Your driver will meet you at your address in Dublin.
You’ll travel in comfort for 2 hours.
Your driver will drop you off at your address in Waterford.
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!
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 – yes, the pristine crystalware you're thinking of – 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.
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:
Waterford might not experience as much rain as the rest of Ireland, but it's still important to pack layers—especially 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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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 – 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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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!
This historic manor and its breathtaking grounds have been named one of the best gardens and one of the best houses in the world. Attractive Accolades
Surrounded by serene gardens, the legacy of Irish horse racing lives on at the only stud farm open to the public. Horsiculture
This outlet shopping center in the heart of Ireland’s horse-racing mecca offers deals on designer goods all year round. Race to the Bottom
Destroyed multiple times, this once mighty medieval castle is now an atmospheric ruin. A Slightly Rocky History
With its picture-perfect medieval neighborhood wedged between a historic cathedral and castle, this quintessential Irish city is a pleasure to explore. The Marble City
Several thousand years of Irish history comes to life at this open-air museum. A Walk through the Ages
“I was unsure about this company but a few good reviews on Trip Advisor made me take the chance. I am so happy that we did. We needed a ride from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai. Our driver Saksun was an excellent driver - it's not a long distance to drive (by Texas standards!) but the road is challenging and there are a lot of places where improvements to the road are being made. It took around 3 hours with a stop at a place with very clean bathrooms, very interesting hot springs and a place to get a snack and cold drinks. Saksun had a vehicle that was fantastic for this type of drive - a very comfortable ride indeed and was obviously well maintained and very clean. I highly recommend this company. I used to post on trip advisor as "lakekariba" but got out of the habit of doing so. This company was so easy to use and the result was so enjoyable that I felt that the company Daytrip and the driver Saksun had earned our trust and a glowing review. Gillian and Ted Pearsall Austin, Texas”
lakekariba
Dec 4, 2024“We used Daytrip to travel between Budapest and Vienna with a 2 hour stop for lunch in Bratislava. Our driver Zsombor arrived on time at our hotel in Budapest and was very friendly and informative throughout our trip. His vehicle was roomy and clean and he was kind enough to provide us with some bottled water for the trip. Our quick visit stop in Bratislava was very nice as well. He gave us plenty of time to explore the city and have lunch before meeting him again when it was time to head for Vienna. Daytrip provided us with a happy and trouble free transfer between Budapest and Vienna. Many thanks to your team and especially to your driver Zsombor!”
pgh1125
Dec 3, 2024“Last minute plan change and Daytrip was our last resort so I chatted with them and had an immediate response from a real person, best situation ever. Never used Daytrip before but the reviews were incredible so we took the chance and booked a driver at like 11-12pm and by 7am the next morning when we woke, they found us a driver and the driver had already texed us making contact! Very impressed and will definitely use them again. We went from Dubrovnik, Croatia to Tivat, Montenegro.”
James B
Nov 9, 2024“Andreas did a great job picking us up from Pireaus Cruise Port and taking us to our rental in Spata. The three of us had been on a long cruise and had 9 pieces of luggage. He arrived in an appropriate vehicle and loaded and unloaded all of it. We are very happy with out decision to book with Daytrip.”
LuckyTraveler01
Nov 1, 2024All Daytrip drivers speak English* as well as their native language (and sometimes additional languages too!). They'll be happy to discuss local history and culture with you, as well as answer any questions you may have. And because they speak the language, they're able to provide you with a unique opportunity to connect with local culture. *Drivers for Lite service aren't required to speak English but must meet all other standards.
We screen all our drivers for criminal and traffic records, and personally interview each one. We also inspect their cars for safety, comfort, and reliability. All cars must be less than ten years old, in excellent operating condition, and insured as required by local law. And because our drivers are locals, they're familiar with the rules and customs of the road.
If you’re traveling with children, make sure to let us know in the booking so we can get the appropriate child seats ready!
Pets are allowed (and loved)! We just need to know beforehand. You can tell us about them in the next phase of the booking.
Gratuity isn’t included or required, but if you really enjoyed your trip, you can show your driver your appreciation with an optional tip (10% is sufficient).
Each passenger is allowed to have one checked bag and one carry on. If you’re traveling with more bags or oversized luggage, you can adjust this while booking.
Pay by credit card online, or in cash directly to your driver!
If you have any questions, here are the answers.
Every traveler deserves real insight into the cultures of the countries they’re visiting. And every amazing place on Earth deserves to be visited and appreciated. We believe unique local knowledge and real human connection are irreplaceable when it comes to truly comprehending another culture.
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