Right now, it seems flying in Dublin is the cheapest. What would be a great itinerary for a road trip? Rent a car? Take trains in between? Should we make a loop and fly back out from Dublin? What's your ideal trip if you have 15-18days? We are a family of 5, well travelled family. We are up for anything. Any suggestions welcomed.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16893 posts
In that amount of time, I'd rent a car for Ireland only and follow most of Rick's suggested Ireland itinerary.
Crossing to Great Britain adds some complication with ferries (e.g. from Belfast to Scotland by ferry, bus, and train may take more connections than expected) or budget airlines are an option (www.skyscanner.com). Either way, you'd usually rent a different car for the larger island, or switch to train.
Great Britain has extensive train service, so train versus car is more dependent upon your route.
Posted by
Waterville, Ireland
409 posts
As the previous poster mentioned, Rick Steve's itinerary is great.
However, I have a suggestion. You don't give us much to go on as far as age of kids, what they like to do, but a drive along the Wild Atlantic Way would be fantastic for that length of time. And no, I don't mean the entire way! I suggest pick 2 or 3 counties and really explore. Hiking, biking, surfing, exploring caves, orienteering, horseback riding on a beach, sailing (on a lake or on the sea), snorkeling, --- I could go on and on! All that is available within 20 miles of my house, in Waterville, County Kerry. Trust me, all that is available ANYWHERE you go along the Wild Atlantic Way!
As I've lived here 4 years and talk to many a tourist, I can tell you the number 1 complaint is how much time people drive drive drive.... why not pick 4 nights at a time in each place, and REALLY explore the areas! Look at West Cork and Southwest Kerry - you could fill your 15 days there! Or Achill Island in Mayo and the coast of Sligo - you could spend 15 days there!
You don't have to do what everyone else does. I've lived here 4 years and never kissed the Blarney stone because there's other things close by that have gotten my attention! NOTE: AirBnB is just getting started here - might be a great place to get a house. Here they also call houses to rent "holiday homes" so do a search on DoneDeal.ie for some pricing ideas!
Whatever you do.....GO SLOW!!
Enjoy
Susan Baughman
Waterville, Co Kerry