Getting to Salt Cave Paradise from Dublin
Train, bus, car and airport directions to Balbriggan, where to park, and what to do with the rest of your day.
Salt Cave Paradise is in Balbriggan, on the coast of North County Dublin, about 30 km from the city centre. It is one of the easiest spas near Dublin to reach without a car: a direct train from Connolly takes around 35 to 40 minutes and both our buildings are a short walk from Balbriggan station. By car it is 30 to 40 minutes up the M1, and about 20 minutes from Dublin Airport. This page covers every way in, where to park, and what to do with the rest of your day.
Two buildings, two addresses
| Building | What is there | Address |
|---|---|---|
| Salt Cave Paradise | Salt Water Cave, Jacuzzi Rooftop, sauna | 1 Convent Lane, Balbriggan, K32 CY94 |
| Salt Cave Halotherapy | Dry salt rooms, Family Room, classes | Unit 14, Balbriggan Trade Centre, K32 PY61 |
They are a short walk apart, both near the station. Check your booking confirmation for which one you are going to; the Trade Centre is not on Convent Lane. Maps for both are on the Contact page.
By train from Dublin
Take the Irish Rail Northern Commuter line from Dublin Connolly towards Drogheda or Dundalk and get off at Balbriggan. Trains run roughly every hour through the day, more often at peak times, and the journey is 34 to 41 minutes. The same trains stop at Tara Street, Pearse, Clontarf Road, Malahide and Skerries, so you can board at whichever is handiest. Use a Leap card or buy a return at the machine. Check times on irishrail.ie before you travel, especially on Sundays and bank holidays when the service is thinner.
From Balbriggan station, both Convent Lane and the Trade Centre are a short walk. If you are doing the All Access or Couples package, the walk between the halotherapy building and the pools is built into the three hours.
By bus
The Bus Éireann 101 runs from Talbot Street in Dublin city centre to Drogheda, via Swords and Balbriggan, every 20 to 30 minutes and around the clock. Allow about an hour from the city depending on traffic. Get off in Balbriggan town centre and walk down to the station area. The 101 also stops at Dublin Airport, which makes it the cheapest way to reach us straight off a flight.
By car
From the city, take the M1 north and leave at the Balbriggan exit, then follow the R132 into town; 30 to 40 minutes outside rush hour. From Dublin Airport it is about 20 minutes on the same road. From Drogheda it is 20 minutes south on the M1; from Swords or Skerries about 15 minutes.
Parking at Convent Lane. We have two spaces on site and they are usually full. Street parking is available nearby, and the Balbriggan train station car park is a short walk away.
Parking at the Trade Centre. Street parking around the Trade Centre, or the station car park again.
From Dublin Airport
We are about 20 minutes from the airport by taxi and around 35 by the 101 bus, which is why a lot of visitors come to us straight after landing or before an evening flight. Book a slot at least two hours after your scheduled landing time to allow for baggage and the road, and let us know when you book if you are arriving with luggage.
From Drogheda, Swords and Skerries
If you are searching for a spa near Drogheda or in North County Dublin, we are the closest salt-water spa to all three towns: 20 minutes by car or train from Drogheda, 15 minutes from Swords on the 101, and one stop on the train from Skerries. Weekday afternoons are the quietest time to come from nearby.
Where to stay
Most visitors come for the day, but if you want to stay over, the Bracken Court Hotel on Bridge Street is a four-star in the town centre, close to the station and a short walk from us, with free parking. There are also guesthouses and B&Bs in Balbriggan and Skerries, and the airport hotels are 20 minutes away. If you have booked a hotel package that includes a visit to us, contact us to confirm your session time.
Make a day of it
Balbriggan is a seaside town, so a spa visit turns easily into a day trip from Dublin. The beach and the harbour are a few minutes from Convent Lane, there are cafés and restaurants on the main street for lunch after the pools, and Ardgillan Castle and its gardens are ten minutes away. We have put the best of it in Top Things to Do in Balbriggan. A typical day: train up mid-morning, halotherapy, lunch in town, Salt Water Cave and Rooftop in the afternoon, train back by early evening.
Getting here: FAQs
Once you know the train time, the rest is easy. Book your session, tell us if you are coming from the airport with bags, and we will see you at the door.