Dublin packs a lot into a small area. Dublin Airport sits about 9 km from the city centre, Connolly and Pearse stations are each about 1 km out, and Croke Park and the Aviva Stadium are both under 3 km away. For a group, that means short hops, many pick-up points and plenty of reasons to keep everyone on one vehicle with one driver.
Global Bus Hire provides private coach, minibus and bus hire with professional drivers, from an 8 seater minibus for a small party to a 70 seater coach or a double decker for a big crowd. Tell us where you're going, how many are travelling and when, and we'll come back with a tailored quote.
Get a free quote
Coach, Minibus and Bus Hire for Every Kind of Group Trip
Airport transfers are a natural fit in Dublin. Dublin Airport (DUB) is about 9 km from the city centre, so a single coach or minibus can collect a delegation, sports team or tour group and take them straight to their hotel, venue or campus. Luggage space and timings depend on the vehicle and group size, so mention both when you ask for a quote.
Wedding transport works well in a city with historic settings close at hand. Dublin Castle is about 1 km from the centre, with Drimnagh Castle about 5.5 km and Clonskeagh Castle about 4.4 km away. A minibus or coach can move guests between ceremony, photos and reception so nobody needs to drive or find parking.
Corporate and event transport covers conference shuttles, team days and evenings out. Central venues such as The Printworks and A & K Dargan Hall are within about 1 km of the city centre, and theatres including the Abbey Theatre and Peacock Theatre are closer still. We can also take groups further out, for example to Leopardstown Racecourse, about 11 km away.
School and university trips are well served too. Trinity College Dublin and TU Dublin's Bolton Street Campus are both less than 1 km from the centre, and the UCD Belfield campus bus stop is about 6 km out. Our drivers are fully licensed, experienced and trained in safety, hospitality and route efficiency, which matters when you're responsible for students.
Vehicles to Suit Your Group Size
Our minibuses come in 8 and 16 seat versions, ideal for wedding parties, small corporate teams or a family heading to the airport. For mid-sized groups there is a 25 seater midi coach, plus 29 and 33 seater coaches.
Larger groups can choose a 49, 57 or 70 seater coach, and we can also provide a double decker. Executive and luxury coaches are available if you want something more polished for clients or a special occasion. Bigger events may need more than one vehicle; we'll suggest a combination when quoting.
Use the table below to match your group to a vehicle. If your numbers sit between sizes or you're carrying lots of luggage, ask us and we'll advise when we quote.
| Vehicle | Seats |
|---|---|
| 8 seater minibus | 8 |
| 16 seater minibus | 16 |
| 25 seater midi coach | 25 |
| 29 seater coach | 29 |
| 33 seater coach | 33 |
| 49 seater coach | 49 |
| 57 seater coach | 57 |
| 70 seater coach | 70 |
| Double decker | Ask for details |
Getting Around Dublin as a Group
Dublin's rail stations are tightly clustered around the centre: Tara Street is about 0.5 km away, Dublin Connolly and Dublin Pearse about 1 km, Docklands about 1.4 km, Drumcondra about 1.5 km and Grand Canal Dock about 1.8 km. Busáras, the central bus station, is about 0.6 km away. A private coach can collect a group arriving by train or bus and take them on together.
Groups arriving by sea are also close in. The Cruise Terminal (Berth 18) is about 2.3 km from the centre, Terminal 4 about 2.5 km and Dublin Port Terminal 2 about 4.1 km, making port pick-ups for cruise excursions and ferry arrivals straightforward.
For sightseeing, many landmarks sit within walking distance of each other, including the General Post Office, the Spire of Dublin, the Ha'penny Bridge, Temple Bar and the Book of Kells. A coach is most useful for getting the group into the centre and then on to places further out, such as Magazine Fort, Ashtown Castle or Croke Park, about 1.4 km away.
Practical Planning: Driver Hours and Coach Parking
Drivers work under EU hours rules. Daily driving is normally capped at 9 hours, rising to 10 hours no more than twice a week, and after 4.5 hours behind the wheel a driver must take breaks adding up to at least 45 minutes. A 2024 amendment allows a little more flexibility in arranging breaks and rest on occasional coach trips. Drivers also need a daily rest of at least 11 hours, which can sometimes be cut to 9. For long days, such as an early airport pick-up followed by a late evening event, tell us your full schedule so we can plan the booking around these limits.
