Hi and thanks in advance. Want to do a counterclockwise trip after flying into Dublin. Renting a car and then turning back in on day 7-8 in Dublin, then exploring Dublin for a few days. Are we unreasonable to think we can rent a car, drive on the opposite side, and make it to Northern Ireland knowing we'll be jet lagged somewhat?
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23243 posts
Our experience is that driving a car for more than a couple hours after arriving is a challenge. The car motion tends to rock everyone to sleep. I would be very cautious.
Posted by
Massachusetts
398 posts
Honestly, this is all up to how you handle jet lag. I've never up and driven upon arrival in Ireland, but I did so in Portugal, driving about 3 or 4 hours from Lisbon to Sagres. I was tired by the end, but I never lost focus or anything. If you are good at sleeping on planes, I can't see why not. But some people wouldn't be able to do it.
Posted by
OP
6 posts
Guess I was wondering about the drive up to Northern Ireland and whether it would be conducive for a first time "opposite side of the road" drive. Think we could manage 3-4 hours of driving, especially stopping intermittently for photographs. Has anyone driven that stretch, even without being jet lagged? Thanks.
Posted by
London, United Kingdom
135 posts
Hi
I've driven in the Republic, and Northern Ireland, many times but not all of the route you are asking about. However some thoughts for you would include:
- Have you driven on the left before? If not, are you sure you will be sufficiently alert and rested before trying it?
- The route from Dublin Airport as far as Belfast is as straightforward a road as you will find anywhere in Ireland - most if not all of that stretch is motorway or separated dual carriageway, making it comparatively easy to simply cruise along. However that might also make you drowsy!
- Your problems may grow more complex just as you are getting closer to your destination, and just as you are getting more tired - from Belfast to the Antrim area you will need to follow more intricate road direction/route changes, and you will move off wide highways, into the more local and traditional roads. These require even more care to drive on than the ones from Dublin.
The distance in itself is not really the problem.
I suppose what I'm hinting at is that in an ideal world, you will get more enjoyment, and be safer doing that drive when rested, alert and with prior experience of left-hand driving, even if it's only the day before.
Posted by
OP
6 posts
Thanks to all of you. I appreciate the advice so much!