Reviewing Paddywagon Tours from Dublin to the Cliffs of Moher
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If you’re looking for a Cliffs of Moher day trip from Dublin, the Paddywagon Tours bus is perfect for you! Hopping on a Paddywagon Tours from Dublin is an easy and affordable way to go. The Cliffs of Moher are one of Ireland’s most visited tourist sites, so it’s a must while you’re in Ireland.
Fun fact: Did you know the Cliffs of Moher are 66% as tall as New York’s Empire State Building and form part of the edge of Western Europe?
How to Visit the Cliffs of Moher on a Budget
The Paddywagon Tour to the Cliffs of Moher is affordable, making it perfect for budget travelers. This tour bus company lets you easily experience Ireland’s breathtaking Cliffs of Moher from Dublin, but it is a longer day tour.
Fair warning: you’re on a bus for about twelve hours. I was lucky in that I made friends with the people next to me, so the time driving between locations was spent chatting with them, which definitely helped to pass the time.
But if you aren’t as lucky (though I hope you are in the land of leprechauns), I’d advise bringing headphones to listen to an audiobook or music. I can’t read on the road as I get car sick, but if you can handle that, it’s an option as well.
Update 2024: According to their website, they do now have free high-speed wifi on board which should help with the longer day trip.
Cliffs of Moher Paddywagon Tours Info
(as of March 2024)
Paddywagon Tours Itinerary
Kinvara Fishing Village
On the way to the Cliffs of Moher, the Paddywagon tour stopped at a few locations along the way, such as the Kinvara Fishing Village (famed for their traditional boats called the “Galway Hookers”). I wasn’t impressed with this place much, to be honest. Maybe it was because there was hardly anything going on for the 30 minutes we stopped there, but I could have done without it. Had there been more time, there may have been things to do. I’m just not sure, based on the limited tour stop time.
If you’re looking for something more impressive in this area, check out these free things to do in Galway. They’re a great guide to this Irish city, especially for solo female travelers! Note, however, that you can’t jump off the Paddywagon tour; you’d have to arrange to get to Galway separately.
Benedictine Abbey
Another stop on the Paddywagon Tour was a Benedictine Abbey, which was gorgeous! No one lives or worships here anymore; it’s just ruins now, but still incredible. It’s surrounded by hills and greenery as far as the eye can see.
The Baby Cliffs
The next stop was the Baby Cliffs, or the “mini cliffs.” They’re not as incredible as the full-size cliffs, but it was still a nice stop along the way. The photo of me below is of me at the Baby Cliffs. There was a stop-off for lunch; then we moved on to the main event–Cliffs of Moher!
The Cliffs of Moher
The Cliffs of Moher are stunning and were well worth the long trip. If you’re lucky you’ll get a day like I did that was really clear. I had heard that it can get pretty gloomy out there and you can’t see too much when it does, so check the weather before you go.
Also, wear good shoes, you’ll be doing a fair amount of walking. The Cliffs of Moher run for about 14 kilometers (about 8.7 miles). At the southern end, they reach a height of 120 meters (390 ft) above the Atlantic Ocean. Their maximum height of 214 meters (702 ft) is just north of O’Brien’s Towers, a round stone tower near the midpoint of the cliffs where the tour lets off.
Cliffs of Moher Safety Travel Tip
A safety note about the Cliffs of Moher: don’t lean on the electric fence to move out of the way for people coming along the narrow passage; you will get shocked!
I was down the path, and a woman and her baby carriage were coming up the path. The path itself was maybe 2-3 feet wide. So I leaned toward the fence and held onto it to let them get around me. My only other option was to lean toward the Cliff, which is obviously very dangerous! Unfortunately, the electric shock sign was tiny, and I didn’t see it before I did this. Unsurprisingly, I got shocked, and the lady said nothing to me. So much for being nice!
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Bunratty Castle
After the Cliffs of Moher, we went to Bunratty Castle. It was okay, but it was not worth the while to get there. Once again, it may have seemed more worth it if I had more time. I’ve heard great things about Bunratty, but I just didn’t experience it. It’s surrounded by restaurants, as you can see, so it loses some of its majestic castle effect. However, it is the most complete castle in Ireland, and they have done a lot of restoration on it.
After our stop at Bunratty Castle, we headed back to Dublin!
Tips on Booking a Paddywagon Tour from Dublin
Again, this bus tour of the Cliffs of Moher from Dublin is about twelve hours long, so it is a whole-day trip. However, I do feel that it was well worth the time and money spent. It should be noted that the tour appears to have changed a bit since I went on it. It now includes the “Burren” landscape near Galway Bay.
Make sure to check out the Paddywagon Tours website for the latest information. The Paddywagon tour company has student discounts and does day tours to other locations around Ireland, such as Giant’s Causeway, Blarney Castle, Kilkenny, Galway, Kerry, and others. If you’re a Game of Thrones fan, they also have a tour for you!
Note: Their website says that the Paddywagon Cliffs of Moher Tour is a bestseller and likely to sell- out. They recommend buying tickets at least 24 hours in advance whenever possible. To avoid the risk of overbooking during the high-peak season, you can book your seats directly on their page.
How Much Does the Paddywagon Cliffs of Moher Tour Cost?
(as of March 2024)
Alternative Ways to Visit the Cliffs of Moher
If the above tour recommendation to visit the Cliffs of Moher from Dublin doesn’t fit your itinerary or you’re looking to explore alternatives, I highly recommend Get Your Guide Tours. They are easily refundable should you run into any issues, and they offer very affordable and reliable tour companies to purchase tours from.
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Cliffs of Moher FAQ
Can you visit the Cliffs of Moher from Dublin?
Yes, you can visit the Cliffs of Moher from many locations within Ireland. Aside from the Paddywagon Tour, you can drive there yourself, take public transportation, or check out one of the many other tour companies listed on the Get Your Guide website to assist you during your visit.
Is the Cliffs of Moher worth it?
I believe so. Even though my visit was quite “shocking,” I enjoyed my time there and would recommend it to those looking for a day trip from Dublin or wherever you’re headed in Ireland.
Is The Cliffs of Moher a day trip?
This will depend on where you’re coming from, but if you’re coming from Dublin, yes, as it’s about a 3-and-a-half-hour drive each way. Which means it’ll take at least 7 hours round trip. If you take public transportation, it’s a mimimum of 5 hours each way.
How far are the Cliffs of Moher from dublin?
It’s at least 166 miles each way. However, depending on your route, it may be longer. This translates into a three-and-a-half-hour drive each way, which means it’ll take at least seven hours round trip.
What was filmed at the Cliffs of Moher?
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Netflix’s Irish Wish, The Princess Bride, Leap Year, and many more films as well as music videos.
Looking for other Ireland Day Trips? Try the Wild Atlantic Way road trip.
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