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Campus Commute: Your Guide to Local Living at TU Dublin

TU Dublin's campuses are located across Dublin, including the city center with our Aungier Street, Bolton Street, and Grangegorman locations, as well as our Blanchardstown and Tallaght campuses. When considering a suburb, it's essential to look at transportation links (public transport, walking or cycling routes), local amenities, housing costs, and the general feel of the area. Also, given Dublin's changing transport infrastructure, it's a good idea to stay updated on any new transport links or services that might influence the commute.  

Explore the Area: Local Living Near TU Dublin Campuses  

Dublin is a vibrant and busy city, unsurprisingly, accommodation is sought-after. We have compiled this guide to help you streamline your search.  

Choosing accommodation near your campus can make commuting to college more affordable, convenient and allow you to enjoy more of what student life at TU Dublin has to offer. It is best to visit the area in person and get a feel for it, if possible.  

Find Your StudentPad

StudentPad serves as your comprehensive resource for finding the perfect place to call home during your studies at TU Dublin. Whether you're interested in joining a host family, settling into a dedicated student complex, or opting for private rentals such as shared houses or apartments, StudentPad has you covered. The platform not only simplifies your search for accommodation but also provides a community message board for advice. To get started, simply sign up with your TU Dublin student email. If you haven’t received a university email address yet, register using your personal email address and once you have received approval you’re ready to go.

The Student Accommodation team is on hand to arrange a meeting with you to help navigate the housing options available on StudentPad, ensuring you find accommodation that best suits your needs.

For any inquiries about student accommodation, please reach out to our Student Accommodation team at studentaccommodation@tudublin.ie or call us at +353 1 220 5600.

Managing Your Finances While Studying

Finding suitable accommodation is just one part of your student experience - managing your finances effectively is another. At TU Dublin, we offer financial aid and financial wellbeing resources to support you throughout your studies.

If you are in need of financial assistance, such as the Rent Assistance Scheme, Student Assistance Fund or emergency funding, visit our Financial Aid page for more information on the supports available to help you manage your education costs.

For advice on managing your day-to-day finances, including budgeting tips and strategies for staying financially healthy, visit our Financial Wellbeing page, where you will find valuable resources to guide you through university life.

We have compiled information about these areas to help you find the perfect spot to call home. Read on to discover what each area has to offer.   

TU Dublin City campus is in the heart of Dublin. Here are some areas close to or easily accessible:  

  • Stoneybatter: This is a popular area among students and young professionals, known for its cool, indie vibe, and its range of cafes, pubs, and artisanal shops.  
  • Phibsborough : Is a lively area with shopping, dining, and is home to Dalymount Park football stadium.  
  • Smithfield: Just to the south of Grangegorman, Smithfield is famous for its Square, which often hosts events, and attractions like the Lighthouse Cinema and the Jameson Distillery.  
  • Cabra: Is a mostly residential area that's close, making it a convenient location for students.  
  • Broadstone: Is a smaller district but provides proximity to Grangegorman, Bolton Street and the city centre.  
  • Arbour Hill: This area is close to cultural spots like the Irish Museum of Modern Art and the National Museum of Ireland - Decorative Arts & History.  
  • City Centre: While this encompasses a larger area, parts of Dublin's city centre, such as O'Connell Street or the areas around Jervis and the Ilac Shopping Centre, are just a short distance away.  
  • Drumcondra: Is well connected by bus routes, and it's a straightforward cycle or walk to Grangegorman.  
  • Glasnevin: Is a spacious suburb with the National Botanic Gardens as a key attraction. Buses serve the area, and it’s a reasonable cycle to Grangegorman.  
  • Rathmines: Is a vibrant suburb with many amenities and a bustling main street. It is well-served by buses and is a short cycle or bus ride away from Grangegorman or Aungier Street.  
  • Ranelagh: Adjacent to Rathmines, Ranelagh is a trendy area with lots of cafes and restaurants. The Luas (Green Line) runs through it.  

TU Dublin Blanchardstown Campus is an innovative and community-focused hub of learning nestled in Dublin. With a wide array of accessible and student-friendly living options, from the vibrant city life of Dublin to the charming suburban areas of Meath and Kildare, our students enjoy a rich blend of culture, convenience, and connectivity. Read on to find a list of areas with good public transport links to TU Dublin Blanchardstown:  

Dublin Areas:  

  • Castleknock: Direct Dublin Bus routes make this a very straightforward commute.  
  • Coolmine: Another close area with regular bus services.  
  • Ongar: Serviced by several buses with direct routes to Blanchardstown.  
  • Clonsilla: Has both Dublin Bus and a train station, though a change might be necessary for the train.  
  • Finglas: Direct bus routes to Blanchardstown are available.  
  • City Centre: Numerous buses from Dublin's city center head out towards Blanchardstown. If you're living near or are willing to travel to central transport hubs, this can be a convenient option.  

