Hotels Near Aviva Stadium: Best Places to Stay

Finding a decent place to stay near Aviva Stadium without a long trek or budget blowout is the biggest headache for event-goers. Ballsbridge (Dublin 4) is packed with hotels within walking distance, and the Lansdowne Road DART station drops you at the stadium gate.

Closest hotel to Aviva Stadium: Sandymount Hotel (2-minute walk) · Distance from Herbert Park Hotel: 1 km (10–15 minute walk) · Nearest DART station: Lansdowne Road (under 5-minute walk)

Four key facts about the area’s accommodation landscape:

Are there any hotels near Aviva Stadium?

Yes — and several are within a comfortable walking distance. The Aviva Stadium sits in Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, about 2 km from the city centre (The Grafton Hotel neighbourhood page).

List of hotels within walking distance

• Sandymount Hotel – 2-minute walk, closest option (Sandymount Hotel)
• Waterloo Town House & Suites – 10-minute walk, popular on Booking.com
• Herbert Park Hotel – 15-minute walk (1 km) (Clayton Hotels)
• Maldron Hotel Merrion Road – 17 minutes via DART from Booterstown (Maldron Hotels)
• Clayton Hotel Ballsbridge – 17–18 minutes walk (Clayton Hotels)

Hotels with on-site parking

• Clayton Hotel Ballsbridge – onsite parking available (Clayton Hotels)
• Clayton Hotel Burlington Road – onsite parking (Clayton Hotels)
• Maldron Hotel Merrion Road – guest parking on site (Maldron Hotels)
• Sandymount Hotel – limited parking, check availability (Sandymount Hotel)

The implication: if you want guaranteed parking and a short walk, Clayton Hotel Ballsbridge is your safest bet. For pure proximity without a car, Sandymount Hotel wins.

Which part of Dublin is best to stay in?

For Aviva Stadium visitors, the answer is almost always Ballsbridge (Dublin 4) — it’s within walking distance and packed with hotels, pubs, and restaurants (The Grafton Hotel).

Ballsbridge (Dublin 4) – closest to stadium

• Diplomatic quarter: embassies and leafy streets (The Grafton Hotel)
• Hotels include Sandymount, Herbert Park, Clayton Ballsbridge
• 10-minute walk to the stadium

Dublin city centre – wider dining and nightlife

• About 2 km away — 25-minute walk or short bus/DART ride (The Grafton Hotel)
• More budget options and after-event entertainment

Sandymount – quiet residential area near coast

• Sandymount is a tranquil village feel with a beach
• Closest hotel (Sandymount Hotel) is right there
• Limited dining compared to Ballsbridge

The pattern: for families and older visitors, staying in Ballsbridge minimises tired legs. For groups wanting to party, the city centre is worth the extra distance.

How do I get to Aviva Stadium Dublin?

Public transport is the only stress-free option on event days — the stadium closes its car park for matches and concerts (Clayton Hotels warning).

Luas Green Line: nearest stop Charlemont (20 min walk)

• The Luas does not stop directly at the stadium (Clayton Hotels)
• Charlemont is about a 20-minute walk through Ballsbridge

DART: Lansdowne Road station (direct)

• Lansdowne Road DART station is a 3-minute walk from the stadium (The Grafton Hotel)
• Services from Dublin city centre, Sandymount, and coastal suburbs

Bus routes: 4, 7, 18, 46A

• Buses 4, 7, 18, and 46A drop within a few minutes’ walk (Clayton Hotels)
• Check Dublin Bus apps for real-time schedules on event days

The pattern: DART is king for speed, but buses give you more flexibility from different parts of the city. Avoid driving unless you have a hotel with reserved parking.

Where to avoid staying in Dublin?

For safety and convenience, most visitors should stick to areas south of the River Liffey. The north inner city and some outer suburbs have higher crime rates (The Grafton Hotel).

Areas with higher crime rates

• North Inner City (parts of Dublin 1) – higher rates of petty crime and anti-social behaviour
• Tallaght – farther from stadium and higher crime statistics
• Ballymun – not recommended for tourists

Neighborhoods farther from public transport

• Outer suburbs like Blanchardstown or Clondalkin require multiple bus or train changes
• Staying near a DART line (south side) is always better

What this means: if you’re on a budget, consider south-side hostels or B&Bs in Sandymount or Rathmines rather than cheaper north-side options.

What is the posh part of Dublin?

Ballsbridge is Dublin’s diplomatic quarter, filled with embassies and Georgian townhouses. Dalkey and Killiney are wealthy coastal suburbs — but too far to walk to the stadium (The Grafton Hotel).

Ballsbridge and Dalkey

• Ballsbridge is Dublin 4’s upscale area with the InterContinental, The Mont, and high-end restaurants
• Dalkey is a 20-minute DART ride away, home to celebrity homes and coastal walks

Ranelagh and Rathmines

• Ranelagh is a trendy village with excellent cafes and boutiques
• Rathmines offers a mix of affordable and mid-range hotels

The trade-off: luxe areas like Ballsbridge cost more but put you on the doorstep of the stadium. Dalkey is prettier but requires a DART ride each way.

“We are the closest hotel to Aviva Stadium – just a 2-minute walk away.”

– Sandymount Hotel website (Sandymount Hotel)

“Waterloo Town House & Suites is a popular choice among guests visiting the Aviva Stadium area.”

– Booking.com description

For any event-goer visiting Dublin, the choice is clear: book in Ballsbridge or Sandymount if you want to walk, or use the DART from the city centre if you prefer nightlife. Either way, avoid driving and book early — especially for Six Nations matches when demand peaks.

Frequently asked questions