Reviewed by our editorial team Published
Aviva Stadium is one of the easiest major stadiums in Dublin to reach without a car, mainly because Lansdowne Road DART station sits immediately beside the ground. For UEFA EURO 2028, the venue will be referred to as Dublin Arena, and it will stage seven matches, including a quarter-final.
The important detail for first-time visitors is that the nearest station is not automatically the station you should use. Aviva Stadium operates five colour-coded approach routes, and depending on the entrance printed on your event ticket you may be directed to either Lansdowne Road or Grand Canal Dock. This guide explains the best DART routes, city-centre connections, Dublin Bus and Luas options, airport travel, taxis, cycling, accessibility, public-transport ticketing and what to expect after a major event.
If you are spending more time in the city, our Things to Do in Dublin Guide covers the main attractions, while our Dublin Public Transport Guide explains the wider DART, Luas and bus network in more detail.
Aviva Stadium Transport at a Glance
| Option | Useful Stop | Typical Final Leg | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| DART | Lansdowne Road | About 2 minutes on foot | Purple and Green route ticket holders |
| DART | Grand Canal Dock | About 15 minutes on foot | Orange, Red and Blue route ticket holders |
| Dublin Bus / TFI Bus | Northumberland Road, Pembroke Road, Ringsend, Irishtown or Sandymount | Varies by route | City-centre and suburban journeys |
| Luas | Charlemont | About 25 minutes on foot | Green Line users |
| Taxi | Pembroke Road / Northumberland Road or Tritonville Road / Herbert Road | Short walk | Groups and mobility needs |
| Airport | City centre or Merrion Road | Bus plus DART, walk or local connection | Same-day flight arrivals |
Lansdowne Road is the closest station, but check the colour route printed on your ticket before travelling. Aviva Stadium’s official entry-point guidance directs Green and Purple route spectators towards Lansdowne Road, while Orange, Red and Blue routes use Grand Canal Dock more naturally. The stadium’s main Getting Here page should also be checked before a match because event-day crowd controls can change.
Using DART to Reach Aviva Stadium
DART is the most useful public-transport option for most visitors. Lansdowne Road station is approximately a two-minute walk from the stadium and sits on the coastal rail line running through central Dublin. For spectators whose entry route is better served from the west or north side of the stadium, Grand Canal Dock is around a 15-minute walk and can be the more sensible station despite being further away.
From the city centre, southbound DART services run through Connolly, Tara Street and Pearse before reaching Grand Canal Dock and Lansdowne Road. That makes it straightforward to connect from much of central Dublin without using a taxi. On a normal journey, the rail leg from Pearse to Lansdowne Road is only a few minutes.
Do not assume Lansdowne Road will be the best departure station after the match either. Crowd-management plans can direct different sections of the stadium towards different stations. Following the colour-coded route and steward instructions can be faster than trying to force your way towards the geographically closest platform.
If you are staying elsewhere along the coast, DART is particularly convenient because the line links the stadium area with destinations including Howth Junction, Dun Laoghaire, Bray and Greystones on relevant services. Our Dublin Public Transport Guide explains the network in more detail.
Compare hotels and other places to stay in Dublin.
Check availabilityBrowse apartments, holiday homes and self-catering stays in Dublin.
View rentalsCompare prices for Dublin hotels across multiple booking sites.
Check dealsHow to Pay for Public Transport in Dublin
For most visitors, a TFI Leap Card or Leap Visitor Card is the simplest way to pay for local public transport. Leap works on Dublin Bus, Go-Ahead Ireland city services, Luas, DART and eligible commuter rail in Dublin. It also gives access to the TFI 90 Minute Fare and daily or weekly capping within the Dublin fare zone.
On DART and commuter rail, touch your Leap Card on the gate or validator before travelling and touch off again at the destination. The second touch matters because it closes the journey and allows the system to calculate the correct fare. On Luas, the same rule applies: touch on at the platform validator before boarding and touch off after leaving the tram.
On Dublin Bus and Go-Ahead Ireland city buses, touch the Leap Card validator as you board. You do not use the rail-style touch-off process when leaving an ordinary city bus. Visitors who prefer conventional tickets can buy DART and commuter-rail tickets from station ticket machines or ticket offices where available, while Luas stops have ticket machines because tickets are not sold onboard the tram.
