Howth Coastal Half-Day Bus Tour from Dublin with Live Guide
Recommended by 91% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Dublin, Ireland
- 4 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Why travelers loved this
·
Overview
Explore Ireland beyond the hustle and bustle of Dublin's city center with a half-day bus trip along the coast to the fishing village of Howth. Admire views along the coast during the drive to Howth before setting out on a guided walk along the sea cliffs. Then relax with free time to explore the village at your leisure. Return transportation to Dublin is included for extra convenience.
- Choose morning or early afternoon departures to suit your schedule
- This Howth experience is wheelchair and stroller accessible
- Don't worry about getting lost: The group and guide are easy to follow
- A great way for Dublin tourists to see a different side of Ireland
What's Included
- Half-day bus tour to Howth Summit and its famous fishing village
- Free time to explore the picturesque Howth Village at your leisure
- Guided walking tour of the cliffs of Howth
- Select from either the 9.45am or 2.00pm Departure
- Hotel Pick-up & Drop-off
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- 13 O'Connell Street Upper, North City, Dublin, D01 HN30, Ireland
Please present your booking confirmation to a Big Bus Tours staff member at least 15 minutes before the tour departs. Tour departs from Big Bus Stop #1 - 13 O'Connell Street Upper, North City, Dublin
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
1
Howth Summit
4 hours • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Transportation is wheelchair accessible
- Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 75 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Cary_J
The tour guide/bus driver was great. Very kind and knowledgable. The island of Howth was beautiful. We would definitely go again.
Reviews
4.6
based on 931 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
mr55byyvrz, Aug 2026
The tour bus guide was very knowledgeable and provided some great recommendations to eat seafood. We went to one of Mike’s recommendations and the mussels and oysters literally melted in the mouth. SO FRESH!!! Boat to table!! Thank you again Mike for an amazing recommendation!!!
If you do not like seafood, don’t travel there to eat at the local restaurants as you have little options. The views though are spectacular!!
Elizabeth_N, Aug 2026
Driver was great. Very entertaining. Love having a live guide. He accommodated my mobility challenges and told good stories about the area.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Hello!
Thank you so much for your wonderful review!
We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the live commentary and the beautiful stories about Howth. Our team always strives to make our tours accessible and comfortable for everyone, so it's fantastic to know our driver took great care of your mobility needs.
We hope to welcome you aboard again soon!
MariaS@BigBusToursCustomerCare
Jennifer_W, Aug 2026
Absolutely wonderful half day trip from Dublin! Driver was knowledgeable and easy to communicate with. Timing was great—and we definitely recommend taking the “long walk” along the coast. It offers spectacular views. We ate lunch in the village at The Brass Monkey (amazing fish and chips!)
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for your review!
We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the tour and your visit to Howth. Thank you for sharing your experience, and we hope to welcome you aboard again soon.
Andrei@BigBusTours
Michael_S, Aug 2026
If your visiting Dublin and need to get away for a day, this tour is perfect. The village of Howth and the cliff walk provided a much needed respit from the hustle and bustle of the city. Jerry was entertaining, personable and provided great facts along the way..highly recommended for anyone traveling alone or with others. Worth every penny!
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for your review!
We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed your visit to Howth and found the tour to be a great escape from the city. Thank you for your kind words and recommendation.
Andrei@BigBusTours
michael_m, Aug 2026
Nice little town and great shops along the way .Was perfect amount of time for some Fish and Chips and shopping
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for your review!
We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed your time in Howth and found it to be the perfect place to relax, explore the local shops, and enjoy some fish and chips.
Andrei@BigBusTours
Olga_T, Aug 2026
Howth is beautiful and the summit has amazing views!
Well paced itinerary. Alan was our guide, and shared information about the sites as we drove by.
Try Kish Fish for lunch - delicious!
Erma_C, Aug 2026
The live guide was fabulous. If you want a longer time in the town, go on the morning tour and come back on the afternoon one.
Plan to eat there. The seafood is amazing.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Hi Erma,
Thank you for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear you enjoyed the tour and found the live commentary so engaging.
Your tip is a great one for future visitors, and we're glad you had time to explore and enjoy the amazing seafood in town. We hope to welcome you onboard again soon!
