Should I drive to Cliffs of Moher?

Dublin to Cliffs of Moher – car rental guide The Cliffs form part of Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way route and are an absolute must see when visiting the country. We highly recommend driving yourself as opposed to going on a tour because it means you can explore other places along the way.



Driving to the Cliffs of Moher is highly recommended if you value flexibility and the ability to explore the surrounding "Wild Atlantic Way" at your own pace. While many travelers take a "day tour" from Dublin or Galway, these tours often arrive at the cliffs during the busiest part of the day (between 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM) and limit your stay to just 90 minutes. By driving yourself, you can arrive early in the morning or later in the evening to witness a spectacular sunset, avoiding the "bus crowds" and having the cliff-top paths almost to yourself. The drive through the Burren—a unique limestone landscape—is half the fun, and having a car allows you to stop at charming spots like the village of Doolin for traditional music or the O'Brien's Tower at your leisure. Parking at the official visitor center costs about €12 per person (as of 2026) if you book online in advance, which includes entry to the exhibition. If you aren't comfortable driving on narrow Irish roads on the left side, a tour is a great stress-free option, but for those who want to truly "feel" the rugged beauty of County Clare, the freedom of a rental car is unbeatable.

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You could see it on a day trip, but the best way to come enjoy the outstanding beauty of the Cliffs of Moher is as part of a coastal journey. Take a small group trip or self-drive tour from Dublin to the west coast. You could start from the north, in Donegal, and follow the Wild Atlantic Way south.

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If you're looking to visit the Cliffs of Moher for free, you can do one of the cliff walks. Whack 'Cliffs of Moher Liscannor Walk' into your sat nav. You'll get parking here (it was €4 when I was here last) and you can take a handy 15 to 20-minute walk up to the viewing point across from Hag's Head.

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We recommend spending a minimum of two hours at the Cliffs of Moher, though many visitors choose to spend a little longer. If you are doing the Cliffs of Moher Coastal walk, commencing at Cliffs of Moher Experience this will take anything from 2 hours each way. See Cliffs of Moher Coastal walk.

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This is a stunningly beautiful trail of medium to high difficulty that is suitable for a wide range of people and is a great way of spending a morning. A distance of eight kilometres – or five miles – it takes about two hours each way to complete.

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Visit outside of peak times – which are between 11am and 4pm – for a more pleasant and peaceful experience. Sunrise and sunset visits are very special and memorable.

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Pack warm clothing and a rain jacket Be prepared for wild weather mood swings. One minute might be rainy, and the next one might be sunny. Even if you check the forecast for a general idea of the day, no one ever really knows what the weather around the Cliffs will be like. The best thing you can do is be prepared.

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The Cliffs of Moher Coastal Walk connects the lively villages of Liscannor and Doolin, via the Cliffs of Moher Experience. A linear route of 20km, it takes 4.5 hours to complete.

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The Kerry Cliffs are higher, at 300 metres (1,000 ft), than the Cliffs of Moher which rise to a maximum height of 214 metres (702 ft). They are far less touristy. Many are surprised just how majestic the view is out to the Skelligs and Puffin Island and prefer them to the busier Cliffs of Moher.

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The official path is there to protect you as well as the surrounding land. Apart from keeping you from getting lost and from trampling and private land which the Cliffs Coastal Walk cuts through, the path is designed to keep you a safe distance from the edge of the cliffs.

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The cliffs are accessible year-round except on December 24-26 and are exceptionally pleasant from April to September. But mind that this is also the prime tourist season, peaking in July and August.

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The Cliff Walk is 8km each way. It takes 2 hours to reach the visitor centre. As you stroll you will be presented with amazing views of Clare's coastline, please note that the Cliffs are not visible until an hour and a half into the walk.

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Another option is to start in Hags Head, walk the 6 km to the Visitor Center, and take the shuttle back to your car. Or, you could walk the entire 11 km along the cliffs, which is called the Cliffs of Moher Coastal Walk. PRO TRAVEL TIP: We recommend walking at least a small portion of the Cliffs.

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Moher Sports Field Parking to Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre ?- 6 km (1.5 to 2 hours). Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre to Doolin ?- 8km (?2.5 to 3 hours?). Its possible to return to Doolin or Liscannor from the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre using the Bus Eireann 350 Bus or local taxi.

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Technically, the Cliffs of Moher has two coastal cliff walks, the first starting from a small town called Doolin and the Second starting at Hag's Head. You can of course combine the two if you feel like walking 25km in total.

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