Major city · Ireland
MalahideMullach Íde
Base in Dublin and give Malahide one half-day for the castle and gardens; sleep here only if you want a quiet coastal night 25 min from the city.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Nov–Feb (short days, wind and rain)
- Airport
- DUB
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
- Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
- Ireland ↗Ireland is in the EU but not in the Schengen area; it sets its own entry rules and a Schengen visa is not valid for Ireland. Check Irish immigration for your passport.
- Ireland ↗Ireland and the UK form the Common Travel Area, with no routine checks on the land border. Visitors who are not Irish or British must still meet UK rules (including the UK ETA where it applies) to enter Northern Ireland.
- Ireland ↗Driving is on the left; rural roads are narrow with hedges and few passing places.
Malahide is a coastal town 18 km northeast of Dublin with a 12th-century castle, botanic gardens and a sheltered estuary. The DART runs from Dublin Connolly in about 25 minutes, so most travellers visit as a half-day trip. Sleeping here makes sense for a slower night by the sea, or as a stop between the airport and the city.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Malahide, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR).Ireland-wide
- SIM or eSIMVodafone, Three and Eir run the networks; prepaid SIMs (also 48, Tesco Mobile, GoMo) sell in phone shops and newsagents, no registration fuss.Ireland-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe; occasional local 'boil water' notices are posted by Uisce Éireann.Ireland-wide
- TippingRestaurant with table service: 10–15% if service is not included.Ireland-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Ireland-wide
- SafetyVery safe for a town of its size; the real risks are weather, slippery rocks at Low Rock and traffic on the Coast Road.
- RestroomsFree in shopping centres, museums, pubs (as a customer) and many petrol stations; some public toilets charge 50c.Ireland-wide
- Emergency numbers112 or 999 police, ambulance, fire (gardaí) (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysShops open Sunday afternoons in towns; rural shops and some attractions close in winter (November–March).Ireland-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportDUB Dublin Airport (8 km west; Dublin Bus 102 runs every 30 min to Malahide in about 40 min).DUB Dublin Airport (5 mi west; Dublin Bus 102 runs every 30 min to Malahide in about 40 min).
- Getting aroundThe centre is walkable: station to castle about 15 minutes.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee€3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
- Sit-down mealPub main course€15–22 (≈ US$18–30)
- BeerPint of stout€5.50–7 (≈ US$7–9)
- Museum or sight ticketMalahide Castle adult tour€17 (≈ US$20)
- Budget bedHostel or guesthouse bed, a night, per person€45 (≈ US$55)
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse or hotel double room, a night, per room€180 (≈ US$250)
- High-end bedGuesthouse or hotel double room, a night, per room€280 (≈ US$350)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €70 (≈ US$85) · Mid €120 (≈ US$140) · High €220 (≈ US$300)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- DUB Dublin Airport (8 km west; Dublin Bus 102 runs every 30 min to Malahide in about 40 min)DUB Dublin Airport (5 mi west; Dublin Bus 102 runs every 30 min to Malahide in about 40 min)
Weather and climate
Malahide: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
8°C46°F
3°C37°F
13 rd
Feb
8°C46°F
3°C37°F
11 rd
Mar
10°C50°F
4°C39°F
11 rd
Apr
12°C54°F
5°C41°F
10 rd
May
15°C59°F
7°C45°F
10 rd
Jun
18°C64°F
10°C50°F
9 rd
Jul
20°C68°F
12°C54°F
10 rd
Aug
20°C68°F
12°C54°F
11 rd
Sep
18°C64°F
10°C50°F
10 rd
Oct
14°C57°F
8°C46°F
12 rd
Nov
11°C52°F
5°C41°F
12 rd
Dec
9°C48°F
4°C39°F
13 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The centre is walkable: station to castle about 15 minutes. The coastal walk to Portmarnock takes about 40 minutes, exposed to wind and rain. Toots the Malahide road train links the station, village, Grand Hotel, beach and castle (adult €6, child €4, pay on boarding). Bike hire is on Dublin Road, 100 m west of the station, Tuesday–Sunday (check).
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 40 min
DART from Malahide station to Connolly or Tara Street
Trains every 15 min; the obvious pairing with a Malahide stay.
Howth
goDoor to door: About 45–55 min
DART south to Howth Junction, change for Howth
Cliff walk and harbour; a full half-day.
Door to door: About 30–45 min
Dublin Bus 102, or train to Donabate plus a walk for Newbridge Demesne
Newbridge House and gardens; useful if you are near the airport.
Door to door: About 25–35 min
Commuter train north from Malahide
A small coastal town; only worth it if you are already heading north.
Door to door: About 40–50 min
Commuter train north from Malahide
Base for Brú na Bóinne and the Battle of the Boyne site.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Town centre (around the DART station)
Pubs, restaurants and shops on foot; the castle is a 15-min walk.
Coast Road / Grand Hotel area
Sea views and the beach; 10–15 min walk back to the station.
Portmarnock (south along the coast)
Quieter, with a long beach and golf links; bus or a 40-min coastal walk to Malahide.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €60–90 (≈ US$70–110) excl. bed
- Mid
- €90–150 (≈ US$110–180) excl. bed
- High
- €150 (≈ US$180)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse or hotel double room1 × 1 night × €180 | €180 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × €120 | €240 |
| DART return from Dublin Connolly2 × €6 · check | €12 |
| Malahide Castle guided tour, adult2 × €17 | €34 |
| Casino Model Railway Museum, adult2 × €9 | €18 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × €20 | €40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €52 |
| Trip total≈ €288 per person per day, bed included | €576≈ US$700 |
2026 estimate in euro; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | €3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Pub main course | €15–22 (≈ US$18–30) |
| Pint of stout | €5.50–7 (≈ US$7–9) |
| DART Malahide to Dublin Connolly | about €3 (≈ US$4) one way (check) |
| Taxi, Malahide to Dublin Airport | €25–35 (≈ US$30–45) (check) |
| Malahide Castle adult tour | €17 (≈ US$20) |
| Casino Model Railway Museum adult | €9 (≈ US$11) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The coastal walk to Portmarnock has no shelter if rain comes in.
- Malahide Castle is visited by guided tour only; check tour times before you go.
- Trains from Belfast do not stop at Malahide: change at Drogheda.
- The station has no toilets.
Emergency numbers
- Police, ambulance, fire (Gardaí)
- 112 or 999
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
MalahideMullach Íde
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Chuig an seoladh seo, le do thoilTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, ambulance, fire112 or 999
Embassy
No embassies in Malahide; most are in Dublin (check your own country's list).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- DART Malahide → Dublin Connolly: about €3 (≈ US$4) one way, 25 min (check)
- Bus 102 Dublin Airport → Malahide: about 40 min, every 30 min
- Toots road train, adult hop-on hop-off: €6 (≈ US$7), pay on boarding
Say or show
- Dia duit — Hello (jeea gwit)
- Go raibh maith agat — Thank you (guh rev mah agut)
- Le do thoil — Please (leh duh hull)
- Sláinte — Cheers (slawn-cha)
- Cá bhfuil an stáisiún? — Where is the station? (kaw will un staw-shoon)
- Cé mhéad é? — How much is it? (kay vade ay)
English is spoken everywhere; Irish is a courtesy here, not a necessity.
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Malahide. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Nov–Feb (short days, wind and rain) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
- officialMalahide Castle and Gardens (official)
- officialCasino Model Railway Museum (official)
- officialIrish Rail (Iarnród Éireann)
- officialTransport for Ireland
- officialFáilte Ireland
- secondaryWikivoyage: Malahide, revision 5276691 (CC BY-SA 4.0)