Alexandra I. @ Big Bus Tours
Michael_V, Aug 2026
This is a great trip if you are looking to get away from the busy city of Dublin to enjoy the nature of the coast. On the 40 minute ride out, the driver provides historical and cultural information. The cliff walk is spectacular, BUT WEAR APPROPRIATE FOOTWEAR for hiking on a pathway that is dirt or loose stone/gravel and often wide enough for one person. I would not suggest this hike if you have mobility issues. HOWEVER, the driver does provide the option to skip the hike and drive you directly to Howth. It is a short trip, so if you take your time on the hike to enjoy the beauty and take pictures, it does cut down your time to explore and have lunch in the village.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for taking the time to share such detailed feedback!
We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the trip and the beautiful coastal scenery around Howth. It's great to know that you found the driver's historical and cultural commentary informative and that the cliff walk lived up to expectations.
BigBusTours@VladL
Elena_V, Aug 2026
A very nice half day experience, got to see real Irish country side with an amazing view to the bay, a hiking trail was easy also for a walk with a 10 y.o. kid. We were lucky the weather was great, a sunny day with very unique landscape
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for your review!
We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed your sightseeing experience and found the tour to be a great way to explore Dublin's highlights. It's wonderful to know that the tour helped you make the most of your visit to the city.
We appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you aboard again in Dublin or another Big Bus Tours destination in the future.
Jacquelynn_B, Jul 2026
The bus stop was easy to find. The ride out was beautiful and informative. The hill top views were amazing. I'm glad we had a choice to walk down or bus down to the city. This tour worked well for my handicap family. Tour guide was the best and patient. Highly recommend this tour to get out to the coast and back. Beautiful town and coast.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hi and thank you for taking the time to leave such a wonderful review.
We're delighted to hear that you found the bus stop easy to locate and enjoyed the beautiful scenery, informative commentary, and stunning views from the hilltop. It's especially great to know that the flexibility of choosing to walk or take the bus back worked well for your group.
We're also pleased to hear that the tour was suitable for your family’s accessibility needs and that your tour guide made such a positive impression with their patience and excellent service.
Thank you for your recommendation. We hope to welcome you on board again for another memorable experience soon!
Calin@BigBusTours
Gerald_C, Jul 2026
Awesome scenery. Great tour guide. Met some local people in the town at a pub. Very friendly. Recommend
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hi,
Thank you for your lovely comments. We are happy to hear that you enjoyed the views, had a great time with your tour guide, and experienced the friendly atmosphere of the local area.
It is wonderful to know that meeting local people added to your visit. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to see you again on another Big Bus Tours adventure. Alexandra@BigBusTours
bethcastellini, Jul 2026
We had great weather so the scenery was lovely. It was rough for the older members of our group to fully enjoy the experience but for able bodied travelers, it was a nice way to see outside the city and the tour guide was fun.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hi,
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us. We are pleased to hear that you enjoyed the scenery and had a great time exploring outside the city with us.
We are glad that you found the tour enjoyable and that our guide helped make the experience fun. We appreciate your comments and hope to welcome you back again for another Big Bus Tours experience. Alexandra@BigBusTours
Bonny_P, Jul 2026
The tour was exactly what was advertised. They were prompt, informative, helpful, and fun. The views were worth the trip!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hi Bonny,
Thank you for sharing your experience!
It's wonderful to hear that you enjoyed the tour and found our team friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable throughout your journey. We're especially happy that the views made such a positive impression and added to your overall experience.
We truly appreciate your recommendation and look forward to seeing you again soon. Alexandra@BigBusTours
Johnathan_G, Jul 2026
We went to a cute little town and it was such a great day out! Jerry was our tour guide and OMG HE WAS AMAZING! Felt like I was also in a comedy club! He was hilarious!!!!!! Overall I loved being on the bus just hearing Jerry hilarious commentary!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback!
We're absolutely delighted to hear that you had such a great day and enjoyed the visit to the town. It's fantastic to know that Jerry made the experience so memorable for you. We'll be sure to pass along your kind words to him—I'm certain he'll be thrilled to hear them!
