We'll be staying at a hotel in Blanchardstown (Dublin) for 8 nights and have a question regarding day trips and transportation. We were planning to rent a car (to get from/to the airport, to/from Dublin city centre and day trips) but are rethinking this since it's expensive. I know we can take a taxi from the airport and catch buses to the city centre, but what about day trips? Are there shuttle buses or day excursions with tour groups to neighboring small towns, etc.? Or should we rent a car for 1 day to drive further out? Thank you in advance!
Posted by
Colorado Springs
2980 posts
Is there a particular reason why you're opting to stay in Blanchardstown? Family connection, etc?
It would much easier logistically for you to stay in or near central Dublin, or at least somewhere along the DART line, if your intention is to explore the city and take day trips from its center.
If you're committed to staying that far outside the city then you're probably better off just renting a car for the week and doing day trips on your own to the Wicklow Mtns., Glendalough, Newgrange, etc.
I would not recommend taking a car into central Dublin, especially if you're not familiar with left-hand driving and the rules of the road there. It's daunting for experienced drivers - I'd avoid it.
Posted by
St Louis, MO, USA
28 posts
Car rental in Ireland is very expensive - in addition, it's not like here where your personal car insurance will cover the rental and the insurance can cost as much as the rental fee. Also, driving in Dublin is not a good idea. I am comfortable driving in New York City and Chicago but hesitate to drive in Dublin. Also, when you pick up a rental car from the airport you will drive about 1 mile before you have to deal with a round-about as you are exiting the airport. The driver with be jet lagged, just learning to drive on the other side of the car and the other side of the road...too much challenge for so early in the trip. Contact the hotel to ask the best transportation from the airport. Then, when you are ready to take the day trip you can rent a car from a vendor near your hotel. There are also excursions available but I have always driven when exploring outside of Dublin. That way you can get to know the real Ireland and explore the tiny back roads. Have a wonderful trip.
I agree w/previous poster. Your trip would be much more enjoyable if you stayed closer into the city. It's a very safe and walkable city so it would give you much more flexibility and you would spend less time and money on transportation.
Posted by
11 posts
We just came back from a trip that started in London where my daughter and her partner live for three days, and then 4 1/2 days five of us flew to Dublin and used it as our base. We spent 2 1/2 days in Dublin (plenty to see and do) and then did two 12-hour excursions from one company...one was a trip to the Cliffs of Moher, the Burren and Corcomroe Abbey, with a stop for lunch in Doolin. The second was also 12 hours, to the Rock of Cashel, Blarney Castle and Cork. Both were excellent.
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9371 posts
I would not suggest renting a car to drive into the city! Besides the stress and expense of it, parking can be hard to find and expensive. You can easily take public transportation to/from the airport, and take day tours, to places like Newgrange and Glendalough, from Dublin to see outlying areas. Check with the Tourist Information desk when you arrive or Google "day tours from Dublin" to see what is out there. I have always driven, so I did my outlying stuff before dropping my car to spending time in Dublin.