Honest Thoughts on Taking Paddywagon Tours from Dublin to the Cliffs of Moher
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As one of Ireland’s most visited attractions, the Cliffs of Moher (standing 66% as tall as the Empire State Building!) are practically mandatory on any Irish itinerary. But here’s what most tour companies won’t tell you upfront: this is a long day—departing Dublin around 8 AM and returning around 8 PM.
I’ve personally done the full Paddywagon Tours from Dublin to the Cliffs of Moher experience during my solo trip to Ireland—from the scenic stops along the Wild Atlantic Way to getting shocked by an electric fence at the Cliffs (yes, really, more on that later).
After investing 12 hours and my hard-earned euros (paid for my own ticket), I know whether it’s worth it and what to expect during those long travel hours.
Here’s my honest take: the Cliffs themselves are absolutely breathtaking, but whether Paddywagon is the right tour depends on your travel style and priorities.
Whether you’re a solo traveler without a car trying to make the most of a limited itinerary in Ireland or debating between tour companies, this review will help you decide whether Paddywagon’s Cliffs of Moher day trip deserves a spot on your itinerary.
Is it Worth Taking Paddywagon Tours to the Cliffs of Moher from Dublin?
Paddywagon’s Cliffs of Moher day trip from Dublin is worth it if you want a no-hassle, affordable way to see the cliffs without renting a car or navigating coastal roads yourself. Based on my experience taking this 12-hour tour, the cliffs themselves are the highlight, while the roadside stops are mostly time-fillers. It’s best for solo travelers and anyone without a car, and not ideal for anyone who gets carsick.
Why I Chose Paddywagon Tours
How I first discovered Paddywagon Tours was on my first trip to Dublin!
As a solo traveler, fresh out of college, I was looking for simple and affordable—making their Cliffs of Moher tour, perfect!
At €75 (adult) for a full-day experience, it’s not a bad investment.
This tour bus company lets you easily experience Ireland’s breathtaking Cliffs of Moher from Dublin, but as I mentioned, it is a long day tour.
I was lucky in that I made friends with the people next to me, so the time driving between locations was spent chatting, 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.
I first took this tour in 2013 and have continued to update this post (latest date above). According to their website, they now offer free high-speed Wi-Fi on board, which should help with the longer day trip.
Cliffs of Moher Paddywagon Tours Info
(as of July 2026)
The Paddywagon Tours Itinerary
I was picked up on O’Connell Street Upper, which is the closest to Generator Hostel.
Kinvara Fishing Village
On the way to the Cliffs of Moher, the Paddywagon tour stops at a few locations along the way, such as the Kinvara Fishing Village (famed for its 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, you can’t jump off the Paddywagon tour; you’d have to arrange to get to Galway separately.
Corcomroe Abbey
Another stop on the Paddywagon Tour was Corcomroe 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.
I’m not sure if this is included on the tour anymore, as I don’t see it on their itinerary.
The Baby Cliffs & Burren
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!
This area is also known as the Burren, one of Ireland’s famous landscapes!
It is renowned for its Limestone Rock, as far as the eye can see.
After this, there was a stop-off for lunch (cost not included); 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, which 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, especially if you’ve got some flexibility in your schedule.
Also, wear good shoes, as 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 Tower, a round stone tower near the midpoint of the Cliffs where the tour lets off.
A Cliffs of Moher Ireland Safety Travel Tip
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 on to 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!
I was fine, just shaken up. But yeah, don’t do that!
A Stop at Bunratty Castle
Our last stop on the tour was at 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 to keep it so.
After our stop at Bunratty Castle, we headed back to Dublin!
Who is this Tour for? (And Not)
Essentially, Paddywagon tours is for anyone who doesn’t want to risk driving on the left side of the coastline road, or those who want to take the work out of visiting.
There are public buses that can take you, but the best one-way fare is €27, so the round-trip fare is €54.
At that rate, it’s worth just going on a bus tour so you don’t have to worry about any of the details.
I also found fellow travelers on the bus to be friendly, which is why I recommend it for solo travelers.
I wouldn’t recommend it if you are planning to rent a car, though, as you could easily get there by car.
Or if you get motion sickness on coach buses, some roads are curvy, especially along the coast. Sitting in the front may help if you get car sick.
If you need easy access to a restroom, this isn’t for you, as there’s no bathroom on the bus.
Paddywagon vs. DIY options
| Option | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Paddywagon Tour | €75 | Hands-off, social, no driving |
| Public Bus (round-trip) | €54 | Travelers comfortable with self-navigation |
| Rental Car | €21-80/day (high during peak season) | Flexibility, multiple stops on your own schedule |
Booking Paddywagon Tours 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, especially as the Cliffs of Moher are a must-visit while touring Ireland.
