Is Dublin safe to visit? A comprehensive safety guide
Dublin is a very large city on Ireland's East Coast, situated right by the mouth of the River Liffey. The city was established by the Vikings back in 841 AD but quickly expanded to become the second biggest city in the entire British Empire by the 17th century. It has a fantastic history with plenty of cultural traditions and landmarks that make it a popular place for sightseeing, like Dublin Castle and fabulous brew and food festivals.
Both new and inexperienced travelers like to vacation in Dublin, and it is a great place for families as well. In a year the city can see up to 6 million tourists with peak tourism occurring between June and early September. This is a good time to travel because the days are longer, so you can expect increased crowds during most of the summer. On top of that, over 1.2 million people live in metro Dublin.
Safety should be your priority when visiting a new place, so there is some research that you should do before visiting Dublin. This includes protecting your belongings. To keep your valuables secure when seeing sights like the Irish Whiskey Museum or Kilmainham Gaol, leave them in a suitcase locker in Dublin. Bounce has locations all over the city and each one is carefully vetted to make sure it reaches our standards of quality.
Is Dublin safe to visit right now?
If you're traveling for the first time, reading up on Dublin safety is a good place to start. This is a safe city with plenty to do and currently, it does not have any active travel advisories. Take normal precautions when traveling here but since Ireland has a Global Peace Index rating of 8 you can definitely feel safe in the country. Before you take off to Ireland, check the travel restrictions put in place by your government since they may change over time.
The overall risk of visiting Ireland, and more specifically Dublin, is very low. That doesn't mean that there isn't crime here, and as a tourist, you'll have to look out for pickpockets and occasionally reckless driving from the locals. Scams, muggings and natural disasters are not threats here and as long as you use common sense there should not be anything to worry about. This is an informative safety guide, but to be the best prepared, research a few resources, whether a seasoned traveler or not.
Top petty crimes and scams in Dublin affecting tourists
The most important step to avoiding crime is being aware of it. Here are some things to look out for as a tourist in Dublin.
Transportation risk
Dublin is a pretty big city with lots of people, and that means that roads can sometimes get busy. Rush hour brings an even greater number of cars to the streets, and when people get impatient it can sometimes cause accidents. We urge you to be watchful of your surroundings when driving or cycling near roads and to check both ways before crossing the street.
Some major cities experience taxi fraud and you should always make sure that you're getting into a licensed vehicle. Taxi drivers should have a license and ID on display and will always be driving an easily identifiable car with a yellow plated roof.
Petty theft
It seems like pickpockets are in every other major city, not just Dublin, so you should protect yourself from them no matter where you go. They most often frequent the crowded areas around the Dublin City Centre, like Grafton Street, as well as train stations and tourist attractions, like Temple Bar.
The best way to protect your valuables is to keep them locked away in a Bounce storage locker, but items that you need to carry on you, like smartphones, wallets and passports, will need to be secured in a secure pocket of your bag or in a money belt where you can see them at all times.
Car theft
If you're driving yourself around town you should know that car theft can happen in Dublin. This issue is easily avoided if you don't bring or rent a car, but if that is how you decide to get around then you'll have to take some extra precautions. Firstly, be careful where you park your car. Although this isn't a dangerous city at all there are some neighborhoods that can be sketchy.
When you do have to leave your car for a while, always keep the doors locked and the windows up, and items should be taken with you or stored in the trunk since thieves might break in to steal something if they can see it.
Is Dublin safe to visit alone
So how safe is Dublin if you want to travel but have no one to go with? Dublin, Ireland is a very safe city even for solo travelers and can be a good introduction to traveling alone. This vibrant city has friendly locals that are willing to help you if needed, plus there is so much to do here. Any time you're visiting somewhere new alone you'll need to be a bit more careful when walking around, especially in the evening. Stick to well lit areas for extra safety.
Good news for all of you solo female travelers, Ireland is one of the safest countries and is in 1st place on the Bounce Women Travel Safety Index. This makes Ireland safe for women to explore on their own and as long as you take the same precautions that you would at home, you'll have a safe trip. Our safety tips include avoiding dangerous areas at night and not accepting food or drinks from people you do not know. A solo female traveler should never tell a stranger where they are staying either, just to be safe.
Safest neighborhoods in Dublin
You'll have plenty of things to add to your travel itinerary when visiting the Irish capital city, but you should try sticking to the safest areas in town when you plan activities. Here are a couple of places that are completely okay to visit.
Smithfield
Smithfield is safe, exciting, and close to the City Centre of Dublin. It's the spot to go to for bistros and breweries as well as seasonal food markets.
Dublin City Centre
With close proximity to Grafton Street, Temple Bar, St Stephen's Green and Trinity College, you'll definitely be spending a lot of your time in Dublin City Centre. As long as you take the basic precautions around the busy streets you can relax here.
Portobello
Portobello is a safe spot for tourists and has low crime rates. You'll enjoy the Grand Canal and shopping along South Richmond Street.
Most cities have at least a few dangerous areas and Dublin is no different. There are just a few places that you should be careful in. You don't have to skip Ballymun, Pearse Street, Dublin West, Blanchardstown and Tallaght. However, petty crime and other minor offenses happen more often here and the areas are best enjoyed during the day.
Is Dublin public transportation safe?
As we mentioned earlier the streets can get pretty busy in Dublin with a fair share of accidents and occasionally car theft occurring, which can make it stressful to drive. Like in other European countries you'll have to drive on the left side of the road, and it can be a bit disorienting if you aren't used to it. It may be better to use the public transport system in Dublin and since it is generally safe, efficient and convenient you really have nothing to lose.
The only thing to look out for while using Dublin's public transportation is pickpocketing, especially around the Connolly Railway station or any other big train station. Keep a hand on your bags at all times and you'll be fine since there are not very many past incidents of other crime happening on the trains. Be more aware of things around you at night and consider taking a taxi if it is very late. That being said, if you display respectful behavior, people will probably do the same, and most rides on public transit will be uneventful.
Important emergency numbers in Dublin
If you ever witness a crime or are in need of help while in Dublin, assistance will never be far away. You'll see that many shops have their own security guards, and the local police force is always around to help, too. When traveling, having your embassy number at hand is good practice.
- Irish Police Force, Fire Brigade, Ambulance: 112 or 999
- Tourist Assistance Service: 1890-365-700
- Samaritan: 353-116-123
- Store Street Garda Station: 00 353 (1) 661 0562
- Pearse Street Garda: 00 353 (1) 666 9000
Learning about safety in Dublin
Friendly citizens, great landmarks, and an undeniable charm make Dublin one of the best European capitals. This lovely city does not experience a lot of crime, making Dublin safe for tourists and an attractive vacation destination for everyone.
Now that you know how to be safe in Dublin you're about ready to take off and see the attractions and landmarks for yourself. For information on Dublin's charming neighborhoods, read Where to Stay in Dublin: The Ultimate Guide. Be at ease with the transportation system after you learn How to Get Around Dublin.
