Ireland travel by bus

I have used bus transportation in Ireland pretty extensively in my five visits but have used only Bus Eireann and have not visited the country since 2010. I bought tickets on the day I was traveling, from an agent, a machine or even the bus driver. A ticket was always available for the probably a dozen bus trips I've taken. Having said that, it's a good idea to buy your tickets online and in advance, but I've never used those three other services you mention. I hope someone else can answer your question about them.

"Reading between the lines, it's a bug in TIF Go" it probably goes much deeper than that and will be aded to the list of things that don't work. But I agree, it is impossible at the moment. It is a route given up by Expressway because it wasn't profitable so that would explain them not selling tickets. I have managed to find a Youtube video which suggests they bought the biggest buses they could find so that ought to give a good chance of empty seats!

I can't answer your question about advance tickets with any specificity. It may be that you're trying too early? If it were me, I think I'd rather take a local bus or taxi to Thurles (or Cahir) and get on the train (which you can easily book ahead online).

Hi LarryD,
I was in Ireland this March and used buses (Expressway) though I was not going between Cashel and Dublin. We are heading back to Ireland in October and will be using the bus again. Usually I only buy tickets a week or two out and have been fine. My son, who lives in Ireland, uses buses exclusively as his transport around the country and often doesn't book until a few days before (though he does start checking a couple weeks before.) He uses both Expressway and Bus Eireann (I think he's only used Translink once and I have never used this company...at least not yet.) The bus system is reliable and comfortable. On the longer routes, there may be some delays due to traffic, weather, etc. but the bus does come and, if late is not too late typically. Hope this alleviates some concerns and enjoy your trip!

The fact that the Cashel route is not an Expressway route means that it is not profitable. It is not profitable due to a lack of passengers.
Transport for Ireland are subsidising such routes (and introducing many new ones) mainly to improve access to public transport for those locals who don't have a car, for all sorts of reasons.
As in the UK, many people in Ireland don't have access to cars.
A different society. There also seems to be an underlying policy of promoting modal shift to public transport.
To be successful in that one of the many needs is to have sufficient capacity.
Effectively by definition there will therefore be no lack of seats.

But the locals, who need to use the bus as and when are the real priority.

There are also trains to Limerick Junction then a local bus #855.

In short this problem is one of perception, not reality.

So are you wanting to leave from Cork or from Cashel? Sounds like Cashel.

I just checked Aircoach from Cork and can buy tickets online. And it looks like you can take the train from Cork, as well.

I also did not research thoroughly but it looks like if you are using Bus Eireann often, you can buy a 6 trip travel pass and use that to secure your tickets.

My experience is a year old, but I used Citilink Dublin to Galway (bought ahead for 8 people). Of course, I also bought Bus Eireann ahead in the same way. Tickets did not have an assigned seat, but we WERE guaranteed a seat on the departure I chose.

If you could put all your long distance tickets on a LEAP card (TIF), that would be pretty handy. Then you would have a Leap card for Galway, Cork, Dublin, etc. I used that for busses in Cork and Dublin. Easy to top up as needed.

Or you can wait till you get there…..

I think isn31c has explained that perfectly.