Skip-the-line Book of Kells and Dublin Old Town Private Tour
Traveler rating
4.2/5
Based on 9 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Skip-the-line Book of Kells and Dublin Old Town Private Tour worth booking?
Skip-the-line Book of Kells and Dublin Old Town Private Tour is a 2-hour experience in Dublin, Ireland, from $238 per person. It scores 54 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.2/5 rating across 9 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 54 / 100
- Rating
- 4.2/5 (9)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $238 per person
Choose one of our excellent tour options tailored to your needs and interests: 2-hour: Old Town & Book of Kells Book this tour to see the Books of Kells in the Old Library with skip-the-line tickets and discover other highlights of Dublin, such as Trinity College, Dublin Castle, and more. 3-hour: Old Town, Book of Kells & Transport This option includes a 1-hour round-trip transfer and a 2-hour walking tour of Dublin's Old Town with skip-the-line tickets to the Books of Kells exhibition in the Old Library. 4-hour: Old Town, Book of Kells & Christ Church Cathedral Book this tour to see the Books of Kells in the Old Library and the Christ Church Cathedral with skip-the-line tickets and discover more highlights of Dublin, such as St Patrick's 5-hour: Old Town, Book of Kells, Christ Church Cathedral & Transport This option includes a 1-hour round-trip transfer and a 4-hour walking tour of Dublin's Old Town, the Books of Kells, Old Library and Christ Church Cathedral.
What you get
About this experience
Choose one of our excellent tour options tailored to your needs and interests: 2-hour: Old Town & Book of Kells Book this tour to see the Books of Kells in the Old Library with skip-the-line tickets and discover other highlights of Dublin, such as Trinity College, Dublin Castle, and more. 3-hour: Old Town, Book of Kells & Transport This option includes a 1-hour round-trip transfer and a 2-hour walking tour of Dublin's Old Town with skip-the-line tickets to the Books of Kells exhibition in the Old Library. 4-hour: Old Town, Book of Kells & Christ Church Cathedral Book this tour to see the Books of Kells in the Old Library and the Christ Church Cathedral with skip-the-line tickets and discover more highlights of Dublin, such as St Patrick's 5-hour: Old Town, Book of Kells, Christ Church Cathedral & Transport This option includes a 1-hour round-trip transfer and a 4-hour walking tour of Dublin's Old Town, the Books of Kells, Old Library and Christ Church Cathedral.
What's included
Included
- 5-Star Licensed Guide fluent in the language of your choice
- Skip-the-line tickets to the Christ Church Cathedral an Crypts (4 and 5-hour options only)
- Round-trip transfer with pickup and drop-off at your accommodation (3 and 5-hour options only)
- Private Walking Tour of Dublin with The Book of Kells Exhibition and Christ Church Cathedral
- Skip-the-line timed tickets to the Book of Kells Exhibition at the Old Library (all options)
- - (number of attractions depends on the selected option)
Not included
- Skip-the-line tickets to the Christ Church Cathedral and Crypts (in 2 and 3-hour options)
- Round-trip transfer with pickup and drop-off at your accommodation (in 2 and 4H options)
- Entry to the Bell Tower of Chirst the Cathedral
What you'll see and do
Meet your guide next to the Molly Malone Statue (outside St. Andrew's Church), Suffolk St, Dublin 2, D02 KX03, Ireland
10 minutes here
The Book of Kells Experience
private tour to the Book of Kells and Old Library at Trinity College in Dublin. Your Private Guide will meet you next to the legendary Molly Malone Statue and take you to the college campus, where each corner tells fascinating stories about notable people who had attended this renowned institution. You'll enjoy priority access with our skip-the-line timed tickets, allowing you to leisoursly explore the university’s Old Library with the Book of Kells Exhibition, the Immersive Digital Exhibition and Gift Shop. The Old Library's iconic Long Room is filled with the nostalgic smell of old paper and wood. It houses a collection of 200,000 old books, including the 9th century manuscript that documents the four Gospels of the life of Jesus Christ, known as the Book of Kells. It’s a very rare treasure that you won't see anywhere else! In addition to this unforgettable experience, you explore the Old Town
120 minutes here · Admission included
See highlights such as the Irish Houses of Parliament, Irish Whiskey Museum and the old St Andrew's Church, bringing you closer to Dublin's history and heritage.
50 minutes here
Christ Church Cathedral
Visit the Christ Church Cathedral and the Book of Kells Exhibition at the Old Library. This is your chance to dive deeper into the medieaval history of Dublin, as Christ Church Cathedral is one of the city's oldest buildings. Our fast track tickets allow you to skip the line at the ticket office and access the Cathedral and its secret Crypts with a history as old as the Viking Age. In addition, you'll also explore iconic sights such as Dublin Castle, City Hall and St Patrick's Cathedal - the national church of Ireland. Don't miss out on these highlights!