Do not assume an ordinary UK-style bank-card tap works across the whole Dublin network. The most reliable visitor setup remains Leap or a valid operator ticket. The official TFI Leap Card guidance explains current fares, capping and eligible services, while the TFI Live app is useful for live departures and journey planning.
Getting to Aviva Stadium from Dublin City Centre
From Pearse, Tara Street or Connolly, the DART is normally the simplest route. Take a southbound service and use Lansdowne Road or Grand Canal Dock according to the colour route on your event ticket. Allow around 20 to 30 minutes from the heart of the city centre to the stadium area once walking, waiting and the final approach are included.
Walking is also entirely realistic. Transport for Ireland currently recommends walking as one of the principal ways to reach and leave major events at Aviva Stadium. From Merrion Square, the walk is around 25 minutes, while from Busaras it is around 40 minutes and from the Spire on O’Connell Street around 45 minutes.
The walk becomes especially attractive after a sell-out match. DART platforms and surrounding roads can be heavily managed, so walking towards Grand Canal Dock, Merrion Square or the wider city centre can sometimes be more predictable than immediately joining the biggest public-transport queue.
Local Buses to Aviva Stadium
Dublin Bus and other TFI services provide several useful approaches to the stadium area. The exact route you want depends on the entrance printed on your ticket. Northumberland Road and Pembroke Road are useful for approaches from the west and north-west, while Ringsend, Irishtown and Sandymount can suit other entrances.
One current route worth knowing is the S2, which Transport for Ireland lists as serving the Aviva Stadium area. Because Dublin’s bus network is continuing to change under BusConnects, it is better to use the TFI Live app or journey planner for the exact route on the day than rely on an old list of bus numbers.
Event-day road restrictions can move bus stops away from the stadium perimeter. This is another reason to search for the nearby road or district named on your event route rather than expecting a bus to stop immediately outside the turnstiles.
Using Luas for Aviva Stadium
Luas does not stop directly at Aviva Stadium. The closest useful tram stop is Charlemont on the Green Line, around a 25-minute walk from the stadium. This can still be convenient if your accommodation sits naturally on the Green Line and you prefer walking the final section rather than changing onto DART.
If you are arriving at Dublin Heuston, Transport for Ireland recommends taking the Red Line Luas to Connolly and changing there for DART. That is generally easier for first-time visitors than trying to walk across the city with luggage before connecting to the stadium.
Remember that Luas uses a proof-of-payment system. If you are using Leap, touch on before boarding and touch off when you finish the tram journey. If you buy a paper ticket from a platform machine, keep it with you for inspection.
Arriving at Dublin Heuston by Train
Heuston is the main intercity arrival station for trains from Cork, Galway, Limerick and much of western and southern Ireland. It is not on the DART line, so you need an additional city transfer before reaching Aviva Stadium.
The easiest public-transport route for most visitors is Red Line Luas from Heuston to Connolly, then DART southbound to either Lansdowne Road or Grand Canal Dock. Allow roughly 45 to 60 minutes from Heuston to the stadium in normal conditions, including the interchange and final walk.
If you are travelling around Ireland by rail before or after EURO 2028, our Ireland Rail Network Guide explains the main routes, while our Irish Rail Passes Guide compares the principal pass options.
Getting to Aviva Stadium from Dublin Airport
Dublin Airport has no railway station, so every public-transport journey begins by bus. The most flexible approach is usually to take an airport coach or bus towards the city centre and then continue by DART, bus or on foot depending on where you are dropped.
There is also a useful alternative for stadium visitors: Transport for Ireland currently lists Expressway Route 2 from Dublin Airport towards Wexford, calling at Merrion Road in Ballsbridge. The Merrion Road stop is around a 15-minute walk from Aviva Stadium, which can remove the need to travel all the way into the city centre before coming back south.
For most flight arrivals, allow roughly 60 to 90 minutes from the airport to the stadium area once waiting time, Dublin traffic and the final walk are included. On a major tournament day, build in substantially more time rather than planning to land shortly before kick-off.
Our Dublin Airport Transfers Guide compares the main airport coaches, buses, taxis and onward connections in more detail.
Search routes and flight options for your trip to Dublin.
Search flightsChoose an Airalo eSIM and arrange mobile data before you arrive.
Browse eSIMsHave a private airport pickup arranged before you travel.
