The Cliffs of Moher are one of the most spectacular sights in Ireland and it’s no surprise that these beautiful cliffs are one of the country’s most popular tourist attractions.
There are a number of tour operators that offer great day trip experiences from Dublin to the Cliffs of Moher. We’ve put together this list of the best Cliffs of Moher Tours, from small group options to larger tours that include many other beautiful locations around the country.
Is a Day Trip to the Cliffs of Moher Worth it?
In a word, yes! If there is one place that every visitor to Ireland must see it is the Cliffs of Moher. The experience of standing atop the cliffs with the powerful Atlantic Ocean crashing into the rock below is guaranteed to leave you truely speechless.
Although it’s a long day (the cliffs are located in Co. Clare on the west coast of Ireland) the Cliffs of Moher are easily visited from Dublin as a day trip and the iconic cliffs are more than worth the journey. There is a good motorway network in Ireland that allows travel from Dublin to the Cliffs in under 3 hours.
The Best Cliffs of Moher Tours from Dublin
We’ve put together this list of the best Cliffs of Moher tours. All of them can be booked in advance so you are guaranteed a place on the tour. The tours that visit the cliffs also include the stunning Burren and the Clare coastline, with some including time in Galway so you get to enjoy a number of places in a single day trip.
Best Cliffs of Moher Tours tip: Many of the popular Cliffs of Moher tours can and do sell out during peak visitor times (May to September) when cruise ships regularly dock in Dublin. If you are planning a trip to the cliffs then we highly recommend you book the tour you like well in advance to avoid disappointment.
The tours operate out of Dublin and pick up and drop off from various places around the city centre. All the tours to the Cliffs of Moher offer roughly the same amount of time at the Cliffs of Moher themselves (around1.5-2 hours).
The main differences between the tours are the additional stops offered and the tour sizes. We’ve listed the best tours to the Cliffs of Moher with the details of each so you can choose the one that suits you best.
Best Cliffs of Moher Tours tip: The weather in Ireland is notorious for being both changeable and unpredictable – make sure to pack a raincoat and wetpants if rain is forecast as you can get quite wet at the cliffs!
1 | Wild Rover Tours
Wild Rover Tours has been running some of Ireland’s most popular single and multiday tours since they launched in 2010. They offer one of the most popular Cliffs of Moher day trips from Dublin.
One of the best aspects of the Wild Rover Tours is the knowledgeable guides that accompany visitors on the bus and make for a really enjoyable day. The guides will be with you right from pickup to dropoff.
Tour details: The bus makes a pass of Bunratty Castle for photos en-route to the cliffs and has a 2 hour stop at the Cliffs of Moher visitor centre. After the cliffs, the tour follows a scenic drive along the Clare coastline through the beautiful limestone landscape of the Burren. It then spends a few hours in Galway City, where there is a guided walking tour and time to explore the ancient city’s cobbled streets.
The Wild Rover Tour buses are equipped with 4G wifi on board so you’ll have internet access on the long journey.
What’s included: Transport, guides and all admissions (including the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre) and the Galway walking tour.
Pickup/Dropoff: the Wild Rover Tour bus pickup is at 6.55 am (be there 10 minutes before) at the Gresham Hotel on O’Connell Street (location here) and dropoff is at approximately 8pm at the Arlington Hotel on the Quays (location here)
Wild Rover Tours is our number one choice for a great day at the Cliffs of Moher – check prices now!
2 | Finn McCools Tours
Another very popular Cliffs of Mother Tour is offered by Finn McCool Tours. Finn McCool Tours operate tours all over Ireland and one of their most popular trips is their day trip tour to the Cliffs of Moher.
What makes the Finn McCools tour unique is their exclusive stop at the Kilmacduagh Monastery. The monastery is known for its immaculate round tower, which dates back almost 1,000 years and is Ireland’s tallest surviving round tower.
Tour details: the tour visits Kilmacduagh Monastery and then travels on to the Cliffs of Moher (min visit of 90 minutes) followed by a stop in the Burren for around 20 minutes for photos. The tour then moves to Galway where guests will have at least 1 hour to walk around the historic city centre.
What’s included: transport, guides, and admission to the Cliffs of Moher visitor center.
Pickup/Dropoff: The Finn McCool Tours pickup at 6.45 am and dropoff between 7.30-8.30 pm at The Hugh Lane at Parnell Square (location here) – check prices now!
Book your Finn McCool Tour now
3 | Irish Day Tours
Irish Day Tours offer a great day trip to the Cliffs of Moher. It includes a lunch stop in Doolin, one of Ireland’s most beautiful villages, and travel in a luxury minibus.
Tour details: the tour departs from the Molly Malone statue at Suffolk Steet and the Cliffs are the first stop of the day – visitors have around 1.5 hours to explore at the Cliffs.
The best part of the Irish Day Tour is that visitors get time to stop and have lunch in Doolin, one of our favorite places in Ireland. There are lots of things to do in Doolin. We love enjoying some food and drinks in Gus O’Connors Pub or indulging in some delicious food at the Ivy Cottage Cafe. After Doolin, the tour stops for a short time at the Burren to enjoy the views before driving along the coast to Galway, where guests have over an hour to stroll around the historic city streets.
What’s included: transport, guides, and admission to Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre. The cost of lunch in Doolin is not included.
Pickup/Dropoff: Pickup (6.50 am) and dropoff (approx 8pm) are from the Molly Malone Statue on Suffolk Street in Dublin City Centre (location here) – check prices now!
4 | Elegant Irish Tours (Small group tour)
This option will suit visitors who want a more intimate tour experience. Elegant Irish Tours offer small group tours throughout Ireland and their day tour to the Cliffs of Moher packs a lot into a single day. We really like this tour as the group is small (max 25 guests) and it allows visitors to check out lots of Irish highlights.
