It is worth visiting Waterford in Ireland if you're interested in Irish history and culture. Not only does this city have some of the best attractions since it is the oldest city in Ireland, but its nightlife, food scene, and activities are also on par with those of bigger cities like Dublin.
How much is the fare from Dublin to Waterford?
The fare from Dublin to Waterford depends on the type of transportation you choose and when you decide to travel. A bus or train ticket can set you back 25 euros, while a private car service like Daytrip starts at 68 euros per person.
How many days do you need in Waterford, Ireland?
You only need a day or two to visit most of Waterford's main attractions. However, if youтАЩd like to wander its museum quarter and uncover the secrets of its historic center, you should plan at least 4 days.
How long is the train ride from Dublin to Waterford?
The train ride from Dublin to Waterford takes about two hours and 25 minutes, but it can be shorter or longer depending on the trains and how busy they are. If this timeframe is too long for your day trip, consider driving with a door-to-door car service like Daytrip.
Dublin is a must-visit city for most people with its energetic nightlife, historic sights like Trinity College and Dublin Castle, and, of course, its Guinness Storehouse. With so much to see and do, drawing yourself away from Dublin and toward other parts of Ireland can be challenging, but we promise a car trip from Dublin to Waterford will be well worth the effort.
Waterford gives travelers an authentic taste of Irish culture. It might not be as big as Dublin, but as Ireland's oldest city, it's home to some of the country's most famous attractions, including Reginald's Tower and the House of Waterford.
It is charming, friendly, and welcoming and offers incredible shopping and dining experiences. So why not book with Daytrip today and have a professional driver transport you so that you can begin your explorations? Your trip with Daytrip will be as unforgettable and exciting as your visit to Waterford!
About Waterford
Waterford is a city along the River Suir in southeast Ireland that isn't far from Dublin. Although it sees its fair share of eager visitors, it's not as known as places like Dublin and Galway.
As Ireland's oldest city, it's unsurprising that it is historically significant, as evidenced by its many cultural and historical attractions and landmarks. Not to mention, Waterford is also home to the incredibly famous Waterford Crystal тАУ yes, the pristine crystalware you're thinking of тАУ which you won't see being made anywhere else in the world.
Waterford is also known for experiencing less rainfall than other Irish destinations with a cool and temperate climate. This makes it even more appealing to visit for those who want an authentic Irish experience without all the bad weather. However, this is not to say that you won't encounter rain on your trip, so pack a raincoat or umbrella.
Ultimately, if you're in Ireland already and want to explore a truly fascinating city with exquisite local culture, ancient historical monuments, incredible architecture, and exciting activities, Waterford is the place to be.
From Dublin to Waterford: travel tips
With its emerald green landscape and wild, untamed outdoors, Waterford deserves to be on your travel bucket list if you plan an Irish escape. And if you've already made your way to Dublin and are in the thick of your Irish explorations, you're in luck. Waterford is only a short distance away. Just check out a few travel tips before you set out:
Pack layers
Waterford might not experience as much rain as the rest of Ireland, but it's still important to pack layersтАФespecially if you're driving from Dublin to Waterford.
The weather along this route can be temperamental. Having a jacket and warmer layers at hand will keep you ready if the weather changes from sunny and bright to cold and dreary while exploring outdoors.
Choose your transportation carefully
Choosing your transportation wisely is crucial when traveling from Dublin to Waterford. Typically, you won't need to rent a car if you travel with a private car service like Daytrip. With Daytrip, you can squeeze into little country roads and explore a few of the hidden gems that lie off the beaten path.
For example, there are the Powerscourt House Gardens, the Irish National Stud and Gardens, the Irish National Heritage Park, and Dunamase to explore. With Daytrip, you can also visit parts of Ireland along the way that you won't get to with a bus or train, so you'll have access to much more.
Book as much as possible online in advance
If you want to keep your trip as affordable and stress-free as possible, book as much as you can online as soon as possible. From transportation and accommodation to tickets to popular attractions along the way and in Waterford, booking in advance will save you time and money.