Book a transferArriving in Dublin by Ferry
Dublin Port is relatively close to the stadium geographically, but the port estate and river crossings mean the journey is not a simple short walk. Most foot passengers should first use their ferry operator’s transfer or another connection towards the city centre, then continue by DART, bus or taxi.
If you are travelling from Great Britain via Holyhead, our Holyhead to Dublin Ferry Guide covers the crossing, while our Dublin Port Transfers Guide explains how to leave the port and connect with the rest of Dublin.
Taxis and Taxi Apps
Taxis are widely available in Dublin, but the stadium itself is not a sensible kerbside pickup point immediately before or after a major event. Current Aviva event guidance suggests drop-off areas around Pembroke Road and Northumberland Road or Tritonville Road and Herbert Road, depending on the direction of approach.
Licensed taxis can be hailed in the street, taken from ranks or booked through apps. FREENOW, Uber and Bolt all operate as taxi-dispatch services in Ireland, and app bookings in Dublin are fulfilled by licensed taxi drivers rather than ordinary private motorists.
The TFI Driver Check app is also useful for visitors because it allows you to verify that the taxi and driver are licensed and share journey details with someone else. After a sell-out match, walking ten or fifteen minutes away from the restricted stadium roads before requesting a taxi can make collection much easier.
Walking and Cycling to Aviva Stadium
Walking is actively encouraged for Aviva Stadium events. Ballsbridge, Grand Canal Dock, Ringsend and the south-east side of the city centre are all close enough for many visitors to walk rather than use another transport connection.
Transport for Ireland currently estimates around 25 minutes from Merrion Square, around 25 minutes from the 3Arena area, around 15 minutes from Grand Canal Dock station and around 13 minutes from the RDS in Ballsbridge. This makes choosing accommodation within walking distance a particularly strong option for EURO 2028.
Bike parking is available in the vicinity of the stadium, although exact event-day access can be affected by crowd-control barriers. Bring a secure lock and avoid leaving a bicycle on pedestrian routes or against temporary event infrastructure.
Driving and Parking
Driving directly to Aviva Stadium is not recommended for major events. Public event guidance states that there is no general public parking at the stadium, and road closures are introduced around the venue before large matches and concerts.
If you are driving into Dublin from elsewhere in Ireland, a better strategy is normally to use a city-centre or suburban car park and complete the final journey by DART, Luas, bus or on foot. Trying to find residential street parking around Ballsbridge and Lansdowne Road is both unreliable and disruptive to local residents.
Accessible parking is handled separately. A limited number of accessible passes are distributed by the event organiser to eligible ticket holders, and stadium guidance says access to that parking closes two hours before the event because of road restrictions.
Accessible Travel to Aviva Stadium
Aviva Stadium has dedicated accessible entrances and wheelchair spaces throughout the venue. The stadium lists accessible entrances at E, X, A, M and I, all served by lifts, with wheelchair positions distributed across several levels.
Accessible tickets and parking are controlled by the organiser of the individual event rather than by one universal stadium booking system. For EURO 2028, tournament-specific arrangements will be published closer to the event, so anyone requiring wheelchair space, a personal-assistant ticket or accessible parking should use the UEFA and stadium guidance linked to their specific match.
Aviva Stadium’s official accessibility page provides the current entrance, parking and facility information.
Leaving Aviva Stadium After a Match
The quickest route home is not always the same route you used to arrive. Once around 50,000 spectators leave together, DART stations, surrounding roads and pedestrian corridors are managed to prevent overcrowding.
Follow the colour route and steward instructions rather than automatically heading for Lansdowne Road. Depending on your seat and the crowd plan, Grand Canal Dock may be the more appropriate station, while walking towards Ballsbridge, Merrion Square or the city centre can avoid the densest queues entirely.
If you have an intercity train from Heuston or a flight from Dublin Airport after the match, build in a large margin. The delay is not the distance itself but the time required to clear the stadium, move through the pedestrian system and reach a transport service carrying thousands of other passengers.
Browse hostels and budget-friendly stays around Dublin.
See hostelsGet help with compensation, eligible lounge access and disruption support.
Explore AirHelp+Use convenient luggage storage around Dublin between arrival, check-in and departure.
Check storageWhere to Stay for a Match at Aviva Stadium
Ballsbridge is the obvious choice if the match is the main reason for your trip. Staying within walking distance removes almost every transport complication and is particularly attractive after evening fixtures.