Thank you again for taking the time to share your experience. We hope to welcome you on board again soon for another adventure.
BigBusTours@VladL
Deborah_D, Jul 2026
The tour guide was extremely helpful, professional and engaging. I enjoyed viewing the cliffs and the views.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for your kind review! We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the stunning cliff views and had a great experience with your guide. It's wonderful to know their professionalism, helpfulness, and engaging commentary helped make your tour memorable. We appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you back on another adventure soon! 😊 Daniel@BigBusTours
Vince_G, Jul 2026
Unreachable by phone or email. I made a mistake on my reservation and they were unreachable so I paid for a tour I didn’t even attend.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hi, Vince!
Hello, thank you for sharing your feedback.
We are sincerely sorry to hear about the difficulties you experienced trying to reach our team and that you missed your tour as a result.
This is certainly not the level of service we aim to provide.
We would like to look into your booking and see how we can assist you with this.
We want to make things right, so please reach out to our team via Live Chat on our website or email us at info@bigbustours.com.
Share your reservation details with us, and we will definitely help you out.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Maria.S@BigBusToursCustomerTeam
RACHEL_P, Jul 2026
We had the best afternoon. It was just enough to give us a taster. The guide was fantastic. Made sure to make sure everyone felt included and got the best experience for their own needs.
I went with two 14 year old and they honestly wanted to keep Geoff or Jerry ?
It was informative, fun and gave enough time at both stops for free time.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hi, Rachel!
Thank you so much for this wonderful review!
We are absolutely thrilled to hear that you and the teenagers had the best afternoon on our Howth Coastal tour.
Making sure everyone feels included and has a great time is exactly what we aim for.
It’s no easy feat to impress two 14-year-olds, so our guide will be incredibly proud to hear this!
We appreciate you choosing Big Bus Tours Dublin for your afternoon getaway, and we hope to see you and the family again in the future!
Maria.S@BigBusToursCustomerTeam
Kaylyn_M, Jul 2026
The bus ride was nice and had a good amount of knowledge. We couldn’t understand our guide some of the time due to the bus being loud. However the hike to the cliff views was easy and breathtaking, and had the perfect amount of time to explore Howth. Niall was very kind and made sure we all had a great time!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hi Kaylyn_M!
Thank you for your kind review! We're delighted to hear you enjoyed the tour, the stunning cliff views, and the time exploring Howth.
We appreciate your feedback regarding the bus audio and will share it with the team. It's wonderful to hear that Niall helped make the experience memorable with his kindness and local knowledge.
We hope to welcome you onboard again soon!
Alexandra I. @ Big Bus Tours
Chris_M, Jul 2026
The driver/guide was friendly and informative about the village, the restaurants, and the culture. He provided options for those who wanted to walk and explore more or less. It was a good use of an afternoon to explore Howth.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hi Chris!
Thank you for your kind review! We're delighted to hear you enjoyed your visit to Howth and found your driver-guide friendly and informative.
It's great to know the flexible options and local insights helped make for a memorable afternoon. We hope to welcome you again soon!
Alexandra I. @ Big Bus Tours Team
stacey, Jul 2026
Wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather.
The view is great but you never get down to the beach with the time allowed
Owen was a great guide, funny, helpful and knowledgeable
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hi Stacey,
Thank you for your lovely review! We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the stunning views and that Owen helped make your tour so memorable with his humour, knowledge, and friendly approach. We'll be sure to pass along your kind words to him.
We also appreciate your feedback regarding the time at the beach. Comments like yours help us better understand our guests' experiences and will be shared with the local team for consideration.
Thank you for choosing Big Bus Tours. We hope to welcome you aboard again on another adventure soon!
Madalina@BigBusTours
Jeffrey_T, Jul 2026
The driver was very friendly but the ride to howth and back was long. He did drive us to the top which provided beautiful views. If we did it again we would have taken the train and spent more time in the village of Howth.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hi Jeffrey,
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback! We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the beautiful views from the summit and that our driver helped make your experience a pleasant one.
We also appreciate your comments about the journey and your suggestion. Feedback like yours is valuable as we continue to enhance our tours and help future guests choose the experience that's right for them.