Tour details: the first stop is the 13th Century King Johns Castle in Limerick and then continues north along the Atlantic coast taking in the beautiful views of the Aran Islands. This is followed by a lunch stop in Doolin before traveling on to the Cliffs of Moher for a stop of around 1.5 hours. After the Cliffs, the tour then returns to Dublin.
What’s included: Transport in a luxury Mercedes bus with wifi onboard and entrance to the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre. Lunch in Doolin is not included.
Pickup/Dropoff: Elegant Irish Tours pickup and dropoff from various hotel locations around Dublin and you can select your preference when booking. Pickup times vary from 7-7.30 am with the return to the same location at approx 8 pm that evening – check prices now
Book your Elegant Irish Tour now
5 | Train and Bus day Tour
This tour is unique as guests will take a train ride from Dublin to Limerick and then continue by bus to Bunratty Castle and the Cliffs of Moher. This is a really fun tour that includes additional stops, plus you get to take the train!
Tour details: The tour departs Heuston train station in Dublin. After arriving in Limerick the tour guide takes you on a tour of ancient Limerick City, once a Viking settlement. This is followed by a visit to Bunratty Castle and Folk Park to explore the medieval castle and see how Irish villagers lived in the late 19th century.
Then it’s on to Doolin for lunch followed by a 2 hour stop at the Cliffs of Moher. After the Cliffs, the tour takes in the Burren Coast drive and spends some time in Galway city (time permitting). Then it’s aboard the train back to Dublin.
What’s included: All transport including reserved seats on the trains and entrance to the Cliffs of Moher and Bunratty Castle. Food is not included.
Pickup/Dropoff: the train leaves at 7 am from Heuston Station (location here) and guests should arrive 20 minutes prior to departure – check prices now!
Book your Cliffs of Moher Train and Bus trip now
6 | Luxury Private Tour
This luxury tour is perfect for those looking for an extra special day traveling in the comfort and style of their own private car. The benefit of this tour is you are the only participants on the tour, with a private guide and a driver, and a tailored itinerary. Liberty Irish Tours has been voted the best tour operator in Ireland for the past 4 years, so you’re guaranteed an amazing day.
Tour details: Your guide, James, of Liberty Irish Tours offers this unique day tour which takes you on a whirlwind tour of the country with various stops including the Cliffs of Moher in a luxury Mercedes car. You can tailor your trip depending on what you really want to see – this can include the Burren, the Cliffs of Moher, Kinvara, Dunguaire Castle, Bunratty Castle, and Galway
What’s included: transportation and tailored tour
Pickup/Dropoff: pick up and drop-off can be arranged from anywhere in the country, including the airports and the day tailored to your needs – check prices now!
7 | Alternative option: Rent a Car to visit the Cliffs of Moher
For those who prefer an independent trip then renting a car in Ireland is an easy and cost-effective way to visit the Cliffs of Moher. Driving in Ireland is a safe and fun way to explore the country. The Cliffs of Moher are a 3 hour drive from Dublin, with most of the route being on quality motorways – check prices now!
There is parking available at the Cliffs of Moher and tickets can be purchased online in advance at the official website.
FAQ for Visiting the Cliffs of Moher Tours
How long is the day trip to the Cliffs of Moher
Most of the day trip tours from Dublin to the Cliffs of Moher are around 12-13 hours long. Although it is a long day, there are lots of stops and places to see, so the longest you’ll be on a bus/train in one go is around 2 hours. Most of the tours make quick stops for snacks and bathroom breaks so each bus journey isn’t too long.
Can kids take the tours?
Kids are welcome on all the tours, however, it should be noted that some of the drives are up to 2 hours in length so may not suit younger kids. It’s worth considering this before you book. Although most of the drop-offs along the Cliffs are fenced it’s still vital to keep a close eye on kids and make sure they stay on the path.
How much time do you need at the Cliffs of Moher?
All the tours include a minimum of 1.5 hours at the Cliffs of Moher and this is the perfect amount of time needed for exploring the Cliffs. It allows time to take in the views of the Cliffs of Moher, walk along the fenced sections of the cliffs and explore O’Brien’s Tower.
What’s the best time to visit the Cliffs of Moher?
The Cliffs of Moher are beautiful throughout the year and are open every day excluding December 24-26. Irelands weather is notoriously changeable but tends to be milder during the months May-August. These months would give you the best chance of milder weather and nicer conditions for visiting the cliffs. Our favorite time to visit the Cliffs is during mid-summer (July) when the weather tends to be warmer and the views a little better.
Are there bathrooms at the Cliffs of Moher?
Yes, there are bathrooms at the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre. If you need to use them make sure you do so before you visit the cliffs as it can be a long walk back!
What should I wear when visiting the Cliffs of Moher?
The weather in Ireland is very changeable and it’s possible to have 4 seasons in one day, even in the middle of summer. In addition, the Cliffs of Moher are exposed to the Atlantic Ocean so even on a calm day the wind can make it very chilly.
We recommend packing some layered clothing for your visit, including a raincoat. If the weather forecast is poor we highly recommend packing a rain poncho or a full set of wet gear. Leave the umbrella in your hotel -it tends to be too windy to use an umbrella at the Cliffs!
Is there a lot of walking at the Cliffs of Moher?
You can do as much or as little walking at the Cliffs as you like. The cliffs are located around 150 metres from where the tour buses drop off. It is a short flat walk suitable for everyone.
For those who wish to explore the cliffs more, you can walk to the south viewpoint which is around 1.5km along the cliffs, or explore O’Briens tower to the north. The views along all sections of the cliffs are epic so it really doesn’t matter where you go.