Cliffs of Moher Trip From Dublin – Ireland Day Excursion

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Carpeted in green grass, flowing in the ever-present winds that only a cliff edge facing the Atlantic ocean can bring, a light fog interrupts an otherwise clear view of the Cliffs of Moher on the west coast of Ireland. But a less than “perfect” day doesn’t matter to me.

In fact, it only adds to the mysterious, magical atmosphere at one of Ireland’s most famous views. The legends that surround the Cliffs of Moher continue to be just one reason they have remained one of the most popular places to visit on any trip to the Emerald Isle.

Touristy? Yes. But for good reason. I mean, did you even visit Ireland if you didn’t stand on this remote cliff edge, tears streaming down your face from the whipping wind? A Cliffs of Moher trip from Dublin is a day well spent, trust me.

What are the Cliffs of Moher?

The Cliffs of Moher make up 14km of the dramatic Atlantic coastline of western Ireland. Cliffside walks have visitors peering cautiously over the eerily ominous abyss to the crashing waves below.

The Cliffs are historic and iconic and a bucket list item for most Ireland itineraries. But did you know they are an easy and popular day trip from Dublin? It’s true. Although if you are not in a hurry, I fully recommend taking in more of the area and not rushing your way around this beautiful part of Ireland.

Where are the Cliffs of Moher?

The Cliffs of Moher can be found in County Clare on the opposite coast from Dublin. Located almost equal distance between Limerick and Galway, two other popular spots to visit, the cliffs are unfortunately not on the way to anywhere.

They’re secluded and surrounded only by small villages and towns, or miles and miles of countryside. So if you’re out this way, you’re likely going to the Cliffs. But just because of the seemingly limited offerings in this area doesn’t mean you shouldn’t make the effort to visit.

From Dublin it’s around 3 hours of driving time to get there. If you’re taking a Cliffs of Moher day trip from Dublin it can be done, but, but it will be far. I recommend taking some extra time in this area. Why not spend a few days in Galway taking it easy and enjoying small town life instead of the hubbub of Dublin.

How do you get to the Cliffs of Moher?

Public transport, even from closer places such as Galway and Limerick, is a laborious affair. It takes well over 2-hours from Galway vs. an hour less by driving. The reason? The bus goes all around the houses – and the coast.

Which leaves you with two real options no matter where you start your day – car or tour bus. There are benefits to both.

Drive yourself to the Cliffs of Moher: Spend as long as you like, choose the time of day you go, and even with the parking costs it’s likely still cheaper if there are a few of you sharing car rental costs. However traveling from Dublin can be a long day if driving yourself.

Cliffs of Moher day trip from Dublin by bus: Sit back and relax, no winding Irish roads to contend with, and the tour will include some other attractions or activities too. However, you won’t likely get more than a couple of hours here (which can arguably be enough time for most).

However you choose to get there, you won’t regret visiting the Cliffs of Moher. That, I can confidently tell you. I chose to go by tour. As a solo traveler it was the most convenient and cheapest way for me to visit.

How much do the Cliffs of Moher cost?

Speaking of money, just how expensive is it to visit one of Ireland’s premier attractions?

It’s a bit misleading to say that it’s completely free, even though there’s no stopping you from walking the coastal path to the Cliffs, or from seeing them without paying admission. However, you won’t get away without spending some money on your day trip.

You see, if you visit as part of a Cliffs of Moher day trip from Dublin tour, you obviously have the tour cost to consider. But if you decide to drive, you will have to pay for parking at the Cliffs, which does include admission to the Visitor Experience Center and all the facilities within.

As of 2023, per person fees are €7 (children 12 and under are free). That’s if you book online in advance. If you pay on the day at the gate, the rates are €12 per person. In this case it definitely pays to book ahead.

What can you see at the Cliffs of Moher?

I suppose you’re looking for something less obvious than cliffs and the ocean?

But it’s not just any cliffs. It’s the wild and rugged cliffs of Ireland, looming 150 meters out of the water, and who knows how far below. History and legends can almost be seen in the cliffs whose layers of rock are clearly defined to anyone looking closely enough.

And it’s not just any ocean. It’s the unforgiving Atlantic ocean. Waves crashing violently every minute, creating unique shapes in the rock over the many millennia they have been standing here.

There’s a reason this place is so popular. It’s incredibly easy to lose track of time listening to the crash and splash of the water striking the cliffs far below where you stand.

O’Brien’s Tower

Like you’re not already high up enough. But you might as well go a little higher. Towards the cliff edge, a few minutes walk from the car park and visitor center is O’Brien’s Tower.

For almost 200-years this tower has served as a lookout point with a fantastic view over the cliffs.

It’s not big so you may have to wait a few minutes to enter as they have a limit on number of people who can go up at any one time. But it’s worth the wait. Ascend the spiral stairs to the outdoor viewing area where the brisk Atlantic wind will have you in tears almost as much as the view does.

Cliffs of Moher wildlife

You don’t even have to peek over the edge too much to spot some of the many species of cliff-dwelling sea birds here. They are constantly flying around the cliffs, equal parts looking for food in the water below, and a secluded place to roost on the rock.

Not all sea birds are created equal though. If you’re visiting from around March, you might be lucky enough to see the epically adorable, and equally recognizable Atlantic Puffin.

