A Charming Seaside Village

If you’re looking to explore beyond Dublin by train Howth might just be the perfect destination. With it’s beautiful coastal hiking routes, fishing harbour and charming village vibes (at only a half hour train ride away from Dublin) you won’t be disappointed.

On my 6 day trip to Dublin last year I assigned two days to explore a bit beyond the capital. The first day I took a guided tour to Glendalough and the Wicklow Mountains. For the second adventure I decided to take the train myself to explore the Irish coast. A friend had recommended Howth to me and I was eager to visit this picturesque fishing village.

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To get to Howth I took the DART train from Tara Street Station. There is a direct train that goes straight to Howth in about 30 minutes. Depending on your location you can also board the train from Connolly Station in which case the journey will only be 25 minutes.

Howth Cliff Path Loop

I was drawn to Howth specifically for the walking trail along the cliffs promising stunning views. If you want to follow in my footsteps take the Howth Cliff Path Loop or Green Route. It’s the most popular route out of five that takes about 2 hours and starts right outside the DART station. Just follow the signs or the people as you definitely won’t be the only one heading for the cliffs.

Prepare for a steep climb for the first part of the trail. But I assure you: the higher you ascend, the better the views get. Though there were other people along the trail, it didn’t feel overly crowded. This was mid-April however and the weather wasn’t the best, so it might be a lot busier during the summer season.

The view from the cliffs were stunning and the rugged coast impressive. The moody cloudscapes added to the drama of it all though I’m sure the cliff path would have been even more majestic on a sunny day.

If you are planning to spend the entire day in Howth there are plenty of other activities you could do once you finish the cliff walk. I visited Howth on a Friday but if it would have been a Saturday, Sunday or bank holiday I would have definitely paid a visit to Howth Market.

You could also book a 50 minute Howth Coastal Boat Tour that passes under the cliffs on the water close to caves with the opportunity to see wild sea birds such as puffins, seals and (according to the Ireland Eye’s Ferry website) if you’re really lucky the occasional dolphin or whale! This tour is definitely on my list should I return to Howth.

FAQs about best day trips from Dublin by train:

Where to go by train from Dublin?

At only a 30 minute train ride away Howth is a great option if you want to take a day trip from Dublin by train. You can catch a DART train from either Tara Street Station or Connolly Station that goes directly to Howth.

Is Howth, Ireland worth visiting?

Yes! Howth is definitely worth a visit in my opinion. Howth is a great choice for a (half) day trip with its stunning coastal scenery, village charms and many highly rated seafood restaurant options.

How long should I spend in Howth?

If you are planning to do one of the Howth Cliff Walk routes, I suggest assigning 4 to 5 hours for your visit to Howth. You could easily spend even more time in Howth than that by booking a boat tour, visiting Howth Market or spending an afternoon at the beach.

What is the best day trip from Dublin?

Day trip recommendations from Dublin:

• Howth
• Dún Laoghaire
• Belfast
• Galway