Thank you for choosing Big Bus Tours. We hope to welcome you aboard again on another adventure soon!
Madalina@BigBusTours
Alvernia_A, Jul 2026
Great hike, but allow time to get to the village if you want to eat and shop! It's a good 25 minute + walk to the village!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hello! Thank you for the helpful tip, and we are glad you enjoyed the great hike and shared this advice about allowing extra time to walk to the village for shopping and dining! Melisa@BigBusTours
Kara_M, Jul 2026
We absolutely loved this tour, but weren’t fully prepared. We rode one of the Big Bus open top buses to Howth. It was quite chilly up top due to the wind, so bring a jacket and a hair tie. Or you can choose to sit below inside. It’s a beautiful 40-45 min. drive though! The bus arrives and stops at the bottom of a hill. You can choose to stay on the bus for about 30 mins. or walk up the hill to the picture spot. If you do the picture spot, from there you can choose to walk back to the bus or do the hiking trail. I’m referring to it as a hiking trail because that’s what it is. Lots of rocky steep steps down and a dirt walking path. Some spots are very narrow with thorns and you have to stop to let others pass. Our shoes were covered in dirt by the end. However, it was well worth it for the beautiful views and pictures! It’s a SIGNIFICANT walk from the end of the trail to the fishing village. They make it seem like the hike ends at the fishing village, which is not true. It was another 30 min. walk to the village once we were off the trail. We didn’t end up having much time there, but were able to get fish and chips from a local restaurant. Very good! Wear comfortable clothes, sneakers, and water and you’ll have a great time!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you so much for your wonderful and detailed review!
We're delighted to hear that you absolutely loved the tour and took the time to share such helpful insights for future guests. It sounds like you made the most of your visit to Howth and enjoyed both the spectacular scenery and the adventure along the way.
We appreciate your practical tips about bringing a jacket, comfortable footwear, water, and being prepared for the coastal breeze. The cliff walk offers some truly breathtaking views, and we're glad you found the hike well worth the effort despite the challenging terrain.
It's also great to hear that you enjoyed the beautiful drive, the stunning photo opportunities, and the chance to experience the local fishing village and its famous fish and chips. Feedback like yours is incredibly valuable because it helps future visitors understand what to expect and how to best prepare for the experience.
Thank you again for your recommendation and for sharing such a thoughtful account of your day. We hope to welcome you on board again for another memorable adventure soon!
Flavius@BigBusTours
Mark_S, Jul 2026
Wonderful experience of a quaint fishing village. Our driver was brilliant and provided outstanding commentary.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for your kind feedback! We’re delighted to hear you enjoyed the charm of the fishing village and had such a memorable experience. It’s especially wonderful to know that your driver’s outstanding commentary helped bring the journey to life and made the tour even more enjoyable.
Florin @ BigBusTours
Sarah_R, Jul 2026
An amazing experience solo, weather was beautiful and walked the cliffs of Howth Coastal walk to the little fishing village. Wear comfortable shoes and bring water and a hat, sunscreen as there is no shade. Robbie was our tour guide and was so much fun! I would highly recommend this tour. 4 hrs total. Amazing views.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hi Sarah_R. Thank you for your valuable feedback! We are pleased to hear that you enjoyed our bus tour, and we eagerly anticipate the opportunity to welcome you back on board in the future. Best regards, Razvan @BigBusTours
John_P, Jul 2026
If you want a mix of historical facts and entertainment then this is the tour for you. Our driver, Gerry got his audience involved from the start and personalised the tour in a great way.
Gerry had great knowledge of the local area and a wealth of knowledge on the music scene used very well.
The scenery from the walk back from Howth hill was spectacular with very scenic coastal views and an abundance of wildlife.
Once back in Howth there was a market to look round and many restaurants for differing palates. There was also the Bloody Stream, a cool pub underneath the station for the Guinness lovers.
The harbour was full of fishing boats and a few seals were checking out the boats for food.
The duration was just right to fill up a morning of sightseeing and entertainment. Well worth booking.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you so much for your fantastic and detailed review!
