Dublin ticket comparison

Wicklow Glendalough Day Trips From Dublin tickets 2026: official vs resellers, combo deals & insider tips

When comparing Wicklow and Glendalough day trips, distinguish between half-day (5-hour) and full-day (9-hour) itineraries, and check if entry fees for optional stops like Powerscourt Waterfall or the Glendalough Visitor Centre are included or require extra payment upon arrival.

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Buying guide

Not sure which ticket to choose?

For most visitors, the choice depends on whether you want a quick 5-hour morning escape or a full-day immersion. While the Glendalough monastic site itself is free to enter, these guided tours are essential for navigating the Wicklow Mountains without a car and include expert historical storytelling. If you want to see the Powerscourt Waterfall, the full-day guided options are the standard choice, whereas the half-day trips focus strictly on the valley and the lakes.

01

You are on a tight schedule and want a morning-only trip

This 5-hour morning tour provides the most efficient transport to Glendalough and back to Dublin by early afternoon.

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02

You want a comprehensive full-day experience including Powerscourt Waterfall

This longer itinerary justifies the higher price by adding the scenic Powerscourt stop, which is difficult to reach on shorter tours.

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03

You are looking for the lowest entry price for a guided experience

At 33 EUR, this offers the best value for professional transport and a guided walk through the monastic city.

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Ticket type navigator

How the main ticket options differ

Standard ticket

Baseline admission or entry product used as the comparison anchor.

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Skip-the-line / priority access

Priority-access ticket shape for venues where official or partner products let visitors bypass the longest queues.

€33

Tours / guided tickets

Guided, hosted or tour products that add context, routing help or bundled handling.

€33

Combo or bundle

Bundle products that combine this attraction with another experience.

€33

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Skip-the-line / priority accessPriority-access ticket shape for venues where official or partner products let visitors bypass the longest queues.
Skip-the-line / priority accessOfficial benchmark first, then partner cards by priceRefund terms are visible on every card
1
Skip-the-line / priority access ticket preview
GetYourGuide

GetYourGuide

Guided and hosted options

Partner inventory Hosted / guided inventory Refund terms at checkout
Ticket
From Dublin: Half-Day Trip to Glendalough and Wicklow
Conditions
Check GetYourGuide checkout terms for the selected date and ticket option. Duration shown by GetYourGuide: 5 hours.
Variant
Skip-the-line / priority access
Includes
Priority or fast-track access when explicitly listed by the seller
Price€33Benchmark price · AvailableLive GetYourGuide price refresh. Final availability, fees and refund terms must be verified on GetYourGuide checkout.
Check availability on GYG
2
Skip-the-line / priority access ticket preview
Tiqets

Tiqets

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Ticket
Wicklow, Glendalough & Powerscourt Waterfall: Guided Day Tour from Dublin
Conditions
Check Tiqets checkout terms for the selected date and ticket option. Next available date shown by Tiqets: 2026-06-07.
Variant
Skip-the-line / priority access
Includes
Priority or fast-track access when explicitly listed by the seller
Price€50Benchmark price · AvailableLive Tiqets price refresh. Final availability, fees and refund terms must be verified on Tiqets checkout.
Check availability on Tiqets
Tours / guided ticketsGuided, hosted or tour products that add context, routing help or bundled handling.
Tours / guided ticketsOfficial benchmark first, then partner cards by priceRefund terms are visible on every card
1
Tours / guided tickets guided ticket preview
GetYourGuide

GetYourGuide

Guided and hosted options

Partner inventory Hosted / guided inventory Refund terms at checkout
Ticket
From Dublin: Half-Day Trip to Glendalough and Wicklow
Conditions
Check GetYourGuide checkout terms for the selected date and ticket option. Duration shown by GetYourGuide: 5 hours.
Variant
Tours / guided tickets
Includes
Seller-listed guided or hosted inclusions
Price€33Benchmark price · AvailableLive GetYourGuide price refresh. Final availability, fees and refund terms must be verified on GetYourGuide checkout.
Check availability on GYG
2
Tours / guided tickets guided ticket preview
Tiqets

Tiqets

Fast partner checkout

Partner inventory Fast checkout flow Refund terms at checkout
Ticket
Wicklow, Glendalough & Powerscourt Waterfall: Guided Day Tour from Dublin
Conditions
Check Tiqets checkout terms for the selected date and ticket option. Next available date shown by Tiqets: 2026-06-07.
Variant
Tours / guided tickets
Includes
Seller-listed guided or hosted inclusions
Price€50Benchmark price · AvailableLive Tiqets price refresh. Final availability, fees and refund terms must be verified on Tiqets checkout.
Check availability on Tiqets
Combo or bundleBundle products that combine this attraction with another experience.
Combo or bundleOfficial benchmark first, then partner cards by priceRefund terms are visible on every card
1
Combo or bundle ticket preview
GetYourGuide

GetYourGuide

Guided and hosted options

Partner inventory Hosted / guided inventory Refund terms at checkout
Ticket
From Dublin: Glendalough & Wicklow Mountains Morning Tour
Conditions
Check GetYourGuide checkout terms for the selected date and ticket option. Duration shown by GetYourGuide: 5 hours.
Variant
Combo or bundle
Includes
Seller-listed bundle inclusions
Price€33Benchmark price · AvailableLive GetYourGuide price refresh. Final availability, fees and refund terms must be verified on GetYourGuide checkout.
Check availability on GYG
Best forBaseline admission or entry product used as the comparison anchor.
Price range€33–€50
Coverage5 offers · 0 live · 5 benchmark
UpdatedJun 7, 07:30 AM UTC
Sellers

