Moving from London to Dublin
Dublin is one of the easiest international moves from London thanks to the Common Travel Area between the UK and Ireland - no visa needed, and a straightforward ferry route. It remains a top destination for work, especially in tech and finance.
How Much Does It Cost to Move from London to Dublin?
| Home size | Shared load | Dedicated vehicle |
|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1-bed | £1,200 – £2,600 | £2,100 – £3,700 |
| 2-bed | £1,800 – £3,300 | £2,800 – £4,700 |
| 3-bed | £2,900 – £5,300 | £4,400 – £7,200 |
| 4+ bed | £4,400 – £7,800 | £6,300 – £10,500 |
Prices include packing, the Irish Sea ferry crossing, transport and delivery. Georgian Dublin flats and tight city-centre streets can add access charges.
What affects the price
- Volume in cubic metres.
- Ferry routes - Holyhead–Dublin is the main crossing; sailings affect timing.
- Access - period buildings and apartment blocks with no lift.
- Timing - summer and month-end are busiest.
How Long Does It Take?
| Service | Typical transit |
|---|---|
| Dedicated vehicle | 1 – 3 days |
| Shared / part load | 1 – 2 weeks |
Customs & Paperwork
Since Ireland is in the EU and the UK is not, goods technically cross a customs border, but household-goods removals between the UK and Ireland are routine and your mover handles the documentation. Under the Common Travel Area, UK and Irish citizens can live and work freely in each other's countries without a visa. You will need a PPS number for work, tax and services. See our international moving costs guide for the wider picture.
Best Areas in Dublin for UK Movers
- Ranelagh & Rathmines - central, popular with young professionals.
- Portobello - canal-side, lively, walkable.
- Clontarf & Howth - coastal, family-friendly.
- Dún Laoghaire - seaside town with fast transport links.
- Docklands - modern apartments near the tech hubs.
The Moving Process Step by Step
- Book a video survey and get 3 itemised quotes.
- Confirm ferry timing and access at both ends.
- Declutter and pack.
- Collection in London.
- Ferry crossing and road transport.
- Delivery, with unpacking if booked.
- Apply for your PPS number after arrival.
How to Save Money
- Declutter before you ship.
- Choose a shared load for flexible dates.
- Avoid summer and month-end peaks.
- Use a mover with regular Ireland backloads.
Choosing an International Remover
Pick BAR Overseas / FIDI members with Ireland routes, transit insurance and clear pricing. Benchmark the London leg with our calculator.
The Route and the Crossing
London to Dublin is unusual among European removals because it is a sea crossing rather than a drive. Removers typically use Holyhead to Dublin, which takes around three hours on a fast ferry, reached by a drive up through the Midlands and North Wales. Liverpool and Birkenhead sailings are longer but suit some schedules.
A dedicated vehicle typically completes the move in one to two days.
Ireland Is in the EU — but the Travel Rules Are Different
This route confuses people, because two separate things apply.
Immigration is easy. The Common Travel Area between the UK and Ireland means British citizens can live and work in Ireland without a visa or residence permit. There is no application to make before moving.
Customs is not automatic. Ireland is in the EU, so bringing household goods from Great Britain is still an import into the EU customs territory and must be declared. Used personal effects normally qualify for transfer-of-residence relief from duty and Irish VAT, provided you have owned and used them for at least six months and are genuinely relocating. You will need a valued inventory and proof of address.
The combination catches people out: no visa needed, but paperwork still required. Do not assume the Common Travel Area covers your furniture, because it does not.
Note also that goods moving from Northern Ireland to Ireland follow different arrangements again.
Dublin Access
- Georgian buildings. Dublin's older terraces have narrow hallways and steep stairs; larger items may need a hoist.
- Parking. Reserving space for a removal vehicle in central Dublin generally requires a permit from Dublin City Council.
- Apartment complexes. Many newer blocks require booking a service lift and a loading bay slot in advance with the building manager.
Saving Money on This Route
Ferry capacity, not distance, drives cost and timing here. Midweek sailings are typically cheaper and easier to book than weekends, and avoiding bank holiday weekends makes a noticeable difference.
Price This Move
Calculate the cost of moving to Dublin from your property size or your own cubic-metre figure, or read the European removals guide for how groupage, customs and transit work across the continent.