Major city · Ireland
BrayBré
Give Bray one full day: DART out from Dublin, walk the 90-min Cliff Walk to Greystones, bus or train back. Sleep here only if you want a seaside base for Wicklow.
Bray is a Victorian seaside town at the northern edge of County Wicklow, 50 minutes by DART from central Dublin and effectively part of the city's commuter belt. The reason to come is the coast: the 1.5 km Esplanade, Bray Head (241 m) and the Cliff Walk to Greystones. Most travellers do it as a day trip; a night here buys you an early start on the Wicklow mountains and a quieter evening than Dublin.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Nov–Feb (wet, windy, many seasonal places shut)
- 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.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Bray112 ▾
- Emergency (police/Gardaí, ambulance, fire, coast guard, mountain rescue)112
- Emergency (alternative)999
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Bray, 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
- SafetyBray is a low-risk town; the real hazards are the sea and the headland.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree in shopping centres, museums, pubs (as a customer) and many petrol stations; some public toilets charge 50c.Ireland-wide
- Emergency numbers112 emergency (police/gardaí, ambulance, fire, coast guard, mountain rescue) · 999 emergency (alternative)
- 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 (Aircoach 702 runs about every two hours between the airport, Bray and Greystones…
- Getting aroundThe town is walkable: Daly station to the Esplanade is about 5 min, and the Esplanade runs 1.5 km (0.9 mi) south to Bray Head.The town is walkable: Daly station to the Esplanade is about 5 min, and the Esplanade runs 0.9 mi (1.5 km) south to Bray Head.
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)
- Budget bedHostel or guesthouse bed, a night, per person€35 (≈ US$45)
- Mid-range bedSeafront hotel double room, a night, per room€150 (≈ US$180)
- High-end bedSeafront hotel double room, a night, per room€220 (≈ US$300)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €60 (≈ US$70) · Mid €110 (≈ US$130) · High €200 (≈ US$250)
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 →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
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 (Aircoach 702 runs about every two hours between the airport, Bray and Greystones; otherwise bus or taxi to the city centre and DART out.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Feb
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Mar
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Apr
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
May
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Jun
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jul
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Aug
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Sep
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Oct
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Nov
Avoid
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Dec
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)), coolest Jan (3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C) low), wettest Jan (13 rain days), driest Jun (9). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Bray: 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
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
13 rd
Feb
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
11 rd
Mar
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
11 rd
Apr
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
10 rd
May
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
10 rd
Jun
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
9 rd
Jul
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
10 rd
Aug
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
10 rd
Sep
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
10 rd
Oct
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
12 rd
Nov
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
12 rd
Dec
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
13 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The town is walkable: Daly station to the Esplanade is about 5 min, and the Esplanade runs 1.5 km south to Bray Head. DART trains link Bray with Dublin, Dún Laoghaire, Dalkey and Greystones; Dublin Bus E1 runs to Dublin every 10 min at peak and operates 24 h. Local buses cover the suburbs; a car is only worth it for the mountains and Glendalough.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Greystones
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h one way on foot
Cliff Walk over Bray Head, about 90 min; DART or bus back
The classic Bray outing. One way on foot, return by train.
Glendalough
goDoor to door: About 40 min
St Kevin's Bus from Bray, twice daily, about 40 min via Roundwood
Monastic site and round tower in a valley; the bus allows about four hours there. At weekends it can fill up from Dublin.
Enniskerry and Powerscourt
goDoor to door: About 20–30 min
Car or taxi, about 20 min; no direct rail
Formal gardens and a waterfall; the house is now a hotel.
Wicklow town
cautionDoor to door: About 40 min by train
Five mainline trains a day from Bray, or the N11 by car
Worth it only if you are already heading down the coast.
Door to door: About 50 min
DART every 10–20 min from Daly station
The default base; Bray works as a day trip in either direction.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Strand Road / seafront
Hotels and guesthouses facing the Esplanade; walk to the harbour, the beach and the Cliff Walk steps.
Main Street and town centre
Cheaper rooms, restaurants and the Saturday market; 10–15 min walk downhill to the seafront.
Dublin city instead
The DART runs every 10–20 min from Connolly, Tara Street and Pearse, about 50 min; many travellers sleep in Dublin and day-trip.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
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
| Seafront hotel double room1 × 1 night × €150 | €150 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × €110 | €220 |
| DART Dublin city centre to Bray, one way2 × €4 · check; short hop zone fare | €7 |
| Aircoach 702 Dublin Airport to Bray, one way2 × €12 · check | €24 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × €15 | €30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €43 |
| Trip total≈ €237 per person per day, bed included | €474≈ US$600 |
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) |
| Fish and chips | €12–18 (≈ US$14–25) |
| DART fare, Dublin city centre to Bray | €3–4 (≈ US$4–5) (check) |
| Killruddery House and garden, adult | €15.50 (≈ US$19); garden alone €10.50 (≈ US$13) (check) |
| Squirrel's Scramble treetop course | from €20 (≈ US$25) (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The north end of the beach suffers erosion and pollution; swim or paddle at the south end.
- The Cliff Walk path crosses Bray Head and can be muddy, windy and slippery after rain; wear shoes with grip and check conditions before setting out.
- The east–west roads over the Wicklow mountains are narrow and winding and clog on fine weekends.
- The M11/N11 coast road is very busy at rush hour.
- Oldcourt Castle is unstable and may be fenced off.
Emergency numbers
- Emergency (police/Gardaí, ambulance, fire, coast guard, mountain rescue)
- 112
- Emergency (alternative)
- 999
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
BrayBré
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Chuig an seoladh seo, le do thoilTo this address, please
Emergency
- Emergency (police/Gardaí, ambulance, fire, coast guard, mountain rescue)112
- Emergency (alternative)999
Embassy
No embassies in Bray; most are in Dublin. US citizens: the US Embassy is in Dublin (check the address). UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand: embassies or high commissions in Dublin.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- DART Dublin Connolly → Bray: about €3–4 (≈ US$4–5), about 50 min (check)
- Aircoach 702 Dublin Airport → Bray: about €12 (≈ US$14), about 1 h (check)
- St Kevin's Bus Bray → Glendalough: about 40 min, twice daily (check)
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)
- Cé mhéad é? — How much is it? (kay vade ay)
- Cá bhfuil an leithreas? — Where is the toilet? (kaw will un leh-rass)
English is spoken everywhere; Irish is not needed in Bray.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
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 Bray. 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 (wet, windy, many seasonal places shut) · 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
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for DUB: Aircoach 702 timings field-checked, DART fallback, overnight rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: harbour and Esplanade, Bray Head and the Cliff Walk, Main Street, Killruddery.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Killruddery, Festina Lente garden, Mermaid Arts Centre) and eat pages with last orders.
- Cliff Walk condition fixture so the go/caution gate can go green.
Sources
- officialBray.ie — official town and events site
- officialIrish Rail (Iarnród Éireann) — DART and mainline timetables
- officialTransport for Ireland — Dublin Bus and Bus Connects
- officialAircoach route 702
- officialSt Kevin's Bus to Glendalough
- officialKillruddery House and Gardens
- officialMermaid Arts Centre
- secondaryWikivoyage: Bray (Ireland), revision 5324527 (CC BY-SA 4.0)