London?

In Dublin use the integrated TFI 90-Min fare at €2.00 (bus+Luas+DART), valid for 90 minutes: do 2–3 trips a day with €4–6. From the airport, Aircoach €8.50–9.50. In London pay with Oyster/contactless: daily cap €9.60 (Zones 1–2), single €3.25. From Heathrow, Piccadilly Line €7–8 in 50 min. Buses in London have a separate cap €5.70. Avoid taxis: 5 km cost €15–25 (Dublin) and €18–30 (London).

Do you need to book the main attractions in advance?

Yes, to save time and €. In Dublin book the Guinness Storehouse (€26–32) and Kilmainham Gaol (€8) with 15 min slots to avoid 30–45 min waits. In London, Westminster Abbey (€34) and the London Eye (€38–42) have lines; buy online to save €3–5. Free museums like the British Museum only require a bag check of 5–10 min. Book West End musicals 1–2 weeks ahead: tickets €30–90.

How far apart are Dublin and London and what’s the best way to travel?

The air distance is ~463 km. The flight of 1h15 costs €30–120 (one-way) with Ryanair/Aer Lingus. Allow 90–120 min for security and airport transfers of €7–29. Alternative: SailRail via Holyhead, total 6h30–7h, price €60–90, with the advantage of arriving in the center at Euston. A pure bus takes >10 hours and is not recommended. Choose a flight if you have < 6 hours total, SailRail if traveling with bulky luggage.

Which city is better for a short weekend?

Dublin is ideal in 48–72 hours thanks to 2–4 km distances. Saturday: Trinity (60 min), Guinness Storehouse (2h), evening in Temple Bar (pint €6.50–7.80). Sunday: Kilmainham Gaol (90 min) and EPIC Museum (90 min). London needs at least 72 hours: day 1 Westminster, day 2 the British Museum, day 3 the Tower. If you only have 2 days, choose Dublin; with 3+, London pays off more.

Can I drive between London and Dublin by car?

Yes, but consider time and costs. From London to Holyhead is ~430 km (5–6 hours via M40/A55). Ferry Holyhead–Dublin 3h15. Total door-to-door 9–10 hours. Costs: fuel €60–90 (one way), minimal tolls €0–10 UK, car ticket on ferry €150–250 each way. In Dublin parking downtown €3–4/hour. Consider SailRail without a car if you want to save €100–150.

Is it safe to drink tap water in Dublin and London?

Yes, in both the water is drinkable according to EU/UK standards. In Dublin municipal water is chlorinated; bring a 500 ml bottle and refill in pubs or hotels. In London, use fountains in parks (Hyde Park, Regent’s Park) and refill stations in stations (King’s Cross). Save €3–4/day by avoiding bottles. In case of water works, municipalities issue notices on the Irish Water or Thames Water websites.