Hi all,
Planning on driving from Dingle to Cliffs of Moher via the Tarbert ferry. Is this something we need to purchase tickets for (car+2 people) in advance? We’ll be traveling next Wednesday if day of week makes any difference.
In the event of bad weather we would probably drive through limerick. Any other suggestions?
Thanks!
Sherry
You pay on board the ferry, no need to book ahead.
Thank you! Would you get there via Connor pass? If there’s bad weather is there an alternative route?
you might give the tarbert ferry website a look https://www.shannonferries.com/ I think you can save a few bucks by ordering online. Pretty good info on the ferry on this site, enjoy!!
We bought our ticket online ahead of time and just handed them the voucher when we drove on the ferry. Very easy and we saved a little bit by buying online.
Greetings from Dingle,
If you book the ferry online theres two positives
1. You'll save a few euro
2. If theres a a long line of cars ahead of you, you'll be guaranteed to get on, many have to wait to the next ferry sometimes because its so full.
I've taken this very route about 300 times and personally I'd never take the ferry.
- The road is bumpy, travel sick passengers can be a downer
- the view is arguably nice but the two big ugly and dominant power stations that burn coal and oil there morning, non and night are far from scenic
If you go via Limerick you'll enjoy a better road, get there at the same time if not quicker. You'll also see the heritage village of Adare, visit the Norman museum, light a candle in a 12th century monastery and have a coffee in a thatched cottage - all on the little main street! You'll also pass Bunratty Castle, possibly worth a visit, definitely for a photostop.
Either way you can go over the Conor Pass or go via tralee, its only after Tralee do you have to make the choice - Ferry to Limerick, hmmm??? :)
Enjoy.
Stephen McPhilemy
Rick Steves Ireland Tour-Guide
Dingle, Derry and Dublin
If Conor Pass is socked in you can just take the N 86 to Tralee, and from there make up your mind whether to take the ferry or not.
With apologies to Stephen, we've always enjoyed taking the ferry across the Shannon rather than taking the faster route via Limerick, but that's mainly because we like the coastal route (the N 67) up thru Kilrush, Kilkee, and Lahinch. On a sunny day it's really a spectacular drive with lots of inviting little places to pop into along the way. The Cliff Walk at Kilkee is one of our favorite enroute stops.
I have the RS 2016 guidebook, in which Rick recommends the Killimer-Tarbert ferry if travelers are headed to Cliffs of Moher from Dingle (and not going to Galway). "....the ferry route is more scenic and direct to to the Cliffs of Moher and the burren"
