Wicklow & Glendalough Day Trip from Dublin
Private day trip from Dublin to Glendalough and the Wicklow Mountains — scenic stops, ancient history, and no group tour schedule.
Hotel pickup • Flexible route • From €550 per group
Check Availability on WhatsAppCall or WhatsApp: +353 87 004 0694Email: info@dublindaytrips.comPrivate group price — not per person · Up to 5 adults (or 4 adults + 2 kids)
I'm a local Dublin taxi driver — I'll pick you up, plan your route, and make sure you see the best of Wicklow.
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Private Day Trip from Dublin to Glendalough and the Wicklow Mountains
Glendalough is one of the best day trips from Dublin if you want mountains, lakes, history and scenery without renting a car or joining a crowded coach tour. It sits around 55km south of the city — close enough for a relaxed full day out, far enough to feel like a different world.
With this private Wicklow Mountains day trip from Dublin, I collect you from your hotel, drive you through the mountains, bring you to Glendalough's monastic site and lakes, and shape the route around your group's pace. You are not locked into a fixed schedule — we can stop for views, short walks, lunch, or spend more time where you want.
Getting to Glendalough from Dublin without a car is difficult — public transport is limited and forces your whole day around a timetable. A private day trip solves that completely. Your hotel is the starting point, the route is flexible, and the day ends when you're ready.
What You'll See on Your Glendalough Day Trip
The Wicklow Mountains and Glendalough offer more than most visitors expect in a single day. Here is what a typical private tour covers.
One of Ireland's most important early Christian sites — a 6th-century monastic settlement with a perfectly preserved round tower, stone churches, high crosses, and ruins that date back over 1,400 years.
The Upper and Lower Lough were carved by glaciers thousands of years ago. The mountain reflections on still water make this one of the most photographed places in Ireland.
Open moorland, heather-covered hills and sweeping valley views — we drive through the heart of the national park, along mountain roads that are difficult to enjoy properly without a car.
Ancient oak woodland, quiet lakeshore paths and scenery that feels completely removed from city life — remarkable for somewhere just over an hour from Dublin.
One of Ireland's great mountain roads — open bogland, dramatic skies and panoramic views that most coach tours never see. Worth taking the longer route for.
Depending on time and weather we can stop for coffee, lunch in a nearby village, a viewpoint, or a short walk along the way. The day is shaped around you.
Why This Trip is Special
The Wicklow Mountains are where Dubliners go to escape the city. You'll see why — rolling green hills, ancient history, and some of the most photographed scenery in Ireland. And because this is a private trip, we can stop whenever you want for photos or to simply take it all in.
What to Expect on Your Wicklow Mountain Tour from Dublin
This is a fully private trip — just your group, no one else. I plan the route in advance and adapt it on the day based on your pace, the weather, and what you want to see most. The drive through the Wicklow Mountains is scenic the whole way, with stops built in wherever you like.
Suggested Route — Glendalough Day Trip from Dublin
Every trip is tailored to your group. Here is what a typical Wicklow Mountains and Glendalough day trip from Dublin looks like.
I collect you from your hotel or an agreed pickup point in Dublin. No taxi to a bus stop, no queuing — we leave from your door. I'll confirm your exact pickup time on WhatsApp the evening before.
We head south out of Dublin toward the Wicklow Mountains. Depending on your preference, we can take the scenic route through Sally Gap — one of Ireland's most dramatic mountain roads, and well off the coach tour map.
We arrive at Glendalough with time to properly explore. The monastic site, the round tower, the lakeshore walking paths — this is the centrepiece of the day and we don't rush it. Entry to the site is free. I'll help you find the best walking routes for your group.
We can stop locally for lunch depending on your timing and preference — a café in Laragh village or somewhere nearby. I'll recommend the best option on the day.
More time in the valley, a different viewpoint, a short walk, or a relaxed drive back through Wicklow scenery. The afternoon is yours — there is no fixed schedule to stick to.
I drop you back to your hotel or another Dublin drop-off point. If you want to extend the day, just say so — the timing is flexible.
Why Book a Private Driver Instead of a Group Tour?