Coach parking in the city is limited. Dublin City Council has 67 designated paid coach parking spaces across the city, with a maximum stay of 2 hours. Some city-centre coach stops, such as Nassau Street, are for drop-off and pick-up only, so the coach can't wait there. The NTA Coach Park is an alternative to on-street spaces. If your group will spend longer than 2 hours somewhere central, agree a pick-up time and place in advance rather than expecting the coach to stay nearby.
Upcoming events in Dublin
If your trip coincides with a major Dublin event, book early and allow extra time; key dates are listed below.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| St. Patrick's Festival | 13–17 March 2027 |
How Groups Use Our Coaches and Minibuses in Dublin
- Conference delegates from Dublin Airport: A 49 or 57 seater coach meets an arriving delegation at Dublin Airport, about 9 km out, and takes everyone to their hotel or a central venue such as The Printworks.
- Match day at Croke Park or the Aviva Stadium: Supporters' clubs and corporate guests travel together to Croke Park, about 1.4 km from the centre, or the Aviva Stadium, about 2.7 km away, with a pick-up point agreed for after the final whistle.
- Wedding guest shuttles: A 16 seater minibus or midi coach moves guests between a ceremony and a reception near Dublin Castle or Drimnagh Castle, so no one has to worry about driving.
- Student orientation and field trips: University and school groups travel between Trinity College Dublin, TU Dublin campuses and the UCD Belfield area, or out to heritage sites for the day.
- Cruise passenger excursions: Passengers collected at the Cruise Terminal (Berth 18) head into the city for the Book of Kells, Temple Bar and the Ha'penny Bridge before returning to the ship.
- A day at the races: A coach takes a group of friends or colleagues to Leopardstown, Fairyhouse or Naas Racecourse and brings them back to the city afterwards.
Why Book Group Transport With Global Bus Hire
- Professional drivers: Drivers are fully licensed, experienced and trained in safety, hospitality and route efficiency.
- Tailored quotes: Every quote is built around your group size, itinerary and timings rather than a fixed package.
- A wide choice of vehicles: From an 8 seater minibus to a 70 seater coach or double decker, plus executive and luxury coaches.
- 24/7 customer support: Our team is available around the clock, including while your trip is under way.
- Group transport worldwide: If your Dublin trip is part of a wider itinerary, we can provide group transport in other countries too.
- Simple booking: Share your requirements, get a tailored quote, confirm and schedule, then relax and ride in comfort.
Frequently asked questions
Can you do group transfers to and from Dublin Airport?
Yes. Dublin Airport (DUB) is about 9 km from the city centre, and we can provide a minibus or coach sized to your group and luggage. Send us your flight details and numbers for a tailored quote.
What size vehicles can I hire in Dublin?
We offer 8 and 16 seater minibuses, a 25 seater midi coach, 29, 33, 49, 57 and 70 seater coaches, and a double decker. Executive and luxury coaches are also available. Availability depends on your date, so ask for a quote.
Can the coach wait for us while we visit the city centre?
Dublin City Council's 67 paid coach parking spaces have a maximum stay of 2 hours, and some stops, such as Nassau Street, are drop-off and pick-up only. The NTA Coach Park is an alternative. For longer visits, we'll agree drop-off and pick-up times when quoting.
Can one driver cover a full day of airport runs and an evening event?
It depends on the schedule. EU rules normally limit daily driving to 9 hours, with breaks of at least 45 minutes after 4.5 hours of driving and a daily rest of at least 11 hours. Share your full itinerary and we'll quote a set-up that fits.
Do you provide wedding transport in Dublin?
Yes. We can provide minibuses and coaches to move guests between ceremony and reception venues, including historic settings such as Dublin Castle. Timings and vehicles depend on your plans, so get in touch for a quote.
How far in advance should I book coach hire in Dublin?
We recommend booking at least 2–4 weeks in advance, and earlier if your trip falls on a major event date or needs several vehicles.
Can you take school or university groups on trips outside the city?
Yes. We regularly quote for student travel from campuses such as Trinity College Dublin and TU Dublin to destinations further afield. Tell us the route and group size for a tailored quote.
Related pages
- Global Bus Hire home
- our group transport services
- see our full fleet of minibuses and coaches
- request a tailored quote
- coach hire across Ireland
- Coach & minibus hire in Manchester
- Coach & minibus hire in Glasgow
- Coach & minibus hire in Leeds
- Coach & minibus hire in Bath
Local information: © OpenStreetMap contributors.