Cliffs of Moher vs Giant's Causeway — Which Day Trip from Dublin?
These are Dublin's two marquee day trips, but they head in opposite directions: the Cliffs of Moher are towering Atlantic sea cliffs to the west, the Giant's Causeway is a basalt-column UNESCO site north in Northern Ireland. Here's the side-by-side.
Available
9 options
Avg. rating
4.7 - 6,492 reviews
From
$69 EUR
Cancellation
Free up to 24h before
Cliffs of Moher vs Giant's Causeway: what to know before booking
These are Dublin's two marquee day trips, but they head in opposite directions: the Cliffs of Moher are towering Atlantic sea cliffs to the west, the Giant's Causeway is a basalt-column UNESCO site north in Northern Ireland. Here's the side-by-side.
- Availability
- 9 ticket options compared
- Starting price
- Tickets currently start around $69 EUR before checkout fees.
- Rating signal
- Compared options average 4.7 stars across 6,492 traveler reviews.
- Location
- Cliffs of Moher: Co. Clare, west coast. Giant's Causeway: Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland — both depart from central Dublin
- Best time
- Late spring to early autumn for the longest daylight and the best chance of clear coastal views
- Ticket note
- Date-specific; meeting times are strict — arrive 15 minutes early or the coach leaves
Cliffs of Moher vs Giant's Causeway in Dublin
Sorted by review signal, price, and availability. Tap any card to book through the provider checkout.
Side-by-side: Cliffs of Moher vs Giant's Causeway
If you only have one day, the Cliffs of Moher is the classic, most iconic choice — the sea cliffs are Ireland's signature image and the tour bundles in Galway and the Burren. Pick the Giant's Causeway instead if the geology and legend appeal more, or if you specifically want to see Northern Ireland and Belfast in the same day. They run in opposite directions, so over a longer stay do both on separate full days — neither can be combined into one trip.
Everything you should know before you book
The Cliffs of Moher and the Giant's Causeway are the two day trips nearly every Dublin visitor weighs up, and they sit at opposite ends of the island. The Cliffs of Moher are 214-metre Atlantic sea cliffs in Co. Clare to the west, usually paired with Galway and the limestone Burren. The Giant's Causeway is a UNESCO World Heritage site of 40,000 basalt columns on the Co. Antrim coast to the north, in Northern Ireland, typically combined with Belfast and the Dark Hedges.
Both are long, full-day coach trips of roughly 12–13 hours, so the decision usually comes down to scenery preference and whether you want to cross into Northern Ireland. The table below breaks down drive time, what else each tour covers, price, and terrain so you can choose fast — or plan both across a longer stay.
Frequently asked questions
Cliffs of Moher or Giant's Causeway — which is the better day trip from Dublin?
The Cliffs of Moher is the more iconic and the classic first choice, bundling Galway and the Burren on the way. The Giant's Causeway wins if you prefer the basalt geology and want to see Belfast and Northern Ireland in the same day.
Can I do both the Cliffs of Moher and the Giant's Causeway in one day?
No — they're in opposite directions (the Cliffs west in Co. Clare, the Causeway north in Co. Antrim), and each is already a 12–13 hour round trip. Do them on separate full days over a longer stay.
Do I need a passport for the Giant's Causeway trip?
The Giant's Causeway is in Northern Ireland (UK), but there's no hard border with the Republic. Carry photo ID to be safe; routine passport checks on the coach are not standard. The Cliffs of Moher trip stays in the Republic of Ireland.