Commuting to TU Dublin Blanchardstown largely revolves around the Dublin Bus system, as the area is not serviced by the Luas or DART. There are also commuter train options from neighboring counties that arrive in Dublin, from where one could take a bus to Blanchardstown.  

Neighboring Counties:  

If looking for areas in neighboring counties with commutes of less than an hour to TU Dublin Blanchardstown, consider places that have quick access.    

  • Clonee, Co. Meath/Dublin: Clonee is situated on the boundary between Meath and Dublin and is close to Blanchardstown, making it an excellent area for those looking to commute to TU Dublin Blanchardstown. There are several Dublin Bus services that link Clonee to Blanchardstown, ensuring regular and convenient connections. For those with cars, the drive is direct and quick via the N3. Commute time by bus, depending on the route and time of day, can be as short as 15-25 minutes. If driving, the journey might even be quicker, given the short distance, but always factor in potential traffic during peak hours.  
  • Celbridge, Co. Kildare: Directly linked to Dublin via the M4, with buses servicing the route.  
  • Dunboyne, Co. Meath: There are direct bus routes to Blanchardstown and a train service, though the train would require a transfer to a bus in Dublin to reach Blanchardstown.  
  • Ratoath, Co. Meath: Direct buses run from Ratoath to Blanchardstown, making it a feasible option.  
  • Ashbourne, Co. Meath: While slightly farther out, direct buses make this a practical choice for those seeking to commute to Blanchardstown.  
  • Navan: Is one of the primary urban centres in Meath and has a reasonably developed bus network. Bus Éireann operates services from Navan to Dublin. Depending on the specific service and time of day (peak times might be slower due to traffic), the journey from Navan to Blanchardstown can take around 45 minutes to an hour.  
  • Kells: Known for the historic Book of Kells, is a bit further out than Navan but is still a feasible commuting town for those who don't mind a slightly longer journey. Like Navan, Bus Éireann operates routes from Kells to Dublin. The journey from Kells to Dublin can range from 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes, depending on traffic and specific routes.  

Our Tallaght Campus offers a dynamic and engaging institution located in the bustling area of South Dublin. As a student here, you have the advantage of exploring a variety of living accommodations within Dublin's energetic atmosphere or in the more tranquil settings of nearby Wicklow and Kildare. The campus is at the crossroads of cultural vibrancy and serene landscapes, offering an exceptional educational experience paired with a multitude of commuting options.

  • Tallaght Village: The historical centre of the district, this area is a straightforward walk to the campus.  
  • Kilnamanagh: Located to the northeast of the campus, it's close enough for a reasonably short walk.  
  • Tymon North: Found to the east of the campus, it's another area that's within walking distance.  
  • Aylesbury: Situated directly south of the campus, residents here would find it a short stroll away.  
  • Oldbawn: Located southeast of the campus, it's slightly further but still within walking range.  
  • Citywest: A bit further west but connected by the Luas Red Line and several bus routes.  
  • Templeogue: Located to the northeast, it's a short bus ride or cycle away.  
  • Rathfarnham: While slightly further out, it's commutable via bus.  
  • Greenhills: Situated to the north of the campus, a quick bus trip or a short drive would get you to Tallaght.  
  • Firhouse: Located to the east, it's a brief commute by bus or car.  
  • Ballycullen: Found to the southeast, it's also well-connected by buses to the Tallaght area.  
  • Saggart: Located further west and connected by the Luas Red Line which goes to Tallaght.  
  • Clondalkin: To the north, it's a short drive or bus journey away.  
  • Walkinstown: Located to the northeast of the campus, it's easily accessible via a short bus ride or drive.  
  • Terenure: A bit further out to the east, but still a straightforward commute using Dublin's bus system.  

For those relying on public transport, the Luas Red Line serves Tallaght and offers a quick and efficient way to reach the campus from several Dublin suburbs. Dublin Bus also provides several routes that pass through or terminate in Tallaght, making it accessible from various parts of the city.  

Close to Luas Red Line stops like Kingswood and well-connected by bus to Oldbawn, Knocklyon, and the City Centre.