60 minutes here · Admission included
Dublin
1-hour transport and an extended 4-hour walking tour of Dublin's Old Town with skip-the-line tickets to the Book of Kells Exhibition, Old Library and the Christ Church Cathedral. Book in advance to save time and money, and enjoy the comfort of private car transfers. Simply provide the address of your hotel or accommodation when booking, and we'll make all the arrangements for your unforgettable experience.
60 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Dublin
Meet your guide next to the Molly Malone Statue (outside St. Andrew's Church), Suffolk St, Dublin 2, D02 KX03, Ireland
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations.
Ends at
Meet your guide next to the Molly Malone Statue (outside St. Andrew's Church), Suffolk St, Dublin 2, D02 KX03, Ireland
Options you can book
3H: Book of Kells & Transport
Duration: 3 hours: This option includes a 1-hour round-trip transfer and a 2-hour tour of Books of Kells Exhibition at Trinity College's Old Library, including the: Immersive Digital Exhibition. The tour will be led by a Private Guide who is fluent in the chosen language. 5-Star Licensed Guide: Official 5-Star Licensed Guide who is an Expert in this kind of tours. Guide speaks fluently in chosen language. IRDU022. Pickup included
4H:BookofKells&ChristChurNoCar
Duration: 4 hours: Visit the Books of Kells Exhibition at the Old Library and the Christ Church Cathedral with skip-the-line tickets, and see Dublin Castle, St Patrick's: Cathedral and more highlights. The tour is led by a Private Guide who is fluent in the chosen language. 5-Star Licensed Guide: Official 5-Star Licensed Guide who is an Expert in this kind of tours. Guide speaks fluently in chosen language. IRDU022.
2H:Book of Kells(No Transport)
Duration: 2 hours: Visit the Books of Kells Exhibition at Trinity College's Old Library. Enjoy full-access to this top-rated attraction, including the Immersive: Digital Exhibition and Gift Shop. The tour will be led by a Private Guide who is fluent in the chosen language. 5-Star Licensed Guide: Official 5-Star Licensed Guide who is an Expert in this kind of tours. Guide speaks fluently in chosen language. IRDU022.
5H:BookofKellsChristChurchTran
Duration: 5 hours: This option includes a 1-hour round-trip transfer and a 4-hour walking tour of Dublin's Old Town with tickets to the Books Kells, Old Library and Christ: Church Cathedral. The tour will be led by a Private Guide who is fluent in the chosen language. 5-Star Licensed Guide: Official 5-Star Licensed Guide who is an Expert in this kind of tours. Guide speaks fluently in chosen language. IRDU022. Pickup included
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- de, ru, en, it, fr, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Rosotravel - Ireland Tours & Experiences
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Check your email the day before the tour for important information from Rosotravel.
- The itinerary depends on the selected option.
- Tickets to the Book of Kells are timed. You will skip the line at the ticket office, but not at the entrance and security checks. The exhibition is located in the Old Library at Trinity College, where guiding is restricted, especially during the ongoing renovations.
- Tickets to Christ Church Cathedral and Crypts allow you to skip the ticket line. Entry during masses and special events is restricted.
- The 3- and 4-hour options include an estimated 1-hour round-trip transfer from your accommodation, depending on the distance and traffic. We will arrange a standard car (sedan) for 1-4 people, or a van for groups of 5+. Booking a 5-people tour ensures a larger vehicle for your comfort.
- 2-hour tour: for the best experience, group size is limited to 1-25 guests per guide.
- 4-hour tour: due to the cathedral's policy, 1 licensed guide can lead a group of 1-20 people.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 9 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
6 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Small groups
4 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
9 verified traveler reviews for Skip-the-line Book of Kells and Dublin Old Town Private Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Amazing Tour!
Our guide Paddy was amazing and very knowledgeable about the city of Dublin and Book of Kells. We had a really fun tour!
via Viator
Late cancellation ruined a full day of vacation.
This was cancelled due to the company not scheduling properly. They asked us to rescheduled 3two days later. We could not as we already scheduled other tours. The late cancellation wasted a day of our Va satin since other tours were now unavailable. We understand things happen but the company should know their own accommodations.
Response from the operator: Thank you for sharing your experience. We are very sorry that the cancellation disrupted your plans and affected a valuable day of your vacation. We understand how carefully activities are planned when traveling and that an alternative date, even when offered, may simply not fit an already arranged itinerary. We also recognize how difficult it can be to find another suitable experience at short notice. We sincerely regret the disappointment and inconvenience this situation caused. Your feedback is important to us, and we are reviewing our planning procedures to help minimize the risk of similar situations in the future. We hope that despite this experience, you were still able to enjoy the rest of your time in Dublin. Rosotravel
via Viator
Paid with no tickets- Refund was received.