Other than birds there are land animals along the cliffs too, although most are nocturnal and not usually around while visitors are. The cliffs border many fields though, so at least you’re bound to see some cows.

Get the binoculars out and keep an eye out in the water below. The ocean here is home to seals, dolphins, whales and even sharks.

Pretty wildflowers

It’s not just the green, green grass of Ireland that adds a little color to the seemingly permanently grey cloudy Cliffs of Moher. You can also see some delicate and pretty wildflowers blooming throughout the year.

It takes a sturdy plant to withstand the windy rocky coastal area that surrounds the Cliffs. None are more prominent than the beautiful pink hues of the Thrift, or Sea Pink.

But look carefully and you can also find alpine plants, orchids and wild rose to name a few. All the pretty wildflowers add a dash of color to an all-too-often grey view.

Cliffs of Moher Coastal Walk

Really want to skip the parking fee for the Cliffs? How about a nice long walk from nearby villages of Doolin or Liscannor. Up to a 20km round trip walk to the Cliffs Visitor Center you can spend a good few hours walking this beautiful scenic trail.

Of course, if you’re not up for a really long walk, you can always walk part of the trail to some of the different viewpoints away from the Visitor Center. Get some views that are different than the other day-trippers will get, and breathe in some fresh Irish air at the same time.

TOP TRAVEL TIP: If you’re on a Cliffs of Moher day trip from Dublin you likely won’t have long enough to do much of a coastal walk, but I still recommend you take a bit of a walk along the cliffs as it really is beautiful.

Cliffs of Moher Visitor Center

Set into the side of a hill, it’s much bigger than it looks. There’s a huge gift shop where you can buy any and all of the Irish trinkets and Cliffs souvenirs you can think of.

There are also a couple of cafes where you can sit and eat some freshly made food, or grab some to take away if you want to maximize your time at the cliffs and eat while you explore.

Naturally the Visitor Center is where you will find the toilets, a very important part of any road trip that includes a chilly cliff walk.

But the best part of the Visitor Center is the central exhibition room. Here you can read all about the history, geology and geography of the Cliffs of Moher. It’s where you’ll learn way more about the wildlife and plant life than I’ve been able to cover here.

The exhibition has interactive games and displays to keep kids entertained (and educated). You can also create a fun family photo with the Cliffs virtual backdrops. A short film is one of the highlights, see the rocky Cliffs way more closely than you can just by cautiously peeking over the edge of the tremendously high bluff.

Craft shops

Outside of the visitor center, alongside the car park, you’ll find a number of small shops selling even more fun things than in the main gift shop.

Locally made Celtic jewelry, Irish souvenirs, and Moher gifts are sold in these individual stores set into the hill. While they mostly sell variations of what is sold inside, it’s great if you’re buying time waiting for your bus.

How long should you spend at the Cliffs of Moher?

How long should you spend, and how long can you spend might depend on how you got to the Cliffs of Moher. If you drove yourself, you can honestly spend as long as you want – well, until the car park closes. I’d recommend getting here early if you are driving, that way you won’t be rushed.

If, like many, you got here as part of a tour to the Cliffs of Moher from Dublin, the decision on timing may be out of your hands. But I do suggest you shop around for tours and really pay attention to the reviews and itinerary to make sure you get the time you want.

On the Cliffs of Moher day trip from Dublin tour I took, we had around 2-hours. That was more than enough time to spend some time viewing the Cliffs, visit O’Brien’s Tower, take a bit of a walk along the coastal path and fully explore the Visitor Center.

I did see some tours where people only got an hour. If I’d travelled all that way from Dublin and only got an hour there I wouldn’t have been happy. That will be a bit of a rush, and a whistle-stop “take a couple of pics and get back on the bus” kind of deal.

That’s probably the benefit of starting in Galway vs. Dublin, a lot of tours give you slightly longer at the Cliffs. And I don’t care where else you’re visiting on this day trip, the Cliffs are going to be the highlight.

Is a Cliffs of Moher trip from Dublin worth doing?

Without a doubt, absolutely. Spending time enjoying the amazing views, even with the chilly wind in the middle of summer, was a highlight of my trip to Ireland. They’re a photographer’s dream, as well as the perfect place for wildlife enthusiasts.

If I were to return I would probably want to drive next time. I’m not saying I didn’t enjoy my Cliffs of Moher day trip from Dublin by coach, I really did, but there is a constant feeling of “am I going to be late for the bus?”. I’d rather not have that for my next visit.

Granted, a coach tour might be your only option, and it is a really good option as you’ll likely see some other great sights along the way. But I actually really want to do more of the Coastal Walk. Driving would allow for that more than the tour would.

On a trip to Ireland it can be tempting to stick to Dublin, after all there’s lots to do there that will keep you busy. But I really encourage you to get out and see some of the Irish countryside too.

The small towns, the green fields, and of course the Cliffs of Moher. This place is famous for a reason, it’s stunning and captivating and unimaginably beautiful in a way that only a chilly, cloudy, wind-ravaged Irish cliff edge can be.

If you’ve enjoyed this post leave a comment or share using the social media buttons below. Have you ever done a Cliffs of Moher day trip from Dublin or anywhere else in Ireland? Or is it still on your list?