FAQ: Private Day Tours from Dublin
Day Tours Dublin is built around comfortable private travel out of the capital. Most guests choose either a day north into the Boyne Valley or a day south into Wicklow. The notes below explain how those days are planned, priced and paced.
Cruise arrivals at Dublin Port and Dun Laoghaire can be met for timed shore excursions
1. Leaving Dublin
How does a day tour from Dublin usually start?
Your driver-guide collects you from your hotel or other Dublin accommodation in the morning. From there the day is private: one vehicle, your companions only, and a route shaped around timed admissions, traffic and the weather. There is no joining a large coach group.
Where else can you collect us?
Pickup is also available from Dublin Airport when it fits your flight and itinerary. For cruise guests we meet at Dublin Port and Dun Laoghaire Harbour. Collection in parts of Meath and Louth can be arranged when you are staying outside the city. Share your exact address or ship name when you inquire.
Sedan or larger vehicle?
Couples and parties of up to three usually travel by private sedan. Families and groups of up to six are better in an MPV or similar, with more room for bags if needed. See also chauffeur tours, minivan and limousine options.
MPV travel suits families and small groups leaving Dublin for a full day
2. Choosing north or south
Should we book Boyne Valley or Wicklow?
Choose the Boyne Valley for Newgrange, Knowth, Tara, monastic ruins and Norman castles: a condensed sweep through prehistoric and medieval Ireland north of Dublin. Choose Wicklow for mountain roads, Glendalough, lakes and garden estates south of the city. If you have two free days, many visitors do one of each.
What does a Wicklow day feel like?
A typical Wicklow circuit may take in Sally Gap views, Lough Tay, Glenmacnass and Glendalough, with optional stops at Avoca or Powerscourt when opening hours allow. The emphasis is scenery, pacing and photography stops rather than a packed monument checklist.
Lough Tay in the Wicklow Mountains, a favorite stop on scenic days south of Dublin
Can we focus on Celtic, megalithic or monastic themes?
Yes. Theme days are a useful way to travel if you already know your interests: Celtic landscapes such as Tara, megalithic tombs including Newgrange and Fourknocks, or monastic sites such as Monasterboice and Bective. Bespoke itineraries, including film locations, can also be designed around your list.
Fourknocks offers a quieter megalithic visit than the main Brú na Bóinne circuit
3. Newgrange and tickets
Do you handle Newgrange tickets?
When Newgrange or Knowth are on the plan, timed tickets are secured in advance and the admission cost is added to your booking. Access is only through the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Center on official OPW guided visits. Your driver-guide stays with you for the rest of the day and interprets the wider landscape.
How much of the day does Newgrange take?
Allow roughly two hours for Newgrange alone in winter, or about three hours when Knowth is open and included. That still leaves time for Tara, Monasterboice, Slane or another stop, depending on ticket times and pace.
What does a private day cost?
A standard private day from Dublin to the Boyne Valley or Wicklow is 675 euro plus booking fees for up to six guests, charged per vehicle. Meals are not included. Extra hours can be added by agreement.
4. Cruise days and timing
Can you run a shore excursion?
Yes. Cruise shore excursions are planned around your ship’s arrival and departure, with a safety margin for return to port. Boyne Valley or Wicklow can both work, depending on time alongside.
How early should we reserve?
As early as you can, especially from May to September and whenever Newgrange is essential. Popular ticket slots and peak-season dates fill quickly.
Glendalough is a natural anchor for Wicklow days and many cruise itineraries with enough time ashore
5. On the day
Is lunch part of the price?
No. Your guide will suggest a cafe, pub or restaurant that fits the route and allow time to stop. Bring layers and comfortable shoes; Wicklow hills and Boyne Valley grass can both be damp underfoot.
What if someone has limited mobility?
Tell us before booking. Private touring makes it easier to shorten walks, skip uneven sites and keep the day unhurried. Newgrange’s passage and chamber are narrow and dim, so alternatives can be planned when needed.
How do we book?
Send a short inquiry with your date, party size, pickup point and whether you prefer Boyne Valley, Wicklow or a mixed theme. Use the contact form or book a private tour online.