Waterford

Private car transfer
from Dublin to Waterford

Door-to-door
in 2 hours
From ...
per seat
Comfortable
car
One way
Cancel for free 24 hours before departure
Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice 2024
Excellent
trustpilot-stars

Trip Information

Pick-up

Your driver will meet you at your address in Dublin.

  • Door-to-door service
  • Help with your luggage

Trip

You’ll travel in comfort for 2 hours.

  • Optional sight-seeing
  • Clean, comfortable car
  • Professional driver
  • Bottled water
  • Child seats
  • Prepared for handicapped
  • Smoke-free
  • Pet friendly

Drop-off

Your driver will drop you off at your address in Waterford.

  • Door-to-door service
  • Help with your luggage
In total
  • 171 km
  • 2 hours

Overview: car trip from Dublin to 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!

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 – 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.

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 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.

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 – 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!

Questions & Answers about Traveling from Dublin to Waterford

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.
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.
You only need a day or two to visit most of Waterford's main attractions. However, if you’d like to wander its museum quarter and uncover the secrets of its historic center, you should plan at least 4 days.
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.

Visit these sights on the way

Powerscourt House Gardens

Powerscourt House Gardens

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 

Irish National Stud and Gardens

Irish National Stud and Gardens

Surrounded by serene gardens, the legacy of Irish horse racing lives on at the only stud farm open to the public. Horsiculture 

Kildare Village

Kildare Village

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 

Dunamase

Dunamase

Destroyed multiple times, this once mighty medieval castle is now an atmospheric ruin. A Slightly Rocky History 

Kilkenny

Kilkenny

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 

Irish National Heritage Park

Irish National Heritage Park

Several thousand years of Irish history comes to life at this open-air museum. A Walk through the Ages 

Why people love Daytrip

Tripadvisor logo
4,800+ reviews
  • 179 travelers took this route with us
Dec 4, 2024

Excellent service for transfers in Thailand

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

Reviewed by Tripadvisor traveler lakekariba
Review author image

lakekariba

Dec 4, 2024
Dec 3, 2024

Excellent option to get to Vienna to Budapest!

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!

Reviewed by Tripadvisor traveler pgh1125
Review author image

pgh1125

Dec 3, 2024
Nov 9, 2024

Great communication with an actual person! They will take you ANYWHERE, No pre-set routes to choose from!

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.

Reviewed by Tripadvisor traveler James B
Review author image

James B

Nov 9, 2024
Nov 1, 2024

Perfect Transport

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.

Reviewed by Tripadvisor traveler LuckyTraveler01
Review author image

LuckyTraveler01

Nov 1, 2024

Vehicle options for this trip

Most popular

sedan

Sedan

Comparable to aVolkswagen Passat
Passengers and luggage
  • 1-3
  • 3x
  • 3x
  • Clean
  • Comfortable
  • Air conditioned
  • Handicapped accessible
  • Child seats
  • Pet friendly
  • Smoke-free
From ... per seatSelect

Best reviews

luxury sedan

Luxury sedan

Comparable to aMercedes Benz E-class
Passengers and luggage
  • 1-2
  • 2x
  • 2x
  • All standard sedan features
  • Luxurious vehicle
  • Chauffeur-style service
  • Extra amenities
From ... per seatSelect

More options

mpv

Compact MPV

Comparable to aVolkswagen Touran
Passengers and luggage
  • 4
  • 4x
  • 4x
From ... per seatSelect
van

Van

Comparable to aMercedes Vito
Passengers and luggage
  • 5-7
  • 7x
  • 7x
From ... per seatSelect

The Daytrip driver advantage

Daytrip driver
  • Local knowledge about the route from Dublin to Waterford
    Including available sights:
  • English speaking*

    All 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.

  • Safety first!

    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.

World-class customer support

  • Available 24/7
  • Close relationship with drivers
  • Experts on the route from Dublin to Waterford

Flexible cancellation policy

  • Cancellations: 100% refund up to 24 hours before the trip!
  • Changes: Free up to 24 hours before the trip!

Good to know

Children

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

Pets are allowed (and loved)! We just need to know beforehand. You can tell us about them in the next phase of the booking.

Tips

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).

Luggage

  • Big luggage
  • 29x21x11 inches
  • 74x53x28 cm
  • Small luggage
  • 22x14x9 inches
  • 56x36x23 cm

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.

Payment methods

Pay by credit card online, or in cash directly to your driver!

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any questions, here are the answers.

Daytrip is the most convenient way to experience 13,800+ cities around the world.

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.

We have been featured in

usa-travel logo
forbes logo
huffpost logo
monocle logo
wanderlust logo
aileen logo
World dotted map
Drive with Daytrip
I am a travel agent