How to get from Dublin to Waterford
Getting from Dublin to Waterford can be a bit of a challenge. To help you decide how to make the trip, we've shared a few of the best ways to travel from one city to the next below:
From Dublin to Waterford by bus
As with most countries, bus travel is the cheapest way to get from one city to the next. If you want to take the bus from Dublin to Waterford, you have a few coach-line options, but the most popular is J.J. Kavanagh & Sons.
Tickets with J.J. Kavanagh & Sons cost between $15 and $25, and the trip takes about two hours and ten minutes since most buses with this coach drive directly. If you don't want to travel with J.J. Kavanagh & Sons, you can take a bus with Dublin Coach. They are slightly cheaper, but the trip time is a little longer by about 15 minutes. Just be sure to check the timetable of both bus lines to ensure they offer trips when you want to travel. Aside from filling up, the other downside of the bus is that you can't stop at any of the attractions along the way.
From Dublin to Waterford by train
Surprisingly, a train trip is not as fast as a bus if you're traveling from Dublin to Waterford. On average, a train trip between these two cities takes two hours and 25 minutes, even though the trains travel directly with no changeovers.
If you want to travel by train through the Irish countryside, use Irish Rail. A train departs every hour, and tickets cost between $17 and $25 тАУ not much different from the bus. The one plus side is that you will get more amenities on the train than on the bus, but like the bus, you won't be able to stop and sightsee.
From Dublin to Waterford by private car service
To truly enjoy your Irish travel experience, the best, and fastest way to travel from Dublin to Waterford is with Daytrip's private car service. With Daytrip, you'll have access to a comfortable vehicle and a private driver who can tell you more about the region and the places you want to visit.
Not to mention, Daytrip drivers can take you where public transportation cannot, so you won't miss out on seeing some of the truly wonderful attractions along this route. You also won't need to check a timetable when booking.
In addition, Daytrip is affordable, with prices starting at about 68 euros per person. This might be more than the bus or train, but you can't put a price on thrilling explorations and timeliness, considering a car trip will only take about one hour and 40 minutes.
Things to do when you get to Waterford
Dublin might be Ireland's largest city, but Waterford is the oldest. As such, it has a few unique attractions and landmarks you won't want to miss out on when you visit. Have a look at this list of the best things to do when you get to Waterford:
House of Waterford Crystal
You might be familiar with the House of Waterford Crystal. Their crystalware is world-famous, and they even made the chandeliers hanging at Westminster Abbey.
This brand was founded in 1783 and is now the leading supplier of crystalware in the world. Touring the factory lets you see how these spectacular crystal items are made. You can also browse a collection of magnificent crystal pieces. Just don't blame us if you might be tempted to take one home.
Hook Lighthouse
If you want to tour one of the oldest still operational lighthouses in the world, visit the Hook Lighthouse. This squat, black-and-white-striped lighthouse is over 800 years old and is located at the tip of the Hook Peninsula, marking the entrance to Waterford Harbor. When you visit, you can tour the lower tower and learn more about the lighthouse's interesting history.
Waterford Treasures Medieval Museum
Don't be deceived by the modernness of the Waterford Treasures Medieval Museum. Although this museum is housed in a modern building, it encompasses two historic sites. These include a 15th-century wine cellar and the 13th-century Choristers' Hall. When you visit, you can see both alongside rare artifacts like medieval-era records and 15th-century gold vestments that reveal the fascinating history of what the port was like in Waterford during the Middle Ages.
When is the best time to visit Waterford?
The best time to visit Waterford is usually in the Summer months when the weather is at its warmest and most pleasant. Since it's not a super popular tourist destination, you don't have to worry about crowds as much.
However, summer is still peak season, so there are some tourists, and accommodation prices can be steep. So, visiting in the spring or autumn might be a better idea if you want to avoid crowds and enjoy lower prices. Plus, in the spring you can enjoy festivities like St. Patrick's Day!
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Irish National Stud and Gardens
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Kildare Village
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Dunamase
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Kilkenny
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Irish National Heritage Park
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