Will be traveling from Dublin to Galway, then Killarney, then back to Dublin over the course of 8 days. Does it make sense to get the bus system's Tourist travel pass? Do I make seat reservations ahead of time or just show up and hope there are seats? Which bus company is recommended? I looked at train connection from Galway to Killarney and theoretically it looked possible but it was confusing to me whether we would have to transfer and how much of an issue that is. Any place I can find clearer directions/explanations of how the train system works? Sorry to be so confounded by all this. Thanks for your help.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
I would not get the pass and you need not reserve ahead. The two train tickets can be as much as 50% cheaper if purchased online at www.irishrail.ie instead of in the station, even on short notice, but you may need Verified by Visa or MasterCard SecureCode set up on your credit card to use that web site.
Although buses have a small, 5% discount for booking online, the simplest way to buy a bus ticket and confirm the schedule will be upon arrival in Galway, where the public buses also use the train station. Maybe you'll also find the "Schedule search" function to be easier to read at http://journeyplanner.buseireann.ie/jp/bin/, with specific connections for your travel date, instead of the "Schedule download" in PDF format. On that search, I see daily morning departures from Galway at 9, 10, and noon, with just one connection at Limerick to reach Killarney.