We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the perfect blend of history, local insight, and entertainment. It’s wonderful to know that Gerry made such a positive impression from the very start, engaging the group and personalizing the experience in a memorable way. His knowledge of the local area, history, and music scene is something guests regularly appreciate, and we’re thrilled that it added so much to your tour.
It’s also great to hear that you enjoyed the stunning scenery around Howth, from the coastal views and wildlife to the charming harbour atmosphere. The combination of breathtaking landscapes, local culture, markets, restaurants, and unique spots like the Bloody Stream really does make for a special day out.
We’re especially pleased that you found the tour well-paced and that it perfectly filled your morning with sightseeing and entertainment.
Thank you again for your recommendation. We’ll be sure to pass your kind words on to Gerry, who will be delighted to hear them.
Flavius@BigBusTours
Ryan_W, Jul 2026
Jerry was a very engaging tour guide and made the tour very exiting. The Howth Peninsula was very beautiful and is a good location for pictures. Jerry was also kind enough to assist us in finding our hotel after the tour, since we had just flown in that morning. My wife and I would highly recommend this tour.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback!
We’re delighted to hear that you and your wife had such an enjoyable experience on the tour. It’s fantastic to know that Jerry’s engaging personality and enthusiasm helped make the journey so exciting and memorable.
We’re also pleased that you enjoyed the stunning scenery of the Howth Peninsula. It truly is a beautiful location, and we’re glad you had the opportunity to take in the views and capture some great photos.
What’s especially heartening to hear is that Jerry took the time to help you find your hotel after the tour, particularly after a long flight. Providing that extra level of care and assistance is exactly what we strive for, and we’ll be sure to pass along your kind words to him.
Thank you again for your recommendation. We hope to welcome you both on board again for another memorable experience in the future!
Flavius@BigBusTours
Josh_P, Jul 2026
What fun. Howth is a dont miss. ALAN was great both as a driver and a guide..we loved every minute of the tour. Seats are a little hard, but is a small concern. Great tour.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear you loved the tour and that Howth was a highlight. We'll be sure to pass your kind words on to Alan—he'll be thrilled to know he made your experience so memorable. We also appreciate your feedback about the seats and will keep it in mind. We hope to welcome you on another Big Bus Tours adventure soon! Daniel@BigBusTours
Ram_J, Jul 2026
It was just an ok trip. I was expecting a lot of driving along the sea. Not much if at all. To be honest disappointied
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We're sorry to hear the tour didn't meet your expectations, especially as you were hoping for more scenic coastal driving. We appreciate your comments and will take them into consideration. If you'd like to discuss your experience further, please don't hesitate to contact us via live chat or email, we'd be happy to assist. Daniel@BigBusTours
Hilory_D, Jul 2026
Traveling to the fishing village in Howth was an exciting adventure especially with Jerry as the tour guide..he's funny and knowledgeable all in one
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're so pleased to hear you had an enjoyable day out and that Jerry's knowledge and humor made the tour such a fun experience. We'll be sure to share your kind words with him. We hope to see you again on another Big Bus Tours tour soon! Daniel@BigBusTours
From $49.41
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
Compare Similar Experiences
Current
Howth Coastal Half-Day Bus Tour from Dublin with Live Guide
930
4 hours
Free Cancellation
From
$49.41
Customers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought
Attractions in Dublin, Ireland
- Kilmainham Gaol Tours & Tickets
- Connemara Tours & Tickets
- Christ Church Cathedral Tours & Tickets
- Cliffs of Moher Tours & Tickets
- Oscar Wilde Statue Tours & Tickets
- St. Michan's Church Tours & Tickets
- Kilbeggan Distillery Tours & Tickets
- The Book of Kells Tours & Tickets
- Blarney Castle & Gardens Tours & Tickets
- St. Stephen's Green Tours & Tickets
- Temple Bar Tours & Tickets
- The Spire Tours & Tickets
- Dublin Grafton Street Tours & Tickets
- Little Museum of Dublin Tours & Tickets
- National Museum of Ireland - Archaeology Tours & Tickets
- Molly Malone Statue Tours & Tickets
- Malahide Castle and Gardens Tours & Tickets
- Dublin Custom House Tours & Tickets