If you’re a student or traveling with one, know that they have student discounts.
🍀 The Paddywagon Cliffs of Moher Tour is their bestseller and is likely to sell out! They recommend buying tickets at least 24 hours in advance, though during peak season, it’s best to buy even further in advance. 🎟️
Paddywagon also does day tours to other locations from Dublin, such as:
- Giant’s Causeway, Dark Hedges, Dunluce and Belfast
- Glendalough & Wicklow Mountains Morning Tour
- Half-Day Trip to Glendalough and Wicklow
- Blarney Castle Full-Day Tour from Dublin
- Wicklow, Kilkenny & Glendalough Tour
- Galway and Cliffs of Moher Day Tour
- Connemara and Galway Full-Day Tour
- Belfast, Monasterboice & Birthplace of Titanic
- Cliffs of Moher Tour from Dublin (with Boat Cruise)
How Much Does the Paddywagon Cliffs of Moher Tour Cost?
(**Prices last verified July 2026)
What to Pack for the Cliffs of Moher Tour
- Good walking shoes
- Windbreaker or rain layer (the Cliffs are exposed and often windy)
- Headphones for the long bus ride
- Fully charged phone/camera
- Portable battery pack + cable
See my travel packing guides for more detailed information.
Best Time to Visit the Cliffs of Moher
The Cliffs of Moher are exposed to Atlantic weather year-round, so visibility can vary significantly regardless of season.
When I visited in June 2013, I got a rare clear day with excellent visibility, but fog and low cloud cover are common enough that many visitors see far less.
If your itinerary has any flexibility, check the forecast a day or two out and aim for a clearer day rather than committing to a specific season for weather reasons alone.
Paddywagon has 24-hour advance cancellation, so if one day is better than another on your itinerary (I suggest a 5-day Ireland itinerary), request to move it to the clearer day.
Cliffs of Moher Filming Locations
The Cliffs of Moher are one of Ireland’s most filmed landscapes, and after 14 years in TV and film, I can’t visit a place like this without picturing the films shot there.
The Princess Bride (1987) — The Cliffs of Moher played the Cliffs of Insanity, the sheer rock face Fezzik climbs while hauling Inigo, Vizzini, and Buttercup to the top.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009) — The sea cave where Harry and Dumbledore search for one of Voldemort’s Horcruxes is a real cave in the cliffs. You can spot it by looking south from the central viewing platform. It was the only scene in the film shot outside the UK.
Leap Year (2010) — The cliffs provide a sweeping backdrop in this Amy Adams romantic comedy.
Irish Wish (2024) — Lindsay Lohan’s Netflix rom-com filmed scenes at the Cliffs of Moher, as well as in Wicklow and Westport, as her character, Maddie, falls for Ireland and the photographer she meets there. It’s one of the Netflix travel films I’ve got in my guide.
Hear My Song (1991) — In this Irish comedy, the main character shares a drink at O’Brien’s Tower with the famous tenor Josef Locke.
The cliffs also appear in Ryan’s Daughter, Into the West, and Burke & Hare.
🎬 Love real-life film locations? Explore more in my Film & TV Tourism guides.
FAQs
Can you visit the Cliffs of Moher from Dublin?
The Cliffs of Moher can be visited on a day trip from Dublin by guided bus tour, rental car, or public transportation.
Plan for a full day, since the cliffs are on Ireland’s west coast.
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 minimum of 5 hours each way.
If you only have, say, 2 days in Dublin, I’d highly recommend adding an extra day, since a trip to the Cliffs will take a full day no matter how you get there.
How far are the Cliffs of Moher from Dublin?
The Cliffs of Moher are roughly 166 miles (267 km) from Dublin by road, depending on your route.
Are Paddywagon Tours worth it?
Paddywagon Tours are worth it for travelers without a car who want an easy, social way to reach Ireland’s top sights in a single day.
The trade-off is long hours on the coach and short roadside stops, so the tour is only as good as its main destination.
On the Cliffs of Moher tour, the cliffs more than make up for the 12-hour day.
Do Paddywagon tour buses have bathrooms?
No, Paddywagon Tours buses do not have onboard bathrooms.
The buses make regular, scheduled comfort and coffee stops every 1.5 to 2 hours along the route (such as at service stations or local towns), and passengers are encouraged to use facilities during these scheduled stops.
Related Dublin Travel Guides
- 2 Days in Dublin, Ireland: My Solo Itinerary for First-Timers + Map
- An Electrifying Paddywagon Tours to the Cliffs of Moher
- Day Trips from Dublin Without a Car: 6 Easy Irish Escapes by Train or Tour Bus
Looking for other Ireland Day Trips? Try this Wild Atlantic Way road trip
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