Navigating leaving Aviva stadium after TS concert

[noideaoffuturenow]

Myself and my 3 daughters are lucky enough to be heading to the Taylor Swift concert at the Aviva stadium 29/06. I have a couple of potential accommodation options (which are ridiculously expensive) or I might drive...from the North down (reluctantly). Considering accommodation in Malahide/Dun Laoghire. Would that be do-able? Wd love to make a weekend of it; first w/e of summer hols and not going away this year. I'm studying google maps and trying to figure out walking distance to hotels in Ballsbridge/O'Connell St etc. I don't really know Dublin very well, and one of my daughters is only 11...safety and distance are important factors in this. Last time we stayed in Dublin City Centre (two years go) I felt a bit nervous walking home with my two younger kids from the Lyric Theatre, which worries me a bit. This will be a once in a lifetime experience I'll bet, so want it to be a good one!

I was at Pink last weekend. The DART queue went on for about a kilometre. Instead, we walked towards the city as we were staying on the West by Phoenix park. We walked the Grand Canal dock way and it was very busy with concert goers and felt safe, it was good fun. The buses on the way to the city did not arrive. Some people had been there 40 minutes and no service at all. So we decided to follow the bus route towards the city, the plan was to let the first few go ahead, but not one bus passed us. We ended up in the city on the quays by Westmoreland Street and couldn't get any bus westbound. Literally none came, there were 100s waiting. In the end we had to walk all the way as no cabs passed us either. Arrived at 1am with a 10 yr old girl after 90 minutes walk. I'm not trying to be negative just don't rely on buses, either plan to walk or queue for the trains. In hindsight we could have gotten the Luas on the north quays by walking over the bridge at Ringsend but it didn't occur to us. Or stood in a queue for the DART which would have been boring but safe.

That luas is best avoided, especially with a ten y/o at that hour of the night. It's ropey AF in the morning even. Hope the adrenaline got your kideen through the trip back.

Thanks. Once we were along the quays I was afraid to cross over to Jervis St area as I thought it would be too dodgy. I was quite panicked but little one was fine, she trotted along wearing her fuscia cowboy hat without a care in the world. She told me not to let the negative experience taint my memory of the concert. Honestly she has more maturity than most adults!!

Op enjoy the concert!

We’ll be getting a coach from the airport into the city centre - any advice on which is the best stop to get off at near Leeson St?

@Alalalalalongalalalalalonglonglilong that sounds a bit stressful! Your dd sounds great!

I just read that there's an influx of 600,000 people expected in Dublin this weekend for various events, so I would say it's wise to have a walking route planned just in case.

The dart is definitely the most reliable public transport, so get that if it will bring you anywhere near your accommodation. Last one will be approx 11.30 at Lansdown.

Don't rely on taxis, you might be very lucky and get one but don't plan on it.

The 39a bus is not me if the few 24 hour services. It goes through Donnybrook/Leeson St, about a 15 min walk from the Aviva, and goes north side.

The Citymapper app is very good for getting around.

The TFI app (transport for Ireland) will give you bus and train times.

@Junegirl15 which end of Leeson St are you staying on, Upper or Lower? Lower is close to St Stephen's Green, Upper is about 15 mins walk further along.

If you get the aircoach from the airport the 700 going to Leopardstown drives down Leeson St lower and upper

We are at the Lower end of Leeson St. The air coach sounds ideal!

Catching up...excitement building. Anyone been to a Dublin concert yet? How did your DD order Merch in advance Junegirl?

We went last night. It was fantastic! Taylor came on at 7.15 and finished around 10.40pm. My BIL drove us down, found somewhere to park and then got as close as he could to pick us up again so we didn't have to stress about transport. There were so many people walking after though and lots of security around so you'll be perfectly safe. Have the best time!

We hopped on dart straight after, was very well organised in terms of getting people out of stadium and then into qs for northbound and southbound darts. I didn't even have to think, just followed the instructions being yelled out and there we were on the Dart.
Such a great night!

Popping back to say thank you for all the help. Was a brilliant weekend. Travel plans all worked well. Concert was great. We have ordered merch online but there were different items at the concert so may be worth checking it out if you can do the queues. Will be back to Dublin soon as we loved it!