Most people consider a coach tour first — but the experience is completely different. A private Wicklow and Glendalough day trip gives you hotel pickup, your own schedule, and the freedom to stop where you want. As a private driver in Dublin Ireland, I plan your route around your group rather than following a fixed tour schedule.
| ✓ Private Driver | ✗ Group Coach Tour | |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel pickup | Yes — door to door | Meeting point only |
| Group size | Just your group | Up to 50+ strangers |
| Flexible stops | Stop whenever you want | Fixed timetable |
| Pace | Your pace | Rushed, time-limited |
| Local knowledge | Personal, genuine | Scripted commentary |
Tell me what you want to see and I'll put together the best route for your group — no research needed on your end.
No sharing a bus with 40 strangers. It's just your group, your pace, and your day.
Weather changes, you want to linger longer somewhere, or skip a stop — no problem. The day adapts around you.
Plan Your Wicklow & Glendalough Day Trip
Message me on WhatsApp with your date and group size. I'll confirm availability and plan your route.
Check Availability on WhatsAppCall or WhatsApp: +353 87 004 0694Email: info@dublindaytrips.comI'll recommend the best stops and handle all the planning · Limited availability each day
Trip Details
Private, door-to-door from €550 per group. Availability is limited — I run a small number of trips each day, so I recommend messaging as soon as your dates are confirmed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get to Glendalough from Dublin?
The easiest way to get to Glendalough from Dublin is by private car or driver. There is a St. Kevin's Bus service from Dublin, but options are limited and fixed — you are tied to their timetable for the entire day. A private driver is the better option if you want hotel pickup, flexible timing, and stops along the Wicklow Mountains on the way.
How far is Glendalough from Dublin?
Glendalough is around 55km from Dublin city centre. By car, the journey usually takes about 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes depending on traffic and the route taken. The drive through the Wicklow Mountains is scenic in its own right and we make the most of it on the way there and back.
Is Glendalough worth visiting?
Yes — Glendalough is one of the best day trips from Dublin because it combines mountain scenery, glacial lakes, walking routes and one of Ireland's most famous monastic sites in a single visit. Most visitors say it is the highlight of their time in Ireland.
Is Glendalough free to visit?
The monastic site and the valley walking trails are free to visit. There is a small charge to enter the Glendalough Visitor Centre exhibition, and the main car park has a parking fee. As your private driver I'll handle all of that so you don't need to think about it on the day.
How long do you need in Glendalough?
Most visitors need around 1.5 to 3 hours depending on whether they want a short visit and photos or a longer walk around the lakes. We're not on a coach schedule — you can take as long as you like. I'll recommend the best walking options for your group when we arrive.
What is there to do in Glendalough?
Glendalough has more to offer than most visitors expect. The monastic ruins and round tower are the main draw, but the lakeshore walking trails are excellent, the valley itself is beautiful, and the Visitor Centre has a well-presented exhibition on the history of the site. There are walking routes for every fitness level — from a short lakeside stroll to longer hikes into the Wicklow Mountains.
Can you swim in Glendalough?
Swimming in the Glendalough lakes is not officially permitted as they sit within a national park. The lakeshore walks are, however, beautiful — the Upper Lake in particular has a remote, peaceful atmosphere that makes the walk to reach it worthwhile.
Is Glendalough dog friendly?
Yes — dogs are welcome on the Glendalough walking trails provided they are kept on a lead. The lakeshore paths are popular with dog walkers. If you are travelling with a dog, just let me know when you message on WhatsApp and we will make sure the day works for everyone.
What is the nearest town to Glendalough?
The nearest town to Glendalough is Laragh, just 2km from the valley entrance. Laragh has a small number of cafés and is a good option for a lunch stop. The larger town of Rathdrum is about 10km away.
Where are the Wicklow Mountains?
The Wicklow Mountains are in County Wicklow, directly south of Dublin. They form the largest upland area in Ireland and are visible from parts of the city on a clear day. Wicklow Mountains National Park covers the core of the range and includes Glendalough, Sally Gap and the Wicklow Way walking trail — all within easy reach of Dublin as a day trip.
Other popular day trips from Dublin
Planning a Glendalough trip? See our Glendalough travel guide for more information before you book.
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