I gave it 3 stars because they were responsive, unfortunately I did not go on this tour because it was overbooked and no tickets were available. I was upset because I was in Ireland for 24hours and this was a "must" however it didn't work out that way. I got a refund, which ultimately was the most important, so thank you!
Response from the operator: Dear jonelleg814, Thank you for your feedback. We sincerely regret that you were unable to join the tour, especially given your limited time in Ireland and the importance of this experience to your trip. We understand your disappointment and appreciate your recognition of our team's efforts to resolve the issue promptly with a full refund. We wish you had been able to enjoy the experience as planned and thank you for your understanding. Regards, Rosotravel Team
via Tripadvisor
Worth every penny
John the tour guide was worth every penny and because he was a private guide it was a lot of Pennie’s. I would recommend the experience with him for sure!!
via Viator
Having a private tour...
Having a private tour guide for Book of Kells was fabulous. And Dave was a great tour guide! Highly recommend!
Response from the operator: Thank you, Karen, for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that having a private guide made your Book of Kells experience so special, and that Dave’s guidance made it even more enjoyable. Your recommendation means a lot — we’d be happy to welcome you again!
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $238 to $1,097
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 3
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by Rosotravel - Ireland Tours & Experiences, who run 12 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 50.4.
See everything Rosotravel - Ireland Tours & Experiences runsWhy this scores 54
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Skip-the-line Book of Kells and Dublin Old Town Private Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Dublin.
How much does Skip-the-line Book of Kells and Dublin Old Town Private Tour cost?
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Prices start at $238 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Dublin usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Skip-the-line Book of Kells and Dublin Old Town Private Tour take?
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Plan for about 2 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Dublin is not rushed.
Is Skip-the-line Book of Kells and Dublin Old Town Private Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 54 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.2/5 across 9 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Dublin, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Skip-the-line Book of Kells and Dublin Old Town Private Tour?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Skip-the-line Book of Kells and Dublin Old Town Private Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Skip-the-line Book of Kells and Dublin Old Town Private Tour?
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Around 3 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Dublin can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Dublin and add a light layer if any part of the 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Skip-the-line Book of Kells and Dublin Old Town Private Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Dublin within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Dublin?
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On Outty we rank every Dublin experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Dublin to Belfast Titanic Dunluce Castle Giants Causeway Tour, Dublin to Belfast Black Cab: Dunluce Castle and Giant's Causeway, Dublin to Cliffs of Moher, including Wild Atlantic Way and Galway. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Dublin?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Dublin?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Skip-the-line Book of Kells and Dublin Old Town Private Tour?
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Included: 5-Star Licensed Guide fluent in the language of your choice; Skip-the-line tickets to the Christ Church Cathedral an Crypts (4 and 5-hour options only); Round-trip transfer with pickup and drop-off at your accommodation (3 and 5-hour options o; Private Walking Tour of Dublin with The Book of Kells Exhibition and Christ Church Cathedr; and Skip-the-line timed tickets to the Book of Kells Exhibition at the Old Library (all option. Not included: Skip-the-line tickets to the Christ Church Cathedral and Crypts (in 2 and 3-hour options); Round-trip transfer with pickup and drop-off at your accommodation (in 2 and 4H options); and Entry to the Bell Tower of Chirst the Cathedral. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Skip-the-line Book of Kells and Dublin Old Town Private Tour include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered, or you can meet at the start point instead from 172 listed pickup locations in and around Dublin.
What languages is Skip-the-line Book of Kells and Dublin Old Town Private Tour offered in?
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It is offered in German, Russian, English, Italian, French and Spanish. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Skip-the-line Book of Kells and Dublin Old Town Private Tour?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Skip-the-line Book of Kells and Dublin Old Town Private Tour wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Wheelchair accessible; Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap; and Transportation options are wheelchair accessible. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Skip-the-line Book of Kells and Dublin Old Town Private Tour if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Dublin. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Skip-the-line Book of Kells and Dublin Old Town Private Tour?
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Across 9 reviews averaging 4.2 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, small groups, knowledge and storytelling. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
What booking options are available for Skip-the-line Book of Kells and Dublin Old Town Private Tour?
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There are 4 options to choose from, including 3H: Book of Kells & Transport, 4H:BookofKells&ChristChurNoCar, 2H:Book of Kells(No Transport), 5H:BookofKellsChristChurchTran. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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