Grand Canal Dock is another excellent base because it combines a manageable walk with direct DART access and easy links back into central Dublin. Merrion Square, Pearse Street and the south-east side of the city centre also work well for visitors who want sightseeing and nightlife without a long matchday journey.
If you are following several EURO 2028 matches around Ireland and Britain, staying close to a DART station can be more useful than simply choosing the hotel geographically closest to the stadium because it keeps Connolly, the city centre and onward rail connections within easy reach.
Dublin Arena at EURO 2028
UEFA will use the name Dublin Arena for Aviva Stadium during EURO 2028. Dublin has been allocated seven matches, giving it one of the larger programmes outside Wembley. The venue will stage five group games, one Round of 16 match and a quarter-final.
| Date | Match |
|---|---|
| 10 June 2028 | Group stage: B3 vs B4 |
| 12 June 2028 | Group stage: E1 vs E2 |
| 16 June 2028 | Group stage: E1 vs E3 |
| 19 June 2028 | Group stage: B2 vs B3 |
| 21 June 2028 | Group stage: E4 vs E1 |
| 27 June 2028 | Round of 16: Group E winners vs third-place team from Group A/B/C/D |
| 30 June 2028 | Quarter-final: Glasgow R16 winners vs Tottenham R16 winners |
Rupert’s Handy Travel Tips
Heading to Dublin Arena? These are the details most worth remembering:
- Check the colour on your ticket: Lansdowne Road is closest, but Grand Canal Dock can be the correct station for some stadium entrances.
- Use DART intelligently: Connolly, Tara Street and Pearse all provide simple southbound connections towards the stadium.
- Do not depend on Luas alone: Charlemont is the nearest useful tram stop but still leaves around a 25-minute walk.
- Consider the direct airport corridor: services calling around Merrion Road can sometimes avoid travelling into the centre and back out again.
- Plan the post-match walk: after a sell-out fixture, walking towards Grand Canal Dock or the city centre can be more predictable than joining the busiest station queue immediately.
Want to meet the reindeer behind our travel tips? Find out more in our page Who is Rupert?.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the closest station to Aviva Stadium?
Lansdowne Road DART station sits immediately beside the stadium, but your ticket’s colour-coded entrance route may make Grand Canal Dock the better station.
How do I get to Aviva Stadium from Dublin city centre?
For most visitors, take a southbound DART from Connolly, Tara Street or Pearse to Lansdowne Road or Grand Canal Dock. Walking from central Dublin is also realistic.
Does Luas go to Aviva Stadium?
No tram stops directly at the stadium. Charlemont on the Green Line is the closest useful Luas stop and leaves a walk of around 25 minutes.
How do I get from Dublin Airport to Aviva Stadium?
Dublin Airport has no railway station, so public-transport journeys begin by bus or coach. You can connect in the city centre for DART, or use a service towards Merrion Road when the timetable suits your arrival.
Why does UEFA call Aviva Stadium Dublin Arena?
UEFA uses a neutral tournament venue name where commercial naming rights apply. During EURO 2028, Aviva Stadium will therefore be referred to as Dublin Arena.
Further Reading
For tournament-wide planning, start with our EURO 2028 Travel Guide, which links Dublin Arena with the other eight tournament stadiums and the main routes between Britain and Ireland. Our Dublin Public Transport Guide explains DART, Luas and buses in more detail, the Dublin Airport Transfers Guide covers flight arrivals, and the Dublin Port Transfers Guide is useful if you are crossing the Irish Sea by ferry. For sightseeing beyond football, see our Things to Do in Dublin Guide.
UEFA has also confirmed that if the Republic of Ireland qualify directly, they will play all three of their group-stage matches at Dublin Arena. That makes local transport knowledge particularly important because Ireland fixtures would create some of the tournament’s strongest home-support demand.
The full allocation is confirmed in UEFA’s official EURO 2028 fixtures by venue.
Final Advice for Getting to Aviva Stadium
For most first-time visitors, DART is the best option, but the colour route on the event ticket should decide which station you use. Lansdowne Road is exceptionally close for the Green and Purple approaches, while Grand Canal Dock can be better for Orange, Red and Blue routes.
Buy or load your public-transport payment method before joining the biggest matchday crowds, remember to touch off on DART and Luas when using Leap, and do not leave a tight connection for an airport or intercity train immediately after full-time. Dublin’s transport network is straightforward once you know which mode fits your entrance and destination.
