Museum · Dublin
Book of Kells Experience, Trinity College Dublin: free entry days, tickets & hours
Independent guide, not the official Book of Kells website. Official links are under Sources.
Book of Kells is free for some visitors, not for everyone.
- Free for: Trinity students and staff visit free (may bring up to 2 guests); Trinity alumni visit free (may bring up to 2 guests).
- Otherwise: book of Kells Experience (Old Library + Red Pavilion), adult from — €25.
Before you go
How to actually get in for free
- Trinity students and staff visit free (may bring up to 2 guests): Pre-book with your student/staff number as promo code; complimentary tickets are limited per academic year.
- Trinity alumni visit free (may bring up to 2 guests): Email bookofkellsexperience@tcd.ie at least 3 working days ahead; subject to availability.
- The free audio guide plays on your own phone - bring headphones.
- Book ahead: entry is timed and popular slots sell out.
All free options
Who gets in free, and when
| Free option | Who | Conditions | Book? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free forTrinity students and staff visit free (may bring up to 2 guests) | tcd students staff | Guests need their own tickets in the same booking; complimentary allocation is limited. | Yes |
| Free forTrinity alumni visit free (may bring up to 2 guests) | tcd alumni | — | Yes |
Official prices
Book of Kells ticket prices
| Book of Kells Experience (Old Library + Red Pavilion), adult from — A cheaper 'Book of Kells & Old Library' ticket (no Red Pavilion) is from €19. Concessions for seniors and students. Tickets non-refundable. | €25 |
| Trinity Trails campus walking tour + Book of Kells Experience — 45-minute student-led campus tour before your visit. | €37 |
| Guided Book of Kells Experience (max 16 people) | €65 |
Prices from the official website, checked Oct 2026. Free options are listed above.
Worth timing your visit?
What a free day saves
Based on the official price (book of kells experience (old library + red pavilion), adult from). Free days are busier — if your dates don't line up, a timed ticket is the trade-off.
Tickets & tours
Best-rated tickets and tours: Book of Kells
Skip-the-line ticketDublin: Fast-Track Book of Kells Ticket & Dublin Castle Tour★★★★★ 4.6 · 2.3k reviews165 minutesfrom €79
Guided tourDublin: Book of Kells, Dublin Castle and Christ Church Tour★★★★★ 4.8 · 1.9k reviews2 - 3 hoursfrom €22.09
Guided tourDublin: St Patrick's, Book of Kells, and Dublin Castle Tour★★★★★ 4.8 · 425 reviews3.5 - 6 hoursfrom €119
Guided tourEarly Access: Book of Kells & Dublin Castle Tour★★★★★ 4.6 · 49 reviews2.5 hoursfrom €79
Guided tourComplete tour of Dublin's Old Library and the Book of Kells★★★★★ 4.9 · 42 reviews3.5 hoursfrom €100
Ratings and prices from the booking partners; prices may change.
Practical
Opening hours & how to get there
| Mon | 08:30–18:30 |
|---|---|
| Tue | 08:30–18:30 |
| Wed | 08:30–18:30 |
| Thu | 08:30–18:30 |
| Fri | 08:30–19:00 |
| Sat | 08:30–19:00 |
| Sun | 09:00–18:30 |
Mon-Thu 8:30-18:30; Fri-Sat 8:30-19:00; Sun 9:00-18:30. Timed entry; online booking strongly recommended.
Trinity College, College Green, Dublin 2, Ireland
Also free nearby
Make a free afternoon of it
Worth paying for nearby
Paid highlights within walking distance
FAQ
Book of Kells: common questions
Is Book of Kells free?
Book of Kells has no free entry for everyone. Also free: Trinity students and staff visit free (may bring up to 2 guests); Trinity alumni visit free (may bring up to 2 guests). Otherwise the official ticket costs €25.
Who gets free entry to Book of Kells?
Tcd students staff — guests need their own tickets in the same booking; complimentary allocation is limited.. Tcd alumni.
Do I need to book for free entry to Book of Kells?
Pre-book with your student/staff number as promo code; complimentary tickets are limited per academic year.
How much is a ticket to Book of Kells?
Book of Kells Experience (Old Library + Red Pavilion), adult from costs €25 on the official site.
Visitor reviews
What visitors say about Book of Kells
No reviews yet. Been here? Tell others how it went — especially on a free day.
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Sources
Where this comes from
- tcd.ie/visitors/book-of-kells/ · checked Saturday, 24 October 2026
Every free rule is checked against the official source and re-checked on a schedule. Spotted a change? Tell us.