GetYourGuide Tiqets

Decision matrix

Choose by your situation

Before checkout

What is often not included

  • Powerscourt Admission Fees: Many tours list Powerscourt as a primary stop, but the entrance fees for the Waterfall (€7.00) or the Gardens (€13.50) are rarely included in the base tour price and must be paid at the gate.
  • Glendalough Visitor Centre: Access to the monastic ruins and the National Park trails is free, but the indoor exhibition and audio-visual presentation at the Visitor Centre require a separate admission fee of €5 (Adults) or €3 (Children/Students).
  • Meals and Drinks: Lunch is almost never included in the tour price; expect to spend between €15 and €25 per person for a pub lunch or cafe refreshments during the scheduled stops in Laragh or Enniskerry.
  • Meeting Point Transport: Tours depart from specific central Dublin locations (e.g., Molly Malone Statue or O'Connell Street); the cost of reaching these pickup points via Luas, bus, or taxi is not covered.
  • Driver and Guide Gratuities: While tipping is at your discretion, it is customary in the Irish tourism industry to tip your driver and guide approximately €5–€10 per person for a full-day excursion.
  • Boarding and Site Queues: 'Skip-the-line' or 'Priority' labels typically only apply to your bus seat reservation; you will still face physical queues for boarding the coach in Dublin and for purchasing tickets at site-specific booths like the Glendalough Visitor Centre.

Insider tips

4 things to know before your visit

  • Entrance: For day trips, your primary 'entrance' is the Dublin meeting point, typically the Molly Malone Statue (Suffolk St) or Lower Gardiner Street; arrive at least 15 minutes early as coaches cannot wait at these high-traffic hubs. At Glendalough, the Monastic City ruins are free and open-access, but the Visitor Centre exhibition requires a separate fee (€5) or an OPW Heritage Card. If your itinerary includes Powerscourt Waterfall, note that tickets are strictly pay-at-the-gate on arrival (€7.00). In peak June, Glendalough's Upper Lake paths and car parks become heavily congested by 11:00 AM; choosing a tour that departs Dublin by 08:30 is the best strategy to enjoy the valley before the largest crowds arrive.
  • Price: Admission to the Glendalough Monastic Site and Wicklow Mountains National Park is free, though the Glendalough Visitor Centre charges a small fee (€5 for adults). The partner rates shown (from €30) reflect the cost of round-trip transport from Dublin and professional guiding; higher-end tours usually include the entrance fee for Powerscourt Waterfall (€7.00), which is a private estate not covered by standard park access.
  • Discounts: Access to Wicklow Mountains National Park and the Glendalough Monastic City ruins is free for all visitors year-round. Paid admission is only required for the Glendalough Visitor Centre exhibition (Adults €5, Seniors €4, Students/Children €3) and Powerscourt Waterfall (Adults €7, Children €3.50, Under-2s free). OPW Heritage Card holders enter the Visitor Centre for free. On the first Wednesday of every month, the Glendalough Visitor Centre offers free admission to all. Note that while the ruins are always accessible, the Visitor Centre and Powerscourt Waterfall have seasonal hours, typically closing between 17:00 and 18:00. Most guided day tours from Dublin include transport and a guide but may require you to pay these site-specific entrance fees locally unless 'all-inclusive' is specified.
  • Timing: Arrive early enough for security checks, ticket scanning and wayfinding.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to print my ticket or is a mobile voucher sufficient?

Most tour operators departing from Dublin for Wicklow and Glendalough accept mobile vouchers. You will typically show your QR code to the driver or coordinator at the designated meeting point (often near O'Connell Street or Suffolk Street) before boarding the coach.

What is the cancellation policy for these day trips?

Most partner bookings through GetYourGuide or Tiqets offer a full refund if cancelled at least 24 hours before the tour starts. This is highly recommended for Ireland trips due to unpredictable weather or travel delays.

Is there an official government-run tour for Glendalough?

No, the Office of Public Works (OPW) manages the Glendalough site but does not run transport from Dublin. You must choose between private tour operators; compare them based on whether they include extras like Powerscourt Gardens or a stop in Kilkenny.

Can I bring large luggage or hiking gear on the tour bus?

Most full-size coaches have under-bus storage for small bags or strollers, but space for large suitcases is often limited. If you are checking out of a hotel, it is safer to use a luggage storage service in Dublin city center rather than bringing bags on the tour.

What happens if I arrive late for the bus departure?

Day tours to Wicklow depart strictly at their scheduled times (usually between 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM). If you miss the departure, tickets are generally non-refundable, as the seat cannot be resold at the last minute.

Are there reduced rates for children or seniors for Glendalough?

While the Glendalough monastic site itself is free to enter, tour operators charge for the transport and guide service. Most offer discounted rates for children under 12 and seniors (65+), which should be selected at the time of booking.

How much time will I actually spend at the Glendalough lakes?

Half-day tours typically provide 1.5 to 2 hours at Glendalough, which is enough for the monastic ruins and a walk to the Lower Lake. If you intend to hike the full 'Spinc' trail at the Upper Lake, you should look for a full-day itinerary or take the public St. Kevin's Bus.

Are entrance fees for Powerscourt or the Glendalough Visitor Centre included?

This varies by ticket. Some 'all-inclusive' tours include the €5 Visitor Centre fee or Powerscourt Gardens entry (approx. €13), while budget-friendly options cover only transport and a guided walk, leaving optional entrance fees to be paid on-site.

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